Who We Are

Nevada Women’s Fund founding board members
Our History
We were founded in 1982 by concerned women who wanted the best for the women and families of northern Nevada. The Nevada Women’s Fund was born to correct the then national imbalance of financial distribution from traditional resources that resulted in less than 6% of grants going to women and children.
We work with our community of individual donors, sponsors and partners to raise funds and other resources to ensure we can meet the growing needs of our community and ultimate impact families long-term.

SilverSummit HealthPlan 2023 scholarship recipients. SSHP awarded $70,000 in scholarships to SSHP members in 2023.
Mission
Nevada Women’s Fund is dedicated to strengthening our community by empowering women to improve their lives and those of their families.
Since 1983 Nevada Women’s Fund has awarded over $9,400,000:
- $4,096,982 in Grants
- $5,346,246 in Scholarships
In 2023 alone Nevada Women’s Fund awarded $420,000 to women living and educating in Northern Nevada.

2023 NWF Board & Staff at our 80’s celebration of 40 years!
Board of Directors
The Nevada Women’s Fund Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders who share our vision of a brighter world for Nevada’s women and families. The board of directors governs the organization and its daily operations are guided by a President & CEO, Director of Development & Programs, and Director of Operation & Events. The board convenes nine meetings annually. Standing committees include: Allocations, Board Leadership, Events, Investment and Finance, and Marketing.
Nevada Women’s Fund Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
Nevada Women’s Fund is committed to promoting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We recognize
that human capital is our most important asset. We embrace and encourage diversity within our staff,
board of directors, volunteers and scholarship recipients. We believe that through embracing and
encouraging diversity, Nevada Women’s Fund is better able to achieve its mission.
2023 Board of Directors
Officers

Jill Johnson
Chair
Bishop Manogue Catholic High School

Courtney Sweet
Vice Chair
Gunderson Law Firm

Craig Wesner
Treasurer
Civil Engineer

Danielle Eaton
Recorder
Sierra Veterans Research & Education Foundation

Sarah Crumby
Immediate Past Chair
Cupit, Milligan, Ogden & Williams, CPAs
Board Members

Amanda Alfaro
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate

Olivia Baugh
Circle of Life Hospice

Candace Borrego
US Bank

Angela Bradley
Nevada State Bank

Randy Brown
Nevada Public Utilities Commission

Ben Calingaert
Persing Professional Group

Andi Cassinari
2 News

Kelly Corrigan
Reno Running Company

Pam Czyz
Barrett Financial

Jen Eastwood
Good Giant

Kara Harris
First Independent Bank

Kendra Jepsen
Jepsen & McMenomy

Amber Maraccini
Medallia

Kara Martinezmoles
Hometown Health

Erica Mirich
Pivot Consulting

Katie Nannini
NV Energy

Laura Nelson
Eide Bailly

Nicola Neilon
Casey Neilon

Cynthia Osborn
Assured Partners

Karen Purcell
PK Electrical, Inc.

Gretchen Sawyer
TMCC Foundation

Norma Seltz
Higher Education | Marriage & Family Therapist

Sarah Sommers
Elemental LED, Inc.

Frankie Vigil
Lumos & Associates

Viki A. Windfelt
Nevada State Board of Accountancy
Meet Our Team

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Ila is a proud native Nevadan, born and raised in Fallon. She brings 25 years of business experience, having served as the CEO of a family loan company for over 20 years. In addition, she has a decade of non-profit experience, having worked from both the perspectives of a board member and staff. She spent five years at Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada and served as their Interim Executive Director in 2018.
Ila has been deeply involved in the community, holding positions such as board member for the Sierra Nevada Chapter of National Charity League, representative on the WCSD Career and Technical Education Board for Business & Entrepreneurship, and advisory board member for TEDx Reno.
A proud mother of two young adults, both attending the University of Nevada Reno, Ila enjoys spending her spare time in her kitchen cooking or gathered around a large table with delicious food, decent wine, and great friends. She also finds enjoyment in outdoor activities like running, hiking, and exploring.
As only the fourth President & CEO in the Nevada Women’s Fund’s 40-year history, Ila is passionate about raising awareness of the Fund’s mission and expanding the organization. Her focus includes developing strategic partnerships throughout northern Nevada, including the rural communities.

