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Metrowest Women's Fund Community Ambassadors
Metrowest Women’s Fund (MWF) Community Ambassadors are local volunteers who spread the word in their community about the Fund and the needs of women and girls. Consider joining our team as a MWF Community Ambassador in your town! Contact us with about your questions and interests.
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Mara Bolis
MWF Community Ambassador - Needham
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"I am so proud to be an Ambassador for this grassroots effort to combat violence and increase opportunities for the women and girls of Metrowest. Despite the unique needs of women and girls, only 1.6% of all philanthropic funding goes to support women and girls. It’s time for new interventions that provide women and girls with a seat at the table. Our societies will be safer and our economies more competitive. Every institution, every sector and every company can take part in undoing gender inequality by considering - and addressing - the unique needs of women and girls in their organizations and communities. We must do this locally - as Metrowest Women's Fund does - and globally as does Value for Women, the consulting firm where I work. I am delighted to be joining this amazing group of women at the Metrowest Women's Fund who are shining a light on the specific needs of the women and girls of our community."
Erin J. Cox
MWF Community Ambassador-at-Large
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"As a longtime Metrowest resident and a lifelong social entrepreneur and champion of women, I want to do my part to ensure that all women and girls – especially those in my ‘backyard’ – have access to resources and opportunities that will bring forth their full potential. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of the Metrowest Women’s Fund and am honored to contribute to its potential to positively change lives."
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Kate Houston
MWF Community Ambassador - Weston
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Kate's guiding motto, “Love is action,” fuels everything she does. She believes that true change happens when compassion meets action, which is why she’s so proud to serve as an ambassador for the Metrowest Women’s Fund. Supporting women and girls isn’t just a cause for Kate—it’s a calling. She’s dedicated to breaking down barriers, amplifying voices, and ensuring that every woman in Metrowest has the opportunity to thrive.
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Shirley Hui
MWF Community Ambassador - Natick
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"There are so many ways to contribute both time and money. When I learned about the Metrowest Women’s Fund’s mission, I realized that the goal of supporting women and girls is very important to me, and I wasn’t surprised to hear how few resources are available. I am a second-generation citizen, born in the US to immigrant parents. I was very fortunate to have support from teachers to pursue math and science, scholarships to attend engineering school, and to make my way in a long career in software development. I am looking forward to giving back and helping girls and women pursue their dreams."
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Caitlyn Jarvis
MWF Community - Ashland
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"I've witnessed the significant gap that exists between the growing need in our area to provide support for women and girls, particularly in safety from violence, and the capability of local organizations to match this enormous need. Across the country, we are at a critical moment in time as the lack of systemic support and social protections waver for women and girls. In turn, local organizations and collectives are critical to filling this gap. I am grateful to be joining Metrowest Women’s Fund to help empower these grassroots organizers and nonprofits in their efforts to improve the conditions for women and girls in Metrowest through matching resources with need and helping ensure all women and girls can thrive."
Renee E. Jaworek
MWF Community Ambassador-at-Large
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"I am truly honored to join this impactful team of women as a Metrowest Women’s Fund Ambassador. I’ve worked in the financial industry for 20 plus years, dedicating the last
decade to help detect and prevent facilitators from exploiting victims, especially young women, for financial gain. I am inspired by MWF’s mission and commitment to the
women in our community and proud to be a part of it."
Diahanne Lucas
MWF Community Ambassador - Sudbury
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"When I learned about the Metrowest Women’s Fund and their mission – to invest in the needs of women and girls in three focus areas: Education, Girls: Our Next Generation, and Safety from Violence – they immediately had my attention and I wanted to participate any way I could. Plus, I was shocked to learn from founders Rachel Sagan and Rebecca Parkhill that only 1.6% of all philanthropic giving is dedicated to the issues of women and girls.
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I have always been an active volunteer for various causes but the opportunity to serve on the Metrowest Women’s Fund's grant allocations committee has really opened my eyes to the tremendous need in our communities. During the pandemic lockdown, nonprofit agencies that provide legal services and support for domestic violence victims saw a dramatic upswing in demand for their advocacy. So it was natural for the Metrowest Women’s Fund to give support to those groups who provide safe spaces and emergency shelter to women and their children in unstable and possibly volatile situations.
The Metrowest Women's Fund has also partnered with the Center for Social Research at Framingham State University to conduct research for the report, a Needs Assessment of Middle School Girls: Metrowest. I'm the mother of a teen girl, so it was important for me to think about how she and her peers are doing at a critical time and learning about what their concerns are around their mental health, self-image, and social relationships.
I grew up in Sudbury and I returned to the community to raise my children so I am honored to be an ambassador for the Metrowest Women's Fund. I stand by the work they are doing to make all of our cities and towns a better place for women and girls."
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Emily Mason
MWF Community Ambassador-at-Large
"I'm excited and honored to serve as an ambassador for MWF. I'm so proud of the important work we do. From needs assessments to grants and financial assistance to raising awareness of local services, MWF's efforts make Metrowest a better place for women, girls, and everyone in the community."​
Virginia Meaney
MWF Community Ambassador - Marlborough
"Having served several terms on the Board of the Boston Women's Fund, I am quite familiar with the philanthropic funding gaps that exist for women and girl's programs. As a resident of Marlborough, I am honored to be an Ambassador for the Metrowest Women's Fund. Research has shown that philanthropic funding for women and girl's programs is less than 2% of available funds. The impact is particularly burdensome on low-income women and girls and women and girls of color.
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The Metrowest Women's Fund was created to raise resources to invest in our women and girls. Several years ago, after much deliberation and conversation, Rachel Sagan and Rebecca Parkhill decided to turn thoughts about unmet needs in suburban Boston into action. They "believed they could, so they did" and co-founded the Metrowest Women's Fund. Rachel and Rebecca share a passion for changing lives and improving communities. I am so pleased to be on this journey with them."
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Ann Musgrave
MWF Community Ambassador - Dover
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Christina Pavlina
MWF Community Ambassador - Wellesley
"The Metrowest Women’s Fund has a special place in my heart. I've seen how this organization is making an impressive impact on women and girls, and the communities women serve. I'm inspired by their work and honored to take part in furthering their mission, which touches and benefits so many lives."
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Cassandra Priante
MWF Community Ambassador - Natick
"I am honored to serve as a Community Ambassador for the Metrowest Women’s Fund and to be part of a powerful network dedicated to listening to, learning from and supporting the women and girls in our community.
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Building strong, inclusive communities has always mattered, but in times like these it is even more critical. We must come together to lift each other up, center the needs of those our system leaves behind, and invest in a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
The Metrowest Women's Fund plays a vital role in allocating resources where they are needed most, and their commitment to investing in the education, safety, and well-being of women and girls is essential to our communities. I am deeply grateful to be able to support their mission in my own hometown."
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Catherine Riedel
MWF Community Ambassador - Weston
"Issues surrounding gender equity are incredibly important to me. Given the current political and social climate, I feel strongly that championing the critical needs of women and girls has never been so important. That’s why I’m so passionate about the Metrowest Women’s Fund. Their mission to help at-risk women and girls in our local community first attracted me as a donor. Learning more about their unique programs, and hearing the personal stories of the strong, resilient, and courageous women they’ve helped, convinced me to join them as a Community Ambassador. I look forward to bringing my personal passion and my 30+ year background in marketing, PR, and non-profit work to bear for the Metrowest Women’s Fund and the incredible community of women they serve."
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