WGC Advisory Board Chairs & Members - Story #2
lead
What?
What makes those who serve on the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County’s Advisory Board so exceptional? Central to the Giving Circle model is donor empowerment: engaging and encouraging donors (as represented by the Advisory Board) to choose how to allocate funds. And who leads this process?
The WGC Advisory Board Chairs & Members.
Their WGC Advisory Board Chair’s primary role is to maintain a keen focus on fulfilling the mission of the WGC: building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County. They facilitate board meetings, exemplify strong leadership, and practice effective governance.
And the WGC Advisory Board is very much a working board, with Advisory Board Members supporting the Chair by turning ideas into actions and putting change into motion.
Over the last 20 years, the WGC Advisory Board has welcomed a diverse group of women from all sectors of our community who work together to promote philanthropy in order to support programs focused on women and girls. We are so proud that through the years, the women who have served on the WGC Advisory Board have not only given time and talent, but also financial support to further the WGC’s mission.
So What?
We salute the women who have stepped up to serve in the challenging yet extraordinarily meaningful role of WGC Advisory Board Chair throughout the years: Jean Moon, Yolanda Bruno, Linda Odum, Dorothy Harris, Cynthia Taliano, Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Caroline Sherman, Megan Bruno, Alison Canning, and Barb Van Winkle.
And we salute the 95 women who have served on the WGC Advisory Board.
Each and every one of these remarkable leaders have brought something unique to their role, shepherding the WGC through times of growth and challenge and change to emerge ever stronger. An emphasis on a culture of collaboration, bringing together an array of perspectives and knowledge and skills and talents, allowed these women to build the WGC from a simple start-up to a powerful organization now celebrating its 20th Anniversary!
Consider the many initiatives championed by the WGC throughout the years: the Emergency Response Network, nonprofit partner grants, the Circle Team, Journey, the Young Women’s Giving Circle, JA Rising Women (our first multi-year grant), our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion focus, Our Giving, Our Stories, and so many others. Each began with a seed of an idea that was nurtured, grew, and bloomed through the vision, commitment, enthusiasm, and actions of a WGC Advisory Board Chair and the support of Advisory Board members.
Now What?
We are immensely grateful for the WGC Advisory Board Chairs and leaders who paved the way, year by year, from our founding and through to today. Each of them led in such a way as to ensure a strong future for the WGC, and while it is extraordinary to see how far we’ve come as an organization in just 20 years, it’s equally exciting to consider how far we can go, together.
As to what happens now? Perhaps you are inspired to donate for the very first time.
Or maybe you’re already a member of the WGC and choose to become more involved, seeking an opportunity to join one of our committees, and/or eventually our Advisory Board.
The truth of the matter is this: leadership doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
Each and every Advisory Board Chair succeeded thanks to the support of the Advisory Board and the efforts of every single person involved in the WGC.
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? www.womensgivingcircle.org
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
What makes those who serve on the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County’s Advisory Board so exceptional? Central to the Giving Circle model is donor empowerment: engaging and encouraging donors (as represented by the Advisory Board) to choose how to allocate funds. And who leads this process?
The WGC Advisory Board Chairs & Members.
Their WGC Advisory Board Chair’s primary role is to maintain a keen focus on fulfilling the mission of the WGC: building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County. They facilitate board meetings, exemplify strong leadership, and practice effective governance.
- “I have been a long time supporter of WGC. While I was serving on the board of the Community Foundation of Howard County, I asked to be the liaison to WGC. I continued on the WGC Advisory Board as Chair of the Donor Development committee and Vice Chair, and now serve as Board Chair. Throughout this journey I’ve been inspired time and time again by the WGC Board Chairs who came before me, paving the way for our organization to react nimbly, creatively, and strategically to pressing current needs while maintaining key programs that champion women and girls in Howard County.” - Barb Van Winkle
And the WGC Advisory Board is very much a working board, with Advisory Board Members supporting the Chair by turning ideas into actions and putting change into motion.
Over the last 20 years, the WGC Advisory Board has welcomed a diverse group of women from all sectors of our community who work together to promote philanthropy in order to support programs focused on women and girls. We are so proud that through the years, the women who have served on the WGC Advisory Board have not only given time and talent, but also financial support to further the WGC’s mission.
So What?
We salute the women who have stepped up to serve in the challenging yet extraordinarily meaningful role of WGC Advisory Board Chair throughout the years: Jean Moon, Yolanda Bruno, Linda Odum, Dorothy Harris, Cynthia Taliano, Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Caroline Sherman, Megan Bruno, Alison Canning, and Barb Van Winkle.
And we salute the 95 women who have served on the WGC Advisory Board.
- “As one of the longest serving Advisory Board members, I’m honored to currently serve on the Governance Committee. Through the years, I have loved working side by side with other dedicated women on everything from strategic planning to event planning, and am proud of the focus we’ve had on building the foundation of the WGC for the future.” - Barbara Peart
Each and every one of these remarkable leaders have brought something unique to their role, shepherding the WGC through times of growth and challenge and change to emerge ever stronger. An emphasis on a culture of collaboration, bringing together an array of perspectives and knowledge and skills and talents, allowed these women to build the WGC from a simple start-up to a powerful organization now celebrating its 20th Anniversary!
Consider the many initiatives championed by the WGC throughout the years: the Emergency Response Network, nonprofit partner grants, the Circle Team, Journey, the Young Women’s Giving Circle, JA Rising Women (our first multi-year grant), our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion focus, Our Giving, Our Stories, and so many others. Each began with a seed of an idea that was nurtured, grew, and bloomed through the vision, commitment, enthusiasm, and actions of a WGC Advisory Board Chair and the support of Advisory Board members.
- “Each person will have their own unique path to philanthropy and there are many different ways to give. For me, as a long-time advocate for vulnerable children and victims of domestic violence, I felt a distinct responsibility to contribute to my local community, especially in ways to support women and girls. This is why I became a founding member of the WGC, and then stepped up to serve as Advisory Board Chair. For me, serving with this group of women who are decision makers sustained my passion to strengthen the lives of at risk women and girls in Howard County.” - Dorothy Harris
Now What?
We are immensely grateful for the WGC Advisory Board Chairs and leaders who paved the way, year by year, from our founding and through to today. Each of them led in such a way as to ensure a strong future for the WGC, and while it is extraordinary to see how far we’ve come as an organization in just 20 years, it’s equally exciting to consider how far we can go, together.
As to what happens now? Perhaps you are inspired to donate for the very first time.
Or maybe you’re already a member of the WGC and choose to become more involved, seeking an opportunity to join one of our committees, and/or eventually our Advisory Board.
The truth of the matter is this: leadership doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
Each and every Advisory Board Chair succeeded thanks to the support of the Advisory Board and the efforts of every single person involved in the WGC.
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? www.womensgivingcircle.org
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
