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. She found that everyone is interested in giving back to the community and in each other too.
Barbara’s involvement with Impact100 SJ began with joining the Financial Review Committee. This was a first as she had no background in Finance or Accounting. She attended the training session and learned how to read and analyze nonprofit financial reports. Barb has also served on Grant Review Committee for 3 years and is excited to be co-chairing the Community Health and Wellness Grant Review Committee this year. She also participated on the Events Committee in 2021 and the Diversity, Inclusion & Equity group now in its development stage. Barbara also graciously hosted two information session events, and invited her daughter Jaime who had recently moved back to the SJ area. Jaime joined the following day. Barbara is very proud to be one of the growing trends within Impact100 – mother/daughter memberships!
In addition to her committee participation, she and her daughter Jaime had the opportunity to visit the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge organization at an Impact100 hosted event, after they became a grantee.
Professionally, Barbara’s worked as an HR Consultant at Virtua Health. Although she lost her position during the COVID pandemic, Barb looked on the bright side and stepped up her volunteer activities with other nonprofit organizations. Having many interests she reinvented herself by venturing into very different roles. For the last seven to eight years she has served as a Domestic Violence First Responder with Providence House and recently volunteers at the Cherry Hill Free Clinic in a variety of roles including Patient Hospitality, Community Outreach, and Fundraising. Her “happy place” though is supporting and singing with the 130 member Philly Pops Festival Chorus, even during COVID where they performed a Christmas melody virtually. She is very excited too about starting a new part-time position with Urban Promise in their development department — another new adventure for her that feeds into her curious nature and career interest.
In Barb’s tenure of membership, she has had the opportunity to “be curious” about many different facets of the organization. She enjoys the flexibility to explore something new or stay with what is most comfortable with as little or as much time as you wish. Whatever you want with no pressure!
Barbara has a daughter, Jaime and a son, Eric. She resides in Moorestown with her semi-retired husband, Elliot.