Tag: Member Spotlight

Michele Dorris is no stranger to philanthropy. Growing up in her native Jamaica, Michele experienced early and often the role of giving back from her parents who modeled the responsibility of giving in service, whether by action and/or monetarily. Given Jamaica’s small size, Michele was fortunate to have the opportunity to see firsthand the outcome of doing good and helping people in the process. While working in the role of Global Process Owner, Customer Ordering Experience with Novartis Pharmaceuticals, a global healthcare pharmaceutical company, Michele and her team design the organization’s processes and systems. She often chuckles when someone relates using a Novartis product, as if to identify with the company, though Michele has no direct contact with the manufacturing process or even the products themselves. She focuses her time…

Ronda Urkowitz joined Impact100 South Jersey in 2019. She was unfamiliar with the organization and was invited to the first annual meeting in 2018 by a fellow member, Fran Sykes.  The Pascale Sykes Foundation provided funding to Ronda’s nonprofit and Fran thought Ronda would be a perfect fit for Impact100 SJ. Fran was correct! After attending the inaugural annual meeting and discussing Impact100 with other members, Ronda was hooked! As the Executive Director of a small nonprofit organization serving South Jersey, Ronda is familiar with the areas’ needs and the fantastic work being performed by small community nonprofits with very little financial support. Ronda’s organization, Cross County Connection, is a Transportation Management Association that works with the business community and local governments. The organization fosters equitable, safe and environmentally sustainable transportation options…

This is Valerie Buickerood’s second year as a member of Impact100 SJ and the nonprofit executive couldn’t be more excited or grateful. Valerie is Director of Engagement and Communications at Hopeworks 'N Camden, where the economic fallout from COVID-19 has been devastating for many families. But Hopeworks is keeping its young people employed through the pandemic. It’s thanks to the organization’s solid financial base, and Hopeworks’ new Camden Capacity Fund which is raising money to provide free professional services to other Camden non-profits that will continue to keep youth employed in their social enterprises.  “It’s this kind of creative thinking that makes Hopeworks such a dynamic organization,” Valerie says “and one of the qualities that won us the admiration of Impact100 SJ.” The Camden non-profit was selected as Impact100 SJ’s…