About the foundation.

Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a community-supported foundation that invests in the power of women and girls of color in the Washington DC region. We open doors to opportunity, safety and security through grantmaking and advocacy.

Since 1998, we have awarded more than $15 million in grants to more than 205 community-based organizations in the Washington, D.C. region.

Mission

Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a community-supported foundation that invests in the power of women and girls of color across the Washington metropolitan region.

Vision

To ignite change in our community to advance gender, racial, and economic justice.

Values

● We are constantly learning and adapt our practices to serve a changing world.
● We are honest, transparent and accountable to our community.
● We are a small but mighty collective that encourages diversity in community, thoughts and ideas.
● We practice kindness and intentionality in all we do.

Meet Our Staff

  • Sarena Barnes
    Office Assistant

    Sarena serves as the first point of contact for the Foundation, providing operations, administrative and finance support to the staff.

  • Mercy Chikowore
    Director of Communications

    Mercy Chikowore leads the organization’s communications and branding strategies.

  • Jackie Lendsey
    Interim President and CEO

    Jackie leads the organization in its mission, providing and implementing its strategic vision.

  • Chika Onwuvuche
    Program Officer

    Chika oversees grantmaking to both individuals and organizations, and provides support directly to Grantee Partners and youth award-
    winners with technical assistance and additional fundraising.

  • Sylvia Padilla
    Finance and Operations Associate

    Sylvia provides operation and finance support to The Foundation staff.

  • Donna Wiedeman
    Executive Assistant to the President

    Donna provides administrative support to the President and CEO, serving as liaison with the Board of Directors, and as office manager.

Meet Our Board

  • Joyce M. Brayboy
    Board Treasurer & Chair, Finance Committee

    Managing Director
    Goldman Sachs Office of Government Affairs

  • Yvette Butler

    Head of Private Bank & Wealth Advisory
    Silicon Valley Bank

  • Evelyn N. Bynum

    President
    The Maultsby Way
    Senior Career Consultant
    George Washington University School of Business

  • Sally D’Amato

    Principal
    Deloitte Consulting

  • Andrea Dykes
    Chair, Development Committee

    Managing Partner
    Howard Insurance

  • James MacGregor

    Vice President of Local Markets
    American City Business Journals (ACBJ)

  • C. Lynn McNair
    Board Co-Chair

    Chief Advancement Officer
    Georgetown Day School

  • Jennifer Parker Porter, M.D.

    Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon,
    Medical Director 
    Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC

  • Teresa Payne-Nunn
    Board Secretary & Chair, Governance Committee

    Vice President and Chief Member Officer
    Executive Leadership Council

  • Matthew D. Shank, Ph.D

    President
    Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges

  • Leo Tucker

    Managing Partner
    Northwestern Mutual

  • Lori Weinstein
    Board Co-Chair

    CEO emerita
    Jewish Women International (JWI)

Grantee Partners

We work in partnership with community to build relationships with nonprofit organizations led by, benefiting, and recognizing the power of women and girls of color and gender expansive people of color in the Washington, DC region.

VIEW ALL GRANTEE PARTNERS