About the foundation.
Washington Area Women’s Foundation helps build pathways out of poverty for women and their families. We help to create economic opportunities that have positive ripple effects across society.
Since 1998, we have awarded nearly $13 million in grants to more than 170 community-based organizations in the Washington, D.C. region and helped women increase their assets and income by more than $53 million.
Mission
We mobilize our community to ensure that economically vulnerable women and girls in the Washington region have the resources they need to thrive.
Vision
The Washington region is a model community that ensures women and girls are on a path to prosperity.
Values
Washington Area Women’s Foundation is an influential, respected, visionary national leader of community strategies that enrich the lives of women and girls.
Timeline.
Significant events and advancements have paved the way for the Foundation’s growth and success.
1997
Incorporated as Washington Area Women’s Foundation.
1998
Awarded first grants totaling $17K.
2003
Published seminal research A Portrait of Women & Girls in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
2005
Created Stepping Stones Grant Initiative.
2008
Launched Early Care and Education Funders Collaborative.
2010
Released Portrait Project 2010.
2011
Adopted a new strategic plan, introducing the current mission and vision focused on economic security.
2012
Unveiled new brand.
2013
Expanded Stepping Stones grants to include two-generation strategy.
2015
Joined Prosperity Together, a nonpartisan partnership of public women’s foundations from across the country.
2015
Launched Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), a new way to invest in women and girls locally.
2016
Launched new strategic plan Together We Thrive.
2017
Launched the Young Women’s Initiative.
Meet Our Staff
Sarena BarnesOffice AssistantSarena serves as the first point of contact for the Foundation, providing operations, administrative and finance support to the staff.
Mercy ChikoworeCommunications ManagerMercy Chikowore is responsible for executing the organization’s communications and branding strategies.
Martine GordonVice President of ProgramsMartine leads the Program team and The Foundation’s program strategy development.
Jennifer Lockwood-ShabatPresident and CEOJennifer leads the organization in its mission, providing and implementing its strategic vision.
Sylvia PadillaFinance and Operations AssociateSylvia provides operation and finance support to The Foundation staff.
Emmy TorruellasVice President of DevelopmentEmmy oversees all fundraising activities for The Women’s Foundation.
Claudia WilliamsProgram OfficerClaudia contributes to crafting and executing program strategy and manages the Young Women’s Initiative of Washington, DC.
Donna WiedemanExecutive Assistant to the PresidentDonna provides administrative support to the President and CEO, serving as liaison with the Board of Directors, and as office manager.
Meet Our Board
Rosie Allen-HerringEx OfficioPresident & CEO
United Way of the National Capital Area
Joyce M. BrayboyManaging Director
Goldman Sachs Office of Government Affairs
Yvette ButlerTreasurerHead of Private Bank & Wealth Advisory
Silicon Valley Bank
Evelyn N. BynumPresident
The Maultsby WaySenior Career Consultant
George Washington University School of Business
Donna CallejonCo-Chair, Governance CommitteeChief Business Officer
Global Giving
Sally D’AmatoPrincipal
Deloitte Consulting
Andrea DykesCo-Chair, Development & Co-Chair, Luncheon CommitteesManaging Partner
Howard Insurance
Maria GomezChair, Audit CommitteePresident and CEO
Mary’s Center for Maternal & Child Care
Diara M. HolmesCo-Chair, Development & Co-Chair, Luncheon CommitteesPartner,
Washington, DC
Loeb & Loeb LLP
James MacGregorVice President of Local Markets
Washington Business Journal
Pinkie Dent MayfieldBoard ChairVice President — Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer
Graham Holdings Company
Michelle McGuireVice President and Chief of Staff
Children’s National Medical Center
Jennifer Parker Porter, M.D.Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon,
Medical Director
Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC
Teresa Payne-NunnVice President and Chief Member Officer
Executive Leadership Council
Matthew D. Shank, Ph.DPresident
Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges
Tatiana TorresDirector of Community Affairs/Social Impact – National Capital Area
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Leo TuckerManaging Partner
Northwestern Mutual
Karen R. WawrzaszekPrincipal, Senior Director, Financial Planning
Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, LLC
Machelle WilliamsCo-Chair, Governance CommitteeSr. Director, Diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility
Volkswagen Group of America
Grantee Partners
We use data and research to support our innovative and multifaceted approach to grantmaking. We ensure that our Grantee Partners are some of the most effective organizations working to build women’s economic security in the Washington, D.C. region.