We at Nonprofit HR are thrilled to announce this year’s list of Social Impact Women to Watch! For several years before the end of Women’s History Month, we have proudly recognized women across North America who have made significant contributions to nonprofits, associations, foundations, social enterprises and the communities they serve. This year we called on our expanded community to help us identify and recognize outstanding women who accomplish the seemingly impossible against all odds.
2023 Social Impact Women to Watch Finalists:
Itzel Almazan — People & Operations Director, Capital Area Immigration’s Rights (CAIR) Coalition
Ayana Bias — Director of Advocacy & Volunteer Services, United Planning Organization
Sarah Blas — Community Impact and Communications Lead, MindOpen Learning Strategies
Anahid Brakke — President & CEO, San Diego Hunger Coalition
Cynthia N. Colbert — President & CEO, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Denise Collazo — Chief of External Affairs, Faith in Action
Mary Cortani — Founder & Executive Director, Operation Freedom Paws (OFP)
Jennifer D. Dobbs — Executive Director, ArtsBridge Foundation
Marilyn Edmunds Bowser — Vice President of People Operations, Vital Voices Global Partnership
Bonnie Entler — President & CEO, Seeds of Literacy
Chavi Khanna Koneru — Co-Founder & Executive Director, North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT)
Indra Lahiri, PhD — Founder, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
Pamela A. Leins, MSL — Executive Director, Boston Education Fund (BEDF)
Jenny Malseed — VP of Strategy and Talent, GlobalGiving
Heather L. Maurer, MA, CAE — CEO, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)
MaryEllen McGuire, PhD — President & Founder, Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI)
Carolyn Penn, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP — Senior Vice President, Total Rewards & Compliance, So Others Might Eat
Amelia Quinn — Founder & President, BeLoved Atlanta
Nikki Santos — Executive Director, Center for Native American Youth
Wanda Steptoe — Executive Director, New Endeavors By Women
Paula Thompson — Executive Director, Voices for a Second Chance
Dr. Kimberly Townsend — President & CEO, Loretto
Ellen Voie, CAE — Founder, Women In Trucking Association
Dr. Karen P. West — President & CEO, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
