Next August, I will complete 20 years of service and leadership at WDN, four of them including our c4 arm, WDN Action. That’s quite a run! After a great deal of soul searching, I’ve decided to retire at the end of December 2022 as President and CEO. I know deep in my heart that it’s time to transition to a new leader who will take WDN and WDN Action to the next level.

When I met the WDN hiring committee in 2002 I found women who spoke my language through shared values. I quickly discovered that amongst us all, we had a tremendous passion for WDN’s vision, and that’s what mattered most.

Fast forward to 2021, and WDN has evolved and grown in ways I could never have imagined back in 2002. Today we have our c4 arm, WDN Action (created in 2017), about 265 members, a staff team of twelve outstanding professionals, plus all the passion we started out with and then some!

WDN and WDN Action mobilized over $18 million in grants in 2020, surpassing our expectations. We funded more than 135 organizations that are dismantling oppressive systems and envisioning bold changes. In 2021 we will surpass those numbers. 

Our organizations have never been as robust, large, or as effective as they are today. The WDN c3 board is assembling a highly qualified search committee that is charged with planning and executing a thoughtful and caring process in line with our values. I am grateful to have more than a year for the executive search process and a plan for a seamless transition. I am confident the organization will remain strong, secure, and fully committed to our grantmaking and programming.

As strong as we are today, I plan to leave WDN in 2022 even stronger. I feel excited about the process ahead. It has been a major honor of my life to lead these organizations, and I am incredibly grateful for all those I’ve had the opportunity to meet, know, and work with side-by-side. I see only growth and strength for WDN and WDN Action moving forward.

Donna

Donna P. Hall

President & CEO, Women Donors Network
President, WDN Action