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Josephine Moran ’01 M.S., ’19 EMBA believes her time as a student at the University of New Haven opened many doors, and she is passionate about creating similar opportunities for current and future students. She is doing just that as co-chair of the University’s Women’s Leadership Council.

The WLC was first conceived when Moran was named chair of the Pompea College of Business’s Advisory Board in 2018. Moran, who now serves as co-chair of the WLC and is a member of the University’s Board of Governors, calls her continued involvement with the University an “honor and a privilege.”

“The WLC is comprised of a very diverse and distinguished group of women leaders from all different industries,” said Moran, President of JM Fit for Life. “We all take great pride in making a difference for students at the University.”

Committed to the empowerment of women, the WLC endeavors to help women reach their full potential by elevating undergraduate and graduate students at the University and strengthening their connections. It is now expanding its outreach, endeavoring to make an even greater impact on students through the . The goal is to raise $15,000, with Moran and Sarita Chakravarthi ’92 M.S. matching all contributions up to $7,500.

“The Philanthropy Fund is seeking support to provide transformational leadership development opportunities for future women leaders,” said Brian Kench, Ph.D., dean of the University’s Pompea College of Business. “The Fund will support an innovative small grant program that will sponsor leadership development from all corners of the University of New Haven.”

‘We are providing a platform for students and faculty members’

The WLC, which focuses on areas such as development opportunities, networking, and professional exploration and growth, hopes to award up to $3,000 in grants each December to support grassroots leadership development and enhance the University’s legacy of service.

The Philanthropy Fund will support programming for students, and students, faculty, and/or staff may submit small grant proposals for leadership development funding. A subgroup of the WLC will review applications and determine which proposals to fund and at what level. The fund will continue to support leadership development as it grows and develops.

“This brings the engagement to a higher level,” said Moran. “Council members assist in raising funds and then determine who receives the funds. Students – whether they are granted funds or not – will gain leadership skills going through the process. Through the Philanthropy Fund, the hope is that the WLC will have the ability to support many more leadership initiatives that are created by the students, thus supporting even more of the student population.”

Endeavoring to inspire future leaders, the WLC is focused on nurturing and celebrating the impact of women. Moran hopes that by taking the WLC to the next level, they will create new opportunities for students through their important initiatives.

“In order to cultivate women's leadership and philanthropy as well as to expand the outreach of the WLC, we are providing a platform for students and faculty members to create initiatives that promote women's leadership and offering funding to support the growth of initiatives,” said Moran. “Our goal is to provide support, advocacy, exposure, and funding for the groups whose proposals are selected.”

Those who are interested in learning more about or supporting the Women’s Leadership Council Philanthropy Fund can .