A Heartfelt Thank You to Outgoing Board Directors Anita Battle, Lisa Bugni, and Darlene Fong
Every woman who walks through our doors is supported by a community she may never fully see.
That community includes the board directors who spend years asking hard questions, taking on unglamorous projects, opening doors, and showing up -- not because it's required, but because they genuinely care. As we mark the end of board service for Anita Battle, Lisa Bugni, and Darlene Fong, we want to take a moment to honor what they have given to this organization and to the women we serve.
Anita Battle
Anita's relationship with Dress for Success began long before her board service. Our staff kept talking about this remarkable volunteer who was leading workshops, coaching clients, and sharing her years of experience as a technology executive with the women in our programs. It didn't take long before we wanted her at the table.
As a successful technology leader and woman of color, Anita represented -- and continues to represent -- what is possible for so many of the women we serve. She never said no. Whether it was a virtual workshop or a longer drive to volunteer in person, she showed up. As Programs Committee Chair, she worked closely with our programs team to build something so strong that we were able to sunset the committee and direct that energy elsewhere -- which is about as high a compliment as a committee can receive.
Lisa Bugni
Lisa joined the Dress for Success San Francisco board in June 2020 -- at the height of COVID -- and spent the next six years helping guide the organization through a period of tremendous growth, change, and more than a few challenges.
As our governance lead, Lisa took on projects that most people will never see but that continue to make us a stronger organization and better stewards of every donor dollar. Her firm, King & Spalding, became the board's home away from home, generously hosting our meetings year after year. She was also a reliably enthusiastic supporter of our fundraising efforts -- and somehow always seemed to have an incredible bottle of wine to donate when we needed one.
Lisa's steady counsel, her commitment to doing things right, and her genuine investment in this organization have made us better in ways that will outlast her formal board service.
Darlene Fong
Darlene came to Dress for Success through one of our Success Honorees and quickly became a familiar and beloved presence in our Career Wardrobe. A true connector who loves San Francisco -- and even more, the women we serve -- Darlene made sure that the voices of our clients were always represented in board discussions. She consistently reminded us to keep our focus where it belongs.
Darlene has never stopped finding new ways to introduce people to Dress for Success -- bringing guests to our events, opening doors to new relationships, and most recently, including The Disco Ball in the Ebbie Awards gift bags. Her warmth, her network, and her genuine care for this community have touched more lives than she may realize.
Thank you
Each of these women contributed in different ways, but they shared the same commitment: helping women build better futures. Their leadership, generosity, and willingness to roll up their sleeves have touched thousands of women across the Bay Area -- even if those women never knew their names.
While their board service is coming to a close, they will always be part of the Dress for Success family. We are deeply grateful for everything they have given to this organization, and we look forward to continuing to see them in the community for years to come.
Thank you, Anita, Lisa, and Darlene. It has been an honor.