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.

nwf-mission-7-in-front-of-nwf-logo

SilverSummit HealthPlan 2023 scholarship recipients.

 

Mission & Vison

Our Mission:  Empowering women to achievement through education and career advancement

Our Vision:  Strengthening our community by ensuring women face no barriers to achievement

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.

The Nevada Women's Fund 2022 Board of Directors posing for a picture outside

2024 NWF Board & Staff at our Strategic Session!

 

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.

2024 Board of Directors

Officers

Jen Eastwood

Jen Eastwood

Chair

Good Giant
Danielle Eaton

Danielle Eaton

Vice Chair

Sierra Veterans Research & Education Foundation
Craig Wesner

Craig Wesner

Treasurer

Civil Engineer
Amber Maraccini

Amber Maraccini

Secretary

Medallia
Jill Johnson

Jill Johnson

Immediate Past Chair

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School

Board Members

Amanda Alfaro

Amanda Alfaro

Ferrari-Lund Real Estate
Olivia Baugh

Olivia Baugh

Circle of Life Hospice
Cari Blomquist

Cari Blomquist

IGT
Candace Borrego

Candace Borrego

US Bank
Angela Bradley

Angela Bradley

Nevada State Bank
Randy Brown

Randy Brown

Nevada Public Utilities Commission
Ben Calingaert

Ben Calingaert

Persing Professional Group
Andi Cassinari

Andi Cassinari

2 News
Katie Coleman

Katie Coleman

Nevada Rural Housing
Kelly Corrigan

Kelly Corrigan

Reno Running Company
Pam Czyz

Pam Czyz

Barrett Financial
Joey Ganser

Joey Ganser

PK Electrical Inc.
Kara Harris

Kara Harris

First Independent Bank
Lisa Harrison

Lisa Harrison

Dickson Realty
Kendra Jepsen

Kendra Jepsen

Jepsen Law
Kara Martinezmoles

Kara Martinezmoles

Hometown Health
Tiffany McMacken

Tiffany McMacken

The Willow Group
Erica Mirich

Erica Mirich

Pivot Consulting
Nicola Neilon

Nicola Neilon

Casey Neilon
Laura Nelson

Laura Nelson

Eide Bailly
Cynthia Osborn

Cynthia Osborn

Assured Partners
Gretchen Sawyer

Gretchen Sawyer

TMCC Foundation
Norma Seltz

Norma Seltz

Higher Education | Marriage & Family Therapist
Sarah Sommers

Sarah Sommers

Elemental LED, Inc.
Courtney Sweet

Courtney Sweet

Gunderson Law Firm
Frankie Vigil

Frankie Vigil

Lumos & Associates
Viki A. Windfelt

Viki A. Windfelt

Nevada State Board of Accountancy

Meet Our Team

Ila Achtabowski

President & CEO

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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.

Michele Montoya

Director of Development & Programs

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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.

Marge Millar

Director of Operations & Events

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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