Who We Are


	Who We Are	Staff Board of Directors Board Alumnae





			CARLA OLESKA Chief Executive Officer Carla Oleska, PhD, has been executive director of the Women's Fund since 2006, but has been connected with the Fund since its inception, both as a grantee partner and donor. She has over twenty years of professional experience in creatively addressing the needs of women and girls, specializing in the design of programs enhancing academic preparation, higher education access, and degree completion. Her work on behalf of women and girls has been recognized both regionally and nationally. Prior to joining the Fund as director, Carla had a long and varied career in administration and teaching at Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts. During her tenure at Elms College, she served on many public boards and committees, including the Girls Scouts of Pioneer Valley and the Polish Center for Discovery and Learning. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Conway School, and is one of 100 women delegates to Vision 2020, a national initiative for leadership parity. carlao@womensfund.net phone: 413.529.0087 x 11


			JULIE KUMBLE Director of Grants and Strategic Initiatives Julie’s background is in leadership development, strategic planning, and coalition building, particularly around issues affecting youth and women. Prior to her position at the Women’s Fund where she oversees grantmaking and strategic initiatives including the Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact, she was a development director and grant writing consultant, raising over $3 million for area nonprofit organizations. Julie is a strong believer in initiatives that involve residents in community solutions. She holds a BA in philosophy and Spanish and a MEd in organizational development. She is fluent in Spanish and has traveled widely throughout Central and South America. Julie has presented to audiences at the Women’s Funding Network Conference, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, MA Service Alliance, and the Institute for Training and Development, among others. Her board and volunteer service includes the Associated Grantmakers Diversity Advisory Committee, Rattlesnake Gutter Land Trust Board, Leverett Cultural Council (past president), Holyoke Latino Community Coalition, U.S. AID, and WorldPulse. juliek@womensfund.net phone: 413.529.0087 x 13


			CLAUDIA PAZMANY Director of Development With ten years of fundraising experience, Claudia believes that building relationships is the key to success in the growth and expansion of all donor programs, which are vital to sustaining a non-profit's mission. She also comes with a wealth of experience in coordinating communications strategies for effective marketing of all fundraising, including print and electronic media, website content, and press releases, critical to maintaining these relationships. In her role at the Women's Fund, she looks forward to building relationships that strengthen the women and girls of our community. She has been a volunteer fundraiser in the community for 8 years as the President of Friends of Amherst Recreation, and 8+ years as Director of Alumni/ae & Development for the Bement School in Deerfield, MA. claudiap@womensfund.net phone: 413-529-0087x 14


			JULIE HOLT Office Manager Julie's background is in the field of music education, and she spent many years teaching choral music in the public school system. Julie continues to work part time as a church choir director and church secretary. When she left teaching several years ago, she discovered the Women's Fund and began utilizing her administrative and organizational skills by working in the office. She is detail-oriented, very organized, and extremely happy to be a part of a team that works together toward a common mission. julieh@womensfund.net phone: 413.529.0087 x 10