Women United and United Way to honor her community impact
Dorothy Savarese, Chair & CEO of Cape Cod 5, will be honored as this year’s Woman of Impact at the September Power of the Purse gala, an event hosted by Women United of the Cape and Islands United Way.
This award is given annually to women leaders who do extraordinary work to positively impact the lives of others in the community, business, cultural or political sectors.
Savarese, well‐known for her community support efforts at Cape Cod 5, will be recognized at the gala on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Hyannisport Club. The first inaugural recipient, Doreen Bilezikian, will present the award to Savarese.
“As a business leader, Dorothy’s philanthropic support and commitment to helping families and children thrive in our region reflect the goals and mission of Women United of the Cape and Islands,” said Pam Cundall, co‐chair of Women United. “We are pleased to recognize her
contributions as a champion of our causes and projects.”
Savarese has served as a leader on a number of regional and national boards, including current roles as president of the Federal Reserve Board’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council and a board member of the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative, and past roles on the boards of Cape Cod Community College and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. She has received numerous awards for her commitment to community banking as well as for her philanthropic endeavors. She has consistently been honored as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker.
Savarese most recently served as fundraising ambassador for the highly successful Oysters and Champagne gala in Harwich which raised funds for affordable housing through the Housing Assistance Corporation.
“I am honored to be named this year’s Woman of Impact by Women United, a group I have long admired. The Women United have undertaken critical work in our community by supporting the needs of our youngest community members, and which affects more than just parents. A strong framework for early childhood care and education is a basic necessity for the economic strength of a community,” said Savarese. “We have seen over the past year and a half just how important quality childcare is to empower women with the opportunity to reach for their own goals.”
Mark Skala, President/CEO, of the Cape and Islands United Way, said the award also pays
tribute to Savarese’s leadership and stewardship of Cape Cod 5 and the Cape Cod 5 Foundation, which support and enhance the vibrancy and vitality of our communities. Skala noted in each of the last seven years the Cape Cod 5 has contributed more than $1 million annually to organizations making an impact in our region.
About Power of the Purse: A woman’s handbag can be a style statement, a practical tote for life’s necessities, a proud symbol of success, a catchall so she is always prepared.
At Power of the Purse annual gala, the purse is a metaphor for strength – strength in coming together to lift each other up; strength in making a statement about the community you want; strength to recognize we all have the power to make a difference.
About Women United: Women United is dedicated to improving our community and creating
opportunity. Its mission is to engage driven, passionate women in philanthropy and service to strengthen local families and encourage career development and economic self‐sufficiency for women.
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