The WOC Awards

Welcome to the 2025 5th Anniversary Annual WOC Awards! Each spring, the WOC community gathers in New York City to celebrate another year of championing women of color in fundraising and philanthropy and to honor three incredible women through the WOC Awards.

This year, we honor Birgit Smith Burton with the Award for Excellence, Evelyn Hernandez with the Shine Award and Sabrina Hua with the Spotlight Award. And, we have two inaugural awards this year, the Corporate Award, which will go to Boyden and the Catherine Ferguson Philanthropy Award. As a very special gesture for this 5th Anniversary WOC Awards, we will also recognize the Steadfast Originals, who have stood by WOC since its inception. Not only will we celebrate these extraordinary honorees, but we’ll join together for a delicious buffet dinner in the Volvo Room, ahead of the awards ceremony in Borge Hall, all at the incredible venue, Scandinavia House. We end the festive evening with cake, as this evening also marks WOC’s birthday each year.

You can also purchase journal ads to support the work of WOC and to congratulate each of our honorees and WOC in its 5th Anniversary. The WOC Awards promises to be a wonderful evening and we look forward to seeing you there! 

CATHERINE FERGUSON PHILANTHROPY AWARD

INAUGURAL CORPORATE HONOREE AWARD

We’re celebrating our honorees in New York City. Join the merriment and connect with the WOC Community.

Wednesday, June 25th
5:30 PM ET

Scandinavia House
58 Park Ave
New York, NY 10016

Your presence is eagerly anticipated.

• Members: $125.00

• General Admission: $165.00

Celebrate WOC and this year’s WOC Award honorees with a journal ad! Share your message of congratulations with a custom-designed, text-only ad created by WOC. Both half-page and full-page ads are available.

Ad Dimensions:

• Full-Page Ad: 5.5” W x 8.5” H - $250.00

• Half-Page Ad: 5.5” W x 4.25” H - $150.00

Purchase, payment and text confirmation are due by Friday, June 13th at 5:00 PM ET.

Jacqueline Ackerman
Interim Director, Women Philanthropy Institute
IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Marilyn Alexander
Major Gifts Officer at International House

Guirlaine Belizaire
Vice President of DEI, Development Guild, DDI

Sarah Beraki
Vice President, Executive Search, Campbell & Company

Christy L. Carter
Fundraising Consultant and Advisor, Christy L. Consulting

Christal M. Cherry
Principal & CEO, The Board Pro

Elaine Chu
Private Donor Group, Fidelity Charitable

Chirstiamilda Correa
Director of Development, Reel Works

Kia Croom
President & CEO, Kia Croom Fundraising and Philanthropy
Host, The Black Fundraisers Podcast

Anjelica Garcia
Senior Director of Individual Giving, The Door – A Center of Alternatives

Dr. Kelly Hallman
Founder, Executive Director, Indigenous Justice Circle

Hera Javaid
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, City University of New York School of Law

Doria Josma
Founder & CEO, Your Why LLC
Development & Fundraising Specialist, Cool Culture

Sara Lomelin
Chief Executive Officer, Philanthropy Together 

Wonu Owoade
WoW Fundraising Consultancy

Kim Pompey
Director Corporate & Community Engagement · Volunteers of America-Greater New York

Cynthia Reddrick, MA
Independent Nonprofit Consultant and Strategist, Fruition Consulting for Nonprofits

Tricia Snyder

Janine Triano
Senior Advisor, CCS Fundraising

Jenny Velez
Grants Manager, Accelerate Change Network

Nahid Wardeh
Director of Development, CUNY Clear

Tyeshia, ‘Ty’ Wilson, MPL
Senior Director of Community, Philanthropy Together

Dien Yuen
Chief Executive Officer, Daylight Advisors