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For Laurie Ann Goldman, happenstance encounters have helped to shape her career. During her last semester at the University of Texas, her mother's parents died unexpectedly, and instead of heading away from New Orleans after graduation, Goldman stayed home to support her mother. One day a Mrs. Sternberg called to see how her mother was doing, but ended up in a long conversation with Goldman, asking her all about herself.

A couple days later Goldman got a call from the human resources director of the Goudchaux department store, which turned out to be owned by the Sternberg family. Goldman was invited in for another conversation -- but this time she knew it would be a job interview -- and she was hired by the store to do public relations and run store events.

After career moves to Macy's and Coca Cola, where she vastly expanded her marketing and leadership skills, Goldman was taking a couple of years at home to redo her house in Atlanta, Ga., and to spend time with her three children, who were under 5 when she left Coca Cola.

Another chance encounter, this time in the hosiery department at Saks, yielded an offer to become chief executive officer of Spanx, whose founding product was a pair of pantyhose without feet. Its founder, Sara Blakely, had gotten the idea when, looking for a smoother line with her white pants but at the same time wanting to wear sandals, she cut out the feet of her panty hose.

Goldman was in Saks on a mission to find control top, fishnet pantyhose for a black party dress when she started to lecture the sales associate on supply chain management and vendor replenishment. By chance, Blakely's then-boyfriend was in the department and heard the whole conversation. They talked, and one thing led to another -- first Goldman did a little consulting, and ultimately she was offered the role of chief executive officer. Under Goldman's tutelage Spanx has added many lines and now offers hundreds of products.

On Thursday, May 13, Goldman will speak at The United Jewish Federation Princeton Mercer Bucks' Women's Campaign Annual Spring Luncheon, which takes place at 11 a.m. at Greenacres Country Club in Lawrenceville. The event, which includes a reception and the Chances for Treasure gift raffle, raises money for service programs locally and abroad.

Goldman may be the only entrepreneur in her family of professionals, but she is hardly the only philanthropist. Her surgeon father and artist mother have always been involved in philanthropy, both secular and Jewish. ''They led by example, I saw them doing those things all the time,'' said Goldman.

Her father served as president of his synagogue and was a national vice chair of the federation. Her parents also helped refuseniks get out of Russia, and they took on one very unique tzedakah project -- after meeting a boy in Israel next to a basketball court, they ended up funding his whole education. Today he is married and has his own children.

While Goldman grew up, Zionism and philanthropy were her primary Jewish connections. ''Jewishness equaled being philanthropic,'' she said. ''It was a way of life, an expectation, and what generations before you have always done.''

As a teen, Goldman went on an Israel trip with 90 students through the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, and in her first two years of college, at Tulane University, served as campaign chair. Today Goldman is active in the Jewish Federation of Atlanta, and she was named one of Jewish Women International's Top Ten Women to Watch.

Joanne Berman, co-chair of the women's luncheon with Jackie Orr, is excited about hearing Goldman speak. ''She is an accomplished businesswoman who brought her company from small to huge,'' said Berman. ''But it's not just about her story as a businesswoman, which I think will be fascinating, but she will also describe her work in philanthropy.''

For Berman, Goldman, a longstanding federation Lion of Judah, is an important role model, uniquely suited to speak at the luncheon. ''Not only is she willing to speak and give her time and money to Federation, but she has maintained her commitment to this organization while being an incredibly successful businesswoman and raising three kids,'' says Berman. ''She seems to have a balance and doesn't let the philanthropy go.''

Berman first connected to the federation in New York City, where she met her husband at a federation event for lawyers. She sees this luncheon as a community builder and invites all women in the community to enjoy the luncheon, start making friends, and become involved in any way they can.

''This event in particular is for women, which is why we have a female speaker,'' said Berman. ''The women in the community are the ones who hold it together, pass down the traditions, and gather together.''

The luncheon's title, ''Acts of Kindness Come in All Shapes and Sizes,'' is a double entendre that alludes both to Spanx, whose undergarments help women shape their bodies, and to community involvement. Berman explained, ''It means 'Come help shape your community.' Philanthropy comes in all shapes and sizes; whatever you can do, as much or as little as you are able to do -- as long as you are giving back something to the community. That's as much as anybody can ask.''

Stephanie Will, co-chair of the federation's women's campaign, explained that the luncheon is the biggest women's event of the year and usually draws 200 to 300.

''It has a great sense of community, especially when you see who comes out to the luncheon,'' said Will. Both the Prime Time and Young Women's divisions come together for the event. ''It is a total effort of all the women in the community,'' said Will, who urged all women in the community to consider attending. ''The needs are greater than ever, both here and abroad, due to the current economy,'' she said.

The Women's Campaign will be honoring Pennsylvania resident Linda Cohen, former associate executive director of United Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, with the Woman of Valor Award at the luncheon.

When Cohen first interviewed for the federation with then-president Bob Lipsky, he talked to her about where he wanted to see the federation go and how he wanted to see it grow. Cohen said, ''I walked out of that interview thinking, 'I want to be part of this community. I wanted to be part of what he wants to accomplish.'''

Cohen was with the federation during a period of tremendous growth for the Women's Campaign, from 14 when she started to over 200 a couple years later. ''Part of my goal when I came was to build the next generation of leadership for federation,'' said Cohen, and, in fact, many who began in the Young Women's group during her first couple of years are now leaders of the women's campaign.

Cohen appreciated her time working with the Princeton Mercer Bucks community. ''The community is unbelievably generous with time, volunteer efforts, and financial support,'' she said. ''In spite of the recession, many donors realize that needs are increasing and have kept their contributions the same or increased them.''

Because the women's luncheon typically honors volunteers, Cohen is particularly flattered that she is being honored for her dedication as a professional. ''I am totally bowled over and overwhelmed,'' she said.

Before coming to the federation, Cohen worked at Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, Pa., and then served for 18 years as administrative director of what is now Perelman Jewish Day School. She identifies totally as a nonprofit person, in the tradition of her grandmother, who was very involved in the Philadelphia community, and her mother, who worked for the Israel Bonds office for 10 years. ''I come from that kind of volunteer, giving background,'' said Cohen.

And so does Goldman. ''We were always very involved in doing the right thing -- that was ingrained in me from a very early age,'' she said. ''We are very fortunate that we have what we have, and we always have to remember our obligation to give back.''

To learn more about Women's Campaign Annual Spring Luncheon or about United Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, please contact (609) 219-0555, email mailbox@ujfpmb.org, or visit www.ujfpmb.org.