For the City Times

The Women’s Fund of Portage County, an endowment supporting local women and children, announces the installation of their 2016-2018 leadership team.

Ann Rushevics will serve as president. She is a local retired financial adviser for Ameriprise Financial. Rushevics served as president elect since 2014.

Additional officers are Secretary Marcia Tepp, Treasurer Jeanne Regnier and past Chair Joan North. Appointed Executive Committee members-at-large include Trisha Ballweg and Lorraine Avery.

Five individuals were newly appointed to the Women’s Fund Board: Lorraine Avery, Barbara Friedrich, Leah Knights, MaryBeth Slezak and Brittany Von Ebers.

Continuing Women’s Fund board members include: Jeanne Herder, Lynn Holborn, Rhonda La Chapelle, Sarena Melotte, Patti Olinyk, Lizz Schneider, Michele Wojciehoski and Katie Young. Advisors for the Women’s Fund are Erin Andrews of the Community Foundation, Kelly Caughlan of the YMCA and Angie Heuck of the St. Michael’s Foundation.

Committee chairs for 2016-17 are — Marketing: Sarena Melotte, A.R.T.S. Night: Jeanne Herder, Spring Luncheon 2017: Michele Wojciehoski and Rhonda LaChapelle, Allocations: Katie Young and Lynn Holborn and Nominations: Joan North.

The Mission of the Women’s Fund is to empower women philanthropists by creating opportunities to fund programs that will develop the full potential of local women and children.

The Women’s Fund of Portage County is an endowment supporting local women and children, formed in 1997 by a collaborative partnership among the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, St. Michael’s Foundation and the Stevens Point Area YMCA Foundation.

Volunteer board and committees lead and staff the organization. In 2016, Women’s Fund allocated $67,560 to local agencies (including its two partners) for 17 projects. Over $423,000 to 40+ local agencies has been awarded since 1997.