A Spark Becomes a Movement: Tiffany Circle Summit 2025 Unites Women in Philanthropy

The 2025 Tiffany Circle Summit, held September 11-14 in Washington, D.C., marked a historic milestone for the American Red Cross. With over 250 Tiffany Circle members and guests in attendance - a 38% increase from 2023 - this year's gathering was the largest and most impactful Summit to date.

The Tiffany Circle is a powerful network of women philanthropists committed to advancing the Red Cross mission through leadership, service and giving.

The Summit featured inspiring speakers, including CBS News senior correspondent and 60 MINUTES contributing correspondent Norah O'Donnell, who moderated a fireside chat with Veronica Beard co-founders Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard., as well as Lt. General Nadja West, who shared her lifelong connection to the Red Cross. Gail McGovern, attending her first Summit as chairman of the Board, honored Gold Star Families and service members during the Salute to Service program

Throughout the Summit, attendees engaged deeply with the Red Cross mission. Breakout sessions covered disaster response, public health, youth preparedness, and support for military families, including Addressing Misinformation in Times of Disaster, Women Leading Transformational Client Care, Empowering Children, Strengthening Families, and Mapping Vulnerable Communities Through MapSwipe.

Summit Co-Chairs Tonya Roth and Susie Trotochaud captured the spirit of the event: "This Summit is a celebration of who we are," said Roth. "One spark becomes many. A moment becomes a movement." Trotochaud added, "Our strength lies not just in what we've done...but in what we will do together."

Notably, the Summit raised over $1.3 million for Disaster Financial Assistance to help more than 1,800 families recover from emergencies with dignity and care.

Two powerful client stories underscored the life-changing impact of Red Cross support. Caroline Weeks, a Georgia Tiffany Circle member, shared how the Red Cross helped her family after a devastating fire. "In our darkest days and moments, we are not alone," she said, recalling the comfort of a teddy bear given to her by a Red Cross volunteer. "The power of philanthropy and women is strong and it's growing."

Morgan Phelps, a Greater New York volunteer, recounted her own experience after a home fire. "It was an angel calling me," she said of her Red Cross caseworker. Morgan received immediate lodging and essentials - including a toothbrush and a bra - thanks to donor-funded assistance. Today, she's a Red Cross volunteer, donor and advocate, even requesting donations to the Home Fire Campaign in lieu of wedding gifts.

Voluntary service is a fundamental principle of the Red Cross. The Tiffany Circle is the largest Red Cross fundraising network of volunteer leaders, with members providing more than 45,000 volunteer hours last fiscal year. The Red Cross continues to rely on the generosity and support of Tiffany Circle members as the organization grows its Women in Philanthropy initiative to boost engagement, connection and donations among women.

Learn more about Tiffany Circle
Since its founding in 2007, the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle has united philanthropic women who dedicate time, talent, and treasure to advance the organization's humanitarian mission. Celebrating 17 years, this powerhouse has raised more than $280 million to support vital services in communities across the country and around the world. With over 1,450 members, it remains the most successful individual annual fundraising initiative in Red Cross history.

The Tiffany Circle program was named for the Tiffany windows in the Tiffany Circle Hall (formerly Board of Governors Hall) at Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C. These windows, produced by Tiffany Studios, were commissioned by Red Cross President Mabel Boardman in 1917 from two leading women's philanthropic organizations of the day.

The windows cost a total of $10,000 when commissioned in 1917. Women of the North and South contributed equally to their purchase-an act of reconciliation and hope for a healing nation after the Civil War, and a tribute to Red Cross founder Clara Barton's heroic service to the injured on both sides during the conflict.

Visit redcross.org/tiffanycircle to learn more.