GIVING JOY STRENGTHENS AND INSPIRES WOMEN’s ENTREPRENEURSHIP WORLDWIDE
Through its micro-grants and mentorship program, Giving Joy helps women establish or improve their businesses and initiatives—for their benefit and the benefit of their communities.
Our History
Giving Joy is a 501(c)(3) Massachusetts-based nonprofit that strengthens and inspires women’s entrepreneurship worldwide. Its founder, Joy Kolin, has 20-years of experience in the field of international development, a career that has taken her to over 70 countries. Throughout her travels, Joy found herself touched by a common trend - the immense ability of women to affect positive change if given the resources and opportunities to do so. In 2018, she established Giving Joy as a way to harness and grow the power and the influence of women-led ventures the world over. Now, women from any country, across any trade or industry, can apply for a one-time grant of up to $500.00 to jumpstart and/or expand their operations, and/or promote women causes.
Staff & Board Members
Meet our amazing volunteer staff and board members.
Executive Director and Board President
Joy Kolin is an international development leader with over two decades of experience managing projects across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. She’s worked with global organizations to strengthen institutions, develop leaders, and build cross-sector partnerships. In 2018, she founded Giving Joy, a nonprofit supporting women entrepreneurs worldwide through micro-grants and mentorship.
Joy is fluent in English and Hebrew, speaks French, and knows just enough Arabic to get by. She holds degrees from Hebrew University and Johns Hopkins SAIS—and is driven by a deep belief in women’s power to change communities and reshape futures. She resides in Massachusetts, USA.
Samiha Barkat is a senior leader with 17 years’ experience in international development, program design, monitoring and evaluation, and has worked for both private and not-for-profit organizations. She has experience in diverse sectors – homelessness and housing, inclusive development, health, education, and law and justice – and brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work. She has led complex bilateral and regional programs in Asia Pacific and in Africa. Samiha is currently Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning with Investing in Women, an Australian government funded initiative, catalyzing inclusive economic growth through women's economic empowerment in Southeast Asia. She holds a Master of Public Health from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Clerk/Secretary
Director/Officer
Natasha Kofoworola Quist is a seasoned leader with 25+ years of experience in development, humanitarian work, conservation, and philanthropy, driving positive change across Africa. She brings a wealth of private-sector experience from roles at Nike, Disney, and Solomon Brothers. Natasha is passionate about sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and empowering women and girls. She holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a BSc from the University of Leeds. She is fluent in English and French, and has lived and worked in West, Central, and Southern Africa for over two decades. She currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa
Sandra Simbiri is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert with close to 15 years of experience designing, creating and managing ICT products in low- and mid-income countries. Currently she is working with UN agencies to provide expanded education, training and employment opportunities for youth, and exploring new ways of promoting learning through innovative pedagogical approaches and digital tools. Sandra has a Master of Science in Interactive Telecommunications from New York University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design & Computer Animation from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Sandra lives in Nairobi, Kenya.
Director/Officer
Director/Officer
Wendy Voet is a non-profit leader and public health professional with over 30 years of experience in the areas of public and global health, organizational management, fundraising, partnership development and program design. She has worked for a wide range of organizations that assist in meeting the healthcare needs of communities around the world as well as work towards social justice. She also teaches global health at the University of Pennsylvania. She has previously held positions ranging from Executive Director of Women's Way to Deputy Director of the Center for Public Health at the University of Pennsylvania.
Carla Wahnon is an entrepreneur, business owner and financial coach. Born in Brazil but calls the US home for the past 34 years. Carla is the co-founder and managing partner of R&C International Commerce (2015), a 100% minority women owned import and export company. She is also the owner of CARLA SHAW Sustainable Fashion, a bio-jewelry line she founded in July of 2021. Carla received her B.S. in Business Administration from the Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Sao Paulo (Brazil) and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA. She lives in Cambridge, MA with her husband and their two spoiled dogs Furby (Maltese) and Liam (Silky Terrier mix).
Treasurer
“There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."
-Madeline Albright, the first female United States Secretary of State