Women United

Who we are

United Way of New York City’s (UWNYC) Women United brings women together in the spirit of philanthropy and service through advocacy, volunteerism, professional development, and networking to make a difference in the lives of struggling New Yorkers. From improving the quality of early childhood education to strengthening families to make them more resilient, Women United is committed to responding to critical community needs and bringing lasting change to New York City’s most vulnerable populations.

In partnership with United Way Worldwide, UWNYC’s Women United is part of a global movement of 70,000+ women strong, spanning 165 communities and six countries.

What we do

Women United and UWNYC share the conviction that being a self-sufficient adult starts with a strong, quality education. New York City Women United members champion the educational equity initiatives of UWNYC, supporting young children and families in underserved communities.

Our Community Impact

Since the inception of ReadNYC in 2013, Women United has been a visionary partner—providing the seed investments to launch this signature collective impact initiative. Women United fueled the success of ReadNYC, and today we are taking bold steps to scale the program. Together, with increased investments from community-minded women like you, and our leveraged resources, we can deepen our reach and grow our extraordinary outcomes. This power of women to make a difference, will drive change in a new cohort of elementary schools and early childhood programs, impacting thousands more children and their families, teachers and school leaders.

To date, the UWNYC Women United community has raised more than $7 million for ReadNYC!

Women United Membership

Annual membership begins at $1,000 and is payable up-front or over the course of the year via monthly, recurring gifts direct to UWNYC’s website. Membership dues directly support UWNYC’s education equity work, including our Books from Birth and Community Libraries initiatives. We encourage our Women United members to double their impact by arranging for a matching gift from their employer on top of their personal commitment.

Membership Benefits

  • Join networking opportunities with women, like-minded in their desire for making a difference and driving social impact.
  • Gain a first-hand look at how investments are improving young children and families’ lives in New York City.
  • Access rewarding volunteer and skills-based opportunities to support our local community.
  • Meet notable speakers focusing on topics of personal and professional interest.
  • Participate in social activities such as shopping evenings with fellow members.
  • Receive an invitation to attend our signature annual “Power of Women to Make a Difference Luncheon” that attracts nearly 1,000 influential New York City women across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors. 
  • Collaborate with corporate women’s networks and employee resource groups

Click here to join today.

Questions? Contact Janine Cibellis, Director, Donor Engagement, at jcibellis@uwnyc.org.

Women United Executive and Host Committee Members (New York City)

Diana Azznara – Partner, Ernst & Young*
Trena Banks – Professional Artist/Philanthropist
Sarah Benveniste – Audit and Assurance Partner, Deloitte*
Yun Chen – Executive Director, Business Transformation Office, Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation*
Francene Cole – Private Wealth Advisor, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo*
Lori Davis-West – Founder and Principal Consultant, Lori Davis Consulting*
Hedieh Fakhriyazdi – Chief Diversity Officer, White & Case LLP^
Anne Falvey – Chief Knowledge Officer, Sidley Austin*
Carol Hasenstab – First Vice President, Metropolitan Commercial Bank*
Paulina Levine – Director, Tandym Group
Ryland McClendon – Executive Director and Head of Talent and Career Development Experience for Corporate Functions, JPMorgan Chase*
Elena Mihaylova – Senior Audit Manager, Deloitte
Christina Miller – People and Engagement Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Helen Mucciolo – Chief Financial Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of New York*
Maria Pollina – Head of Consumer Bank, Product & Business Transformation, JPMorgan Chase*
Renee Pristas – Director, Credit Suisse
Anastasiya Purlo – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness, Ernst & Young
Marie Robinson – Managing Director, JPMorgan Chase
Heather Romero – Director, Group Communications and Brand, National Grid
Frances Scandariato – Managing Director, Deloitte
Connie Schan – Vice President, People, Robinhood; Co-Chair, Women United Executive Committee*
Lauren Robbins To – Vice President and General Manager, Financial Services, Service Now*
Ariana Tepedino-Mielnicki – Chief People Officer, ASG
Bari Trontz – Executive Director, Global Head of Marketing and External Communications, MUFG Investor Services*
Ann M. Vermes – Chief Operating Officer, Litigation, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP^
Holly Washington – Chief Marketing Officer, S&P Global Market Intelligence; Co-Chair, Women United Executive Committee*
Inna White – Senior Vice President, Senior Wealth Management Banker, Wells Fargo
Robyn Zivic – Managing Director, Head of FSG NY Sales and Global Commodities Distribution, CIBC Capital Markets, CIBC World Markets Corp*^

