Heather Arnet { Chief Executive Officer }
At WGF, Arnet spearheads our efforts to develop the female leaders of tomorrow, while investing in better public policy today. Heather joined WGF as its first CEO in 2004. Pror to joining WGF, Heather worked in marketing, business development, and government affairs in the private and non-profit sectors. She is passionately committed to social justice and gender equity. While working for women’s rights is her work at WGF, it is also her life’s work. Arnet has been identified as one of Pittsburgh’s “Top 40 under 40” by Pittsburgh Magazine, as one of the “Top Twelve Noteworthy Business Leaders” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and received the Diamond Award, for “Outstanding CEO Leadership” by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Arnet has her B.A. degree from Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to her work with the Foundation, Arnet writes and directs feminist theatre throughout the country, and serves as a Board Member of the Ms. Foundation for Women, and on the Advisory Boards of WQED Multimedia and The Forbes Funds.
Jui Joshi { Director of Philanthropic Engagement }
Prior to joining the Women and Girls Foundation, she was the Director of Development for the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Ms. Joshi attended the Ellis School, graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A. and received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She is a member of the boards of directors of The Ellis School, Phipps Conservatory, The Pittsburgh Foundation and she serves on the Professional Services Review Committee under County Chief Executive, Dan Onorato. Ms. Joshi was President and a founding member of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Network of Indian Professionals, and a founding member of the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth.
Contact Jui for any questions or information related to making a donation to WGF.
Tara Simmons { Director of Operations and Programs }
As Director of Operations and Programs for WGF, Tara manages the organization’s business systems, financial compliance, employee benefits, and technology. She also oversees WGF’s regional outreach efforts, cultivating community relationships to increase visibility and awareness and to ensure the advancement of the Foundation’s mission throughout the region. Additionally, Tara is responsible for managing WGF’s programs and evaluating programmatic effectiveness.
Tara brings extensive experience working with regional strategic initiatives and grantmaking to the organization. Her background is almost entirely in the nonprofit sector, and her professional experience ranges from graphic design to business operations, and from event management to community outreach. She is also a past board member of the Three Rivers Community Foundation. A native of Washington County, Tara and her husband Greg reside in Cecil Township, and share their home with two Clumber Spaniels and a couple of shelter cats, and are excited to welcome their first child this summer.
Contact Tara for any WGF program or business related questions.
Jonathan Hairston { Administrative & Operations Coordinator }
Jonathan is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College with a Bachelor’s degree in French Studies as well as a Minor in Gender & Women’s Studies. He has also worked with non-profit organizations in both the Pittsburgh and Washington areas. He is enthusiastic about bringing his administrative skills to an organization that strives to ensure equality, integrity, and independence in the community – especially in the lives of women and girls. As the Administrative Assistant to the Women and Girls Foundation, Jonathan serves as the primary contact person for the organization. In addition to managing the general office duties, Jonathan assists the staff with projects, calendar scheduling, and general correspondence with the public.
Contact Jonathan for sales inquiries, event registration, or if you are not sure which WGF team member can assist you – Jonathan will happily direct your call!
Susan Blackman { Grants Specialist }
Susan has sat on both sides of the funding table as grantmaker and grantwriter (though not at the same time). With an undergraduate degree in economics, she received an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. For three decades, she has worked as staff member, consultant and board member for non-profit organizations as varied as the Mattress Factory museum of contemporary art, Chatham Baroque, Three Rivers Community Foundation and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. She is currently board president of ArtUp and is active in PIIN, the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network. Current freelance projects include grantwriting, strategic planning and program development. Susan has two sons and one daughter, Emma, who was awesome as cochair of Girls As Grantmakers during the 2006 Girlcott against the Abercrombie & Fitch “attitude” T-shirts!
Contact Susan for information about WGF’s grants to support gender equity through policy advocacy initiatives.
