MISSION
We are committed to compassionately serve the poorest people and communities worldwide through a network of women, raising awareness and funds and using micro loans to support efforts to eliminate extreme poverty by 2025.
VISION:
To be a partner in the worldwide movement that will eradicate extreme poverty by 2025.
VALUES:
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We believe that all people are entitled to the basic necessities of life.
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We believe in the value of all life regardless of race, creed or color.
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We believe that everyone has the right to live without suffering.
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We believe in the ability of even one person to make a difference in the lives of those living in impoverished conditions.
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We believe that impoverished communities need more than a handout; they need help developing infrastructures to break the cycle of poverty.
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We believe that what happens to one human being happens to us all.
OUR LEADERSHIP
The Greater Contribution was founded by Karon Wright, Diany Klein, Elise O'Keefe and Kathy Tamashiro, driven by a desire to give back to the world in the most significant way possible. You can read about these founding members below.
Karon Wright is the President and Executive Director of The Greater Contribution. She is a passionate advocate for the poor and is a frequent speaker about the fight against poverty. She feels a deep compassion for all the poor around the world and knows that poverty can be eradicated in our lifetime if we all work together. She recently received the Vibrant Giver Award for women who are changing the world in the ways they give back. In addition, she is an Executive Coach and Organizational Effectiveness consultant. Her corporate work focuses on helping individuals create more effective working relationships and she is recognized for her expertise in Emotional Intelligence. She lives in Thousand Oaks, California with her husband, wildlife photogragher Geoffrey Glassner and their three cats.
Diany Klein, Vice President of The Greater Contribution is also the Vice President of Human Resources for Community Memorial Health System of Ventura, California. She has been a volunteer for the American Red Cross and also for Los Angeles Children's Hospital in addition to her work for The Greater Contribution. Diany received her Executive Coaching Certification from the Hudson Institute. Diany is fully bi-lingual in English and Spanish, having been born in Cuba and raised in Puerto Rico.
Elise O'Keefe Secretary of The Greater Contribution, is a native Californian who has made the Conejo Valley her home for the past 20 years. Locally, her family includes her daughter and mother with whom she enjoys spending her free time.
For the past 17 years, she has been a human resources professional with an international defense company. It is Elise's nature to be helpful and caring. She has led local food drives and other activities to support the underprivileged. When she learned about the opportunity to support The Greater Contribution to help end extreme poverty, there was no question about her becoming involved. Elise believes that people hold the power to transforming the world into a place of beauty and harmony.
Kathy Tamashiro, Treasurer of The Greater Contribution, has been in healthcare for over 25 years. Twenty-one of those years, she worked in leadership positions for Blue Cross of California. Since transitioning careers in 2002, Kathy's professional work has included working for The Palms at Bonaventure, Assisted Living Community, as the Administrator and Sales and Marketing Director.
She earned a bachelor's degree from Loma Linda University and a master's degree from the University of LaVerne in Healthcare Administration. Recently, Tamashiro earned a Project Management certificate from the University of California Santa Barbara and a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly certificate from the State of California.
She is an accomplished runner and mountain climber, having competed in and finished 5 marathons and summited Mt. Whitney in 2001 and 2003.