In everything I do, I try to support women. When I was working in healthcare management, I really enjoyed working with people and ensuring the women I worked with felt supported. I love the arts, and I’m passionate about highlighting women artists and showcasing their work. So when I learned about WANDA and how the program uplifts single moms, it was a no brainer for me to get involved.
It has been nearly 15 years now since a friend of mine first told me about WANDA during an art event we were both attending. She shared what WANDA was all about and invited me to lunch with one of WANDA’s Founders, Susan Kokores, to learn more. At that time, WANDA was gathering in Palo Alto at The 3rd Door as a workout and social hub for the moms to connect and attend our classes. I joined the Advisory Board, and now that WANDA is an official nonprofit, I’m a part of the Board of Directors.
Being a woman in the workplace can come with its own set of challenges, and juggling motherhood—especially as a single mom—makes it even tougher. WANDA has opened my eyes to the difficulties that single mothers in our community face. With every woman WANDA has supported, I’ve gained a greater respect for the resilience, dedication, and perseverance demonstrated by our WANDA moms.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a household where my education was supported, my dreams acknowledged, and I learned the importance of building a stable financial future for myself. Through my tenure at WANDA, I see that many people didn’t have that advantage. They grew up in a family that doesn’t necessarily value education or a well-paying job. It’s gratifying for me to be a part of an organization that helps single mothers manage the situation that they’re in and elevate them to that next level of greater stability for themselves and their families.
WANDA isn’t an organization that helps women when they’re at rock bottom. There are great organizations already out there doing this. WANDA moms already have a job, some form of education, a certain level of income, and WANDA gives them a boost. We’re very successful at this.
I’m very proud of WANDA’s accomplishments over the years. It’s changed so much from the original Giving Circle concept, which was fun and meaningful – we did raise a lot of money using this strategy. But I’m always encouraging us to continue to move the organization forward.
I was on the search committee for WANDA’s executive director, and I’m so glad we chose Danika. When we first hired her, I spent a lot of time planning and strategically thinking through the next steps of our growth plan with Danika. Pulling from my management background, we decided to focus on a partnership model in order to expand. Danika was the right choice, as she has provided great, steady leadership for WANDA’s continued growth and advancement.
When I’m not volunteering for WANDA or the arts, I enjoy the outdoors. I get out and hike a trail every couple of days, attend art shows and visit museums with friends, and enjoy spending time with my adult son in San Francisco.