About Us
Our Organization
Zonta Club of New York was chartered by Zonta International in May 1923 to champion its activities and advocacy in one of the most important cities in the world. It sits within District 3 in the Zonta International global structure.
Zonta International was founded by women pioneers in 1919 to empower women worldwide. It consists of 1,200 Zonta clubs that continually advocate to change laws, harmful cultural norms, and overall attitudes that have hindered gender equality and human rights for all.
Our Mission
Zonta is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Through programs, projects and actions, we build a better world by:
Improving women’s health and education
Ensuring women’s economic empowerment
Strengthening women’s representation in decision-making positions
Working to end violence against women.
Our Vision
Zonta envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, every woman is literate and has access to education, health care, and legal and economic resources; women represent themselves in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men.
In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence.
Our Name
“Zonta” means honest and trustworthy and is derived from Lakota (Teton Dakota), a language of the Native American Sioux peoples. Adopted in 1919, it symbolizes the combined qualities of honesty, trust, inspiration and the ability to work together for service and world understanding.
Our Activities
We participate in United Nations programs, advocate with local and state legislators on laws and policies aligned with Zonta’s mission, serve food to the needy at local community centers, provide support to local service agencies focusing on women, purchase and deliver holiday gifts to women and children in homeless shelters, and give scholarships and awards.
Our Members
Zontians are dynamic and distinguished executives and professionals in our communities. Members come from a diversity of occupations in both the private and public sectors, working in areas such as business, finance, education, government, health and science. Members of Zonta Club of New York have committed hundreds of hours of service and thousands of dollars to a wide range of women-focused community and international service projects.
Our Board
Zonta Club of New York Board of Directors (2022 - 2024)
Elisabeth Shuman
President
Elisabeth Shuman is an experienced Non-Profit executive with a special interest in education and global issues. She represents an education-focused NGO - CEI International - at the UN, serves on the advisory board of the NGO Committee on UNICEF, and as well as on the Executive Board of the Committee on Teaching About the United Nations (CTAUN) which supports educators in integrating knowledge about the UN and the Sustainable Development Goals.
An insatiable learner, Elisabeth is trying to master the art of bicycle repair and learning Japanese with, in her own words, limited success.
Dr. Tiffany Oloke, CNP, CPSM
Vice President
As a subject matter expert in supply chain, Tiffany is the Sourcing Lead at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where she sources and manages major categories of spend. Prior to her current role, she served as Advisor Strategic Sourcing for Save the Children Federation, where she led major procurement processes, demand planning, contract negotiations, vendor relations, internal controls, and Optimizing cost-saving opportunities.
As a Board member (Treasurer) of Zonta club of New York for years, and currently serving as the Vice-President, she wields a huge ‘megaphone’ in communicating the vision and mission of this auspicious organization which she believes brings a salutary platform in representation of and advocacy for women and girls around the world.
A mother of two wonderful children. She holds a Doctorate degree in International Business from the International School of business, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Massachusetts and a bachelor’s degree in Economics. .
Pamela Garvin
Treasurer
Pamela is a retired tax attorney originally from California, and she has claimed NYC her home for the past 8 years. She brings to Zonta her leadership and experience from serving on the Boards of a multitude of non-profits such as the Ventura County Community Foundation, Foundation for Diversity in the Arts, the Conejo Schools Foundation and most recently the US For Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education. Pamela has always been an advocate for human rights and has been especially focused on helping women. She has counseled women on their estate and gift-giving plans, as well as assisting them in establishing businesses, and partnerships.
Pamela had her own legal practice for over 30 years, was on the Small Business Council, and a sought-after speaker in her specialized field of pensions and benefits. Pamela is a strong supporter of Zonta and its missions. She looks forward to seeing the NYC club thrive and grow under the superb leadership of the Board and amazing team of Zonta women.
Victoria Pilotti
Secretary
Victoria Pilotti, Ed.D. joined Zonta Club of NY in May 2020. She is a former member and Board member of Zonta Club of Greater Queens since 2007. Victoria is the Chair of the Anti-Trafficking Committee of the Brooklyn-Queens Chapter of National Organization for Women (BQNOW).
As past volunteer President of Center for the Women of New York, Victoria spearheaded programs and services for women’s empowerment to support their economic, emotional, health and legal challenges. As past volunteer President of the Toast of Queens public speaking chapter of Toastmasters International, she inspired members to achieve their speaking and leadership goals.
Victoria is a former New York City public high school English-as-a-second language teacher, mentor, adult education ESL teacher and graduate school of education adjunct professor.
Dr. Pilotti has joined the Advocacy Committee of the Zonta Club of NY and aspires to bring about change through awareness on key issues that impact women locally, nationally and globally in collaboration with fellow Zontians.
Tebbie Clift
Director
Born and raised in Texas, I brought my strong southern roots to the Big Apple in 1990. With a Ms. ED., I’ve enjoyed a long career in the Cooperative Extension Service, with Texas A&M Univ, and now Cornell University.
My mission is to empower educators learn, grow, and become successful in their professional and personal lives. I also serve as a co-head usher at my church and have been an active Zonta member over 35 years. As a former ZI International Director and many years of leadership, I am passionate about giving back and empowering others to be involved in Zonta.