2023 Social Impact Women to Watch Finalists:

Itzel Almazan — People & Operations Director, Capital Area Immigration’s Rights (CAIR) Coalition

Ayana Bias — Director of Advocacy & Volunteer Services, United Planning Organization

Sarah Blas — Community Impact and Communications Lead, MindOpen Learning Strategies

Anahid Brakke — President & CEO, San Diego Hunger Coalition

Cynthia N. Colbert — President & CEO, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Denise Collazo — Chief of External Affairs, Faith in Action

Mary Cortani — Founder & Executive Director, Operation Freedom Paws (OFP)

Jennifer D. Dobbs — Executive Director, ArtsBridge Foundation

Marilyn Edmunds Bowser — Vice President of People Operations, Vital Voices Global Partnership

Bonnie Entler — President & CEO, Seeds of Literacy

Chavi Khanna Koneru — Co-Founder & Executive Director, North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT)

Indra Lahiri, PhD — Founder, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary

Pamela A. Leins, MSL — Executive Director, Boston Education Fund (BEDF)

Jenny Malseed — VP of Strategy and Talent, GlobalGiving

Heather L. Maurer, MA, CAE — CEO, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)

MaryEllen McGuire, PhD — President & Founder, Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI)

Carolyn Penn, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP — Senior Vice President, Total Rewards & Compliance, So Others Might Eat

Amelia Quinn — Founder & President, BeLoved Atlanta

Nikki Santos — Executive Director, Center for Native American Youth

Wanda Steptoe — Executive Director, New Endeavors By Women

Paula Thompson — Executive Director, Voices for a Second Chance

Dr. Kimberly Townsend — President & CEO, Loretto

Ellen Voie, CAE — Founder, Women In Trucking Association

Dr. Karen P. West — President & CEO, American Dental Education Association (ADEA)

We extend our thanks to all the individuals who responded to our call for nominations. The finalists listed here are 24 professional women who have exhibited extraordinary leadership, unwavering dedication and impactful achievements in the social impact sector. See more about these amazing women who are striving to increase mission impact for the communities their organizations serve and change the world in the process! See more details about the finalists.