United WE
About United WE
United WE, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is a pioneering nonprofit organization with over three decades of commitment to empowering women and girls. Founded in 1991 as the Women's Foundation in response to the stark reality that only 4% of Kansas City charitable giving supported women and girls, United WE emerged from purposeful research and analysis by bold, diverse women determined to address unmet community needs. What began as a regional initiative has evolved into a national movement, expanding its mission while maintaining its core purpose: building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
The organization's transformation reflects its growth and impact. Under the leadership of President and CEO Wendy Doyle, United WE has championed data-driven solutions addressing caregiving barriers, occupational licensing restrictions, and the need for diplomatic, civil policy discourse. The organization recognizes that empowering women requires understanding systemic barriers and creating cultures of opportunity that benefit entire communities and economies.
United WE's approach is fundamentally rooted in partnership and authentic engagement. By uniting with appointees, elected officials, community leaders, supporters, and everyday women, the organization has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of individuals. The team believes that when women succeed, communities and economies flourish—a conviction that drives every initiative from The Institute's research to The Studio's storytelling to the award-winning Appointments Project. For Kansas City residents and partners nationwide, United WE represents a trusted voice for women's economic empowerment and civic participation.