Women's Endowment Fund

The keynote address for the 2025 For Women, Forever celebration will be delivered by Valerie Mayén, the founder of the socially conscious fashion brand Yellowcake. As a Cleveland-based Latinx entrepreneur, Valerie leads a diverse team focused on creating high-quality, handmade garments designed for everyone. Yellowcake's mission is rooted in sustainability and inclusivity, with practices like a buy-back program and lifetime garment repairs. Valerie's passion for fashion began despite a conservative upbringing and financial challenges. She studied illustration at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Otis College of Art and Design, eventually teaching herself garment construction. Her innovative designs gained international recognition through Project Runway. Beyond fashion, Valerie's work promotes environmental responsibility and emboldens individuals to express their authentic selves. Her dedication has earned her acclaim and positions her as a sought-after speaker who inspires diverse audiences with her engaging presentations. More information about the event is available at ForWomenForever.org.

Please help us welcome our final new board member for this year, Jen Meade. Jen Meade is originally from Rossford, Ohio and moved to Akron in 2013 to attend The University of Akron. She graduated in 2017 with a degree in Education and loves being a Zip! She has now called Akron home for the last 11+ years and is a Middlebury resident. As a sophomore at UA she founded a non-profit program called Akron Hope that she ran as a volunteer for 4+ years. She then was presented an opportunity to bring the Akron Hope program to The Well CDC in 2018 to serve students and families at Mason CLC. She ran and executed this program while also working part time at the Knight Foundation as a Program Assistant. Jen has worked at The Well CDC for 6+ years and is currently the Fund Development Director and a member of its Leadership Team. Jen serves on The University of Akron Foundation’s Stewardship & Women in Philanthropy Committee and is an Associate Board Member of the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition. She has also been selected as a Top 10 Senior from The University of Akron, was the first student recipient of the Elizabeth Buchtel Award from The University of Akron, received the Greater Akron Chamber’s 30 for the Future, and the 5 Under 35 Alumni Award from The University of Akron. Welcome, Jen

We invite you to make a difference in the lives of local women and girls by becoming a sponsor for our 2025 For Women, Forever event. Your commitment to this important cause is recognized at the celebration, which is annually attended by more than 500 community leaders. Sponsorship information is available at ForWomenForever.org.

Congratulations to Women's Endowment Fund's board member Lashawrida Fellows, MHRM who will be honored with the Young Professional Award from ATHENA Akron, Inc. at the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Awards this evening.

We'd like to welcome another new board member to the Women's Endowment Fund! Holli Mallak is a nonprofit professional who thrives on building community and making a difference wherever she goes. Serving others has always been her purpose in life: improving lives and communities through grants and scholarships, board service, art shows, book clubs, neighborhood engagement and the practice of yoga. Her background consists of over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit world in Northeast Ohio and Shanghai, China. Holli currently works at Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority in the Real Estate Department. She has her master’s degree in Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from Bowling Green State University. She is a graduate of Leadership Akron (class 20) and Leadership Ohio (class 7). She currently serves on the board of Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, is a member of the Summit County Historical Society Women’s History Project and volunteers for the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga National Park. In her spare time you can find Holli reading a book for one of her many book clubs, running on the towpath with friends or perusing a local art gallery. She is married to Greg Wurgler. Welcome, Holli!

Congratulations to past Judith A. Read Tribute Award winner and Circle of Empowerment Member, Sylvia Trundle, who was presented with the Lieberth Community Vision Award this morning by Leadership Akron. To learn more about becoming a Circle of Empowerment Member, click here: https://bit.ly/WEF-COE. Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition, Sylvia.

Save the Date! Join us on March 20, 2025 at House Three Thirty for a remarkable evening at our Women's Endowment Fund's annual celebration. This year's keynote speaker is Valerie Mayén, the founder of Yellowcake, a socially conscious fashion brand. The fund will also honor longtime volunteer Katie Smucker with the Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women. Sponsorship opportunities are available! More information about the event is available at ForWomenForever.org. Let's make this celebration unforgettable!

Help us celebrate 31 years of positively impacting women & girls in our community!

Our fall enewsletter is out! Are you a subscriber? Don't miss the latest news and events related to the fund. Join our list today. Sign up here: www akroncf.org/WEFNews

We'd like to welcome another new board member, Marie Brilmyer. Marie Brilmyer is a partner in the Assurance practice at Cohen & Company in Akron, Ohio. She has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and specializes in working with private companies and not-for-profit organizations. Her areas of expertise include: helping private companies with technical issues like revenue recognition, accounting for complex debt and equity instruments, and business combinations; consulting on accounting standards, internal control, and audit readiness; and performing audits in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. Marie lives in Akron, with her husband and their three children. They spend each weekend cheering on their kids at swim meets, baseball games and soccer matches. Marie is also an avid volunteer in the Akron community and for the accounting profession at state and national levels. Her professional advocacy focuses on the advancement of women in the accounting profession. Welcome, Marie!