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Women’s Leadership Council

Empowering re-entry students to thrive at Cal State Monterey Bay through the philanthropic leadership of women leaders in our community.

Supporting Student Success Through Community Leadership

The Women’s Leadership Council at Cal State Monterey Bay brings together community leaders committed to expanding educational opportunities for re-entry students. Through philanthropy, scholarships, emergency assistance and community engagement, the council helps remove financial barriers so students returning to college can stay enrolled, complete their degrees and achieve their educational goals.

Who Are Re-entry Students?

Re-entry students make up about 20 percent of the Cal State Monterey Bay student body. These students:

  • Have returned to college after an absence of one year or more
  • Often balance school with work, family responsibilities or other financial challenges

Scholarships supported by the Women’s Leadership Council are open to all eligible students who apply, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.

Membership

Become a Member

Become a member of the Women’s Leadership Council and support re-entry students at Cal State Monterey Bay. One hundred percent of membership contributions fund scholarships and emergency awards that help students stay enrolled and complete their degrees. Membership levels begin at $100, and gifts of any amount are welcome.

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 at Cal State Monterey Bay. Membership contributions, proceeds from the annual luncheon, 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 200+ scholarships to re-entry students, including $60,000 for the 2026-27 academic year, with 20 students receiving $3,000 each
  • Distributed 100+ emergency awards of up to $500 to help students stay enrolled when unexpected financial needs arise
  • Offered Otter Outfitters, a professional clothing resource for Cal State Monterey Bay students and alumni
  • Established the Community Woman of Distinction Award in 2017

The Women’s Leadership Council Advisory Committee supports the council’s work and engagement.

  • Carol Church
  • Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos
  • Fran Gaver
  • Janet Tague
  • Jeri Gattis
  • Julie Ann Lozano
  • Kathy Kobata
  • Linda Gin
  • Marti Myszak
  • Paula de Vos
  • Ruthie Watts
  • Stephanie Hulsey

Events and Community Honors

The Women’s Leadership Council Scholarship Fundraising Luncheon is an annual event that brings together community leaders, supporters and friends of Cal State Monterey Bay to expand educational opportunities for re-entry students. The event raises funds for Women’s Leadership Council scholarships and emergency awards while celebrating the impact of philanthropy on student success.

Guests connect with the CSUMB community, hear about the experiences of re-entry students and recognize the Community Woman of Distinction, an honor celebrating leadership and service in the region.

Proceeds from the luncheon support scholarships and resources that help re-entry students stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

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

Supervisor Mary Adams has dedicated more than 30 years to public service and addressing challenges facing local families. Elected in 2016 as Monterey County Fifth District supervisor, she has continued a career focused on community leadership and practical solutions.

During her 14 years as CEO of United Way Monterey County, Adams helped raise $50 million to support thousands of residents. She partnered with the county to address childhood homelessness, senior hunger, gang prevention and economic opportunity for working families.

Under her leadership, United Way launched the 2-1-1 hotline, providing free information about local health and human services in 174 languages. Adams also spearheaded the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! program, which provides free tax preparation services and helps working families access the Earned Income Tax Credit and other refunds to strengthen their financial stability.

Adams led efforts to provide fully stocked backpacks to thousands of students experiencing homelessness, helping them arrive at school prepared to succeed. During the 2008 mortgage crisis, she brought together federal and local leaders and businesses to help residents remain in their homes.

Her leadership has earned her Woman of the Year honors from the Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women and Cal State Monterey Bay’s School of Business. Earlier in her career, Adams held senior leadership roles with the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association, where she worked to protect hundreds of millions of dollars in public health funding and advance efforts to reduce tobacco-related illness in California.

Read more about Mary Adams, 2026 Community Woman of Distinction

Past Recipients

  • Ruthie Watts (2024)
  • Sylvia Panetta (2023) 
  • Julie Packard (2022) 
  • Bertie Bialek Elliott (2020) 
  • Helen Rucker (2019) 
  • Anna Caballero (2018) 
  • Mary Kay Crockett (2017)

Supporting your professional journey

Explore programs and resources that help Otters access opportunities, build confidence and prepare for success at Cal State Monterey Bay and beyond.

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

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 LoForti.

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

Leadership

Vincent Loforti

Vincent Loforti

Director of Donor Relations

Claudia Velazquez

Claudia Velazquez

Executive Assistant to the VP for University Advancement & to the Corporate & Foundation Relations

New CSUMB Graduates

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Our offices are located in the CSUMB Alumni and Visitors Center. We’re open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join the Women’s Leadership Council and support scholarships and emergency awards for re-entry students.

Vincent Loforti

Director of Donor Relations