About WNLI

The Women’s Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (WNLI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association of Philadelphia area women leaders working to advance gender diversity on the boards of universities and healthcare systems, the eds and meds, since 2012. Founded in Philadelphia, WNLI was established by the late Dr. Happy Fernandez, former president of Moore College of Art, two-term member of Philadelphia City Council, and former professor at Temple University. Learn more about our members here.

WNLI’s initial focus was boards of major nonprofit eds and meds in the Greater Philadelphia region. Since 2020, WNLI has also worked nationally in collaboration with others to provide reliable information about the representation of women and people of color and to close the existing gaps in their representation on these boards. Learn more about our research here.

Our
Vision

Our Vision

Governing boards of nonprofit healthcare and higher education institutions (meds and eds) will reflect the gender, racial, and other diversity of their stakeholders.

Our
Beliefs

Our Beliefs

Board gender and racial diversity improves governance and produces better outcomes. Equity starts at the top. Women should be full participants in the governance of meds and eds.

Our
Mission

Our Mission

To significantly increase the percentage of diverse women on the governing boards of nonprofit healthcare and higher education institutions (meds and eds) and to expand women’s influence and formal leadership on these boards.

Our
Strategy

Our Strategy

We will encourage and support stakeholders of meds and eds to demand change. Boards need to be urgent and intentional about achieving board diversity.

Our
Research

Our Research

WNLI has partnered with La Salle University and its Nonprofit Center to conduct studies on board diversity in Philadelphia-area universities and healthcare systems, and with Nonprofit Issues to publish national research.

Learn More

Get
Involved

Get Involved

No matter your role in your community, you can get involved and support diversity, equity and inclusion on nonprofit boards. See our “Things You Can Do” page.

Learn More

Our
Vision

Our Vision

Governing boards of nonprofit healthcare and higher education institutions (meds and eds) will reflect the gender, racial, and other diversity of their stakeholders.

Our
Beliefs

Our Beliefs

Board gender and racial diversity improves governance and produces better outcomes. Equity starts at the top. Women should be full participants in the governance of meds and eds.

Our
Mission

Our Mission

Our
Strategy

Our Strategy

We will encourage and support stakeholders of meds and eds to demand change. Boards need to be urgent and intentional about achieving board diversity.

Our
Research

Our Research

Learn More

Get
Involved

Get Involved

No matter your role in your community, you can get involved and support diversity, equity and inclusion on nonprofit boards. See our “things you can do” page.

Learn More