For the past six months, I’ve been working with my fellow members of the search committee to find The Women’s Foundation’s next president–a search we understood under the guidance of the executive search firm, Isaacson, Miller.
I shouldn’t be surprised that after all the searching (and we talked to a lot of people!), our new president ended up coming from within our own community! I am so pleased to welcome Phyllis Caldwell as president of The Women’s Foundation.
I’ve been a part of The Women’s Foundation’s community for about seven years—basically since the beginning. Before there was an office or staff, before there was a Web site, and certainly before we were granting more than $1 million a year and raising that much at one luncheon!
And because of this, I know a little something about the power of this community, and its members, to come together and make things happen.
The people that make up The Women’s Foundation community share a number of traits, from a deep commitment to investing in women and girls to a strong dedication to service to their community.
And, they’re also doers. These folks get the job done.
This is not a group that says, “What if?” It’s a group that says, “Why not?” and then makes it happen! And they’re why, as we approaches our 10 year anniversary, The Women’s Foundation is doing more and having a greater impact than probably any one of us ever thought possible.
So it shouldn’t surprise me then that the second president of The Women’s Foundation comes from that community, from its foundation in social change, in the Washington metropolitan region and in a strong capacity to really make change happen.
And from a place of true commitment and dedication to the power of investing in women and girls.
Phyllis represents all of these elements of our community. She brings a results-oriented business perspective, expertise and knowledge along with the sense of passion, vision and ambition that make up the true spirit of The Women’s Foundation.
As a long-term supporter of The Women’s Foundation, and someone who has watched it “grow up,” so to speak, I look forward to seeing it flourish even more under Phyllis’ leadership and to what this next exciting phase might bring.
Congratulations Phyllis, and welcome to The Women’s Foundation!
Rubie Coles is a long-time supporter of The Women’s Foundation and was co-chair of the search committee for a new president. Rubie is associate director/program director with The Moriah Fund.
