board of directors
These women volunteer… board meetings are held throughout the year and committees are active monthly.
OFFICERS
Monica Shah-Davidson
Chair
Beth Odian
Vice Chair
Michael Best
Uma Vandegrift
Secretary
Northwestern Mutual
DIRECTORS
Judy Andrade
Evoqua & Xylem
Sangeeta Edwin
US Ventures
Cherie Harris
Good Karma Brands
Click here to learn why Cherie is involved.
Ashton Henry
Small Studio
Nicole Horvath
Gillian Lester-George de Montesinos
Chair, Event Committee
speak.write.coach
Melissa McCord
Quarles
Cheryl Moore, PhD.
Alverno College
Nancy Peterson
Chair, Flash Grants Committee
Chandra Rodgers
Associated Bank
Erika Sander
Kosana Stojcevic
Chair, Grants Advisory Committee
Associated Bank
Carol Voss
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Jerri Washington
Chair, HER Scholarship Committee
Neighborhood House of Milwaukee
Board Demographics
In line with our mission of advancing equity for women, the Women’s Fund has always had a philosophy of inclusivity. This is demonstrated by our board of directors which reflects the broader community.
Directors self-disclose information about themselves, and this is what has been reported to date.
Total Directors: 20
Demographics:
- Women of Color 45%
- LGBTQ+ 5%
Generation:
- Silent (1925-1945) 5%
- Baby Boomers (1946-1964) 10%
- Gen X (1965-1980) 60%
- Millenials (1980-1995) 25%
executive committee
Monica Shah-Davidson, Chair
Beth Odian, Vice Chair
Danila Danesi, Treasurer
Uma Vandegrift, Secretary
Gillian Lester-George de Montesinos, Event Chair
Nancy Peterson, Strategy Task Force Chair
Kosana Stojcevic, GAC Chair
Jerri Washington, HER Scholarship Chair
advocacy committee
Alexandria Staubach, Chair
Johanna Bauman
Maggie Daun
Melika Edquist
Annette Jacobson
Carol Voss
audit committee
Monica Shah-Davidson, Chair
Danila Danesi, Treasurer
Uma Vandegrift, Secretary
board governance committee
Beth Odian, Chair
Julie Gorens-Winston
Sherri Huff
Cheryl Moore, Ph.D.
Julie Ragland
events committee
Gillian Lester-George de Montesinos, Chair
Judy Andrade
Megan Anderson
Paige Hunt
Glenda Mitchell
flash grants committee
Julie Ragland
Marilka Vélez
grants advisory committee
Kosana Stojcevic, Chair
Celeste Cuffie
Sangeeta Edwin
Julie Gorens-Winston
Maysee Herr
Nicole Horvath
Felisa Parris
Donna Kleczka
Sheila Reynolds
Chandra Rodgers
Rachel Whitt
HER Scholarship committee
Jerri Washington, Chair
Kenyatta Barber
Tara Blaesing
Leandra Evans
Melissa McCord
Cheryl Moore, PhD
Kathleen Turner
Bridgett Wilder
program committee
Aurora Bautz
Cherie Harris
Heidi Furlong
Carrie Mihal-Carlisle
Liz Syrrakos
relationship cabinet
Amy Muehlbauer, Chair
Amy Blain
Morgan Burns
Danila Danesi
Alexandria Staubach
Uma Vandegrift
History of Board Chairs
2021- 2022 Marilka Vélez, Associated Bank
2019 – 2020 Julie Ragland, Navistar
2017 – 2018 Nancy Peterson, Quarles & Brady LLP
2015 – 2016 Sue Hickey, Johnson Financial Group
2013 – 2014 Eloiza Altoro
2011 – 2012 Anne Tidmore
2009 – 2010 Amy Johnson
2007 – 2008 Sally Merrell
2006 – Heidi Retzlaff, GE*
2004 – 2005 Margaret Henningsen
2002 – 2003 Wendy Reed Bosworth
2000 – 2001 Gwen Jackson
1999 – Michal Dawson
1997-1998 – Sandra Hoeh-Lyon
1996 – Elizabeth Orelup
1993 – 1995 Nancy Kane
1992 – Barbara Jacobus Wells
1989 – 1991 Judy Murphy, M&I Wealth Management
* June 6, 2006: Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee becomes an independent organization.