Special Program

Invitation to Impact: Lighting the Way Together

Wendy Steele, Founder and Chief Impact Officer, Impact100

REGISTRATION:

Lecture (Athenaeum Parlor) – Click HERE to complete free registration
Post-Lecture Reception (CWC House) – $50 per person

DESCRIPTION:

Icons and instigators are often remembered for what they built, but just as important is how openly they share it. In this reflective and engaging talk, Wendy Steele draws from her book Invitation to Impact and her success building Impact100, a global, women-powered giving movement rooted in collaboration, transparency, and shared purpose.

Wendy will share insights into the science of generosity, with an emphasis on how generosity can build bridges in a disconnected world. She will reflect on how passing on values, not just valuables, strengthens families and communities, ensuring that what we learn and live continues to light the way forward for others. Grounded in experience and optimism, this conversation honors women who choose to instigate change through connection, purpose, and shared action.

Speaker bio:

A dedicated philanthropist, passionate entrepreneur, and inspiring speaker, Wendy Steele is the founder of Impact100, a grassroots global movement that has given away more than $178 million since its inception in 2001. From a young age, her family instilled in her the value of giving back with the intention of leaving the world a little better than she found it, leading Steele to dedicate much of her adult life encouraging generosity in all its forms.

Before focusing exclusively on philanthropic work, Wendy enjoyed a successful career in banking that culminated in a Senior Vice President role. Even her decision to pursue this profession was inspired by a desire to give back, after witnessing her grandfather help countless members of his community through his own work as a banker.

In 2023, Wendy released her bestselling book, Invitation to Impact: Lighting the Path to Community Transformation. Filled with personal stories and expert guidance, she shares the origin story of Impact100, including the problem-solving rationale behind this innovative philanthropy model, and why she was ultimately compelled to pivot from a successful banking career into full-time work at Impact100 Global. She observes that there are two kinds of people: those who see the problems in the world and realize they can be a part of the solution and those who still need to be invited to the party. Today, she continues her work with Impact100 Global to invite women across the globe to the party and to empower them to create transformational change in their local communities.

Wendy has received numerous awards for her work in philanthropy, including the honor of being named a 2024 USA TODAY Woman of the Year. Also in 2024 and 2025, Impact100 Global received silver and gold Anthem Awards, respectively, for Local Community Engagement. In 2021, she was named by Forbes as one of fifty women over fifty who are leading the world in impact. In 2020, Wendy was named a Distinguished Honoree of the Jones Prize in Philanthropy, an award which “honors someone who demonstrates the willingness to volunteer time, resources, and talents to improve the human condition, beyond themselves.” Considered the Nobel Prize for community service, Steele was awarded the 2014 Jefferson Award for Public Service for her work with Impact100.

Her work in philanthropy has been featured in several books, including The Transformative Power of Women’s Philanthropy; Women, Wealth and Giving; Creating a Women’s Giving Circle; and The Right Sisters—Women Inventors Tell Their Stories. Steele remains deeply committed to giving back to her community and wholeheartedly believes that each of us has something important to give.

Venue located on Chautauqua Institution grounds; a gate pass is required.