In celebration of WGA’s 25th anniversary, we’re launching a special series featuring conversations with our past presidents, reflecting on their leadership and the legacy they helped build.
As a WGA founding Member and the second president of the organization from 2005–2006, Sandy Cook was thrilled to find WGA when she and her husband moved to Ponte Vedra after retirement. She has particularly enjoyed broadening her reach and connecting with other similar organizations across the country. At Philanos, she currently serves on the Board of Directors, as the liaison to the Governance Committee, and on the Affiliate Engagement Committee. She also served as the Program Co-Chair for the 2026 National PowerUp Conference, which she and several other WGA Members attended earlier this month in Austin, TX.
What are your most memorable moments from the early days?
My husband and I moved from Chicago to Ponte Vedra after retirement, and this happened to coincide with the founding of WGA. I read about it in the local newspaper and signed up. I joined the Grants Committee and ended up being very involved, along with others, in the direction our grantmaking took. There are many memories of those early years—working hard with other leaders to craft a model for the organization and doing lots of research on issues impacting women and girls because at that time there was very little available, particularly on a local level.
Did any noteworthy events or milestones happen during your time as president?
The first year or two’s research and work culminated in the design of our grantmaking with its multi-year focus on addressing critical needs of women and girls in Northeast Florida. There was keen interest in the community with this idea. We built amazing relationships early on in the nonprofit sector, and with the press. Other nonprofits became interested in partnering on issues focusing on women in the community, and they were ready to do something bigger and different. Together with The Community Foundation, we learned a lot about what was emerging as a new philanthropic model. Because WGA was an early adopter of collective giving, we also had opportunities to connect with other early adopters in this movement. I recall heading to Seattle to meet with leaders of other circles that were forming at the time. I still see some of those women through my role at Philanos.
What has surprised you the most about how the organization has changed in the last 25 years, and what do you envision for the future?
I have been most surprised by the amazing growth — the willingness to stay the course and address tougher issues and needs. The willingness of The Community Foundation to explore and test new models of collaboration with us has been groundbreaking. I can see how those experiences have benefited others who are plowing new ground in Northeast Florida. The current environment is, unfortunately, testing philanthropy in various and uncharted ways, and the WGA leadership is doing an amazing job of navigating those challenges while staying true to what we believe.
I foresee more growth and more impact with the extension of The Foundation’s geographic reach and commitment to supporting innovations in grantmaking. I believe we will also recognize the need for ongoing change in work, organizational structure, and tapping new leadership talent. There may also possibly need to be some new thinking going on about the viability of the current model as WGA continues to grow.
What would be interesting for WGA Members to learn about you?
Joining WGA sparked my passion about investing my time, talent and treasure in women’s philanthropy in many ways—it’s a bit more than a hobby. I have very much enjoyed serving on the Philanos leadership team, the Board of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and continuing work on new grantmaking approaches with Impact100 Metro Denver. I am also glad to keep up with WGA as a Legacy Member. With some of my other commitments slowing down, maybe I’ll have more time to commit to WGA. I did serve on the grants committee a couple of times a few years ago—it’s easy to do virtually.