The board of directors of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation has named Sandy Cowen executive director of the Arizona-based non-profit organization. This appointment followed a five-month regional search, led by board members Anne Mariucci and Kathy Munro. Cowen will be responsible for managing foundation operations and development, and for the oversight of The Jewell McFarland Lewis Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center in Phoenix.

“Sandy’s history of contributions to Fresh Start, coupled with her community service and dedication to improving women’s lives, makes her a natural choice for this position,” said Barbara Hoffnagle, Fresh Start board chair. “We are fortunate that Sandy is willing to step away from her successful marketing-communications consulting career to help Fresh Start move to the next phase of its development.”

Cowen will continue as interim executive director of the foundation until June 1, when she assumes the permanent post. Her interim role began in December 2003, after Sandra Duke-Lowe gave up the position last October to pursue other opportunities. Pat Petznick, Fresh Start president and co-founder, and Hoffnagle took the helm after Duke-Lowe resigned.

The newly appointed executive director is a founding board member of Fresh Start, and was the organization’s first chair from 1995 to ‘97. Cowen was later instrumental in developing Fresh Start’s mentoring program. In 1999, she was named co-chair of the Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center, taking on the responsibility of program and operational development for the center, which opened in October 2002.

Cowen’s additional contributions to women’s services in the Valley includes board membership and two chairmanships with Arizona Women’s Employment and Education (AWEE), service on the Mayor’s Council on Domestic Violence in 1998 and ‘99, and the initiation of the Valley’s first formal research survey on domestic violence. Other board involvement includes positions with the Gladys Taylor McGarey Medical Foundation, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Samaritan Charitable Trust, Samaritan Health Services, Arizona Women’s Forum, Charter 100 and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, along with serving five years on the Arizona State Lottery Commission.

Fresh Start, established in 1992, is dedicated to supporting women in need, seeking self-sufficiency. The foundation accomplishes this goal by providing services that address the unmet needs of women, through six primary services offered at The Jewell McFarland Lewis Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center. In its first year of operation, nearly 20,000 visits were logged at the 22,500-square-foot facility.

Our Founders ­ Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart

Even as young teens, Pat and Beverly wanted to help women, who like their grandmother, suddenly became the whole support of their families. Over the years, the Arizona natives became ardent community activists on behalf of women. In 1992, Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart were in a position to personally and professionally reach out to women in need. The initial offering was a day of pampering at Rolf’s Salon, then co-owned by Pat, Beverly and Rolf Lohse. The women theorized that a new hair style and personalized make-up were immediate ways to boost one’s confidence and increase self-esteem. Each month 20 women from shelters and social service agencies were invited to “A Fresh Start Day of Beauty at Rolf’s.” This core Fresh Start service remains in place today through Rolf’s Salon as well as through the Self-Esteem Room at the Foundation’s Women’s Resource center.

Board of Directors Chairs

1995  Sandy Cowen Miller ( 2 terms)

1997  Barbara Ralston (3 terms)

2000  Marlene Klotz Collins (2 terms)

2002  Michelle Kerrick (1 term)

2003  Barbara Hoffnagle (2 terms)

2005  Mary Upchurch (2 terms)

2007 Becky Jackson (current)