Joyce Ivy Foundation Announces 2026 Women of Impact Honorees: Selina Marie Pagán, Sonam Velani, and Laura Fox
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Joyce Ivy Foundation is proud to announce three extraordinary leaders as its 2026 Women of Impact award recipients: nonprofit sector changemaker Selina Marie Pagán, President and CEO of Independent Sector, and venture capital leaders Sonam Velani and Laura Fox, Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Streetlife Ventures. The Women of Impact awards recognize rising female leaders who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and a deep commitment to strengthening their communities.
“Selina, Sonam, and Laura exemplify the vision, innovation, and social commitment that define the Women of Impact award,” said Abril Rangel-Pacheco. “Through their groundbreaking work in nonprofit advocacy and mission-driven investing, they embody the leadership, courage, and purpose we hope Joyce Ivy Scholars will cultivate in their own futures.”
Selina Marie Pagán is a nationally respected nonprofit executive and advocate whose career has focused on advancing equity, civic engagement, and the social sector’s power to create systemic change. As Executive Director of The Young Latino Network, Selina leads a growing ecosystem of organizations focused on strengthening the Latine leadership pipeline, advancing civic participation, and building long-term political and economic power. Pagán leads one of the nation’s foremost organizations dedicated to strengthening nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs. Her leadership has centered on amplifying marginalized voices, building cross-sector collaboration, and championing policies that expand opportunity and justice. With a decade of experience across philanthropy, advocacy, and organizational leadership, Pagán’s work reflects a profound commitment to empowering communities nationwide.
Sonam Velani and Laura Fox are visionary entrepreneurs and investors reshaping the future of climate innovation through Streetlife Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on sustainable cities and climate resilience. Together, they have built a platform that supports founders addressing some of the world’s most urgent urban and environmental challenges. Their investment philosophy combines innovation, equity, and sustainability, positioning Streetlife Ventures as a force for transformative change in the startup ecosystem. By championing mission-driven founders, Velani and Fox are creating pathways for more inclusive and impactful economic growth.
The 2026 Women of Impact honorees will be celebrated at the 21st Annual Summer Scholars Send Off, where they will join Joyce Ivy’s growing community of accomplished women leaders and inspire the next generation of Midwest scholars as they embark on transformative academic journeys. The event will also honor Joyce Ivy’s 2026 Leader of the Year, Carrie Leahy, Chair of Bodman PLC.
The Joyce Ivy Foundation is dedicated to raising the educational aspirations of talented young women from the Midwest by providing scholarships to rigorous pre-college academic programs, mentorship, and leadership development. Women of Impact honorees serve as powerful examples of professional excellence and social responsibility, helping Joyce Ivy Scholars envision bold possibilities for their own futures.
This year’s honorees each represent unique but complementary models of impact: Pagán through nonprofit leadership and systems advocacy, and Velani and Fox through entrepreneurship and sustainable investment. Together, they demonstrate that women leaders are driving innovation and change across every sector of society.
Past Women of Impact award recipients include Anisha Gupta and Ping Ho (2024), Dr. Sydney McKinney and Dr. Sally Afia Nuamah (2023), Echo Brown, Kimberly Dowdell, Christina Koch, and Jocelyne & Monique Lamoureux (2022), among many other distinguished women leaders across business, public service, and academia.
You can purchase a ticket to attend the 21st Annual Send-Off Dinner here.
About The Joyce Ivy Foundation
[The Joyce Ivy Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to expanding educational opportunities and leadership development for exceptional young women from the Midwest. Through scholarships, mentorship, and transformative educational experiences, Joyce Ivy empowers the next generation of female leaders.]
