Advancing the status of women through financial support in the final phase of their doctoral programs.

About Us 

About Us

The Founder Region Fellowship Board is comprised of an elected President, Treasurer and five Directors. The directors represent each of the five districts of Founder Region, Soroptimist International of the Americas.
They serve for a 2 year term elected on even years.

Fellowship Board

The 2024-2026 Founder Region Fellowship Board will serve
from July 1, 2024 until June 30, 2026. 

Vicki Ham

Fellowship President
Past Founder Region Governor
SI/Willits
vickiham01@gmail.com

danelle tegarden

Fellowship Treasurer

Amelia Benko

Fellowship Director - District I
SI/The Tri-Valley
amelia@benkoinsurance.com

Kay Kelley

Fellowship Director - District II

Colleen Ganaye

Fellowship Director - District III
SI/Sonoma Valley
colleenganaye@gmail.com
 

Tess Albin-Smith

Fellowship Director - District IV

Cindy Rasmussen

Fellowship Director - District V
SI/Waikiki Foundation, Inc.
fellowshipDV@gmail.com

contacts

Fellowship President Email:
2024-2026fellowship@gmail.com

"The content of a book holds the power of education and it is with this power that we can shape our future and change lives.  "

- Malala Yousafzai 

"Women share this planet 50/50 and they are underrepresented—
their potential astonishingly untapped. "

- Emma Watson 

"The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all. "

- Aung San Suu Kyi 

About Us

Most service organizations have Identifying Projects that help the organization realize its mission. From Soroptimist International down to the club level, one will find many innovative, heartwarming, and challenging projects to fulfill the Soroptimist mission, which is to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.  Club projects reflect the interest, background, and skills of the membership, and give a club focus and local notoriety in their communities. 

Founder Region Fellowship (FRF)

Fellowship is the identifying project of Founder Region. FRF’s mission is to advance the status of women through financial support to women in the final phase of their doctoral degree. This project gives grants to selected women attending universities within the bounds of Founder Region. A byproduct of this support is affirmation of the importance of the recipients’ work and value as an individual. 

The Fellowship Goal

Founder Region Fellowship seeks to support women who are working in fields traditionally held by men or fields that have great social importance to the world. The recipients’ work will reflect and further Soroptimist ideals.