Category: Member Profiles

Volunteerism, community engagement and philanthropy are baked into Kimberly’s DNA. From her earliest days, Kimberly recalls that her mother and grandparents instilled in her a “service to others” mindset. She worked alongside family members to give back to their community which inspired Kimberly to follow suit. Throughout her adolescent and young adult years, she often helped out at local fundraisers and other philanthropic initiatives in her native North Carolina community. It was through these early experiences that led Kimberly on a long journey of supporting charitable causes and decades of hands-on community engagement and volunteerism. Interested to build community with other South Jersey women and explore a collaborative approach to philanthropy, Kimberly was intrigued to learn about Impact100 South Jersey’s mission and collective giving model from a SJ Magazine article…

Upon reconnecting with a South Jersey friend after a 20-year gap, Terri Shirley-Summerhayes learned that her old friend was a member of Impact100 South Jersey. Terri had belonged to a supportive group of young mothers, the South Jersey Mother’s Network, in Marlton when her children were very young. She was also an active and engaged member of the Marlton community serving on the school board, volunteering in community organizations and local civic activities, while raising her children. Fast forward a couple of decades, Terri serendipitously met up with former SJ Mother’s Network member, Valerie Buickerood, and learned about Impact100 South Jersey - another group of like-minded women. Now in both a personal and professional position to give back financially, Terri was inspired to join. When asked why she joined in…

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” ~ Maya Angelou Pharmacist by trade, philanthropist by choice, Kruti Lodhavia was excited to learn that there was a whole group of women who had this common bond of giving back. After seeing a social media post about Impact100 SJ, Kruti searched the website for information and recognized Sue Polikoff among the member list. When she reached out, Sue shared her own positive experience as a member and Kruti’s decision was sealed. She couldn’t wait to join! A pharmacist and manager with Walgreens for more than 20 years, Kruti returned to South Jersey after living in Louisiana with her husband, and starting their family there. She was  raised in Atlantic City and is happy to…

A woman living her purpose-driven life. Longtime South Jersey resident Stefanie Levine Cohen has traveled a professional and personal journey with twists and turns. As a trained lawyer, Stefanie knew her gifts and talents were better suited in areas other than the practice of law. She found her calling connecting with other people through writing, active parenting and hands-on community engagement. To exemplify her purpose, Stefanie is a Charter member of Impact100 SJ and has served on the Leadership Council since her second year. She is a former Chair of the Governance committee and a former member of the grant review committee. What lights Stefanie up most about volunteerism and community engagement is her commitment to be a force for positive change. With so many urgent needs and giving opportunities…

It pays to have friends in high places. Invited by Impact100 SJ founding member Kyle Ruffin to join the movement, organizational development consultant and executive coach Teressa Moore Griffin liked the notion of collaboration and pooling resources to support making a greater impact than she could otherwise make on her own. Teressa has been a long-time supporter of philanthropic causes, though Impact100 SJ struck her differently. She is heartened and touched by its mission to develop a spirit of community among local women who also value combining resources to have a greater impact. As an early joiner, Teressa attended one of the first membership information meetings and found that Impact100 SJ is everything that Kyle described it to be. Following the first membership drive, Teressa submitted her initial contribution to…

Ellen learned about the Impact100 organization from her cousin who is very involved with Greenville (SC) Women Giving.  Hearing about all the good they do in their community, Ellen wanted to help her South Jersey community the same way, so she joined Impact100 South Jersey.  In the three years since she became a member, Ellen has been appointed to the Impact100 Leadership Council, and now co-chairs the Public Relations/ Marketing and Resource Development committees.   Ellen has been in the public relations/marketing field for over 25 years, most recently serving as Chief Marketing Officer for a few large law firms. Ellen graduated from the University of Delaware and began her career at the American Red Cross in New York City.  “I had a great boss who mentored me.  Thanks to him…

When Sue Levy-Polikoff learned about Impact100 through Facebook posts from other members, she knew this was exactly the type of philanthropic giving she was searching for.  That drove Sue to attend a 2019 membership information session at the Ronald McDonald House to learn more about it.   The love and commitment to making a difference was palpable in that room and Sue just knew this was something she had to do.  She joined in 2020.  “The business model is so innovative; taking the power of each charity-minded individual and making them into a 200-women powerhouse that provides such a greater impact to fabulous causes compelled me to join.”  Its cliché, but Sue finds every aspect of Impact100 SJ rewarding.  She was an event planner for a large nonprofit so naturally her…

Barbara joined Impact100 for the 2019 membership year after seeing an advertisement of our information sessions in the South Jersey Biz Magazine. After learning about the organization’s mission, purpose and functions from Emily Orel and Nancy Weber, Barbara wrote her check that day!  While she had routinely contributed to other organizations in the past, this was different. She thought how cool this is, to be able to give $1,000 and then take control of where it went! It was like winning the Trifecta for her: the ability to meet like-minded women, learn about the local nonprofits and get a say in where her contributions go. She especially loved the idea of meeting and working with women to implement the annual process of awarding a $100,000 grant to a nonprofit organization. …

Kate Williamson first heard about the Impact100 model through people involved in the Impact100 Jersey Coast chapter and the idea struck her as pure genius. In 2016, an organization Kate’s wife Susan helped found nearly 40 years earlier had applied for a grant from Impact100 Jersey Coast.  Susan was one of the original founders of what is now known as 180 Turning Lives Around in Monmouth County, which runs a purpose-built shelter for women, men, and their children who are victims of domestic violence. The grant was to help start their Family Justice Center, which provides comprehensive, one-stop services to intersect with local and county agencies, police, family court, etc. Susan had not been actively involved with 180 for a while, but they reached out to her to ask her to be part…

Mindy Holman is no stranger to the concept of philanthropy. She grew up in a family that was always charitable and maintained a commitment to always give back to their community. This was especially so through her family’s nearly 100 year old automotive business, Holman Enterprises, that was founded by her grandfather. Mindy joined Holman Enterprises, in 1986, becoming President and CEO in 2004 and Chairman of the Board in 2015. As the third generation leader, Mindy continues her family’s philanthropic legacy to support the communities where their employees and customers live and work. In her personal life, Mindy gives her time, treasures and talents serving in leadership roles with several local community organizations. In 2007, Mindy was introduced to the idea of collective giving that would be there forever to support…