Member Spotlight: Michele Dorris

Member Spotlight: Michele Dorris

Member Profiles
Michele Dorris is no stranger to philanthropy. Growing up in her native Jamaica, Michele experienced early and often the role of giving back from her parents who modeled the responsibility of giving in service, whether by action and/or monetarily. Given Jamaica’s small size, Michele was fortunate to have the opportunity to see firsthand the outcome of doing good and helping people in the process. While working in the role of Global Process Owner, Customer Ordering Experience with Novartis Pharmaceuticals, a global healthcare pharmaceutical company, Michele and her team design the organization’s processes and systems. She often chuckles when someone relates using a Novartis product, as if to identify with the company, though Michele has no direct contact with the manufacturing process or even the products themselves. She focuses her time…
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Ronda Urkowitz

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Ronda Urkowitz

Member Profiles
Ronda Urkowitz joined Impact100 South Jersey in 2019. She was unfamiliar with the organization and was invited to the first annual meeting in 2018 by a fellow member, Fran Sykes.  The Pascale Sykes Foundation provided funding to Ronda’s nonprofit and Fran thought Ronda would be a perfect fit for Impact100 SJ. Fran was correct! After attending the inaugural annual meeting and discussing Impact100 with other members, Ronda was hooked! As the Executive Director of a small nonprofit organization serving South Jersey, Ronda is familiar with the areas’ needs and the fantastic work being performed by small community nonprofits with very little financial support. Ronda’s organization, Cross County Connection, is a Transportation Management Association that works with the business community and local governments. The organization fosters equitable, safe and environmentally sustainable transportation options…
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Mary Foukleva Hutchinson

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Mary Foukleva Hutchinson

Member Profiles
Mary Foukleva Hutchison says she aspires to live by Marianne Williamson’s quote, “Nothing liberates our greatness like the desire to help, the desire to serve.”   Mary joined Impact100 South Jersey in 2022 because she was impressed with how women are empowered to make a difference in the community. Once meeting co-founder Kyle Ruffin, Mary has always been inspired to get involved. For Mary, it all goes back to 2015.  The Community Foundation of South Jersey and Sidney Hargro convened a group of women to think and work through a specific topic – How do women make an impact locally? Mary first met Kyle when they worked together to create a Community Foundation event around which women came together to discuss their views on philanthropy. The event led to others launching Impact100 South Jersey. …
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Susan Bass Levin

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Susan Bass Levin

Member Profiles, SJ WOMEN GIVE
Susan strongly believes in the mission of Impact100 South Jersey. “I enjoy catching up with long-time friends and colleagues, many of whom I haven’t seen in quite a while. We have shared experiences and goals, but often live separate lives, and Impact100 allows us to reconnect.  Plus, Impact100’s contributions are significant and meaningful to South Jersey non-profit organizations. It proves there is power in numbers,” said Susan. She is also very impressed by the young women who know how important it is to make a give back.   As a very prominent South Jersey community member, Susan's accomplishments are numerous. She moved from her first job as an attorney to being the Mayor of Cherry Hill and served in the cabinet of three New Jersey governors. Susan was the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of…
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Shereen Chen Gray

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Shereen Chen Gray

Member Profiles
Shereen Chen Gray came to America with her parents when she was 2 years old. At the age of 16, Shereen became a U.S. citizen. As an immigrant, Shereen observed family members who could not speak English arrive in the United States and learn to adapt and grow to take care of their families. This is a strength that Shereen has admired and been inspired by throughout her life. This experience has led her to a successful career as an Immigration attorney which has led her to want to give back to those who are in need.   Several of Shereen’s friends and business acquaintances belong to Impact100 South Jersey. After hearing about the great work Impact100 South Jersey does in giving high-impact grants to area nonprofits, she wanted to get involved to help as…
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Member Spotlight:  Mimi Butler

Member Spotlight: Mimi Butler

Member Profiles
Mimi Butler calls herself a ‘volunteer-holic’. When she attended middle school, someone asked her to go door to door to raise money for a disease. She knew then that a great part of her life would be to always give back. Mimi’s parents were extremely active with Einstein hospital, Philadelphia. Originally, they were involved only with the Philadelphia Psychiatric hospital, later named Belmont Comprehensive Center. Her mother volunteered weekly at this hospital for the psychiatric needs of children and adults. When Mimi was a teenager, she joined her mother at weekend events. She even remembers winning a basket of wine at a luncheon before age 21. Once Mimi’s Mom passed, Mimi continued her legacy at Belmont organizing holiday parties and fundraisers. Now, while Einstein no longer owns Belmont, Mimi is involved…
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Cindy Washko-Margraf

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Cindy Washko-Margraf

Member Profiles, SJ WOMEN GIVE
A member since 2019, Cindy Washko-Margraf was a bit disappointed that she didn’t know about Impact100 South Jersey one year earlier. Being a philanthropist at heart, she deeply endorses the concept of collective giving and would have loved to have been a charter member. Nevertheless, she is very proud to be a member for the last five years and to be a part of such an impactful group of women making a real difference in South Jersey. Cindy and her late husband raised their children in Medford though she recently sold the family home and now lives full time in their Ocean City home. Despite the move from the chapter's four-county footprint, Cindy continues as a member and is happy to be a part of a regional group of philanthropic…
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Sharon Reel

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Sharon Reel

Member Profiles
Sharon Reel joined Impact100SJ in 2019. Her friend, Nancy Gulick, who she has known for a long time through the Haddonfield schools, was already a member of Impact 100SJ. Nancy sent an email to Sharon about the group and she joined immediately. Sharon joined the Haddonfield Rotary in 2014 after a visit to India as a member of a group giving oral polio vaccines to children - the Polio Immunization Program in Mumbai, Agra, Jaipur and Delhi. After visiting the residence of Mahatma Gandhi, they toured the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa. Team members collected items of clothing at home to leave with the sisters. The Jaipur Foot Factory manufactured artificial limbs for ‘below the knee’ amputations. An International Rotary Project supported corrective surgery and provided artificial limbs…
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Kristy Kazelskis

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Kristy Kazelskis

Member Profiles
Kristy Kazelskis is thrilled to be a new member of Impact 100SJ because she believes, “Women are the ones who always get the job done,” much like Margaret Thatcher’s quote, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”  A huge attraction for Kristy to join Impact 100SJ is that its mission is designed for women, only. Kristy reports to Rosemarie Parker, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Family Promise of Southwest New Jersey. Pascale Sykes Foundation is sponsoring Kristy this year, for which she is grateful. She is excited to be a member of the Events committee and looks forward to contributing. Kristy received a degree in mathematics from Rowan University. During college, she worked at British Airways at the Philadelphia Airport. Through this position,…
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Betty Maul

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Betty Maul

Member Profiles, SJ WOMEN GIVE
Written by Valerie Buickerood New 2023 Impact100 South Jersey member Betty Maul is a firm believer in collective giving and doing her part to give back. “I believe one person at a time makes all of our communities better. As for me, I volunteer, that is what I do!” Betty is the owner of FrontEnd Graphics Inc., in Cherry Hill. FrontEnd is an award-winning certified Women Owned Small Business and member of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council.  As a member of the South Jersey Women in Business, which is an Impact100 SJ sponsor, Betty knew many of Impact100’s members and learned about its model of collective philanthropy. Becoming a member was a natural fit for her. The most rewarding aspect of becoming a member says Betty, “is that we can assist…
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