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Michele is the Director of Development and Programs for the Nevada Women’s Fund. She holds multiple years’ experience in strategic fund, business, affordable housing, economic and new program development, with a strong emphasis in data analysis.
Michele holds a B.A. in Economics and Spanish from the University of Nevada, Reno and also a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is active in the community through many professional organizations and currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Truckee Meadows Tomorrow and Nevada Day Treasure Hunt. Her interests outside of work include rock-hounding, yoga, reading, traveling and cycling.

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Marge Millar comes to Nevada Women’s Fund after more than a decade as a community volunteer and eventually a board member passionate about the work of the Fund. Marge quickly became an integral part of the Northern Nevada community after moving to Reno with her husband Chuck in 2000. The majority of Marge’s professional career was in banking where she worked as a branch manager at Nevada State Bank in Reno, Nevada. There, she built strong relationships with many business professionals which she leveraged to support her extensive work in the nonprofit sector with organizations such as Junior Achievement, the Veteran’s Guest House and Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful.
Eventually Marge left banking to work for one of her favorite not for profits, Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful where, as Business Manager, she combined her experience in finance with her passion for fundraising and events to help grow the organization. Marge’s favorite role is being mom the her daughter Megan, now a sophomore at the University of Nevada Reno. In her spare time Marge loves to share good food and good wine with friends, travel with her husband or get lost in a good book.
Recognitions
Hall of Fame
At its annual Salute to Women of Achievement luncheon, the Nevada Women’s Fund recognizes community involvement and significant community contributions through its Hall of Fame award.
2023: Lynn Atcheson, Barbara Thornton, Maya Miller*, Lifetime Achievement Awards
2022: Marilyn Newton
2021: Angela D. Taylor
2019: Sandy Pearce Raffealli
2018: Jane Adams Nichols, Ed.D.
2017: Norma Webster
2016: Nancy Fennell
2015: The Honorable Deborah Schumacher
2014: Bertha Miranda
2013: H. Elizabeth Lenz
2012: Mary-Ellen McMullen
2011: Mimi Ellis Hogan
2010: Joni Kaiser (recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award)
2009: Nancy Cashell
2008: Jennifer Satre
2007: Fianna Combs*
2006: Charlotte McConnell
2005: Fritsi Ericson* (recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award)
2004: Sally de Lipkau
2003: Dorothy Lemelson*
2002: Frankie Sue Del Papa
2001: May Shelton, Barbara Vucanovich*
2000: Jan Evans*
1999: Sandy Miller*
1998: Assistance League of Reno-Sparks
1997: Evelyn Mount*, Jean Ford*
1996: Trudy Larson, M.D.
1995: Marilyn Melton
1994: Bertha Mullins, Sue Wagner
1993: Lynn Atcheson
1992: Maya Miller*, Barbara Cavanaugh Thornton
1991: Gloria Fundis, Soroptimist Int’l of Truckee Meadows, Harriet Wolfe*
1990: Joan L. Dyer, Dolores Feemster*, Twentieth Century Club
1989: Dorothy Gallagher, Martha Gould, Moya Olsen Lear*, Dolora Zajick
1988: Martha H. Jones*, Bernice Mathews, Inga Thompson
1987: Dean Roberta Barnes, Alice Jane Clark*, Joni Kaiser
1986: Marsha Deming*, Patricia Miltenberger, Reno/Sparks YWCA
1985: Eva Adams*, Physician’s Spouses, Jean Bonar, Hazel Guardella*
1984: Maggie Banks*, Margery Cavanaugh*, Dr. Mary Fulstone, Juyoung Shin
1983: Frances Smith Crumley*, Dr. Ann Howard, Linda Howard, Patty Sheehan
*deceased