About WNLI

The Women’s Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (WNLI) is an all volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit association of women leaders working to advance gender diversity on the boards of nonprofit universities and healthcare systems. Learn more about our story here and our members.

Founded in 2012 in Philadelphia, WNLI’s initial focus was boards of major eds and meds in the Greater Philadelphia region. Today, WNLI continues that work and also collaborates nationally to advocate increasing the representation and diversity of women on the governing boards of nonprofits meds and eds. Learn more about our work and research and reports.

Why is this important?
Accountability drives effective leadership. Aligning board representation with stakeholder makeup is crucial to effective decision making. Board gender and racial diversity that reflects stakeholders improves governance and produces better outcomes. Equity starts at the top. A diversity of women as full participants in the governance of nonprofit meds and eds is an accountability imperative.

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 representation and diversity of women on the governing boards of nonprofit healthcare and higher education institutions (meds and eds) and 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 conducts and publishes regional and national research on the gender and racial diversity of nonprofit healthcare and higher education boards, documenting progress, identifying gaps, and promoting transparency and accountability.

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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 “Get Involved” page.

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How Our Story Begins

WNLI was established by the late Happy Fernandez, former president of Moore College of Art, two-term member of Philadelphia City Council and former professor at Temple University. Without her, WNLI would not exist. In 2012, Happy convened a series of meetings of women in the Philadelphia nonprofit sector to discuss how to ensure that women would rise to leadership positions in major nonprofits. When she died suddenly in 2013, the women she brought together a year before decided to continue the work she started. Additional women leaders continued to join this informal group that became WNLI, including Temple University President JoAnne Epps. JoAnne was a key member, serving as host and moderator of WNLI’s events prior to her sudden passing in 2023.

WNLI is a nonprofit association with 501(C)(3) status. WNLI’s work and reach continue to expand through regional and national research, educational events and publications, and initiatives such as an Open Letter to the IRS, supported by nearly 500 organizations and leaders from across the country. We invite you to get involved as a stakeholder in exercising your influence to affect eds and meds boards that still do not reflect those they serve.