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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…

Thank you for inviting me to share my thoughts regarding my reason for becoming a member of Impact100 SJ. First, may I say what an honor it is to be a member of this group of women involved in this engagement of collective giving. I have always wanted to give back to society as a thanksgiving — not only for what I have been blessed with, but also for the joy it gives me in giving to others. I believe it is not just important to give to those in need, but to open our hearts to all people who surround us each and every day.  I joined Impact100 to focus on specific non-profits in our community and the collective giving aspect of its operating model. It’s a great way…

Nancy Weber is one of six founding members of Impact100 SJ, as well as a Leadership Council member, and she takes great pride in what the organization has been able to accomplish in three short years.  Here’s how it all started... In 2016 the Community Foundation of Southern New Jersey (CFSJ) facilitated a series of events to understand philanthropy from a woman’s point of view, specifically why and how they give.  Those events included a panel discussion of women philanthropists, a follow up survey to attendees, and focus group discussions to identify the type of women’s philanthropic efforts the CFSJ might want to sponsor.   Out of this process, women’s “collective giving” emerged as the model of greatest interest.  Subsequent research of existing women’s collective giving organizations by Nancy and fellow founding members Lee Albright, Theresa DiVietro, Kim…

Valerie has been a member of Impact100 South Jersey since the first year.  She heard about it from charter member Mary Lynne Reynolds.  But when she investigated further, she was intrigued by the opportunity to make a $1,000 donation go so much further. “I also like that it’s a women’s giving group.” Valerie says.  “It’s given me the chance to reconnect with so many South Jersey women who I’ve known throughout my career.”  When she attended one of the Big Reveal events, Valerie was surprised to learn that so many women she knew were part of this empowering initiative. “You feel so connected to so many people who, like me, love South Jersey.” Valerie is the Owner & Founder of VSA Prospecting, a lead generation company.  She started her business in her family room with two…

An Impact100 SJ member since 2018, Jackie Egan Cometz joined when her friend Emily Orel invited her.  Jackie and her husband own General Floor Inc., and as business owners they have always felt committed to giving back to their community. The company supports many community organizations and Jackie has been personally involved in supporting civic groups, local sports teams, school groups, and nonprofits in her 30 plus years as a South Jersey resident. Jackie came to South Jersey from her home state of Connecticut after meeting her husband in college and marrying the South Jersey native.  They raised 3 daughters in Mt. Laurel while building their flooring business.  Along the way, Jackie joined the Alice Paul Chapter of NOW, became involved with the Alice Paul Institute, in PTO, Girl Scouts, and various sports…

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…