Why do you support the Fund?

My reasons are both personal and professional. Professionally, as a fundraiser, I've been able to witness the true power of philanthropy and how gratifying it is when you can inspire a group to come together and give what is right for each of them. The collective power and energy that comes is really energizing, and together, those gifts really do make a difference.

Personally, I have nine nieces from age 13 - 30 in Maine, and I want to be sure I do whatever I can to make this the best place for them to live, work, and play now and for decades to come.

What do you enjoy about board service?

I have and continue to serve on many boards, like Hardy Girls, Healthy Women, Central Maine Youth Hockey, and the Mid Maine Global Forum. The Maine Women's Fund board is my favorite as I love the diversity of the members which often leads to candid, comprehensive discussions conducted in a thoughtful and respectful way, all with the goal of supporting the Fund's great work.

I am always energized by Fund board meetings, and I respect and admire my fellow board members who are forthcoming about how challenging it is to be professionals and support their families and communities all at the same time. All are willing to help and have signed-up for the heavy lifting that the Fund needs now. That motivates me to carve out the time and energy that this work demands.

What do you know about the Fund that you think most people don't, and should?

Honestly, its very existence and how unique our work is in Maine. The regional needs assessment process is a great example of how we strive to stay in touch with the community and match our resources to the needs, which is an insightful approach to grantmaking. I love how hard we work at being really intentional and deliberate to give the right grant to the right group to make the biggest impact. Donors should feel very good about how their precious resources are being allocated!

What is your vision for the Fund?

Quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, "If you prepare yourself at every point as well as you can, you will be able to grasp opportunity for broader experience when it appears," which is what I see the Fund doing now. We are gathering the best people across the state to serve on the board and committees, preparing ourselves for great opportunity to do even more important work fueled through understanding both the need and our ability to secure the resources to meet those needs. We are committed to building a sustainable, long-term funding stream to really make a difference and impact multiple generations of women and girls. The needs assessment, our planned giving work and soon, a capital campaign - all of that is geared toward our being "ready to roar."  

Read more about all the Fund's Board Members here.