2022 WGC Advisory Board
The Women's Giving Circle Advisory Board is made up of a diverse group of women from all sectors who live, work and/or volunteer in Howard County and are working to promote philanthropy among women in order to give grants to programs that focus on women and girls. We are proud that 100% of our 2021 Advisory Board has not only given time and talent, but has also given financial support to further the WGC's mission.
The WGC Advisory Board is committed to transparency in every aspect of our organization and our funding.
The WGC Advisory Board is committed to transparency in every aspect of our organization and our funding.
Barb Van Winkle
Chair is President of Nancy Adams Personnel in Columbia, where her company has been for over 40 years. Her business specializes in providing top-notch candidates to all size companies for Administrative, Customer Service, Accounting and Office Support positions, both permanent and temporary. Her company has helped many clients hire long time permanent employees, and her candidates stay an average of over 6 years in their permanent jobs. She has a BA degree in Sociology from Goucher College and served for 8 years on the Goucher Board of Trustees. She participated for over 20 years in area triathlons, now she loves golfing, practicing yoga and walking with her wife Joan. They both love spending time with their young granddaughters and grandson! Barb has served on many nonprofit boards including the Community Foundation of Howard County for 9 years, and she continues to serve on the HCCEF board, where she served as Chair for 2 terms, and is now current Chair of the annual Silas Craft Collegian Dinner. She loves the Women’s Giving Circle and she is very proud to be Chair! Barb has been a strong supporter of WGC since its inception in 2002!
Kim Agnor
Treasurer and Chair, Governance Committee is an accountant with Kimberly A. Agnor, CPA, LLC, where she specializes in accounting work and software for small and medium sized businesses. Kim has been previously employed with Fisher Ring LLC as an accounting manager and business tax preparer, and as an assistant controller with St. John Properties and Questar Builders. Kim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and an Accounting Certificate from UMBC. She became licensed in MD as a CPA in 1993 and is a member of the American Association of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In addition to serving as Treasurer of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County advisory board, Kim was the previous Chair for the WGC Youth Development Committee. She also currently serves on the Fundraising and Finance Committee for The Veterans Foundation of Howard County. She has served on the Grants Committee of the Community Foundation of Howard County, on the Board of Directors of HC Drug Free and on the Board of Directors of the Clarksville Elementary School PTA. Kim has lived in Howard County since 1978. She currently lives in Clarksville with her husband Jeff and her two children, Rachel and Michael. She enjoys golf, running, cooking and reading when she has the chance.
Kashonna Holland
is an engaging keynote speaker, an inspiring coach, a motivational author, and an insightful corporate trainer. Kashonna is the President & CEO of Simply Kashonna, a business built to promote BOLD, FEARLESS and COURAGEOUS living. She goes beyond surface issues to address the pink elephants that inhibit personal, professional and spiritual potential. Kashonna has helped many people walk through the ambiguity of their lives and on to defining their life’s purpose by discovering their authentic self. Both, in the corporate arena and in the nonprofit world, strategic growth and development of people have always been the focal point of her service. Corporately, she has held positions in both Human Resources, as well as the Staffing industry. Additionally, Kashonna spent years in an executive pastoral role where crisis intervention and spiritual guidance were her primary responsibilities. Understanding that leadership training and development is essential to any corporation or organization’s growth, Kashonna launched SK Leading Forward, which is dedicated to enhancing employee engagement, performance, productivity and morale. Kashonna is a member and currently serves on the WGC’s Membership & Development Committee.
Mary Thompson
Chair, Events Committee is the founder of ReFrame Financial Planning, a fee-only Financial Planning and Advisory firm in Howard County, where she helps individuals build financial and purpose-driven transition plans for retirement. Mary specializes in guiding clients through the next chapter of their lives by balancing their financial and personal goals in a way that’s aligned with their values, passions and purpose. Mary also worked for 10 years for FAI Wealth Management in Columbia, MD where she was a Senior Advisor and Partner working with clients to develop and implement investment and financial planning strategies. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with minors in Business and Computer Science from the University at Albany, SUNY. She holds the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM certification.
Lynne C. Schaefer
Chair, Finance Committee has served as Vice President for Administration and Finance at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) since 2005. In her role as chief business officer at UMBC, she is responsible for financial management, budget, reporting and control for annual operations of nearly $500 million. She previously served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and as Budget Director and Vice President for Administrative Services at Wayne State University in Detroit. She has been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, and one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Metropolitan Detroit.
Beverly White-Seals, President & CEO
Community Foundation of Howard County Liaison *Ex-Officio joined CFHoCo as President and CEO in May 2012, bringing broad experience in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors. She positioned the organization as a hub for connecting philanthropic residents with local nonprofits to improve the lives of those living in Howard County, while also building a new leadership team and investing in better processes and systems. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Beverly earned a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law. Beverly also donated her time and talent to serve on over 30 nonprofit boards while pursuing a career as a practicing attorney. Beverly enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and grandson as well as with her large and exceedingly close extended family.
