Meet the Conference Leadership

Planning for the Conference started nearly two years ago. Members of the Women’s Leadership Council came together to form the 125 Years of Women at Brown Steering Committee and have worked diligently to create what is sure to be a historic celebration in honor of Brown’s alumnae. At the helm of the Steering Committee are co-chairs Marcia Dunn, M.D. ’82 and Nancy Fuld Neff ’76, P’06, P’14.

When Marcia Dunn, M.D. ’82 was a student at Brown, the majority of her professors were male. As a semiotics concentrator and pre-med student, Dr. Dunn sought mentors to guide her experience at Brown, from advisors to fellow students to her mother. Since graduating, Dr. Dunn has recognized a strong advocacy of women through President Christina Paxson’s leadership, whom she credits as the “quintessential leader.” The University, she believes, continues to encourage women to excel in all aspects in life. Dr. Dunn has given back to Brown in several ways. As an active University volunteer, Dr. Dunn is a member of the Women’s Leadership Council, the President’s Advisory Council on Internships, and the Women’s Launch Pad mentoring program, a community she views as unique, special, and unparalleled. Dr. Dunn hopes that the Conference is a celebration of past and present women at Brown, one that is equal parts unforgettable and inspiring. “I hope the Conference will motivate women to be leaders,” she says. “I know the Conference will inspire conversation, interaction, and lead to a more connected community of Brown women.”

Similarly, when asked to reflect on her time as a student at Brown, Nancy Fuld Neff ’76, P’06, P’14 could not remember having one single female professor. While she found acceptance and encouragement from then-Director of Women’s Athletics Arlene Gordon, Ms. Neff still wishes she’d had a true female mentor at Brown, one who could have helped guide her post-collegiate plans. Since departing the Van Wickle Gates, Ms. Neff has remained active in many parts of University life, and has had the pleasure of working with both President Ruth Simmons and President Christina Paxson. She served as a member of Brown’s Corporation from 2008–2016, was a Co-Chair of the WLC, as well as a Co-Chair of the Brown Annual Fund, and on the Sports Foundation. Ms. Neff is also a member of the Brown Hall of Fame for Tennis. In addition to co-chairing the 125 Years of Women at Brown Conference and being a member of the WLC, Ms. Neff also co-chairs the President’s Advisory Council on the College and is a member of the University’s Advisory Council on Athletics. “The WLC would not exist without President Simmons,” Ms. Neff says, “and the Council continues to thrive today because of the enormous support we receive from President Paxson.” It was five years ago that the Women’s Leadership Council welcomed President Paxson to the community at the 120 Years of Women at Brown Conference. Now, at the 125 Years of Women at Brown Conference, Ms. Neff encourages members of the community to reconnect with Brown and to further engage with the University.

Dr. Dunn and Ms. Neff hope “that the community will build on its momentum and continue the conversations.” Ultimately, though, the goal is to instill a certain pride in Brown’s alumnae for all of the amazing achievements they have accomplished, and for all those yet to be discovered.

Celebrating 10 Years of Mentoring

Join the WLC’s Women’s Launch Pad (WLP) mentoring program on Saturday, May 6 for a 10th anniversary celebration of the program. Current and former mentors and mentees will gather to recognize the impact of mentoring on Brown alumnae. The WLP has grown from 33 mentee-mentor pairs to 185 pairs since its inception in 2007, serving nearly 1,200 mentees in the last 10 years. The celebration will take place at the Closing Reception of the Conference, and will feature President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards ’80 LHD’10 hon. The Women’s Leadership Council thanks all mentors and mentees for their contribution to the alumnae community and for making the WLP a sustainable, successful organization!

Community Service Project: Saving Mothers

Women in developing nations are 43 times more likely to die during childbirth. 90% of women living in these environments give birth outside of a hospital, and 30% of this group deliver without the assistance of a health care professional. A tragic 343,000 newborns are left without a mother because of the complications women face during childbirth in unsanitary conditions. The Women’s Leadership Council and Women’s Launch Pad are honored to partner with Saving Mothers for a community service project on Friday, May 5. Founded by WLC Council member and WLP mentor Dr. Tara Shirazian ’99 MD’03, Saving Mothers is an organization dedicated to eradicating maternal deaths and birth-related complications in the developing world. Conference attendees, including current mentors and mentees, will assemble Safe Birth Kits, which will also include notes from participants written in Swahili, and baby hats knitted by women in the Brown community. The assembled kits will be immediately shipped to Kenya just in time for Mother’s Day, and will help ensure a safe delivery for mother and baby. The Women’s Leadership Council thanks its Mentoring Committee and the 125 Years of Women at Brown Conference Experiential Subcommittee for organizing and coordinating this service project, which is certain to be a significant highlight of the Conference!

Women Together: Alumnae Challenge

In celebration of 125 Years of Women at Brown, the Women’s Leadership Council has created a $1.25 million participation challenge exclusively for Brown alumnae!

When 7,125 alumnae donate to Brown through the Annual Fund by May 1, the WLC will contribute an additional $1.25 million to support current students and faculty on College Hill.

This challenge promises to leave a lasting impact on Brown. Make your contribution today and enhance the Brown experience for deserving students and faculty. We especially hope that mentors and mentees from the Women’s Launch Pad will make gifts in honor of each other in celebration of the WLP’s tenth anniversary.

The Women’s Leadership Council is depending on women in the Brown community to encourage fellow alumnae to join them in supporting this challenge.

The Women’s Leadership Council and 125 Years of Women at Brown Steering Committee thank our Honorary Chairs for their outstanding contributions to the Brown alumnae community.

Register today for the 125 Years of Women at Brown Conference on May 5 – 6 in Providence. We look forward to welcoming you back to campus!

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Use the tag #BROWNWOMENTOGETHER during the Conference!

Maddock Alumni Center will serve as our Conference headquarters during the 125 Years of Women at Brown Conference. We look forward to welcoming you there!

The Women’s Leadership Council consists of a group of Brown women appointed by the President of the University who, through their leadership, philanthropy, and volunteerism, work toward enhancing Brown by inspiring and engaging the alumnae community as active participants in the life of the University. The Council accomplishes this by demonstrating and encouraging a commitment to philanthropic and volunteer leadership at Brown; providing opportunities to connect Brown alumnae with students as mentors, role models, and advisors; and organizing events, activities, and initiatives that engage Brown alumnae with each other and with the intellectual excitement of the Brown community.