FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mariah Craven
March 20, 2014 mcraven@wawf.org | (202)347-7737 x207
Women’s Foundation President Nicky Goren Steps Down
Vice President Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat Named Interim President
WASHINGTON, DC – Washington Area Women’s Foundation President Nicky Goren today announced her plan to leave the Foundation, completing a four-year tenure highlighted by operational achievements, fundraising success and a commitment to serving economically vulnerable women and girls in our region. Goren announced that she has accepted a position as president and CEO of the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, effective July 1, 2014. The Women’s Foundation’s Board of Directors has appointed current Vice President Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat as interim president.
“We are grateful to Nicky for the leadership and expertise she brought to the Foundation during an important period in its evolution,” said Board Chair Carolyn Berkowitz. “She will leave behind an organization that is operationally resilient and efficient, strengthened in the pursuit of its mission, and characterized by an exceptional team, tenacious in their purpose.”
Appointed to head The Women’s Foundation in 2010, Goren led the organization through a strategic refocus of its programs aimed at improving the economic security of women and girls in the Greater Washington region.
Lockwood-Shabat joined The Women’s Foundation in 2008, and has since provided strategic guidance and leadership across the Foundation, while heading up the programs, major gifts and development functions of the organization. Her tenure as interim president will begin on March 21. She and Goren will work together over the next 60 days to ensure a smooth transition.
“For the past four years, Jennifer has been my partner in expanding the Foundation’s programs, grantmaking capacity and our community relationships,” said Goren. “Under her leadership The Women’s Foundation will continue to have a tremendous impact on our community.”
“The board has complete confidence that, with Jennifer’s leadership, the organization will continue to deliver innovative programs and services that ensure that economically vulnerable women and girls in our community are on a path to prosperity,” said Berkowitz.
“I cannot think of a more exciting time to be a supporter of The Women’s Foundation,” said Deborah Gandy, donor and past board chair of the Foundation. “Our newest investments in two-generation work with middle schools girls and their mothers are just some of the exciting and innovative programs that Jennifer and the team are advancing.”
“The board will move quickly to select a permanent president,” added Berkowitz.
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Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a DC-based public foundation dedicated to mobilizing our community to ensure that economically vulnerable women and girls in the Washington region have the resources they need to thrive. Learn more about The Women’s Foundation’s mission to transform the lives of women and girls, the Washington region, and the world by visiting us online, on Facebook or on Twitter.
