About WIN

Our founding

The story of VCU's Women's Impact Network is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration and the unyielding strength of women united in purpose.

2022

• VCU alumnae approached university leaders with a bold idea: to establish a universitywide women's philanthropy organization. Inspired by the success of initiatives like VCU Athletics' BoostHER and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Women and Wellness, they believed VCU had the potential to create something transformative — a movement that could harness the collective power of women to drive meaningful change.

2023

• VCU Development and Alumni Relations hired its first full-time staff person dedicated to building a comprehensive women’s philanthropy program, while also establishing the Affinity Engagement and Philanthropy team to champion affinity-based philanthropy initiatives.
• By the fall of 2023, six focus groups brought together 36 passionate women, sparking deep and thoughtful conversations about the potential of women-led philanthropy. These conversations became the foundation for the next step: the creation of a women’s philanthropy steering committee.
• A steering committee of 26 VCU women met over five months, crafting a vision, identifying strategic priorities and giving this movement a name: the VCU Women’s Impact Network.
• Under the leadership of the inaugural chair, Sharon Darby, D.N.P. (B.S.'98, M.S.H.A.'01), WIN quickly gained momentum. Within just one month, the steering committee had established an executive committee and completed a working charter document, solidifying the framework for a bold and united effort. They set a goal to attract 100 members who would support VCU in the ways most meaningful to them.

2024

• Today, WIN stands as a beacon of what is possible when women come together with purpose. It is a community of leaders, change-makers and visionaries dedicated to igniting change at VCU and beyond. WIN's story reminds us that from the smallest sparks of inspiration, great movements are born.

“Women have made tremendous contributions to the VCU community. We want to celebrate them and continue to raise them up to be recognized, inspired and empowered. Our time is now. Together as WIN, we are unstoppable.”

– Sharon Darby, D.N.P. (B.S.'98, M.S.H.A.'01)

WIN executive committee

‌	Sharon Darby, D.N.P. (B.S.'98, M.S.H.A.'01) Chair
	DaNika Neblett Robinson, Ed.D. (B.A.'11, Cert.'14, M.P.A.'15, Ed.D.'18) Vice Chair
	Marie Kimmel (B.F.A.'84) Membership Committee Chair
	Julie Weissend Philanthropy Committee Chair
	Valerie Cason Williamston (B.S.'88) Engagement Committee Chair
	Susan Kornstein, M.D. (H.S.'87) Leadership Committee Chair

Per VCU policy, WIN is open to all genders.