WFCC’s Board of Directors 2023-2024

Women’s Foundation of Collier County Board: (l-r as pictured at the 2023 WRP event) Jennifer Suden, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Lisa Nakfoor, Karen Ryan, Stacey Herring, Kristin Cartwright, Susan McManus, Brenda O’Connor, Lynda Waterhouse, Francesca Passidomo, Dena Rae Hancock, Donna Messer, Maggie Ives, Michelle McLeod, Lori Fowler, Althea Irving. Photography by Nick Shirghio Photography

Executive Committee

  • Brenda O’Connor – Chair
  • Althea Irving – Vice Chair
  • Lynda Waterhouse – Secretary/Treasurer
  • Donna Messer – Immediate Past Chair/Governance

Directors

  • Brenda O’Connor
  • Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster

  • Kristin Cartwright

  • Lori Fowler

  • Dena Rae Hancock
  • Stacey Herring

  • Althea Irving

  • Maggie Ives

  • Judy Jorgensen

  • Karen Larson-Murphy

  • Michelle McLeod

  • Susan McManus

  • Donna Messer

  • Lisa Nakfoor

  • Francesca Passidomo

  • Dayana Philippi

  • Karen Ryan

  • Jennifer Suden

  • Lynda Waterhouse

Women’s Foundation Staff

Click on an image below to read their bio & contact information.

Eileen Connolly-Keesler

President/CEO

Eileen Connolly-Keesler

Eileen oversees the Foundation’s mission and addresses community needs by providing leadership and coordination through grantmaking and fund development.

Laura Bidireanu

Director of Education/Scholarships

Laura Bidireanu

Laura oversees Foundation scholarship funds and works with donors, families, students, committees, and community partners on scholarship program efforts.

Dawn Grundeman

Grants Administrator

Dawn Grundeman

Dawn provides the grants team with program and donor advised grants support and coordinates Board of Trustees communications.

Eric Kingsley

Accounting Manager

Eric Kingsley

Eric oversees the accounting functions, including financial statement preparation and investment pool management.

Chelsea Klotz

Development Coordinator

Chelsea Klotz

Chelsea supports the goals and strategies of our development and philanthropic services teams. She connects with donors and assists in establishing & maintaining their funds.

Stephanie Martin

Hardship Administrator

Stephanie Martin

Stephanie provides support for the operation and administration of the Foundation’s employee assistance programs.

Meredith Nassif

Director of Philanthropic Services

Meredith Nassif

Meredith works with fundholders, enthusiastically supporting them in achieving their philanthropic goals.

Flo Noel

Administrative Assistant

Flo Noel

Flo is responsible for the overall management of the Foundation office and administrative needs and supports the CEO and staff.

Deborah Olson

Scholarship Coordinator

Deborah Olson

Deb provides the scholarship department with administrative support for Foundation scholarship funds and assists students and parents with the application process.

Wendy Ponting

Chief Financial Officer

Wendy Ponting

Wendy provides executive leadership, vision, and strategic oversight for the Foundation’s overall operating, financial, and administrative activities.

Fran Reiss

Executive Assistant

Fran Reiss

Fran supports the donor services, accounting, and marketing Foundation staff, coordinates CCF and WFCC events, and supports the Women’s Foundation.

Laura Simmelink

Vice President of Grantmaking

Laura Simmelink

Laura leads community grantmaking initiatives, ensuring the Foundation’s funding aligns with strategic focus areas and mission.

Lindsey Touchette

Vice President of Community Engagement

Lindsey Touchette

Lindsey provides strategic direction for community engagement by working with community stakeholders to identify opportunities for positive change in Collier County.

Julie Van Tongeren

Vice President of Development

Julie Van Tongeren

Julie leads initiatives related to fund development, professional advisors, community philanthropic partnerships, constituent relations, estate planning, and stewardship.

Cindi Withorn

Senior Director of Marketing and PR

Cindi Withorn

Cindi oversees the marketing, communications, and public relations efforts and strategies of the Foundation.

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