Meet Our 2020 Changemaker Award Recipient

The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham presented the second annual Cameron Vowell Changemaker Award to Emily Hess Levine, Birmingham philanthropist and long-time volunteer leader for the organization.

Announced at The Women’s Fund’s virtual annual meeting on November 19, Levine accepted the award in front of a close group of the organization’s supporters, including current and former board members, volunteers, corporate and grantee partners, and staff.

“Community involvement is part of Emily’s DNA,” said Rosanne Crocker, Vice Chair for The Women’s Fund’s Board of Directors. “A supporter of The Women’s Fund since 2009, she holds a deep commitment to accelerating change for women as evidenced by her dedication as Chair of the Next Generation initiative of our 20th anniversary campaign and many other volunteer roles. Her leadership on critical issues has not only been inspiring and important to The Women’s Fund, but impactful for the central Alabama region as well.”

Levine is Vice President and administrator of the Ronne and Donald Hess Foundation. Alongside her professional work with the Foundation, she has provided volunteer leadership to a wide variety of nonprofits and has served on the Boards of The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham, Indian Springs School, Leadership Birmingham, Birthwell Partners, and the YWCA Junior Board. In 2018, her passion to create change in Alabama led her to manage the campaign for Judge Bob Vance for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.

A graduate of Indian Springs School and Dartmouth College, Levine lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband and two daughters.

“I am honored and humbled to receive [this award], both because of its namesake, Cameron Vowell, and the award’s inaugural honoree, Brooke Coleman,” Levine said in her award acceptance remarks.

“I’ve come to recognize that philanthropy alone cannot repair the systemic injustice and inequities faced by so many women and people in our state. If we want true change—systemic change—our commitment to programs and grantmaking must be matched at the policy level and with greater civic engagement. We are fortunate that The Women’s Fund makes these things easy, accessible, and a great investment. I am committed to continue working for change—big, real change—alongside The Women’s Fund and each of you.”

The Cameron Vowell Changemaker Award goes to a passionate member of the philanthropic community and supporter of The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham who demonstrates exemplary commitment to advancing equity for women through their giving and actions.

Dr. Cameron Vowell, the award’s namesake, has been transformational for the Birmingham region and state through her leadership and philanthropy. She has been at the helm of some of our community’s foremost changes and been active in public affairs for more than forty years. A pioneer for championing causes that uniquely impact the environment and women, Dr. Vowell is a notable founder of the Alabama Women’s Initiative, the Alabama Solution, and The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham.