This year, the Research Committee welcomed four new members to its ranks. As always, they bring expertise across a range of fields and professions and, together they share a commitment to our mission and to advocating, on behalf of all our members, for responsible, sustainable and impactful grantmaking.
They are businesswomen, philanthropists and nonprofit advocates, who have seen the power of our grants in our community and wanted to volunteer their talents and passion to the challenging work of the Research Committee to bring a strong ballot of worthy agencies to our membership to vote on in 2027.
They join continuing committee members: Luann Caesar, Becky Craig, Melissa Devor, Robin Masson, Michee Neely Saltoun, Lynne Quinlan, Kate Rees, Janis Salin, Pat Sherman, Maggie Silverstein, Katey Tarkington, Laurie Tumbler, Janessa Van Vechten, Barbara Wagner.
And here are the new team members!
Virginia Chounet is a mental health clinician who joined the Women's Fund because she believes “investing in children and families creates stronger communities. As the daughter of Cuban immigrants, I have unique life experience of the challenges families face. Giving back is both a privilege and a personal commitment.”
In her professional career, Mary Ellen Kullman, M.P.H., C.H.E.S., was Manager of Preventive Health Education for Southern California Edison, and served as Vice President of Medical and Educational Programs for the Arthritis Foundation (Southern California Chapter) before becoming Vice President of the Archstone Foundation for the past 25 years.
“I have spent most of my career working with foundations and nonprofits, so I thought my skills would match the needs of the Research Committee.”
Julie LeVay is a founding partner of Whaley LeVay, a national consulting firm offering a full range of institutional advancement and philanthropy services to not-for-profit institutions seeking stability and growth.
She has led numerous fundraising efforts for capital campaigns and program support in public and private universities, performing arts organizations and independent schools.
“After spending my career in philanthropy, I joined the Research Committee because it offers a great opportunity to put my skillset to good use for our community.”
Beverly Herrera began her career in real estate 31 years ago in the Bay Area, before joining Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties in Santa Barbara in 2022. Locally, she is an Ambassador for the ETC Theater Group.
“I joined the Women’s Fund after I attended the Celebration of Grants in 2025. I was really moved by the collective power of giving through the organization and the difference it could make in people’s lives.”
Our thanks to these Research Committee “newbies” and the rest of the committee who are already hard at work…for us!