Women’s friendships can be life changing. For Bev Volpe, her friendship with Karin Phillips, community affairs reporter at KYW Newsradio, was a reassuring constant during a tumultuous time. Karin’s untimely passing in 2011 left an emptiness, which Bev filled with volunteer work.
Fast forward to 2019 and an information session hosted by Kyle Ruffin, a name Bev had heard often from Karin, who was HER best friend. Right then and there, Bev knew that something, or better yet someone, had guided her to Impact 100 South Jersey.
Wanting to continue Karin’s legacy of telling nonprofit stories, the first-year member joined Impact 100 SJ’s marketing and communications committee, as well as the Education Grant Review Committee for the education focus area. “As a Philadelphia-based PR person, I had the honor to publicize the incredible good work of many of the City’s corporations. I used to hear about grant committees and was always curious how they made decisions. It’s fascinating to be on the other side, hearing the perspectives of so many wise and caring women. I feel grateful for the opportunity.”
With her work so focused in Philadelphia, Bev was not well versed with the South Jersey nonprofit community and the depth of need. “It’s one of the things I appreciate most about Impact 100 SJ—giving back in my hometown and the feeling of connection I get to the women here.”
Early in her career, Bev worked in marketing at the Pennsylvania Ballet and then at the Prince Music Theater, so she appreciates the struggles and uncertainty that come with being at a non-profit organization. She has also served on nonprofit boards: as president of Temple Emanuel Sisterhood, on the Temple’s executive committee, on the executive committee of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) and she is a founding board member of the PPRA Foundation.
“I was brought up with the Jewish concept of Tikun Olam, ‘to repair the world.’ But giving back isn’t something I have to do, it’s something I want to do.” Her favorite quote? “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” (Winston Churchill)
Bev now works in South Jersey as a partner at her firm, Snap2 Marketing/PR. She and her husband Mike are long-time residents of Cherry Hill and have two grown children, Joanna and Steven. She hopes that she has inspired both of them to volunteer, to donate, to be advocates, and to be kind to others.
Among her hobbies: travel, jewelry making, reading, entertaining, exercising and house painting. If you need some walls redone, she’s happy to show up, roller in hand.