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Jennifer Bodensiek
Vice Chair is chief development officer of Junior Achievement of Greater Washington. By connecting education and business communities, Junior Achievement reaches more than 40,000 young people, annually, with hands-on financial education, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs. In 2014, with a significant multi-year investment from the Women’s Giving Circle, JA launched JA Rising Women. She received her B.S. degree in marketing education from Virginia Tech and resides in Ellicott City with her two sons.
Laura Bacon
is the Founder and CEO of The 3rd, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, co-created, community of Women of Color entrepreneurs. The 3rd believes Women of Color need a space to build, execute, and thrive: “We need access. We need skill building. We need funding. We need collaboration. We need accountability. We need sister friends. We need a community that understands our unique gifts and the unique challenges we face.” Laura creates spaces where people can show up as the best version of themselves. Her life and work centers around community building. For 14 years, she channeled that through her work in education. She’s also worked as company manager in theaters, an artists' manager at an opera, a mentor teacher, and most recently she’s settled into her passion, entrepreneurship and community building. Her talent is in putting all the right people in a space to make something special. Laura is a member and currently serves on the WGC’s Events Committee.
Melissa Curtin
Chair, Membership & Development Committee is the owner of Melissa Curtin Coaching and Consulting, and is a talented and accomplished professional with over 25 years of corporate and nonprofit leadership experience, including personal leadership and organizational development with nonprofit and philanthropy professionals and organizations through individual and team coaching, strategic planning, and nonprofit management consulting. Previously, Melissa served as the President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County where she led the revitalization of the foundation, the largest institutional nonprofit funder in the county with a mission to promote, increase, and distribute philanthropy. She also served as the President & CEO of the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence. is the owner of Melissa Curtin Coaching + Consulting, and is a talented and accomplished professional with over 25 years of corporate and nonprofit leadership experience, including personal leadership and organizational development with nonprofit and philanthropy professionals and organizations through individual and team coaching, strategic planning, and nonprofit management consulting. Previously, Melissa served as the President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County where she led the revitalization of the foundation, the largest institutional nonprofit funder in the county with a mission to promote, increase, and distribute philanthropy. She also served as the President & CEO of the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence. Melissa has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver.
Lee Draminski
Secretary was raised in Howard County, MD and graduated from Mt. Hebron High School. She began her career as an intern at The Rouse Company, and then went on to work at the Howard County Chamber of Commerce in several different capacities. For the past 27 years, she has actively worked in the local, regional and national association world, working for Homebuilders Association of Maryland (now MBIA), Howard County Dental Association, Retail Packaging Association, and more. Lee switched industries and currently manages Partnerships for Vectorworks, Inc. She is a graduate of Shippensburg University where she was a four-year swimmer. She lives in Howard County with her husband and three children.
April Force Pardoe
is the director of the Interior Design, Membership & Editorial departments at Tobi Fairley, Inc. Prior to her position with Tobi Fairley, she owned April Force Pardoe Interiors, an award-winning residential design studio in Howard County. She is a past board member of the Maryland SPCA. April joined the WGC board in 2018 and has Co-chaired the Development Committee, Co-chaired the YDC, worked with the YWGC on a feminine product drive, and is now on the Grants Committee. She has a B.A. degree in Mass Communications from Towson University and an M.A. degree in Publication Design from The University of Baltimore. She lives in Elkridge with her husband, two teenage daughters and her chocolate lab, Roxy.
Nette' Stokes
founded and currently works at JustLiving Advocacy, Inc. as the Executive & Community Engagement Director. She has a heart for all people, especially for women heading up their households alone as single parents. She believes in giving and creating opportunities for those who have a strong personal desire to lift themselves out of impoverished circumstances. Nette has strategic and executive management experience combined with a solid vision for operations and providing a creative approach to organization operations, marketing and development and community outreach. She worked for 15 years at IBM and 10 years in the government at the US Department of State and the Department of Justice as a Senior Program and Project Manager.
Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz
Executive Director, *Ex Officio 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 national giving circle groups. She began her career working for an international human rights organization in Washington, DC, and has served as Director of the Baltimore Giving Project, Communications Director at the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (now Maryland Philanthropy Network).
She is active in the community and has served on numerous Boards of Directors including the Community Foundation of Howard County, Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, Hope Works, Sobar, Our Maryland, and the Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System, and is involved in gun violence prevention efforts. She also represents the WGC on the national Philanos Board of Directors and co-Chairs the Marketing & Communications Committee, and she's on the Steering Committee for the Global We Give Summit. She has a BA in Russian History from the University of Maryland and has lived in Howard County for over 30 years. She and her husband Howard have four children ranging in age from 29 – 15 and two young granddaughters. |
Alison Canning
Immediate Past Chair, Co-Chair, Grants Committee has worked in financial services for more than 15 years. Alison has lived in Howard County most of her life, and is a graduate of Howard High School. Involved with the Circle since 2011, Alison has served as the Chair of the Donor Development Committee, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Advisory Board from 2016-2018. Alison lives in Silver Spring with her husband Michael and their two children, Lillian and Thomas.
