women in philanthropy
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Lexi Ward
Pam Weekley
Making A Difference My goal is to create very personal connections for our donors with the Zoo and our desert plants and animals. These relationships inspire giving, which supports our mission of preserving desert species and creating an amazing place where conservation is fun for visitors of all ages. It’s so inspiring to be part of an amazing fundraising community who all work so hard to make a difference in our desert.
Making A Difference As the board treasurer of both AFP and Loving All Animals, servicing our community gives me tremendous opportunity to make a difference. Being a professional accountant, I strive to ensure that board decisions are fiscally and ethically managed for day-to-day operations, events, and ongoing charitable endeavors.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Annual Giving Officer
Pam Weekley & Associates Owner
During the pandemic, our business was considered essential. We extended our services to our non-profit and for-profit clients to include obtaining grants, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans as well as obtaining PPP loan forgiveness. Many of these services we offered pro bono.
CJ Westrick-Bomar, Esq. Wendy Winks Tools For Tomorrow Event Producer
Making A Difference My nonprofit event production and marketing experience began in 2008. Since then, I learned that “Making A Difference is Contagious” if you Make A Difference that engages others. During Covid, TFT VISIONARIES learned that Out of Adversity you can find Opportunity. Zoom classes replaced our onsite Arts Literacy programs. An unexpected benefit was attracting students not in our current schools. A fun, entertaining virtual fundraiser showcasing our children replaced our gala. Valley businesses and talent participated making it a Community Affair. Their participation and advertising our event on their social media tripled attendance. Thanks to all. 2021 Most Profitable Year!
Idyllwild Arts Academy & Summer Program V.P. Marketing & Communications Making A Difference Wendy Winks has a personal mission of helping artists succeed. While at Universal Studios she developed screenplays with writers and directors and helped shepherd them into production at Hallmark and Universal. In her role as Regional Director of So Cal for School of Rock, she arranged for rock stars like Robby Krieger, Orianthi and Dave Stewart to mentor the students. And she founded a music scholarship program for kids across the US. Now, as VP Marketing for Idyllwild Arts, she tells the story of the legendary programs at the forested mountain campus, just 1 hour away.
DESERT CHARITIES NEWS
Lori Weiner
Cortney Weir
Making A Difference During the recent months of the COVID-19 pandemic, California Paws Rescue continued, and will continue, making a difference by focusing on our mission to provide a safe, secure, and loving place for abandoned pets to recuperate, socialize, recover, and get the medical care needed for a second chance of life. To me, making a difference means helping in the best of times and doing the extra work required during the most challenging times. I’m proud of the California Paws Rescue team for making a difference today, and every day, one life at a time.
Making A Difference For the staff and volunteers of the Alzheimer’s Association, serving the population most vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus presented many challenges, much heartbreak and many sleepless nights. But it also showed us what we were made of and we worked tirelessly to ensure that our constituents would still have the care and support services so critical to their wellbeing. We found strength, resolve and even joy in rising to the challenge and triumphing in the face of this devastating time. I am so proud of my team, and of all of the wonderful people Making a Difference in the CV!
Maria Wren
Madeline Zuckerman
California Paws Rescue Founder
SMaRT Education Co-founder & CEO Making A Difference When COVID-19 forced the closure of schools in March of 2020 my first thought was, “what are parents going to do Monday when they have to go to work?” As schools moved into distance learning, my concern shifted focus to our youth. I am a person of action. If there’s a problem, let’s find a solution. I can’t end the pandemic but I can provide a safe place for Coachella Valley kids to learn and thrive. I can provide a place where parents worried about learning loss can be confident that their child will have stimulating experiences in a safe environment.
Alzheimer’s Association Regional Director
Madeline Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations,Inc. Owner & President Making A Difference During the pandemic, I wrote many stories on extraordinary “Unsung Heroes” within our community, who often donate their time and talents to volunteer for worthwhile nonprofits in the Valley. My company realized when the majority of the fundraising and other events were cancelled, that we had to shift gears and think out-of-the-box, in order to maintain critical branding and visibility for these businesses and nonprofits. We developed new ideas and strategies for fundraising, while maintaining visibility and critical branding for these organizations. It has been amazing and heartwarming to see the philanthropic community step up to the plate during COVID! I am proud to live in a community where philanthropy and giving back is so important and strong!