Passing the Torch: A Message from WDN’s Outgoing and Incoming Board Chairs
We write together to mark this transition with gratitude, reflection, and a deep belief in and hope for what lies ahead.
Over these past years, our network has faced unprecedented challenges in our democracy, our movements, and our communities. Yet through it all, WDN members have shown what collective, values-driven funding and donor organizing can achieve: bold action, sustained partnerships, and a resolute commitment to justice.
We’ve built an infrastructure and community capable of taking on the challenges of our times: putting a visionary strategic plan to action; recruiting top talent on staff alongside diverse, thoughtful members; and fueling the work that is needed now—from protecting immigrant communities across the country to safeguarding abortion care to fighting for Palestinian and trans rights and beyond. We’ve built coalitions of trust and people have taken note, with partners increasingly turning to us as a model in the field for what courageous philanthropy looks like in the midst of uncertainty and rising facism.
But doing this work hasn’t been easy. It has taken hard conversations about our individual and collective appetites for risk and understanding of safety; investments in digital security and legal support to fuel the most ambitious versions of our shared work; and an ongoing commitment as a board, staff and membership to show up undaunted for the organizations and leaders we invest in. The strength of this community comes from our shared trust, courage, and belief that change is possible when we lead together.
The road ahead demands both urgency and patience—a clear eye for long-term, strategic impact coupled with steadfast support for the leaders and organizations on the frontlines and an unwavering commitment to courageous leadership. And we have every confidence in our staff, board, and community in navigating that together.
Our gratitude extends to every WDN member for your energy, commitment, and partnership. We look forward to our continued journey—rooted in care, guided by purpose, and united by our belief in a just, interwoven and liberated future.
With determination and hope,
Zoe Mercer-Golden
Incoming Board Chair
“WDN is a place in which I have been embraced and mentored as part of our network’s commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders. I have been privileged to learn from Suhad during her two extraordinary years of board chair service to WDN, which have brought our network to its current place of strength and resilience. I am honored to carry on WDN’s legacy of investing in multi-generational leadership.”
Suhad Babaa
Outgoing Board Chair
“Our community has risen to meet the demands of our times in ways that have been both inspiring and powerful: moving funds to the frontlines of our movements, organizing to build power, and taking care of one another and the communities we are a part of. It’s been an honor to help lead WDN over the last two years and I look forward to supporting the brilliant Zoe Mercer-Golden and Sharon Chen (incoming c4 Chair) in the work ahead.”