Dr. Maxine Clark
began her career almost 30 years ago, specializing in the correction of spaced and crowded teeth, and also jaw malformations and dysfunctions. She credits her success to her parents: Her father, a railroad engineer, and her mother, a construction pioneer, always stressed the importance of higher education. A U.S. Army veteran and recipient of several awards, Dr. Clark mentors young adults in dentistry and serves on the advisory boards for Maryland State Medicaid and Women’s Giving Circle in Howard County.
Candace Dodson-Reed
Co-Chair, Grants Committee is an experienced executive with a 20 plus year successful career in the public, education, and nonprofit sectors. Skilled in media relations, grassroots organizing, government relations, crisis communications, inclusion and equity work, public policy and community/public affairs, Candace currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). In 2012, Candace founded the African American Community Roundtable of Howard County and the twentyfivefortyfive Giving Circle at the Community Foundation of Howard County. Candace also co-hosts a podcast—Elevate Maryland. In 2020, she was named a Maryland Top 100 Woman by The Daily Record. Candace is the very proud mother of a college student.
Alice Giles
is in the business of information as a Technical Specialist at the Howard County Public School system. In her professional career she curates the limitless supply of information available online to help customers find the accurate information they need, provides instruction on existing technological tools, and designs new means for accessing and sharing information. In her volunteer career, she works to increase access to local government and share information and increase dialogue with the community.
Barbara Peart
is retired from state service in 2008 after 25 years. Her last position with the state was as the Assistant Director for Planning, Quality and Support Operations for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services. Barbara holds a B.S. degree in Business Management from Johns Hopkins University. As top business class graduate, she was honored with the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key Award. She is also an accomplished pianist, actively involved in community activities, and has received numerous recognition throughout her career. Barbara was selected the first Chair of the Governor’s Quality Council, and has participated in many statewide committees throughout her state career. She also served on the Columbia Housing Corporation Board (Chair, 2 years) and served as a Howard County Housing Commissioner (Vice Chair, 2 years).
Jade McDuffie McClary, Esq.
is an attorney for the Home Preservation Project at the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland. Jade is responsible for training and mentoring volunteer lawyers to help homeowners with estate planning and homeownership loss prevention issues, such as tax sale and foreclosures. She is committed to helping low-income homeowners preserve their intergenerational wealth, which oftentimes, is the family home. Previously, Jade practiced family law in Howard County, drafted bills for the Maryland General Assembly, and clerked for the Honorable Cathy H. Serrette in Prince George’s County. Jade has a degree in Mass Communications from University of South Carolina and a law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She currently serves as a member of the Carey Law Alumni Board and is committed to mentoring students interested in public interest law. Jade is a member and currently serves on the WGC’s Events Committee. From 2020 to 2021, Jade also served on the WGC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee where she carefully analyzed the Events Committee’s practices. She is continuing her DEI work by helping the Events Committee implement the initiatives she and her team recommended.
Judy Smith
Co-Chair, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is the Managing Partner of On Point Consulting, where she partners with businesses and nonprofit organizations to prepare them for the impact of digital transformation on their business strategy, operations, and development. She is a dynamic, results-driven leader who is able to create and actualize a vision using sound strategy development and execution, and strong program execution skills. She is an inspirational leader who actively practices principled leadership while at the same time focusing on the financial levers of the business. Judy holds an MBA from the University of Baltimore, MS in Computer Science from the Johns Hopkins University, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University. She completed the Wharton School of Business Executive Leadership Program.
