The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County (WGC) celebrated its commitment to collective leadership and community impact during its Leadership & Legacy Happy Hour on Wednesday evening at the Kahlert Foundation Complex at Howard Community College. The event brought together donors, partners, Advisory Board members, elected officials, and candidates to honor WGC’s leadership history and to look ahead to the next chapter - it was wonderful to see so many long-time and new donors!

Honoring Leadership and a Year of Strengthening the Circle

Outgoing WGC Chair Jennifer Woods was recognized for her years of dedicated service and steady leadership.

“This year has been about deepening our alignment, strengthening our Advisory Board, and preparing the WGC for the future,” Woods said. “I’m proud of the clarity, stability, and shared commitment we’ve built together.”

Jennifer has led the WGC with focus and a deep commitment to building strong relationships across the Advisory Board and committees, ensuring the organization is poised for long-term success.

Incoming Chair Candace Dodson-Reed was introduced as the next leader to guide the WGC. Dodson-Reed brings more than 25 years of cross-sector leadership experience across government, corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. She is a strategic thinker known for driving effective outcomes, fostering inclusive leadership, shaping organizational strategy, and building strong community partnerships.

“I am honored to step into this role,” Dodson-Reed said. “The Women’s Giving Circle is powered by collaborative leadership and a shared commitment to community. Together, we are well positioned for this next chapter.”

The WGC also announced that Kashonna Marrow will assume the role of Vice Chair. Marrow is an inspiring speaker, leadership coach, author, and corporate trainer whose work centers on personal and professional transformation. She brings a dynamic perspective to organizational leadership and a strong commitment to elevating women and girls in the community.

A Strong Partnership with the Community Foundation

New Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHC) President & CEO Melissa Curtin highlighted the deep and ongoing partnership between the WGC and the Foundation. As a fund of the Community Foundation, the WGC is a central part of CFHC’s philanthropic work.

“The Women’s Giving Circle is our most active fund, and we are so proud of all that has been accomplished and the impact it has made over the years,” Curtin said. “Our partnership is rooted in shared values and a shared commitment to strengthening philanthropy in Howard County. We look forward to continuing this collaboration as the WGC enters its next phase of leadership.”

Leadership Transition Strengthens Both Organizations

The WGC announced that Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz will retire at the end of 2025 from her role as Executive Director. She will transition into a newly created shared role as Senior Advisor for Philanthropy & Communications for both CFHC and the WGC, supporting strategic communications, philanthropic storytelling, and coordinated initiatives across the county’s philanthropic ecosystem.

“I am deeply proud of this circle and the women who lead it,” Beaudoin-Schwartz said. “This new role allows me to continue supporting both organizations with a shared approach to communication, collective giving, and community impact.”

Ensuring a Strong Foundation for the Future

Governance Committee Co-Chairs Jessica Moreno and Lynne Schaefer, who led the transition work throughout the year, emphasized the importance of thoughtful planning and collaborative leadership.

“Our focus this year was ensuring a smooth, transparent, and well-supported transition,” Moreno and Schaefer shared. “We worked closely with the Advisory Board to strengthen roles, align responsibilities, and position the WGC for long-term success. It has been an honor to help guide this process and support the leadership that will carry the WGC into its next chapter.”

Collective Leadership: 2026 WGC Advisory Board

The WGC announced its full 2026 Executive Committee and Advisory Board, reflecting continuity and shared purpose as the Circle enters its 24th year:

2026 Executive Committee:

• Candace Dodson-Reed, Chair
• Kashonna Marrow, Vice Chair
• Lee Draminski, Secretary
• Lynne Schaefer, Treasurer & Operations Committee Co-Chair
• Laura Bacon, Grants Committee Co-Chair
• Cheryl Gray, Donor Engagement Committee Co-Chair
• Jade McClary, Donor Engagement Committee Co-Chair
• Jessica Moreno, Operations Committee Co-Chair
• Paula Seabright, Grants Committee Co-Chair
• Jennifer Woods, Immediate Past Chair

2026 Advisory Board Members: include Alison Canning, Maxine Clark, Shaundra Turner Jones, Mary Jordan, Kim Lightfoot, Yolanda F. Sonnier, Robin Stimson, Nette’ Stokes, Barb Van Winkle, and CFHC President & CEO Melissa Curtin.

Celebrating Legacy and Recognizing Leadership

WGC also announced the creation of the Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz Women’s Philanthropy Award, an annual award recognizing women leaders who advance the lives of women and girls in Howard County. The award includes a $5,000 grant directed to a local nonprofit selected by the honoree.

The Future in Action

Incoming Grants Committee Co-Chair Paula Seabright highlighted how the future of the WGC is already taking shape through the leadership of WGC's Young Women’s Giving Circle interns and their work on advocacy, service, and the upcoming Break the Cycle Period Product Drive. She recognized the interns who attended the event and celebrated their growing impact across the county.

“Our young women are leading with compassion, courage, and conviction - and they’re already changing the conversation about period poverty in our community,” Seabright said. “Their work shows us exactly what the future of philanthropy looks like.”

Looking Ahead

The WGC previewed its 2026 Annual Celebration & Pink Party, themed “The Power of WE: Courageous Philanthropy for Complex Times” scheduled for March 4, 2026, at the Kahlert Foundation Complex with keynote speaker Hali Lee, trailblazing author of The Big WE and one of the country’s most influential voices in collective giving. Tickets and Sponsorships can be purchased here.

About the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County

Founded in 2002, the Women’s Giving Circle is a community of over 1,800 donors supporting programs that benefit women and girls in Howard County. To date, WGC has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants and built a $1.1 million endowment to sustain long-term impact. The Women’s Giving Circle is a fund of The Community Foundation of Howard County.

By Wawira Waiganjo
WGC Young Women's Giving Circle "Break the Cycle" Intern

This weekend Paula Seabright from the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County and Isha Ande and Tanvi Anand from the Mount Hebron Period Club and I attended the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW) Fall Conference - "Women Lead in Maryland: Protecting Our Rights"

This was my first time attending an MLAW Conference, and it was an incredibly informative experience. I learned a lot about how bills are proposed and how much collaboration and passion go into each idea.

It was inspiring to see so many groups present thoughtful and motivated proposals on issues that truly matter.

Ms. Paula Seabright and Isha Ande presented a bill being sponsored by Delegate Jessica Feldmark, on expanding period product access in higher education. Their proposal was met with enthusiasm and constructive feedback, including suggestions such as adding information about the cost of period products to strengthen the bill. Other groups shared proposals on topics ranging from increasing the availability of substitute workers for early education facilities to expanding protections for sexual assault survivors; each offering new perspectives and solutions.

When Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth spoke, she was honest about the challenges of passing legislation, but she also encouraged us to stay engaged, to volunteer, advocate, and keep pushing for progress.

In a time when it’s easy to lose hope, this conference reminded me that we do have the power to create change!