Jenny Steadman, Ph.D., is a fierce advocate for women and girls. As executive director of the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation, she has produced cutting-edge research on the obstacles and opportunities facing women and girls in Greater Hartford and across Connecticut.
She’s directed the funding of programs that build economic mobility through education for thousands of women and focused attention and raised funds to address the emergency needs of women and girls during the pandemic.
She was a featured presenter at the 2021 Gates Foundation Greater Giving Summit. As a 2020 Fellow of the Women Leaders of the World program, she completed a transformational fellowship for women leaders solving some of the world’s most intractable problems.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far?
I have been proud to lead Aurora to unprecedented growth and community impact. In 2023, we will triple our grantmaking dollars to build educational and economic opportunity for women.
Our cutting-edge research leads the nation as a model for how data about women and girls can inform policy, philanthropy and community transformation.
What’s the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally?
I want to build a pipeline of diverse women’s leadership that brings new voices, perspectives and ideas to decision making at all levels across Connecticut.
What’s one of the biggest professional challenges you’ve overcome?
The pandemic represented the largest challenge that I have faced, but by focusing on the community, we were able to address emergency needs, convey the power of our mission to new virtual audiences and help our supporters make a difference.
What legacy do you want to leave after your career is over?
I want my legacy to be stronger, more equitable communities across Connecticut in which all women and girls realize their potential and are full, valued and sought-after participants — economically, politically and socially.
I am laying the groundwork now for a bright future for Connecticut’s women and girls. I can’t wait to see how they change the world.