About
Who We Are
The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio is a public foundation focused on gender equity. We create social change through our trust-based investments in women and girls, our groundbreaking research, and our intersectional advocacy.
Our Mission
Our mission is to transform the lives of women and girls by mobilizing the collective power and passion of all people working together.
Our Vision
Our vision is a world where gender equity is the norm in work and life.
What Makes Us Different?
Unlike private foundations, which are endowed with funds from a family’s wealth or corporate earnings, The Women’s Fund depends on annual support from our community to fund our work. As a public foundation, we gather financial contributions from individuals, families, and businesses that want to support social change.
The Women’s Fund was founded by a group of 15 visionary women to address the lack of funding directed toward women and girls in Central Ohio. Our work is sustained by the thousands of donors who still believe that investing in women and girls is critical to move our community forward.
Our Team

Kelley Griesmer
President & CEO (she/her)

Kelsie Fields
Director of Operations (she/her)

Drew Kaufman
Director of Fundraising (he/him)

monique kamara
Programs and Administrative Associate (she/her/they/them)

maddie mcclung
Research and Advocacy Manager (she/her)
Our BOARD of directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Sophia Fifner, Chair

Dr. Sierra Austin-KING, Vice Chair

Claudia Herrington, TREASURER

Jennifer Yaross, Assistant TREASURER

Letha Pugh, Secretary
Our BOARD of directors
Dr. Sierra Austin-King - Educational Service Center of Central Ohio; The Ohio State University
Lachandra B. Baker - LBB Edutainment, LLC
Jennifer Battle - Carpenter Lipps LLP
Dr. Shell Bird - Philanthropist
Abby Cover - Columbus Metropolitan Library
Sophia Fifner - Columbus Metropolitan Club
Courtney Falato - JP Morgan & Chase
Claudia Herrington - JobsOhio
Ronnie Marquez-Posey - Trade & Veteran Services, State of Ohio
Leah McDougald - McDougald Research
Melissa McHenry - Philanthropist
Daphne McKinnie - Huntington National Bank
Natalie Moretz - Berkadia Commercial Mortgage
Christine Murry - Crane Group Co.
Melinda Nenning - Bailey Cavalieri LLC
Kimber Perfect - Philanthropist
Andrea Pfaadt - Schneider Downs
Letha Pugh - Bake Me Happy
Dana Sims - Philanthropist
Shakarra Touray - Nationwide Insurance Company
Jennifer Yaross - Quility
For a full list of all Board alumnae, please click here.
Our Founders
Carol Andreae
Sharon Cameron
Loann Crane (1925-2021)
Sally Crane Cox
Barbara Fergus
Judy Garel (1933-2021)
Stephanie Hightower
Nancy Jeffrey (1930-2018)
Cathe Chapin Kobacker
Melodee Kornacker
Mary Lazarus
Ann Pizzuti
Kathy Ransier
Emily Rutherford
Jody G. Scheiman