JEANETTE SWAFFORD

What brought you to ninety-nine girlfriends?

Five years ago I was getting my hair cut by Fahti and began chatting about a small giving circle that I was participating in. Fahti shared that she had just joined this amazing group of women who were also experimenting with giving, but on a larger scale with transformative amounts. I used to work in tech start-ups and that fresh energy of building something new was exciting to me. I didn’t know anyone aside from Fahti, but I loved the idea of change-makers out there stirring it up. These were women that I wanted to know!

KATHLEEN PORCELLO

What brought you to ninety-nine girlfriends?

I was volunteering as a grant writer for NAMI Clackamas when I first discovered ninety-nine girlfriends and the annual Impact Awards program. Months later, I saw a LinkedIn post about the young adult Fellows program, and I immediately applied for an interview! I was drawn to the opportunity to learn firsthand about trust-based philanthropy, grantmaking, and the diverse nonprofits doing incredible work in our region. Plus, I wanted to get to know the many amazing members of ninety-nine girlfriends!

JEAN MALARKEY

What brought you to ninety-nine girlfriends?

In the first or second year of ninety-nine girlfriends’ existence, my cousin-in-law, Jinx Faulkner, invited me to an educational event on philanthropy, and I was immediately intrigued by the group and all the great women I met there. I missed the window to join the next year, but was excited to do so in 2018.

GINA GESS TAYLOR

What brought you to ninety-nine girlfriends?

I was invited to attend a World Café by my favorite Yoga instructor, Ryan Crosby. I knew if Ryan was involved, it was worthwhile. As a former non-profit professional, I have always admired the giving circle concept. Most important; the giving priorities of this organization align with my own values. Specifically, the focus on equity, inclusivity and life-long learning.

LORI RUX & ANN DODDS

Have you ever wondered how the magic happens when you log into your directory or who processes your contribution? Well, the answer is the incredible duo of Lori and Ann. Every organization needs a strong, dependable foundation and these two Girlfriends are part of that foundation. We thought you might enjoy learning a little more about them…