Bridget Brett is a recent graduate from Bucknell University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Literary Studies and Public Policy, with a concentration in Education. This summer, Bridget has worked as WFBoston’s Grant Writing Intern, under supervisor Caroline Kung. Over the past few months, Bridget has researched and categorized potential grantors, created a WFBoston 2021 Grant “Hit List” and organized a hybrid Grant Writing Seminar for all of the WFBoston grant writing team. Bridget is passionate about education, children/youth and women’s issues. She hopes to later pursue a career in public interest law.
Why WFBoston?
WFBoston’s mission and vision are highly resonant, as my identity as a woman is a significant source of my personal empowerment. I grew up as the youngest of four in a family of all boys, but my mother always made a point to emphasize the inherent power and potential that comes with being a woman. She– as well as numerous other intelligent and fierce women in my life–is the primary reason why I am attracted to this type of work. Having trusted and accomplished female role models has been an immense privilege as I’ve navigated different chapters and challenges in my life, and I recognize the importance of offering this same asset to other women and girls.
When I learned about the chronic underinvestment in women- and girl-serving organizations (only 1.6% of charitable donations nationwide), it felt like a call to action. I came across WFBoston by chance, but their razor sharp focus, impact-centered approach and extensive professional network seemed to suggest that it would be an organization in which I would have ample room to learn and grow. I was not wrong. Since being at WFBoston, I have learned more about the nonprofit sector than I could have imagined and acquired skills that will serve me well in virtually any industry.
The Past Summer
Over the past two months, I feel as though my horizons have expanded exponentially. Through the WFBoston speaker series, I have had the opportunity to connect and listen to women from numerous different industries who have all had very different academic and professional trajectories. Hearing their stories emphasized the fact that not all paths are linear, and that leveraging your personal skills and strengths will serve you well no matter what. Additionally, I was introduced to avenues within the nonprofit sector that I was previously unfamiliar with, and this has subsequently opened up many new career prospects and considerations as I move forward.
One of the things that I found most impactful throughout my internship was the way that each woman I met was unapologetic about their successes and triumphs, but still believed that there was enough room for everyone at the top. WFBoston was one of the most collaborative and mutually supportive work environments that I have ever been in, and everyone involved in the organization was thoroughly dedicated to lifting up those around them. Achievements at WFBoston are communal, and this culture allowed me to ask (many!) questions, seek clarification when necessary and learn from hands-on experiences. The women in this organization believed in my capabilities, and for that I am so grateful!
What’s Next?
As I transition to my next venture, I will take significant skills from WFBoston with me. In addition to now understanding the importance of a well-done deck (thank you, Caroline!), I’ve also come to appreciate the relevance of accountability and impact-centered data (Patti & Annie) and the profound impact of creating an organization with a palpable culture of dedication, empathy and efficiency (Christina). Though my formal internship may be over, I will not soon forget all that WFBoston has given me, among so many other women & girls in the greater Boston area.
Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, was named President and CEO of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2016. She is also Director of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and the Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Previously, she was the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean and Professor of Medicine of Weill Cornell Medicine and Provost for Medical Affairs of Cornell University. Dr. Glimcher is a distinguished immunologist, widely renowned for her work in one of the most promising areas of cancer research.
Linda Henry is the CEO of the Boston Globe Media Partners. She is a co-founder of HUBweek, a civic collaboration between the Boston Globe, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and MIT that explores the future being built at the intersection of art, science and technology. Linda is also an early-stage impact investor, an Emmy-Award winning television producer with two shows currently airing, and a community activist. She serves as a director of the Red Sox Foundation, is a trustee of the Liverpool Football Club Foundation, chair of the Boston Globe Foundation, and chairman of the John W. Henry Family Foundation. In addition, she is a founder of the Boston Public Market, serves on the advisory board of MassChallenge, and is on the board of the Engine at MIT. She earned a BS from Babson College and her MS from MIT.
Bekah Salwasser joined the Red Sox Foundation as the Executive Director in January of 2018. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Brown University and has extensive experience in philanthropy and both professional and semi-professional sports. After four years working as Community Relations Director for the Boston Celtics, Bekah went on to lead Scholar Athletes as its Executive Director, a program that supports public high school athletes with both their athletic and academic achievements. Earlier in her career, Bekah served as a professional soccer player for the Boston Breakers and as Executive Director of the Charlestown Lacrosse and Learning Center.
Kimberly Fay Boucher is a business executive who has driven high performance organizations in technology, consumer products and social enterprise/nonprofit industries over the past 25 years. She is currently the Technology Commercialization Business Leader for the CTO at Analog Devices, where she is responsible for driving new technologies from incubation stages to successful businesses. Kim is also a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, where she teaches Disciplined Entrepreneurship in the Martin Trust Center. She holds a BS in Management Industrial Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a NCAA Academic All-American Women’s Basketball player and has been inducted into the WPI Hall of Fame.
Ami Kuan Danoff (Co-Founder and CFO) is a private investor and the trustee of a foundation. She is a Harvard Quantum Founder and a member of the Harvard FAS Dean’s Council. Ami earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in Visual and Environmental Studies and holds a dual master’s degree in Applied Economics and International Finance from the Sloan School of Management at MIT. She was a portfolio manager in global equities at Putnam Investments and co-manager of the Putnam International New Opportunities Fund, and also worked as an international equities analyst at Fidelity Investments.
Christina Heenan Suh holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in English and Marketing and a master’s from Columbia University. A former management consultant, her work focused on strategy and implementation projects for Fortune 100 clients. She was also an account executive at Hill+Knowlton (WPP) marketing consumer packaged goods. As an Executive Board Member of the Brookline Education Foundation, which funds professional development in the Brookline Public Schools, Christina led their Grant and Oversight Committees. She currently sits on the board of the Brookline Library Foundation and teaches ESL at Rosie’s Place in Boston.
Christina Gordon (Co-Founder and CEO) holds a dual master’s degree in International Finance and Applied Economics from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston University and also studied for a joint master’s degree in Women’s Studies and Sociology at Brandeis with a focus on women in the workplace. Christina is a former assistant fund manager and technology industry equity analyst at Wellington Management. She also worked as a stock analyst at Fidelity Investments. She is a trustee of a private foundation, a member of Women Moving Millions and currently sits on the board of Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women in Boston.