From WEF's President: A Season of Change
As the leaves begin to turn and the beauty of autumn unfolds across Northeast Ohio, I am reminded of how change can bring both reflection and renewal. Just as each season brings its own vibrant character, the Women's Endowment Fund also continues to grow and evolve, while remaining steadfast in our mission to uplift and empower women and girls in our community.
It is an incredible honor to serve as President of the Women's Endowment Fund. I am deeply grateful to my predecessor, Pamela Kiltau, whose steady leadership and heartfelt commitment have left an enduring mark on our work. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to our five outgoing board members, whose dedication and service have strengthened our foundation and expanded our reach. At the same time, I'm delighted to welcome five new board members who will be introduced on our Facebook and LinkedIn accounts in the coming months. Their passion and perspectives promise to energize our next chapter.
Our new committee chairs are already hard at work, and we've hit the ground running. We're thrilled to share that our "For Women, Forever" annual dinner in March 2026 will feature a plated dinner for the first time since 2019. We can't wait to gather in celebration of our collective impact — and I'm especially excited to unveil our theme in the months ahead.
Recently, we hosted our biennial Forum on Women and Girls on Sept. 19, with the theme "Empowering Our Community: Understanding & Addressing Domestic Violence." The event brought together a remarkable group of women and community leaders for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. We are deeply thankful to Teresa Stafford-Wright and Ashley Kline from Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center, as well as the many volunteers and nonprofit representatives who facilitated table discussions and took dutiful notes. A full report from the forum is now available and will help guide our grantmaking priorities later this year.
To our Circle of Empowerment donors and supporters, I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you. Your generosity sustains our mission and allows us to invest in organizations doing critical work for women and girls across Summit County. As we approach the end of 2025, I invite you to remember the Women's Endowment Fund in your year-end giving. We know how challenging it can be for our grantees to operate amid funding uncertainty, which makes our commitment to reliable, thoughtful grantmaking all the more vital. Your support ensures that we can continue to meet those needs with compassion and impact.
Together, we are building a community where women and girls not only have opportunities, but the power and resources to thrive.
With gratitude and excitement,
Erin Leppo Palmer
President, Women's Endowment Fund