New Orleans’ Kim Sport Receives National and Local Recognition

Kim Sport

Kim Sport, founder of United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area’s Women’s Leadership Council, has been named to United Way of America’s National Women’s Leadership Council.

The 24 members that Sport joins hail from diverse sectors of the nation including corporate, community and academic leaders.  The panel supports the efforts of local Women's Leadership Councils’ to empower women to become community investors, advocates for change and philanthropic leaders.  

“Our Women’s Leadership Councils across the country are a critical force in leveraging resources to effect measurable social change in their communities,” stated Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way of America, “Kim and her counterparts on The National Women’s Leadership Council help support these local initiatives and spearhead our national efforts to collectively raise more than $100M by 2008.”

Last year, 109 local United Way Women’s Leadership Council groups, representing more than 40,000 donors, contributed over $89 million - a 23 percent increase from the previous year.

President and CEO of United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area Gary Ostroske noted, “Kim offers the National Women’s Leadership Council the dedication, experience and integrity that our community has come to know and trust.”  

Sport will also champion national United Way educational and engagement opportunities for its local members including “Capitol Hill Day: Advocacy in Action”, a one-day advocacy training event scheduled on February 28th in Washington, DC.

Because of her generosity and dedication to the community, Mrs. Sport, chair of United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area's Tocqueville Society as well as immediate past chair of the Katrina Recovery Fund and past chair of the Board of Trustees, will be honored as a “Woman of Excellence" for her Volunteerism and Civic Involvement by the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus at its Awards Gala.  The gala, taking place on March 8th in Baton Rouge, will feature guest speaker United States Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). The Women's Caucus created the Women of Excellence Award in 2007 to recognize and honor extraordinary women of excellence across Louisiana for their achievements and contributions. For more information on the award, gala and Caucaus, visit http://llwc.louisiana.gov/default.htm.

For more information about United Way of Greater New Orleans’ Women’s Leadership Council and how women can contribute to the philanthropic leadership needs in their community or events, please contact Leigh Thorpe at leight@unitedwaynola.org.