2008 – 2009 WE Board Of Directors

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The co-founder and co-President of WE, Winifred Cox's commitment is to help shape WE's unique efforts to help women work their way out of poverty. A former public relations executive and Associate Vice Chancellor at the University of California, San Diego, Win values the wisdom of each person, the power of respectful communication, and our profound duty to look out for each other.

Leigh Fenly is a co-founder of WE, founding board Director and co-President with Win. Her involvement in WE has served as a personal antidote to despair in the world and helped her renew her belief that one person can make a difference. A journalist and former science editor at The San Diego Union-Tribune, writer, and book reviewer, Leigh is the mother of three nearly grown boys.

A founding WE Director, Jean Fort serves as Treasurer, chairs the Research Committee, and leads the early exploration and development of WE's partnerships with microfinance organizations. She is retired from UCSD where she served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies. With long-standing interests in international affairs and social justice, Jean has a strong desire to help reduce poverty.

Mary Curran-Downey has been a journalist for more than 30 years, writing for both print and broadcast. She is a columnist with The San Diego Union-Tribune as well as a freelance writer. She also has been actively involved in the non-profit community, as a volunteer and as a member of the advisory board of Volunteer San Diego. She and her husband Paul have two teenage sons.

Margie Pryatel has served on the Board of Directors for the past year and is the current Secretary. She worked for UCSD for 30 years where she was the budget officer for the campus and responsible for a $1.2 billion operating budget. In retirement, she has redirected her management and financial expertise to support the mission and goals of Women's Empowerment.

Ann Briggs Addo is the Assistant Vice Chancellor/Chief of Staff for the University of California, San Diego's Resource Management and Planning division. The empowerment of young women and people of color to lead successful and productive lives is one of Ann's passions. She is a founding member of WE and past president of the Ujima Network-an alliance of African American faculty, staff, students, and community at UCSD. Married and the proud mother of two daughters, Ann makes it a point to get the family involved in programs that change lives.

Meg Bouher is a child and adult psychotherapist who has been in private practice for the past 25 years. Meg feels that her involvement with WE as a long-standing member has given her a greater understanding of the basic lack of opportunities many women in the world face for themselves and their children. As a self-employed woman herself, Meg knows how important economic security is in developing the pride and dignity of women who provide so much stability for their families and community. She also has been the liaison between WE and The Child's Primary School this past year. Meg and her husband, Paul Krueger, have a 12 year-old son who attends The Child's Primary School.

Sherry Risch has served on the founding board since its inception in 2004. As an educator, she is committed to WE's goal to disseminate knowledge of what individuals can do about world poverty and to inspire people to take action. She is the co-founder of The Child's Primary School in San Diego, an innovative K-8 school now in its 24th year.

Loretta Smith has served as the WE Database Manager since January, 2007. Her service to the University of California, San Diego for the past 34 years in the management of administrative, computing and financial operations/systems is diverse and expansive. She actively mentored UCSD staff regarding their career paths and personal pursuits and still continues to do so. She is committed to improving the quality of life and dignity of the poor, and the mission of WE.

Amy Zimmerman is a marketing consultant and writer, specializing in the financial services and biotech industries. She has more than 13 years experience in marketing, public relations, and editing. She has served as chair of WE's Business Development Committee, which has been instrumental in helping the women of the WE STAR Center increase their sales opportunities and profits.