Women Who Rule Event Raises More Than $115,000 for Women United Transportation Fund
Friday, March 6th, 2026
United Way of the Coastal Empire hosted its sold-out Women Who Rule event, raising more than $115,000 and counting for the Women United Transportation Fund. The total reflects both generous event sponsorships and contributions made during the luncheon. Presented by Critz Auto Group, the event brought together 1,000 community members at the Savannah Convention Center to raise critical funds, honor the 2026 Woman of the Year and hear insights from a panel of local female leaders.
“When our community sees a challenge, we come together to solve it,” said Kimberly Waller, president and CEO of United Way of the Coastal Empire. “The Women United Transportation Fund is a powerful example of what’s possible when compassion turns into action, helping women and caregivers access the transportation they need to get to work, reach healthcare, and support their families.”
The Women United Transportation Fund supports women and caregivers across the region who need dependable transportation to maintain employment, attend medical appointments and care for their families. Contributions to the fund help provide gas cards, bus passes, minor car repairs and other transportation assistance.
The Women Who Rule Committee, chaired by Jennifer Ball, region operations coordinator for Georgia Power’s Southeast Region, helped drive early momentum by securing sponsorships and donations ahead of the event.
Panelists included Emily McCarthy, CEO of Emily McCarthy; Amy Pierce, co-owner of Coastal Care Partners; and Luella Sanders, AVP of Regional Community Engagement at VyStar Credit Union.
The event also honored local community leader Swann Seiler as the 2026 Woman of the Year. Seiler had a distinguished 42-year career in corporate communications and external affairs, serving Savannah Electric and Georgia Power until her retirement.
A 1978 graduate of the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism, Seiler made history as the first woman president of the University of Georgia National Alumni Association. She has served on multiple university boards, including the Grady College Board of Trust and the University of Georgia Athletic Association Board.
A dedicated civic leader, Seiler has chaired and served on boards for Telfair Museums, Senior Citizens Inc. and the Chatham-Effingham Regional Library System, among many others. She also served as campaign chair for United Way of the Coastal Empire from 1995 to 1996.
Seiler is a past president of the Junior League of Savannah and the Girl Scout Council of Savannah. She has received the Southern Company–UGA Distinguished Alumni Award and Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia’s Women of Distinction Award. Since retiring, she has supported her church’s Feeding the Hungry ministry and serves on the state board of the Georgia Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
The 2026 Women Who Rule luncheon was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, led by Critz Auto Group, presenting sponsor, and WSAV, premier partner. Gold sponsors include Colonial Group, Georgia Ports Authority, Gulfstream, Publix, and VyStar Credit Union, with additional support from silver sponsors Effingham Health System, Georgia Power, Savannah Technical College, Savannah Convention Center and Stage Front. Bronze sponsors include Advertising Specialty Services, BankSouth, Be Smart Home Solutions, Cecilia Russo Marketing, Glow Med Spa, Goodwill Industries, HunterMaclean, J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care Center, Manly Shipley, LLC., National Association of Women in Construction, Northwestern Mutual, Overcoming by Faith Ladies Ministry, Rhino Hospitality Group, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Savannah Magazine, Savannah Veterinary Emergency Services, SNF, SouthState Bank, Speros, St. Joseph’s/Candler, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard and Thomas & Hutton. Friends sponsors include Abshire Public Relations, AKA- M.A.R.T.H.A., Bouhan
