Women in Philanthropy
Mission, Vision, and Goals
Mission
The mission of Women in Philanthropy (WIP) is to engage and empower a diverse group of women with opportunities to collaborate and support the PA Foundation.
Vision
The vision of WIP is to develop a culture of dynamic giving by women to advance the work of the PA Foundation.
Goals
- Inspire and mentor a community of women to engage locally and globally in philanthropy through the PA Foundation
- Recognize and empower PA women making a difference in healthcare and their communities
- Support and carry out the mission of the PA Foundation
Support
Financial support of Women in Philanthropy benefits the mission of the PA Foundation.
There are three levels of support available in the Women in Philanthropy network.
| Friends | $50 minimum donation |
| Change-Makers | $250 minimum donation |
| Champions | $500 minimum donation |
Note from Our Chair
Welcome to Women in Philanthropy (WIP)! Our network of over 70 members is entering our third year, and we’re excited to come together in support of our mission to engage and empower a diverse group of women with opportunities to collaborate and support the PA Foundation. In our three years, we have seen tremendous growth in our network and our impact on what it means to be a PA, PA advocate, and friend that gives back. We awarded our first ever scholarship in 2023. As we look to 2024, we will continue to inspire and mentor women to engage locally and globally in philanthropy, recognize and empower PA women making a difference in healthcare and their communities, and support and carry out the mission of the PA Foundation.
We are committed to providing our network with a quarterly newsletter and multiple events hosted at AAPA constituent organization meetings, national conferences, and more to bring our members together for networking opportunities. We are shifting from totally virtual events to hybrid and in-person social and networking events. Please look for events where WIP is hosting a coffee or social gathering and consider joining us in the fun.
We hope you’ll become a part of our WIP network, the “Sisterhood for Good,” and help in our efforts to harness our power to do good work while leading by example and serving as mentors to future leaders.
Deborah A Gerbert, MS, PA
Chair, Women in Philanthropy
Women in Philanthropy Supporters*
Champions – $500+ gift
Champions are dedicated members who embody the spirit of Women in Philanthropy. Champions inspire and mentor women to engage in philanthropy, while simultaneously highlighting female PAs making a difference in healthcare and in their communities.
Champions are volunteers who fundraise for, educate about, and raise awareness of the mission and work of the PA Foundation.
| Raquelle Akavan | Bethany Grubb | Josanne Pagel |
| Jennifer Barnett | Kristine Healy | Melinda Rawcliffe |
| Katie Beaudoin | Catherine Judd | Teresa Ribadeneyrea |
| Agnes Compagnone | Melodie Kolmetz | Kathleen Scarbalis |
| Linda Delaney | Grace Landel | Inessa Shlifer |
| Carla Duryee | Cynthia Lord | Beth Smolko |
| Elizabeth Eldakar | Sharon Luke | Jennifer Snyder |
| Mary Ettari | Stephanie McGilvray | Michel Statler |
| Lara Francisco | Deanna Najera | Carolyn Telford |
| Yolonda Freeman-Hildreth | Diana Noller | Jennifer Zorn |
| Deborah Gerbert | Candice Oberlies | Kim Zuber |
Change-Makers – $250-$499 gift
Change-Makers are dedicated supporters who embody the spirit of Women in Philanthropy. Change-Makers inspire and mentor women to engage in philanthropy, while simultaneously highlighting female PAs making a difference in healthcare and in their communities.
| Kara Caruthers | Barbara Miller |
| Debra Cole | Julia Niemi |
| A’lanne Conrad | Donna Shelton |
| Lisa Gables | Megan Verdoni |
Friends** – $50-$249 gift
Friends are dedicated supporters who embody the spirit of Women in Philanthropy. Friends inspire women to engage in philanthropy, while simultaneously highlighting female PAs making a difference in healthcare and in their communities.
Friends are volunteers who fundraise for, educate about, and raise awareness of the mission and work of the PA Foundation.
| Martine Altieri | Laura Katers | Jahidah Reid |
| Masseray Bangura | Jeffrey Katz | Michelle Reid |
| Courtney Bennett Wilke | Samantha Kelpis | Daisy Rivera |
| Teresa Bigler | Cristina Lopez | Melissa Rodriguez |
| Mary Bishop | Tajuana Lordeus | Susan Salahshor |
| Darwin Brown | Maha Lund | Camila Salvador |
| Naomi Brown | Adhana McCarthy | Jeuelle Sam |
| Maria Calzada | Kristina Medlock | Linda Sekhon |
| Susan Cappelmann | Marlo Miller | Jane Simard |
| Brigitta Cintron | Janith Mills | Margaret Sims |
| Jim Delaney | Eva Montes | Sarah Sims |
| Sondra DePalma | Joy Moverley | Jacqueline Sivahop |
| Nadya Dimitrov | Debra Munsell | Julie Solomon |
| Lauren Dobbs | Cherri Myers | Julie Thomas |
| Carla Dormeus | Teresa Nagy | Kendra Thomsen |
| Jennifer Eames | Evangelina Nunez | Tamara Thorn |
| Sara Fletcher | Laurarose O’Farrell | Lauren Weinberg |
| Alana Freeman | Laura Okolie | Rachel Weinzimmer |
| Sara Gallo | Jennifer Orozco | Alyn Whelchel |
| Victoria Galloway | Theresa Phillips | Cassandra Whetstone |
| Tonya Gilbert | Vicky Pittman | Alysia Wiley |
| Jessica Grenard | Gabrielle Proto | Jamee Williams |
| Kelly Hikes | Kris Pyles-Sweet | Corri Wolf |
| Jo Andrea Hughes | Alicia Quella | Cassandra Yusz |
| Cheri Jrolf | Maryann Ramos |
**Purchasing a ticket to the WIP Reception at the AAPA 2024 Conference grants WIP network membership at the Friends level.
Honorary Friends – Contributed to the PA Foundation and WIP initiatives through service
| Dawn Morton-Rias | Laura McElhaney | Sara Fletcher |
| Dipu Patel | Lisa Gables | Tajuana Lordeus |
*As of 7/19/2024. Champions, Change-Makers, and Friends are updated on a quarterly basis.
Women in Philanthropy Scholarship
The Women in Philanthropy Scholarship is awarded to PA students who demonstrate a dedication to promoting women’s and/or children’s health locally and globally. Click here to learn more and apply.
Want to support future PAs? Donate today.
Join Us
For more information on Women in Philanthropy and to get involved, contact Allie Rivera at [email protected].
Volunteer Opportunities
Want to volunteer with Women in Philanthropy? Complete the PA Foundation volunteer application and Women in Philanthropy leadership will contact you about specific volunteer opportunities.
2024 Meeting Dates
September 19, 7-8 p.m. ET (virtual meeting – via Zoom)
News and Articles
April 2021: Virtual Panel on Power of Mentoring Takes Center Stage at Women in Philanthropy Meeting
July 2021: Women in Philanthropy Panel Discussion Centers on Women in the Job Market
September 2021: Taking Care of Business: WIP Highlights PA Entrepreneurs
December 2021: Philanthropy is the Focus at Year-End WIP Meeting
Thank You to Our 2024 WIP Reception Sponsors
