Women’s Foundation of Oregon names Emily Evans as first Executive Director
Evans, who was born and raised in Ashland, Ore., spent the last five years as the Lead Development Officer for the Forum for Youth Investment, a nonprofit think tank in Washington DC. During her tenure, Evans directed a multi-million dollar annual fund development effort and partnered with national and local foundations all over the country. Prior to her work at the Forum, Evans helped launch the Women’s Leadership Institute in Washington DC as the Interim Director of Partnerships and Advancement. While there, she secured the largest six-figure board member gift in the organization’s history and helped staff special events for a number of notable women leaders, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, NPR’s Linda Wertheimer, and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Evans also served as president of the Maxwell Women’s Caucus while completing her Masters in Public Administration at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College.
“Working alongside a visionary board of directors to build a new foundation, from the ground up, is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Emily Evans, executive director of Women’s Foundation of Oregon. “I believe this foundation is the missing link that will transform the generosity of Oregon women into lasting change for women and girls throughout the state. I can’t wait to invite women all over Oregon to join us in this groundbreaking endeavor.”
Oregon women face major challenges and the need to address them is greater than ever. For instance, women in Oregon: have a one in five chance of being born into poverty and staying there, face one of the highest rates of sexual assault in the nation, and make only 79 cents on the dollar compared to their male co-workers. Women’s Foundation of Oregon was founded to address challenges like these head-on, using the power of philanthropy, partnership, and strategic grantmaking.
About Women’s Foundation of Oregon
Founded in June 2014, Women’s Foundation of Oregon is the only public foundation in Oregon made up entirely of women investing in the well-being of women. The new foundation began as a result of the merger between Women's Care Foundation and Portland Women's Foundation. The Women’s Foundation of Oregon’s is committed to mobilizing resources to advocate for and improve the health, safety, economic security and well-being of women in Oregon. By harnessing the collaborative and collective power of many, the Foundation‘s leaders are determined to achieve substantial, positive impact on the lives of women and girls throughout Oregon. For more information or to become a member of Women’s Foundation of Oregon, contact Emily Evans at 971-230-1294 or via email at emily@w-for.org.