Women’s Initiative 2013 Gala

Our 2013 Women’s Initiative Gala was a huge success, raising more than $413,000 to support at risk women and girls in our region! Thanks so much for your participation as we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Women’s Initiative before more than 700 guests at the Crystal Tea Room. We were also pleased to present Tierney President & CEO Mary Stengel Austen with the 2013 Women’s Initiative Award and recognize Presenting Sponsor Independence Blue Cross for its longstanding support of our Women’s Initiative and its signature program, Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow (GTLT)!

Special thanks to PwC Managing Director/Marketing & Sales Leader Amy Frazier and Threlfall Marketing Group President Nancy Threlfall for their amazing leadership of our Women’s Initiative over the years. As chair and vice chair, respectively, Amy and Nancy have helped our Women’s Initiative create exponential impact and we are grateful for their leadership and service!

Our Women’s Initiative and WING (Women’s Initiative Next Generation) network give professional women who are committed to philanthropy and volunteerism a vehicle to create impact through an organization that:

• Has raised more than $3 million to support GTLT and other programs that improve the lives of at-risk women and girls
• Offers opportunities for mentoring and volunteering with agencies that work with at-risk girls to develop core values that support their future success
• Supports United Way as the region’s leading catalyst for change, inspiring and uniting local communities to collaboratively invest in results that ensure everyone has access to a quality education, a family-sustaining income and good health

The challenges faced by those most in need throughout our region may seem daunting, but they are by no means insurmountable - especially when we work together and when we can count on the remarkable support of individuals like you!

We hope you enjoyed the 2013 Women’s Initiative Gala and we look forward to continuing to engage you in the work of United Way.  For additional information on our Women’s Initiative, please visit www.UnitedForImpact.org/WomensInitiative.

2013 Gala Honoree: Mary Stengel Austen, CEO, Tierney

Each year, the Gala celebrates women in leadership and presents an award to a volunteer who has committed her time, talent and energy to furthering the work of United Way.  We are pleased to announce that our 2013 Women’s Initiative Award recipient is Mary Stengel Austen, President and CEO of Tierney.

Mary has been an integral part of the United Way family for several years, most recently serving as Chair of the 2011-2012 Campaign, which resulted in $48.5 million raised — surpassing our fundraising goal!  Mary has dedicated much of her life to philanthropy, contributing her time, leadership, and generosity to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Steppingstone Scholars, the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the Salvation Army, among many others. Mary is truly a woman making an impact in our region, and we are proud to honor her as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Women’s Initiative Gala.

Thank You to Our Sponsors