As Women’s Impact Fund developed its new strategic plan, we knew diversity and inclusion was a vital pillar of our organization that needed additional focus.
However, the realities of 2020 have shown us that even more intentional effort needs to be placed on this aspect of our organization. Finding ways to incorporate diversity and inclusion into our programming, grantmaking, recruitment, and engagement is critical to the execution of our mission, vision, and values. We want our efforts to enhance the membership experience and increase our ability to listen to and empower the community we serve.
To jumpstart this important effort, a Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce was launched. This group is co-chaired by two at-large members of the Board of Directors, Jonell Logan and Ann Allen. Jonell and Ann have pulled together a group of members from different backgrounds and experiences to round out this effort: Betsy Conway, Michelle Cottrell, Sharon Harrington, Liz Hollier, Alane Paraison, Julie Sheffer, and Sarah Shifflet.
As a team, they also want to hear from you! Be on the lookout for an invitation to a Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce listening session to be hosted via Zoom. Also, feel free to reach out individually to any of the Taskforce members to share your input. They will work together to define what diversity and inclusion mean for WIF; connect with our nonprofit partners and past grantees to explore what meaningful inclusion means for them, and identify and implement actions that center diversity and inclusion in our organizational practice.
