For ImmediateRelease
August 22,2024
Contact: Lisa M.Peyton, (608) 305-4422
Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness Welcomes New Chief Development Officer Vera Lewis
Lewis Brings Expanded Capacity, Experience, and New Opportunities for Growth and Sustainability
Madison, Wisconsin – The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness (FFBWW), a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization committed to advancing Black women’s health and eliminating racial health, birth, and economic disparities, has announced Vera Lewis as its new Chief Development Officer after an extensive national search.
Ms. Lewis, who hails from Chicago, Illinois, assumed her role with the Foundation on August 5th and brings a wealth of experience in marketing, communications, fund development and a distinguished career in nonprofit, corporate and association leadership spanning over 15 years. In her new role, Lewis will lead and execute the Foundation’s development and fundraising strategies to drive transformative giving and philanthropic partnerships that propel the Foundation’s mission to energize, mobilize and support Black women to transform their health and their lives.
“I’m thrilled to join the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness team and to build on such an incredible mission and legacy of impact”, says Lewis. “Black women’s health and well-being is crucial to the strength and prosperity of our communities, and I look forward to advancing our commitment and capacity to empower and uplift women and their families now and for generations to come.”
Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Lewis served as Vice President of Development and Communications at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) where she was pivotal in shaping growth strategies and cultivating connections with organizations focused on marginalized communities, enhancing fundraising outcomes, and managing key donor relationships. Preceding her tenure at DBSA, she spearheaded the development of innovative revenue-generating programs as the Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at Illinois-based senior care non-profit AgeOptions; and previously led corporate partnership development and marketing efforts at the National Black MBA Association.
Vera is also a proud member of the American Marketing Association, the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the largest African American women’s organization in the world.
Lisa Peyton, CEO and President of the Foundation, says Lewis joins the organization at an exciting and pivotal time in the organization’s life cycle and as it navigates an ever-changing funding landscape.
"We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Vera and her wealth of experience to FFBWW as we continue to grow our impact and our ability to serve our community in all the ways that matter most”, says Peyton. “Vera's hire not only completes our executive leadership team, but fills a critical role that is essential to our sustainability for the long haul. Her presence will triple our capacity to expand our fundraising efforts, deepen engagement with existing and new donors, and set us on a powerful course for the foreseeable future."
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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR BLACK WOMEN’S WELLNESS
Established in June 2012, the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness is committed to our mission to energize, mobilize and support Black Women to transform their health and their lives through education, advocacy, leadership development, and powerful partnerships. A central part of our work involves efforts to eliminate racial health, birth and economic disparities and other barriers impacting the lives of Black women and their families by working with community members, partners, and allies to influence powerful change. Each year we reach, engage, and support over 10,000 women and girls in Dane County and across Wisconsin to build healthier lives, and impact and inspire thousands more through our advocacy work and social channels. To learn more, visit www.ffbww.org and follow the organization @theffbww.
