#19 - First Executive Director
Strengthen
What?
In November of 2019, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County took an enormous leap forward: hiring our first Executive Director!
The timing was perfect, right on the cusp of our 20th Anniversary year. As the Advisory Board reflected upon all that we’d accomplished during that time and began to consider all that was possible moving forward, one thought became crystal clear: it was time to invest in the future of our organization, in our partners, in our members, and in our community.
We are grateful to Barb Van Winkle and the WGC Advisory Board for their vision in choosing to do this - not every nonprofit has paid staff, much less a paid Executive Director responsible for working hand-in-hand with the Advisory Board to craft and implement strategic vision, represent the Circle at key community events, forge ongoing partnerships, and provide the kind of continuity that organizations need to thrive. We are also grateful to the founders who created the endowment that allows for this type of investment without impacting our ongoing ability to support women and girls in Howard County.
When it came time to appoint a leader, there was no better woman than Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz.
Buffy is a WGC founder, former Communications Committee Chair, and former Advisory Board Chair. She’s been there since the very beginning, and there is no one better positioned to maintain meaningful ties with those who have built the organization into what it is today along with inviting new faces and voices to the table as we forge a strong path into the days, months, and years ahead.
So What?
In addition to the various roles she’s held within the WGC, Buffy is a philanthropic leader whose professional career, volunteer efforts, and activism have been focused on women’s issues, human rights, and social change through philanthropy. She is co-author of the award-winning book Women & Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World, has written articles on women’s giving, and is active with regional groups like the Maryland Philanthropy Network and the DMV Collective Giving Network and national groups, including Philanos and Philanthropy Together.
When you get right down to it, bringing in someone with the skills and abilities to maximize finances and resources - someone able to be a good steward of investor funding - makes all the difference in the world when it comes to measuring success. Donors and members feel good about where their dollars are going, there is a consistency in decision making and direction, an ability to connect the dots and to keep everything from grantmaking to programming to Advisory Board and Committee work moving forward smoothly.
Now What?
So much has happened since November of 2019 - globally, nationally, statewide, and locally - and yet the WGC continued to grow thanks in large part to having an Executive Director providing strong vision and leadership.
We welcomed new members, attracted new partners, reimagined ways to convene safely, creatively shared initiatives and opportunities, and so much more.
Even as the WGC focuses on building a community of philanthropists to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County, so too do we celebrate strong women leaders such as Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz and Barb Van Winkle.
Both were there at the start of the Circle, serving in various ways throughout our first twenty years. Both accepted leadership roles that allow them to truly leave their mark on an organization that means so much to each of them.
For 20 years, the WGC has dedicated itself to leveraging our collective dollars, to amplifying the power of collective giving, to building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County.
Will you join us?
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
Strengthen
What?
In November of 2019, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County took an enormous leap forward: hiring our first Executive Director!
The timing was perfect, right on the cusp of our 20th Anniversary year. As the Advisory Board reflected upon all that we’d accomplished during that time and began to consider all that was possible moving forward, one thought became crystal clear: it was time to invest in the future of our organization, in our partners, in our members, and in our community.
We are grateful to Barb Van Winkle and the WGC Advisory Board for their vision in choosing to do this - not every nonprofit has paid staff, much less a paid Executive Director responsible for working hand-in-hand with the Advisory Board to craft and implement strategic vision, represent the Circle at key community events, forge ongoing partnerships, and provide the kind of continuity that organizations need to thrive. We are also grateful to the founders who created the endowment that allows for this type of investment without impacting our ongoing ability to support women and girls in Howard County.
When it came time to appoint a leader, there was no better woman than Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz.
Buffy is a WGC founder, former Communications Committee Chair, and former Advisory Board Chair. She’s been there since the very beginning, and there is no one better positioned to maintain meaningful ties with those who have built the organization into what it is today along with inviting new faces and voices to the table as we forge a strong path into the days, months, and years ahead.
- “It is truly full-circle having Buffy take the helm as our first Executive Director almost 20 years after helping to start the circle as a founder, serving as Chair, and then consulting with the WGC for two years. As a recognized leader in the field, we are thrilled to have her energy and experience helping to guide the WGC through our 20th year and beyond!" Barb Van Winkle, WGC Advisory Board Chair
So What?
In addition to the various roles she’s held within the WGC, Buffy is a philanthropic leader whose professional career, volunteer efforts, and activism have been focused on women’s issues, human rights, and social change through philanthropy. She is co-author of the award-winning book Women & Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World, has written articles on women’s giving, and is active with regional groups like the Maryland Philanthropy Network and the DMV Collective Giving Network and national groups, including Philanos and Philanthropy Together.
- “Buffy brings not only the institutional knowledge of the WGC to bear in her position as Executive Director, but also leverages her national work with local connections. Here’s an original founder who worked in philanthropy for 30 years, able to take and use that experience to be a good steward of investor funding.” - Jean Moon
When you get right down to it, bringing in someone with the skills and abilities to maximize finances and resources - someone able to be a good steward of investor funding - makes all the difference in the world when it comes to measuring success. Donors and members feel good about where their dollars are going, there is a consistency in decision making and direction, an ability to connect the dots and to keep everything from grantmaking to programming to Advisory Board and Committee work moving forward smoothly.
Now What?
So much has happened since November of 2019 - globally, nationally, statewide, and locally - and yet the WGC continued to grow thanks in large part to having an Executive Director providing strong vision and leadership.
We welcomed new members, attracted new partners, reimagined ways to convene safely, creatively shared initiatives and opportunities, and so much more.
- “A big part of The 3rd choosing to become a partner was witnessing the strong relationships the WGC built with prior partners. The Circle invests not only financially, but via organizing, focused messaging, and the work they’ve done to incorporate DEI throughout the organization. There are so many new donors and new Advisory Board Members. We’re at the table today because of all of this and more, and while it may have happened without an Executive Director, it certainly wouldn’t have happened as quickly without the leadership and vision that Buffy has provided!” - Laura Bacon
Even as the WGC focuses on building a community of philanthropists to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County, so too do we celebrate strong women leaders such as Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz and Barb Van Winkle.
Both were there at the start of the Circle, serving in various ways throughout our first twenty years. Both accepted leadership roles that allow them to truly leave their mark on an organization that means so much to each of them.
For 20 years, the WGC has dedicated itself to leveraging our collective dollars, to amplifying the power of collective giving, to building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County.
Will you join us?
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
