Linda Mueller
Twelve years’ worth of memories fill Linda Mueller’s travel journals — so many, in fact, she has to separate her favorites into distinct categories, like:
- Most remote location: Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world on the island of Spitsbergen/Svalbard, Norway.
- Most awe-inspiring building: St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. “It never ceases to amaze me what people create to the glory of God,” Linda says.
- Most educational: learning about the ancient city of Ephesus. Linda is an assistant librarian at Cocopah Middle School, she used a picture of the library ruins at Ephesus as her desktop background
- Most memorable experiences: sharing with her family the breathtaking view of waterfalls while sitting at the Queen’s table in the dining room at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, and playing handbells at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne, Australia.
Living life to the fullest and creating memories are an integral part of Linda’s life. She remembers well the first Women & Philanthropy meeting she attended in November 2009 on the recommendation of her good friend, Trish Stark. After meeting with delightful, welcoming women and experiencing the impact of the group, Linda signed up immediately.
Now a member of the Women & Philanthropy investment committee, Linda says she appreciates the sizeable component of the organization focused on educating members about ASU and its many leading-edge programs. The diversity of women who are involved also makes for fascinating conversation and opportunities to learn, she says.
To take advantage of and contribute to Women & Philanthropy’s empowering, positive impact, she encourages fellow members to go to as many meetings and events as their schedules allow — and make memories of their own.
Carol Poore
Look at some of the most significant opportunities in Carol Poore's life and one will find that Arizona State University was the key that unlocked many of them. Poore is a three-time ASU alumna, a former vice provost of the West campus, and will become an ASU instructor this year. Additionally, she's a proud founding member of Women & Philanthropy.
"I wanted to join forces with other dynamic women who are passionate about supporting ASU," says Poore, who is the president and CEO of Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. "With my membership, I'm sharing the many blessings I've received from ASU's impact in my life."
Poore has a bachelor's degree in broadcasting, an M.B.A. and is completing a doctorate in public administration. "My involvement as a charter member of Women & Philanthropy allows me to live my belief in higher education as the key to personal fulfillment, financial prosperity and freedom, and opportunities to change the world. Learning with other like-minded women and collectively giving back to support university programs and student scholarships inspires me and gives me fresh perspectives."
With that inspiration, Poore recently made a planned gift to ASU. "I'm proud that an endowed professorship is destined to be created in my name to help future students."
Maureen Doran
When Maureen Doran turned 70 on St. Patrick's Day, she received a special gift from her husband—an endowed scholarship named for her. The Maureen Doran Spirit of Service Scholarship in ASU's College of Public Programs will reward top students who commit to a career in the nonprofit public sector.
It was the perfect gift for a woman who has a passion for government service and for mentoring young people.
"It was a big surprise," says Doran about the gift from her husband, Wayne. "He just knew I loved politics and good government. This scholarship will help ensure that Arizona gets good people in government, people who are honest and smart."
Doran has a background in politics and government service herself. She served as president pro tem of the city council in her hometown of Dearborn, Mich., and won primary races for mayor and state representative.
She also has extensive experience helping students succeed in college. Doran and her husband, a retired Ford Motor Company executive, have helped more than 70 students from the Phoenix Union High School District pursue degrees at ASU, through the Doran Community Scholars Program.
"I'd love to see each member of Women & Philanthropy adopt a student and watch them grow with success through their college years," says Doran. "I can't tell you how much these kids get attached to me and Wayne."
Doran is a founding member of Women & Philanthropy. What she most loves about the organization is meeting with other longtime members who are close friends, as well as new members "with bright new ideas for change."
"All of the women have something wonderful about them," she says. "Who would not want to be part of this group? The women keep me coming back. We have the best Women & Philanthropy program in the country."