STEM Philanthropy Hour:

Insights & Relationship Building with STEM Funders

Premier Sponsor

Dive into the world of STEM philanthropy in Greater Boston during this power-packed hour! Connect with representatives from leading STEM companies in a panel discussion, then delve into focused discussions during breakout sessions. Uncover the diverse philanthropic priorities of STEM funders and discover how their support extends beyond traditional STEM fields, partnering with nonprofits across various sectors.

Walk away with creative strategies to cultivate relationships with STEM funders.  

Moderator: Raeann Whalen, Director of Development, Waypoint Adventure

Panelists:
Kate O'Malley,Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Moderna
Yvonne Spicer, Executive Director, Life Sciences Cares
Meredith Tierney, Director of US Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Relations, Sanofi

 Tuesday, May 21, 2024

12-1:00 PM (Virtual Program)

Registration: $25 for WID members (through Thursday 5/16/24)
$40 for non-members (and members who register late, after Thursday, 5/16/24)
Registration will close on Sunday, May 19, 2024

Login information will be sent one day prior to the program.

No refunds within 7 days of the program

REGISTER

Raeann Whalen, Director of Development, Waypoint Adventure
Raeann is passionate about driving strategic initiatives for nonprofit organizations through fundraising and development priorities. Currently serving as the Director of Development at Waypoint Adventure, she is dedicated to providing accessible outdoor recreation and education for individuals with disabilities, empowering them to explore and thrive in the great outdoors. In her previous roles, Raeann has held significant leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer and Director of Development at Housing Families in Malden, MA. Her career has spanned across Massachusetts and California, where she has held senior fundraising positions, honing her skills and expertise in nonprofit management. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit fundraising, organizational development, and cross-functional team management, Raeann is dedicated to making a difference and driving positive change in the communities she serves. Raeann holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from Providence College and is an Institute for Nonprofit Practice alumni.

Kate O'Malley, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Moderna
Kate currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Moderna. Since joining Moderna in early 2019, Kate has guided the company’s enterprise communications through its pandemic response, scale up from 500 to more than 5,000 employees across the globe, and launch of the Moderna Charitable Foundation. Before joining Moderna, Kate worked at Accenture for nearly seven years, most recently serving as Director of Corporate Marketing & Communications. In this role, she led integrated communications aimed at continuously improving the company’s reputation and performance as a responsible business and employer of choice. Prior to her work at Accenture, Kate served in Marketing & Communications roles at the NYU Stern School of Business and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, where she also earned her MBA. Kate holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Notre Dame.

Yvonne M. Spicer, EdD, Executive Director Life Science Cares-Boston
In August 2023 Dr. Spicer was selected as the new Executive Director of Life Science Cares- Boston. In this new role, Dr. Spicer will provide leadership and oversight of all activities related to fulfilling Life Science Cares' mission and its sustainability in Boston. She will be responsible for the overall strategic and operational planning, revenue generation, grantmaking and community investment, financial management, organizational development, staff management, marketing and public relations. Dr. Spicer is the former Mayor of Framingham, and the first African American woman popularly elected Mayor in Massachusetts. Spicer was sworn into office on January 1, 2018 as the first Mayor of Framingham. She was previously the Vice President for Advocacy and Educational Partnerships at the Museum of Science, Boston. Prior to joining the museum, she served as a teacher and administrator in both Framingham and Newton Public Schools. Spicer was appointed to the inaugural Massachusetts Governor's STEM Advisory Council by Governor Deval Patrick as the co-chair of the council's teacher development committee. She was reappointed in 2017 by Governor Charlie Baker and led the Computer Science and Engineering and Career Pathways committees. She currently serves on the board of the Massachusetts Office of the Treasurer Economic Empowerment Trust Fund, Big Brother Big Sister of MetroWest & Central Massachusetts, Moog Foundation and the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus. Dr. Spicer is a native of Brooklyn, NY but has called Framingham home since 1985. She is a graduate of the State University of New York-Oswego where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts & Technology and a Master of Science degree in Technology Education. She earned her doctorate in 2004 from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in Educational Leadership. Dr. Spicer also holds several honorary doctoral degrees as well as numerous awards and honors.

Meredith Tierney, Director US Corporate Social Responsibility & Community Relations, Sanofi
Meredith oversees operations for Sanofi’s US Corporate Social Responsibility and community relations program in the Massachusetts region, a portfolio dedicated to health equity, STEM education access, and harnessing employees’ passion and purpose in the community.  Prior to joining Sanofi, Meredith held a similar role at Alexion Pharmaceuticals (now the Rare Disease Unit at AstraZeneca) at the global level, directing the Alexion Charitable Foundation grant-making initiatives. For over 12 years, her career has been dedicated to developing and cultivating strategic partnerships across sectors, serving on both the corporate and non-profit side of the table. Prior to moving into CSR, she led Boston Ballet’s corporate relations department spearheading collaborations with over 80 institutions from Boston’s business sector and directed the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ 20 consulting programs for 700 cultural non-profit organizations worldwide.