As a passionate, driven, professional looking to give back to the community, Amy Heller founded the first WGIRLS chapter in 2007 in Manhattan, channeling the unique talents and abilities of like-minded women to serve underprivileged women and children across New York City.
Today, Amy’s passion, determination and enthusiasm for the WGIRLS has resulted in tremendous growth for the organization. She has leveraged her extensive project management experience, entrepreneurial drive, business savvy, and education to create a virtual powerhouse of fundraising and volunteerism across the country.
In addition to fundraising, the WGIRLS have implemented customized programming, including meals for guests of the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, and, most recently, the “WGIRLS PROM SQUAD” which in its first year “rescued the prom” for over seven hundred economically challenged young women across the city.
Amy resides in Manhattan, NY where she works as a project manager in operational strategy for a large financial services firm. Like all WGIRLS members, her work with the WGIRLS INC is 100% pro bono.
Our Conversation:
AR: What does it mean to you to be a woman?
AH: As the eldest of four girls, blessed to grow up in a home where we were encouraged to achieve, I came to identify being a woman with being strong, successful, resourceful, and creative. Experience and time have added to that definition which now includes being able to conduct yourself in a way that honors your emotions and having the luxury of being able to trust your inner voice. There is a reason they call it female intuition!
AR: How have you been the first?
AH: I am the first person in my family to found a non-profit organization. I’m also the first in my family to stray a bit from a more traditional career path. I discovered a few years ago that in order to be happy, I was going to have to pursue my own definition of success. It is proving to be an excellent decision in all aspects of my life.
AR: What do you know that the women rising need to know?
AH: The time is now! I am constantly reminded that if your intentions are pure and your goal is just then the universe aligns things in your favor. Once you get started, things will snowball!
CLICKABLE INSPIRATION:
Learn how you can get involved with WGIRLS
Check out upcoming WGIRLS events!