^Member, UWNYC Board of Director
*Member, Women United Executive Committee

Upcoming Events

You are invited to the 18th annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Awards Luncheon on March 12 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. This year, on the 10th anniversary of ReadNYC, we will raise critical funding to fuel the future of our Education Equity work.

Join us in this celebration, where we will not only honor women leaders but also embrace the strength of our community to create a ripple effect of positive change.

For more information, please contact powerofwomen@uwnyc.org.

Past Events

17th Annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Luncheon

March 14, 2023 | Hosted once again by TV Personality Lilliana Vazquez, the 17th Annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Luncheon at Ziegfeld Ballroom honored Karyn Twaronite, Global Vice Chair – Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness at EY, Joanna Dubin, President of Fendi Americas, and Cher Porties, President, North Atlantic District, at UPS. Learn more

16th annual Power of women to make a Difference Luncheon – Women’s empowerment

March 15, 2022 | Hosted by Emmy-winning TV Personality Lilliana Vazquez, the 16th Annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Luncheon at Ziegfeld Ballroom honored Cheryl McKissack Daniel, President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack and Debra-Ellen Glickstein, Founding Executive Director of NYC Kids RISE. We also paid tribute to Sheena Wright, UWNYC’s former President & CEO, and the current NYC Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives. Learn more

Conquer Imposter Syndrome to Achieve Your Goals

DTCC invited all Women United members to celebrate International Women’s Day with “Conquer Imposter Syndrome to Achieve your Goals,” a free special virtual presentation, with guest speaker Kim Meninger. 

Virtual nutrition workshop

October 6, 2021 | In partnership with J.P. Morgan, this workshop, hosted by Katherine Roy, Chief Retirement Strategist, JP Morgan Asset Management, delivered clear guidance for a well-diversified investment strategy.

Virtual nutrition workshop

August 11, 2021 | Led by registered dietitian and nutritionist, Alyson Small, this nutrition workshop centered around practicing mindful eating, Alyson covered topics such as paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, emotional eating, and planning meals that are nutritionally dense to promote overall health and increase energy.

Women United Summer Walk & Talk

Summer 2021 | The Women United Summer Walk & Talk featured three Manhattan-based walks at various locations, an easy and casual way for Women United members and friends to meet one another. 

Women United Impact Series Event with Claire Shipman

June 22, 2021 | The New York Times journalist and bestselling author Claire Shipman interviewed women leaders from around the worlds of politics, sports, media, the military, and the arts to learn how confidence is manifested. In this Impact Series event, Claire explained why choosing to live confidently and daring to be authentic can be a transformative experience. Watch the full video here.

h.o.w. To get highly organized

April 29, 2021 | Led by Carrie Collins, Founder and Chief Executive Organizer of H.O.W. Highly Organized Woman, this 60-minute workshop was a springboard to find time by thinking strategically about productivity. Proceeds from this event helped ensure that Women United got more books in the hands of ReadNYC students as part of our Books from Birth and Once Upon a Summer programs.

15TH ANNUAL POWER OF WOMEN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE LUNCHEON

March 24, 2021 | Thank you for supporting the 15th Annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Luncheon! Together, we raised more than $700,000 to benefit Books from Birth and Once Upon a Summer, two critical components of our ReadNYC program.

MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP

March 13, 2020 | Rachel Tenenbaum of IAMLiving facilitated a Mindfulness workshop for Women United and Young Leaders Council members, focusing on the importance of building mindfulness as a leadership skill and ways it can create a sense of calm in ever-changing, challenging times.

VIRTUALLY SHINE IN A DIGITAL WORLD

October 14, 2020 | In today’s virtual world, branding yourself digitally has never been more important. Women United members and friends took part in an interactive, virtual, personal branding workshop led by certified executive coach, Madelyn Sierra of Next Step Partners.