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WGC Advisory Board 2022
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Executive Committee
Officers: Barb Van Winkle, Chair Jennifer Bodensiek, Vice Chair Kim Agnor, Treasurer and Governance Committee Chair Lee Draminski, Secretary Judy Smith, WGC Strategist Alison Canning, Grants Committee Co-Chair Melissa Curtin, Membership & Development Committee Chair Candace Dodson-Reed, Grants Committee Co-Chair Lynne Schaefer, Finance Committee Chair Mary Thompson, Events Committee Chair Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director *Ex Officio |
Advisory Board Members
Laura Bacon Maxine Clark Alice Giles Kashonna Holland Jade McDuffie McClary April Force Pardoe Barbara Peart Beverly White-Seals, CFHoCo President & CEO - Advisory Board Liaison *Ex-Officio Nette’ Stokes Dee Athey - CFHoCo Director of Grants and Community Engagement - Staff Liaison |
WGC Advisory Board 2002 - Present
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Kim Agnor, 2015-Present
Dee Athey, 2015-2018 Laura Bacon, 2022-Present Diana Bailey, 2009-2019 Kathy Barnett, 2011-2015 Lauren Barr, 2006-2007, Youth on Board Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, 2002-2010, Past Chair, Executive Director Elizabeth Bobo, 2003-2007 Jennifer Bodensiek, 2017-Present Kathryn Brod, 2011 Maggie Brown, 2002-2004 Megan Bruno, 2009-2015, Past Chair Yolanda Bruno, 2002-2008, Past Chair Danelle Buchman, 2015-2017 Sue Buswell, 2008-2010 Alison Canning, 2010 – Present, Immediate Past Chair Dr. Maxine Clark, 2019 – Present Alison Curry, 2011-2012, YWGC Jillianne Crescenzi, 2017-2021 Melissa Curtin, 2020-Present Candace Dodson-Reed, 2021-Present Colleen D’Agrosa, 2008-2018 Jackie Dawson, 2009-2011, Youth on Board Bita Dayhoff, 2011-2012 Lee Draminski, 2019-Present Maura Dunnigan, 2008-2010 Julie Factor, 2011-2013 Kim Flyr, 2008-2010 Beverley Francis, 2009-2010 Penny Friedberg, 2008-2013 Lori Fuchs, 2005-2010 Alice Giles, 2019-Present Mickey Gomez, 2013–2015 Mireille Grangenois, 2021 Pamela Gruver, 2013 Cindy Hankin, 2011-2015 Beth Sandbower Harbinson, 2002-2007 Dorothy V. Harris, 2002-2007, Past Chair Norma Hill, 2009-2010 Kashonna Holland, 2022-Present Elizabeth Horowitz, 2002-2004 Kirsten Jacobson, 2007-2008, Youth on Board Trent Kittleman, 2008-2012 Beverly Koren, 2006-2010 Rae Lapine, 2003-2007 Barbara K. Lawson, 2002-2007 Jean West Lewis, 2008-2010 Cathy Lickteig, 2002-2004 |
Cindy Lifson, 2013 – 2015
Carole MacPhee, 2009-2013 Malynda Madzel, 2003-2005 Missy Mattey, 2005-2010 Jane Vance McCauley, 2002-2004 Jade McDuffie McClary, 2022-Present Christine Meket, 2018-2021 Darlene Miller, 2002-2003 Jean F. Moon, 2002-2008, Past Chair Pam Sorota Mowery, 2006-2009 Shelly Mulitz, 2002-2003 Hina Naseem, 2019-2021 Lynne Nemeth, 2003-2006 Barbara Nicklas, 2008-2013 Linda Odum, 2002-2008, Past Chair Courtney Odum-Duncan, 2009-2011 Mary Patton, 2003-2006 April Force Pardoe, 2018-Present Barbara Peart, 2011-Present Kimberly Prescott, 2019-2020 April Renee Randall, 2015-2016 Laurie Remer, 2005-2007 Migsie Richlin, 2002-2006 Susan Rosenbaum, 2008-2009 Joanne Saltzberg, 2002-2004, 2006-2008 Lynne C. Schaefer, 2021-Present Mary Ann Scully, 2004-2008 Joan Webb Scornaienchi, 2011-2013 Kathleen Sheedy, 2013–2016 Arlene Sheff, 2002-2007 Caroline Sherman, 2008-2014 Mary Kay Sigaty, 2003-2007 Beth Singleton, 2009-2011 Judy Smith, 2020-Present Robin Steele, 2003-2007 Nette' Stokes, 2021-Present Sabina Taj, 2011-2012 Cynthia Taliano, 2006-2015, Past Chair Betty Thacker, 2003-2005 Mary Thompson, 2020-Present Karen Titus, 2017-2019 Liz Watson, 2008-2010, Youth on Board Barb Van Winkle, 2011-Present, Current Chair 2019 Alexis Wales, 2013 – 2016, YWGC Kira Westbrook, Youth on Board Beverly White-Seals, 2022-Present Courtney Workman, 2013-2017 |
WGC Founders
Founding Donors:
In 2001, the following 16 founding members of the WGC proudly began a year-long journey – from conceptualization to implementation – to develop, launch, nurture and sustain the WGC.
In 2001, the following 16 founding members of the WGC proudly began a year-long journey – from conceptualization to implementation – to develop, launch, nurture and sustain the WGC.
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Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz
Maggie J. Brown Yolanda Bruno Beth Sandbower Harbinson Dorothy V. Harris H. Elizabeth Horowitz Barbara K. Lawson Cathy Lickteig |
Jane Vance McCauley
Darlene Miller Jean F. Moon Shelley Mulitz Linda Odum Migsie Richlin Joanne Maria Saltzberg Arlene Sheff |
"Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving."
