Special Event

Need some inspiration to start you off in 2024?
Meet Grace Gerhardt and learn about a superpower she has developed for moving through adversity in a focused way.

Please join us and bring a friend to the Ludlow Country Club in Ludlow MA on Monday, January 15, 2023.  5:30 – 6 Socialize, 6 pm Buffet Dinner, followed by the Program.

Dinner $28 is payable by cash, check, or credit card the night of the event, but RSVP by 1/8/24 for the Caterers.

RSVP

 

Online payment of $30 (to cover fee) is available.

Online Payment

NEWS RELEASE

Grace Gerhardt is a Supervisor at Pratt & Whitney who leads a team of over thirty mechanics in quality engine production by combining strong communication skills with integrity and compassion for others. Grace’s presence on the assembly floor has driven a significant reduction in engine build time while the team ramps up production. Grace believes as long as you take care of your people, the product will build itself.

Grace completed her bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in English from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in 2019 and is expected to graduate with her master’s degree in Systems Engineering in May 2024. When she isn’t working on the engine assembly floor or completing homework, Grace can be found playing video games, writing poetry, or enjoying the outdoors via running and hiking. Sent from my iPhone

 

 

 

 

 

 

***********NOVEMBER 2023 EVENT

We learned firsthand about the findings of the 2023 Report. It sheds light on strengths, progress, and areas of continued or emerging gender inequity in our four-county region of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. It

Click here to open PDF

provides specific actionable data and insights for organizations focused on gender and racial equity. And, it supports collective advocacy by using findings to engage individual stakeholders, community-based organizations, for-profit companies, other funders, government, higher education, and other agencies in advancing gender-equitable policies and practices.

Presenting from the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts were Amihan Jennifer Matias, Senior Director of Community Partnerships, and Sarah Monson, Senior Director of Philanthropy. Joining them will be Lisa Ranghelli, a lead researcher of the Gender Equity Report

Sarah Monson has over 8 years of extensive fundraising experience in annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and strategic planning with various non-profits. She found her passion for fundraising as a volunteer and board member of a local nonprofit that served veterans nationwide. Sarah is an event planner, people connector and master collaborator. Her most recent role was at New England Public Media as the Assistant Director of Donor Engagement and Planned Giving.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a professional fundraising certificate from Boston University. She is a lifelong Western Massachusetts resident and wants to contribute to its flourishing success. Sarah is an avid reader, enjoys tag sales & flea markets, and hosting family movie nights
Amihan Jennifer Matias comes to the Women’s Fund with over 30 years of experience working with social justice and social change organizations and over 25 years of nonprofit management experience. Amihan has overseen the creation and implementation of several cutting edge and nationally recognized executive leadership development programs. These have included a nonprofit executive coaching program for emerging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders of community-based organizations, a nonprofit management training institute, and a six-month leadership forum for women of color leaders called “And Still We Rise.”  more