The Family Business of Philanthropy: Meet WGSD member Kelly Weaver

I had the pleasure of speaking with one of our newest members, Kelly Weaver. After hearing her story, it is not surprising that she ended up joining Women Give San Diego. She grew up working in her family’s insurance business and giving back through her family’s philanthropy.

Raised in the Los Angeles area, Kelly was born into an insurance family. Her grandfather founded a privately owned insurance brokerage in 1959, and her parents have since taken over ownership. Kelly grew up working part time for the family business until moving to San Diego to complete her education. In 2007, Kelly joined Cavignac & Associates where she now specializes in risk management and insurance for nonprofits and companies in the sports industry.

Growing up, Ms. Weaver began her philanthropic work as a freshman in high school when she traveled to Thailand on her first short-term mission trip with her church. In partnership with the Integrated Tribal Development Program the group built water filtration systems in order to provide clean, running water to people who were living in the most remote parts of the country.

“It puts things in perspective when you get to see how other people live. Before we built these systems, it would take individuals a full day walk to obtain water that was dirty. And despite the overwhelming poverty, the people are so positive.”

Two years later, Kelly returned to Thailand with her father and sister. Shortly thereafter, her family started a foundation, Next Level Missions, to support this work in Thailand. Kelly has been giving back ever since and travels to Thailand on mission trips every couple of years.

I had the personal pleasure of introducing Kelly to WGSD at the BY3 Membership Recruitment event.

“Attending the event, I was pinching myself because everyone was so genuine and willing to help a great cause locally. You could feel the energy in the room. The founders inspired me because they have already done so much and now they have started Women Give.”

She became a member that night and has quickly become involved by joining the education and membership committees. Every meeting she goes to, she learns more on ways to give back. She admitted to me that her friends have nicknamed her “K-Vite” in reference to E-vite because she loves getting groups of people together. I imagine that we are going to see great things from this new member and Women Give will be able to tap into her skills and passion for philanthropy.