Regional Leadership
Dining for Women is divided into eight regions, plus international regions.
Volunteer Regional Leadership
Northeast Region
CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT - email: northeast@diningforwomen.org
Sujini Ramachandar, Co-Regional Leader
Sujini Ramachandar was invited to be a member of Dining for Women in 2009. She has been amazed at the impact these dinners have had in enriching women and families all over the world. So when her friend and neighbor asked her to be co-regional leader, she jumped at the opportunity. She is excited to contribute to the growth of this wonderful organization. She is currently working as a speech pathologist in Syracuse, NY.
Jeannette Artini, Co-Regional Leader
Jeannette had no idea where it would lead when her friend, Sujini Ramachandar invited her to go to her first DFW dinner in 2010. Quickly she became a DFW advocate and almost as quickly she became the new Co-Regional Leader for the Northeast at the start of 2011. She brings a 20 year corporate background in management for large multinational technology companies and has owned her own technology project management consulting firm for the last decade.
DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA, WV - email: midatlantic@diningforwomen.org
Deborah Britt, co-Regional Leader
Debbie has been a co-leader of the Abington, PA chapter since 2008. She has worked as an Executive Assistant/Office Manager for a benefit firm for 20 years and has many years of volunteer experience. "My life has been enriched since finding the Dining for Women mission. I am so excited to be a part of the growth of this wonderful organization."
Mary Liz Jones, co-Regional Leader
Mary Liz has been a co-leader of the Abington, PA chapter since 2008. She is also a member of the DFW Training Committee, preparing the online training module to assist new Chapter leaders in launching their chapters. Mary is a Physical Therapist working with the elderly and brings many years of volunteer leadership to Dining for Women. "I am very excited to be involved with this extraordinary organization at this time of increased growth. It's thrilling to know that we truly are changing the world!"
AL, AR, GA, FL, LA, MS, SC - email: southeast@diningforwomen.org
Tessa May, co-Regional Leader
Tessa Porter May had no idea the impact that a simple dinner with new friends would have when she went to her first DFW meeting less than one year ago . Afterward, she could not stop talking about DFW - just ask her friends and family. She jumped right in with both feet and joined the communications committee for the Leadership Summit, chaired her regional fundraiser and helped friends start a chapter in another city. She is thrilled be a Southeast Regional Leader and looks forward to growing and nurturing new DFW chapters throughout the South. Tessa is full time office manager for a staffing company specializing in skilled labor for the construction industry and a DFW enthusiast.
Cindy Brothers, co-Regional Leader
Cindy Brothers is the co-leader of the Clermont, Florida Chapter just outside Orlando. A Dining for Women supporter in Greenville SC since 2009, Cindy relocated to Florida a year ago. Cindy is very excited to be serving as a Regional Leader for the Southeast Area, mentoring new chapter lea ders and encouraging the growth of the region. She has 15 years experience in non-profit management, fundraising and board development and currently works as a consultant to small non-profits in those areas. “It’s great to experience new cultures through the DFW programs as we educate and empower each other!”
IA, IL, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, WI - email: heartland@diningforwomen.org
Barbara Harris, Regional Leader
Barbara Harris started her LaGrange Park, IL chapter in February 2006 and it is still going strong. She has been the Regional Leader for the Heartland since Oct. 2011.
IN, KY, MI, OH, TN - email: central@diningforwomen.org
Jill Peirce, Regional Leader
Jill Peirce has co-led her chapter in Grand Rapids, MI since 2007. Jill is a retired school counselor and spent 30 years in education. She's spent years as a volunteer Along with her chapter, Jill loves "loves the idea of giving back and knowing their contributions can be combined with others to make such a difference."
Mary Toneff, Regional Publicity Leader
Mary has been a Chapter Leader since April 2006. She brings her experience as an educator and educational consultant, as well as other non-profit experience to DFW's Regional Leadership Team. She served on the DFW Recognition Committee for the 2009 Leadership Summit in Chicago, motivating her to be more involved in DFW. She "loves her chapter meetings and is
still in awe that such a fun and educational gathering is changing the world, one dinner at a time!"
Elizabeth Wagoner, Regional Fundraising Leader
Elizabeth was an educator for 37 years, holding a variety of positions including director of curriculum for 20 years. She brings broad background of volunteer experience to her role, including mission trips with Habitat for Humanity for 10 years. In retirement, Elizabeth is dedicating her time to DFW's Regional Leadership. Her mission in life is to "provide education and service to the women and children of the world."
AZ, KS, NM, OK, TX - email: southwest@diningforwomen.org
Eileen Brill Wagner, Regional Leader
"When I attended the Summit this October, I knew that that this was a group that I wanted to get more involved with. Dining for Women combines passion and purpose in a wonderful way; I'm extremely excited to be a part of this great organization. "
Eileen Brill Wagner currently owns her own company, Brilliant Concepts L.L.C., based in Phoenix. Previously, she served as a nonprofit executive director and worked with both adults and youth on programs that honed leadership skills and inspired civic engagement. A former reporter for both local and international publications, she earned a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.B. A. from Rutgers University. Eileen and her husband, Mike, have three daughters--all of whom are doing their part to make their corner of the world a better place.
AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY - email: northwest@diningforwomen.org
Ruthann Marquis, Regional Leader
It all started with an invitation. Ruthann Marquis was welcomed at her first DFW gathering in Portland Oregon in the summer of 2010 and has been an engaged member since. At the 2011 Summit in San Jose she was so inspired by the passionate and capable leadership already in place that she decided to take a leap into a regional position and lend her hands to the work being done. In addition to DFW, Ruthann is an Occupational Therapist, working full time in the area of hand therapy. She is very active in the life of her church and recognizes the need to serve others in all aspects of her life. She continues to grow in her role as NW Regional Leader and looks forward with great enthusiasm to what the future of DFW holds for all those being touched.
CA, CO, HI, NV, UT - email: west@diningforwomen.org
Patty Karabatsos, Regional Leader
Patty Karabatsos joined Dining for Women in 2008. She served as a mentor before volunteering to be Regional Leader, and enjoys working with new Chapter Leaders as they launch their chapters. “I love when the new chapter is close enough for me to attend the first meeting. Sharing my experience with DFW and meeting all the new members is very exciting!” Patty's background is in teaching and banking. A resident of San Jose, she is married and has three adult children. In addition to her involvement with DFW, Patty volunteers with the Stroke Awareness Foundation, an organization that helps to educate people about Stroke and provides resources and support to stroke patients, caretakers and families.
For all non-USA inquiries, email: international@diningforwomen.org
Virginia Talieh, International Regional Leader
At the invitation of a friend, I attended my first DFW meeting in December of 2010. I returned home so impressed that the same night I got on DFW’s website and registered to start a new chapter. And of course, I enlisted my long time friend to be a co-leader. The whole premise of how DFW works is so simple and has such an incredible impact; it was impossible not to join! I attended my first Annual Summit last October, and it was then that I learned about the opening for an International RL- again I jumped at the opportunity. I truly believe that it is through education, partnerships and the power of collective giving that we will create the changes we want to see worldwide.
DFW Social Media Leader, Tamara Cucchiara-Sitka
Tamara has been involved with DFW since 2009, and served as Regional Leader for the West from May 2010 to August 2011. Her background includes work in producing TV shows on domestic violence, social injustices, as well as working with adults with disabilities. More recently Tamara was a College Advisor and Director of Career Services and Job Placement. "My personal passions are education, empowerment of women, and serving those who are at a disadvantage in society."
