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 $11 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 $45 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
Virginie CareyVice President of Finance and OperationsVirginie leads finance and accounting, implementing fiscal systems across the organization.
Mercy ChikoworeCommunications ManagerMercy Chikowore is responsible for executing the organization’s communications and branding strategies.
Martine GordonEarly Care and Education Program OfficerMartine is responsible for managing The Foundation’s Early Care and Education Funder’s Collaborative and facilitating the Washington Region Early Care and Education Workforce Network.
Michelle JohnsonDevelopment AssociateMichelle promotes donor education/engagement and assists with development operations.
Jennifer Lockwood-ShabatPresident and CEOJennifer leads the organization in its mission, providing and implementing its strategic vision.
Frances MelsonDirector of DevelopmentFrances promotes the organization to reach its annual revenue target along with the development team.
Sylvia PadillaFinance and Operations AssociateSylvia provides operation and finance support to The Foundation staff.
Linda PaulsonVice President of Philanthropic EngagementLinda leads the development team and the fund development and donor engagement work of the organization.
Sarena SnowdenOffice AssistantSarena serves as the first point of contact for the Foundation, providing operations, administrative and finance support to the staff.
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.
Claudia WilliamsResearch and Evaluation Program OfficerClaudia coordinates the Foundation’s program evaluation and research plan, ensuring the effectiveness of program strategy and grantmaking.
Meet Our Board
Rosie Allen-HerringBoard ChairPresident & CEO
United Way of the National Capital Area
Yvette ButlerHead of Private Bank & Wealth Advisory
Silicon Valley Bank
Donna CallejonChief Business Officer
Global Giving
Andrea DykesManaging Partner
Howard Insurance
Maria GomezPresident and CEO
Mary’s Center for Maternal & Child Care
Diara M. HolmesPartner,
Washington, DC
Loeb & Loeb LLP
Kim HornPresident
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.
Janene JacksonPartner
Holland & Knight
Debbi JarvisSenior Vice President, Corporate Relations
Howard University
James MacGregorMarket President and Publisher
Washington Business Journal
Pinkie Dent MayfieldBoard SecretaryVice President — Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer
Graham Holdings Company
Michelle McGuireVice President and Chief of Staff
Children’s National Medical Center
Kate RumbaughPrincipal
Rumbaugh Group
Matthew D. Shank, Ph.DPresident
Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges
Leo TuckerManaging Partner
Northwestern Mutual
Karen R. WawrzaszekBoard TreasurerSenior Director
Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, LLC
Machelle WilliamsSr. 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.