Dr. Maya Reddi: Creating a Legacy for Empowering Women

Pictured above: FCCF Board Member Dr. Maya Reddi (left) with keynote guest Misty Copeland at the Fund for Women & Girls 2023 Luncheon. Through a legacy gift to FCCF, Dr. Reddi is continuing a lifelong commitment to empowering women and girls to thrive.

Growing up within a conservative society with set norms and gender roles, Dr. Maya Reddi wasn’t afraid to break away from traditions and take a stand.

Influenced by her parents, she was aware from a young age of the injustices in society and committed to fighting on behalf of women and girls.

As a volunteer (during graduate studies) she helped young girls who were forced into prostitution in Mumbai’s Red Light District.

“These girls were as young as 13 and were duped into believing that they would become stars and earn lots of money,” Dr. Reddi said. “We would rescue them and provide support to them.”

Such experiences planted the seed for a lifelong commitment to helping others — a commitment that has followed her to the U.S. and through a successful career that has included roles at Novartis and Hewlett Packard.

She was also one of the founding faculty members of Berkeley College’s School of Graduate Studies.

During a sabbatical semester of her teaching career, she spent four months training women entrepreneurs to set up their small businesses in remote villages in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

By joining Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Future Society through her pledge of a legacy gift, Dr. Reddi’s commitment to supporting generations of women and girls will carry on well into the future.

Now retired and living in Greenwich, Dr. Reddi also supports Fairfield County through volunteer activities — including serving on the Foundation’s board, and Steering Committee for the Fund for Women & Girls.

Philanthropy, Your Way
We will work one-on-one to help you meet your philanthropic goals, enjoy tax benefits, and maximize your impact. Contact us today, and start exploring options for charitable giving in Fairfield County and beyond. To set up an initial call or meeting, contact VP of Philanthropy Joseph Collin at JCollin@FCCFoundation.org.