Category: Member Profiles

When Mary Lynne Reynolds heard about Impact100 South Jersey from her long-time friends Nancy Weber and Kyle Ruffin, she knew she wanted to join. While attending Simmons University, a women’s college, Mary Lynne learned to appreciate the limitless energy and possibilities of female collaboration. “I was naturally drawn to Impact100 SJ as it offered the prospect of being part of a diversified group of women coming together to share their time, talents and resources to address critical needs in our community.”  Mary Lynne has a long history of community service, from spearheading fundraising events as a teenager, to working on the Ivory Coast in West Africa as a member of the Peace Corps, and going on to have a successful career in the non-profit world of serving those in need. “Throughout my life,…

For Pam Brant, it’s not only the grant funding, it’s the opportunity to think strategically that provides impact. As President of the arts nonprofit Symphony in C, Pam’s passion is mentoring small and emerging arts organizations.  Impact100 SJ aligned perfectly with her personal goals, so when Kyle Ruffin asked her to join in year one, she enthusiastically said yes and has been a member since!   “Not only are small and emerging arts organizations looking for the type of financial resources a grant from Impact100 SJ provides, but the core mission grant application itself offers a perfect opportunity for organizations to work very strategically with their staff and board to plan the next logical step toward their organization’s sustainability. Small nonprofits feel they need to apply for every grant that comes their…

As a 45 year public servant, Patricia Jones has been witness to the power of collective community action in South Jersey many times. Often, these initiatives are driven by women volunteers taking the lead to create change in their communities.  Pat sees Impact100 South Jersey as a wonderful extension of community action with women having financial power too.  After a long history of being on the sidelines of financial decision-making, Pat is excited to see women getting “their financial legs under them” and directing resources to impactful organizations. Through collective giving, their actions are now backed by the power of money! Pat has been a South Jersey resident for 50 years, working and serving, with pleasure and gratitude, in local and statewide public offices. Most recently, she was an Assemblywoman for the 5th…

Toni Farmer joined Impact100 in our second year after having coffee with a founding member who introduced her to the power of women’s collective giving. As the Director of Development and Marketing at Urban Promise in Camden, she had written grants to Impact100 Philly. But it wasn’t until she learned about and joined the South Jersey chapter that she realized the importance of camaraderie among fellow members. “There’s a lot of excitement in meeting other women doing good things together. Doing good is contagious.  It’s thrilling.”  She helped us grow our 2020 membership by sharing the thrill of women’s collective giving with her book club. We're grateful that Toni enjoyed the experience enough to bring Impact100 South Jersey to the attention of other local women who want to be part of the meaningful philanthropic…

With her background in non-profit management, Patti Withington has a soft spot for organizations that do good work in the world. It’s exactly why she became a founding member of Impact100 South Jersey and served on the leadership council for two years. It’s also why she is ecstatic to see the organization grow from an initial eight founding members to 14 on the leadership council and a membership of 186. Bringing in more powerful minds and the innovation that comes with diverse viewpoints is exciting for everyone she says.  So too is the growth of our capacity to give, especially at a time when nonprofit organizations need it more than ever. “COVID-19 has hurt all New Jersey nonprofits in different ways,” she explains. “In South Jersey, it’s always been challenging…

Elena Piperno attended an information session at the Ronald McDonald House in October 2019. But even before then, she knew she was interested in joining Impact100 South Jersey. After reading about us on social media and recognizing some faces, she was intrigued by the idea of women contributing equally to generate high impact grants to local non-profit organizations.  It was no surprise Elena immediately joined our ranks effective this year.   Elena was raised with a family culture of philanthropic generosity.  Her dad, Pepe Piperno, spent his early years in Camden and has a long history of community support.  At the early age of six, Elena became involved in the family tradition of delivering Christmas baskets to Camden families through Sacred Heart Church. This early experience instilled in her the importance of giving back and community…

Emma Kimenhour has been a proud member of Impact100 SJ for more than a year. Born and raised in South Jersey, Emma is grateful for the opportunities her involvement with this unique philanthropic group has afforded her.   “Philanthropy is the heart of Impact100 SJ,” Emma explains. “There is something empowering about connecting with a group of such dynamic, creative women – all with the common goals of transforming communities and fostering change. These goals align perfectly with the work we are doing every day at Volunteers of America Delaware Valley.” As Director of Philanthropic Gifts at Camden-based Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV), Emma knows firsthand how one gift or donation, no matter the size, can profoundly impact a person’s life. “Being part of an organization whose mission is to…

Lois Greco has been a member of Impact100 SJ since its inaugural year, 2018.  After initial hesitation, Lois enthusiastically joined for two reasons: Kyle Ruffin asked her and she recognized that women’s collective philanthropy aligned perfectly with her values.  Lois is passionate about inspiring generosity, creating a culture of philanthropy, and building community.  Being a member of Impact100 SJ is one more way she can fulfill her mission of making the world more beautiful.  She has spent more than 2 decades of her professional life building her legacy and continues to do so on a personal level. Being in community with women whom she knew professionally, but now gets to know more personally is an extension of that work.   Lois is very excited by the concept that women’s membership can be sponsored.  This is especially important…