Fund For Women And Girls Seeks New Leader As Director Departs

WEST CHESTER, PA — The Fund for Women and Girls will be appointing an Interim Executive Director as it begins a search to replace its departing leader by the end of this year.

The Fund for Women and Girls announced Monday that Michelle Legaspi Sánchez has accepted a position at the Nonprofit Finance Fund and will be leaving her role as Executive Director at The Fund. Her last day will be Sept. 17.

The Board of Directors of The Fund said it "wholeheartedly thanks Michelle for her service and steadfast leadership over the past five years as Executive Director."

"Michelle has been our spark in The Fund’s igniting change in our community. Her vision and dedication have broadened and strengthened The Fund for the future, and we are thrilled for Michelle’s new opportunity," said Judi Bell, Past Chair of the Board of Directors from 2019-21.

"Michelle was just what The Fund needed when she took over as ED five years ago. Both The Fund and Michelle have blossomed as we have grown together to meet the ever-evolving needs of women and girls in Chester County. As our mission states, The Fund provides opportunities for women and girls to thrive, and our partnership with Michelle has been a perfect embodiment of that vision. Michelle will be missed, but we know she will thrive in this next chapter of her career. She has our full support and good wishes," added Denise Wine, Chair of the Board of Directors.

Guided by Michelle's leadership, The Fund increased its impact in Chester County in several ways, including:

• Creating opportunities for girls to develop their leadership skills through GirlGov Chester County and the Girls in Action Summit.
• Expanding trust-based grants and implementing multi-year grants and Impact Grants.
• Establishing a more prominent voice on issues affecting women and girls through use of the Blueprint Report to educate the community, advocate, and convene stakeholders to work toward solutions.
• Promoting a strong organizational presence through clear branding and strong community partnerships, including spearheading a spectacular mural in West Chester celebrating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.

The Fund’s Executive Committee will lead the transition, which includes the creation of a search committee to identify a new Executive Director for The Fund by the end of 2021. An Interim Executive Director will also be named in the coming days, the nonprofit said in a news statement.

The Fund's statement said the nonprofit will remain focused on its core priorities, maintain momentum during the transition, and bring on leadership who will build on the progress made together with all of The Fund’s supporters and stakeholders.

Over the past 25 years, The Fund for Women and Girls has awarded more than $3.7 million to 80 local non-profit organizations serving women and girls.

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