INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Power in Numbers
“And to think it all began with a cup of coffee.” Indeed, it was a simple cup of coffee that brought Stevens and VanRoekel together at the Coffee Hag in the fall of 2018. The two women chatted about their kids, families and work, but soon the conversation shifted to giving back to a community they care about.
Stevens had attended a conference the previous year focused on women in philanthropy. She still had a pamphlet from the event, which explained the concept of women’s giving circles. VanRoekel took took the pamphlet home, did some research and soon called Stevens to say, “I get it. I love it. Let’s do it.” And thus, the Mankato WGC was born. Giving circles are designed to create power in numbers. Through regular contri-
Melanie VanRoekel and Laura Stevens, Women’s Giving Circle Founders
Jennifer A. Gish
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July | August 2021
Samantha Hanson-Lenn
Brittany R. King-Asamoa
Jennifer G. Lurken
Kaitlin M. Pals
