In 1993, a group of 100 women came together with one goal in mind: to make a difference in the lives of local women and girls. Seeing a need for funding to support programs that empower this population, the women each gave $1,000 to establish the Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation.
Three decades later, the Women's Endowment Fund has grown to nearly $4.4 million, thanks to the generosity of donors who are committed to the advancement of local women and girls, including members of the fund's Circle of Empowerment. To date, the Women's Endowment Fund has awarded $2.1 million in grants to programs that uplift, empower, and educate women and girls throughout Akron and all of Summit County. The fund's biennial forum helps define the Women's Endowment Fund's grantmaking priorities, which include health and wellness, safety from violence, and economic empowerment.
Read our latest newsletter | Celebrating 30 years of uplifting women and girls | Circle of Empowerment | Watch Our Latest Videos
Our Recent Grants
By the Numbers
Advisory Board
Advisory board members serve without pay to help the fund impact the lives of Summit County's women and girls.
Pamela Kiltau
President Vice President, Private Wealth Management, Robert W. Baird & Co.
Erin Palmer
Vice President CFO & In-House Legal Counsel, Leppo Group Inc.
Joni Fitch
Secretary Community Engagement Manager, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Monica Vinay
Treasurer Vice President, Investor Relations & Treasurer, Myers Industries Inc.
Holly Harris Bane
Director, Economic Development, City of Aurora; Partner, Kokopelli Coaching and Consulting
Wendy Bolas
Community Volunteer
Emily Browning
Director, Strategy and Consumer Insights, Akron Children's Hospital
Donna Cerdas-Delgado
Senior Digital Marketer, Summa Health
Laura DiCola
Director of Innovation and Partnerships, TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health
Betsy Engels
President and Principal Consultant, Acer Business
Lashawrida Fellows
Deputy Director, Human Resources, County of Summit
CJ Haines
SVP of Power & Governmental Affairs, Core Scientific
Kim Huff
Community Relations Representative, Synthomer Foundation
Gizelle Jones
Licensed Independent Social Worker, Hope Behavioral Health
Jolene Lane
Principal & Founder, Equity Lane LLC
Joy Malek Oldfield
Judge, Summit County Common Pleas Court
Antha Poleondakis
Senior Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Kathy Ress
Mental Health Therapist, Private Practice
Diana Selzer
Vice President, Commercial Banking, S&T Bank
V. Rena Suber, M.Ed
Chief School Administrator, Emmanuel Christian Academy
Pamela Valentine
Retired, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio
Marcy Venarge
Controller, APV Engineered Coatings, Inc.
Bernett L. Williams
Vice President of External Affairs, Akron Children’s Hospital
News & Events
News
Body image experts and authors of 'More Than a Body' to deliver keynote address The Women's Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation invites local residents and community [...]
Our 30th year is a wonderful time to reflect on the successes of our past and look forward to what's to come. As we continue to celebrate our 30th year, here are a few [...]