Portrait by ChiChi Ubiña

YWCA Greenwich will be holding its 7th Annual Women Who Inspire Awards to recognize exceptional women in our community. YWCA Greenwich’s Women Who Inspire Awards was established to recognize and celebrate outstanding women who have excelled in philanthropic, professional, and volunteer pursuits. Importantly, these honorees have enriched the lives of many in our community. This event acknowledges the changes in society that have led to the fluidity of work/life pursuits for women of today.

 

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

ingNonprofit work has always played an important role in Meg Russell’s life. After graduating from Emory University, Meg went into a career in media buying in New York City but after a few years, she felt a calling to work in the non-profit sector. For several years, Meg excelled in development roles at Project Renewal, a New York City organization dedicated to serving the homeless in Manhattan. Meg and her family moved to London for a brief period ultimately settling in Greenwich, where she immersed herself in local organizations such as Kids in Crisis, Families for Greenwich Hospital, and Impact Fairfield County.

Once Meg’s two young sons began at Brunswick School, she focused on parent volunteer opportunities, including Co-Chairing the Spring Benefit, the annual Book Fair and served as a Division Representative.

Meg became involved in Breast Cancer Alliance, and spent 9 years on the Board of Directors, serving two years as President, and now sits on their Advisory Council. Meg assumed the role of President in March 2020, just in time for the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. She skillfully guided the organization through those challenging and unprecedented times.

Meg’s husband and both sons attended Cornell University, so in order to form her own connection with the school, she became an active member of the Parents’ Committee and joined the fundraising team on behalf of the University.

Currently, Meg acts as a mentor with Judge Judy’s Her Honor Program and has been paired with female high school students from the Bronx as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives. She also joined United Way’s Reading Champions program as a faithful tutor to two elementary school students. Meg enjoys being deeply involved in these organizations that are greatly important to her, allowing her to have a meaningful impact on the community she cares so much about.

Meg lives in Greenwich with her husband, and they are the proud parents of two sons who live and work in New York City.