Women & Philanthropy Impact Award Content

Amy Brooks-Kayal Wins 2025 Women & Philanthropy Impact Award

Cody Kitaura — March 03, 2026 - 9:00am

Over the course of her accomplished career in academia and health care, Amy Brooks-Kayal has gone above and beyond to level the playing field in neurology.

On Feb. 20, Brooks-Kayal received the 2025 Women & Philanthropy Impact Award in recognition of her commitment to elevating others. The award ceremony was hosted by members of the Women & Philanthropy Advisory Council.

Sue Ebeler Wins 2024 Women & Philanthropy Impact Award

Anila Mary Lijo — March 11, 2025 - 3:11pm

For Sue Ebeler, M.S. ’85, Ph.D. ’93, the most rewarding part of her career isn’t the research awards or the international recognition — it’s the students whose lives she has changed.

As a professor of viticulture and enology and associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ebeler has spent more than 30 years at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis building a culture of belonging, mentorship and opportunity. Her leadership has empowered countless students — especially women — to find their place and thrive.

Engineering Professor Wins Women & Philanthropy Impact Award

Cody Kitaura — November 07, 2023 - 10:30am

At commencement, she congratulates every student by name — then they ask for a hug.

She spearheaded the drive to establish an undergraduate environmental engineering major at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis, knowing women are drawn to the field.

Professor Leigh Ann Simmons Wins 1st Women & Philanthropy Impact Award

Dave Jones — October 18, 2022 - 12:08am

The inaugural 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Women & Philanthropy Impact Award goes to Leigh Ann Simmons, professor and chair of the Department of Human Ecology, in recognition of her work in mentorship and leadership, and efforts on behalf of women’s health.