Our Leadership Team

Avigal Horrow, Founder

Avigal founded Forward Giving in 2022 with a group of seven women. Her role as Forward Giving’s founder is to map its future through various strategic initiatives, oversee its growth, and serve as the face of and spokesperson for Forward Giving.

The organization was born out of Avigal’s desire to bridge the gap between those who want to give and those in need. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Avigal completed law school and she currently focuses on Labor and Employment practices, Contracts, and AI’s impact in technology as it applies to the legal field. 

  • Jennifer Harris - Finance Oversight

    Jen oversees Forward Giving’s financial transactions, and compliance.

  • Sonya Doshi-McCarthy – Fiscal Oversight

    Sonya assists in vetting the financial institutions that qualify to act as the fiscal sponsor for Forward Giving.

  • Laurie James - Due Diligence

    Laurie James and Leslie Whittet rigorously vet each non-profit nominated for grant consideration.

  • Leslie Whittet - Due Diligence

    Laurie James and Leslie Whittet rigorously vet each non-profit nominated for grant consideration.

  • Sumei Yee - Philanthropy Co- Chair

    Sumei Yee and Lisa Taub work together to organize ways in which Forward Giving members can participate in philanthropy by volunteering at local non-profits.


  • Lisa Taub - Philanthropy Co-Chair

    Sumei Yee and Lisa Taub work together to organize ways in which Forward Giving members can participate in philanthropy by volunteering at local non-profits.

  • Carla Buck - Educational Events

    Carla brings local non-profits to the Forward Giving community through Education Nights twice annually, providing awareness of those organizations around us that are making a positive impact.


  • Janice Gallardo Walters - Marketing Co-Chair

    Janice Walters and Meredith Zellweger oversee and implement strategy, planning and communication that build awareness of Forward Giving’s mission and activities, its website design and stewardship.

  • Meredith Zellweger - Marketing Co-Chair

    Janice Walters and Meredith Zellweger oversee and implement strategy, planning and communication that build awareness of Forward Giving’s mission and activities, its website design and stewardship.

  • Elizabeth Riddell - Social Media

    Elizabeth is responsible for Forward Giving’s social media activation and ongoing implementation.


Forward Giving Membership

Here is a list of additional Forward Giving Members, we are truly appreciative of their continued support.

Lauren Schiff

Lisa Bort 

Jane Waxman 

Eron Calucci

Kim Kluth

Cathey Graves

Leslie Whittet

Susan Hoffman

Alyssa White

Cami Wedbush

Kim Friedman

Dolly Boden 

Lauren Schwake 

Lora Cohn 

Kelly Wedbush


Brittany Stone

Larissa Chapin

Kamela Horwitz 

Muriel Rowan

Carol Kole 

Julie Arizpe

Kathy Crawford 

Kathy Wagner 

Renee Whitcombe 

Noelle Merritt 

Jeanne Zamanillo 

Patty Major



Maggie Byrne

Wendy Klarik

Tracie Haber 

Tiffany King

Sydney Reiner 

Vickie Patman

Jennee Julius 

Harriet Sustarsik

Anne Rethmeyer

Stefanie Bond 

Priscilla Morris

Janiece Snyder

Karen Sydney 

Melinda Arentsen