Women’s Leadership Council

Members of the Women’s Leadership Council receive:

• An invitation to the Annual Fundraising Luncheon
• Recognition in the annual membership roster
• The opportunity to nominate a Community Woman of Distinction

Join us in supporting student success at Cal State Monterey Bay.

With a membership of more than 140 community supporters, the Women’s Leadership Council helps expand opportunities for re-entry students. Membership contributions, Otter Outfitters proceeds, grants and the council’s scholarship endowment provide direct financial support for students.

Since 2003, the Women’s Leadership Council has:

• Grown the WLC Scholarship Endowment to more than $400,000
• Awarded 150+ scholarships to re-entry students, including $62,500 for the 2022-23 academic year
• Distributed 145+ emergency awards of up to $500 to help students stay enrolled when unexpected financial needs arise
• Created Otter Outfitters, a professional clothing resource for students and alumni
• Established the Community Woman of Distinction recognition in 2017

Otter Outfitters is a university-wide program founded by the Women’s Leadership Council that provides free professional clothing to Cal State Monterey Bay students and alumni. The program helps ensure Otters have access to appropriate attire for important academic and career opportunities.

Clothing is available for:

• Job interviews
• Internships
• Senior capstone presentations
• Campus career events
• Professional projects and events

Clothing Donations

Otter Outfitters accepts clothing donations during the following hours:

Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Alumni and Visitors Center
5108 Fourth Avenue
Marina, CA 93933

To arrange a clothing donation, please email Vincent LaForti.

Accepted Items

We welcome clean, laundered professional items such as:

• Business or semi-formal clothing
• Briefcases
• Professional shoes
• Belts
• Ties

Items We Cannot Accept

Please do not donate:

• Jeans
• T-shirts
• Sneakers
• Undergarments
• Sandals
• Casual clothing

The Community Woman of Distinction recognition was established in 2017 by the Women’s Leadership Council at Cal State Monterey Bay. The distinction honors a woman from the tri-county region whose leadership, service and achievements reflect the council’s mission and inspire the CSUMB community.

Honorees are recognized for their commitment to community service, support for Cal State Monterey Bay and their impact as role models for students and future leaders.

Recipients are selected through a nomination process led by members of the Women’s Leadership Council and reviewed by the council’s advisory committee.

Selection Criteria

Honorees are women who:

• Represent the mission and goals of the Women’s Leadership Council
• Demonstrate support for Cal State Monterey Bay
• Serve as role models for students
• Show a strong commitment to community service

Current Honoree

The Women’s Leadership Council recognizes Julie Packard as the current Community Woman of Distinction. Packard is the founding executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a nationally recognized leader in science-based ocean conservation. She has led efforts to advance sustainable fisheries, address plastic pollution and climate change, and protect marine wildlife and ecosystems. Packard also serves as a trustee of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and chairs the board of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. A fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, she has received numerous honors for her conservation leadership and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Past Recipients

• Bertie Bialek Elliott (2020)
• Helen Rucker (2019)
• Anna Caballero (2018)
• Mary Kay Crockett (2017)