Wendy Wiederhold

Wendy Wiederhold has volunteered for True North of Columbia for the last eight years and has been on the board of directors since 2018, serving as the vice president since June 2019. 

“I am motivated to serve and give back because I believe that everyone deserves to have a happy and fulfilling life,” Wiederhold explains. “I have been fortunate in my own life, and I want to use my time and talents to help others who may not be so fortunate.” 

Wiederhold has dedicated much of her professional and personal life to advocating and raising awareness for True North’s mission, most recently serving as the keynote speaker at the Men as Allies and Little Black Dress fundraisers, ending her own silence and sharing personal stories. 

“Both times I spoke, I was able to immediately witness the impact on others, our community, and in my own healing,” she adds. “It is my passion to continue to educate, break through the misconceptions, and equip our community with the resources and steps we each need to take to make a difference.” 

Dr. Ashley Emel, honored as the most impactful board member for Impact COMO 2022 — also representing True North — says Wiederhold’s dedication and knowledge “has undoubtedly contributed to the betterment of True North of Columbia. Her focus on addressing sexual assault on campus and her willingness to go above and beyond to support the organization’s objectives make her an asset to the board and to the community she serves.” 

Emel continues, “With Wendy’s active involvement and commitment, True North of Columbia is better equipped to fulfill its mission of supporting victims and fostering a safer environment for everyone.” 

Wiederhold praises the strong leadership throughout Columbia and wants to ensure work is done to continue strengthening diversity, inclusivity, and empathy. 

“It is my hope that we can continue to learn from the input of many and not just of the few,” she says. “By creating community programs that understand our differences, and providing support for underrepresented groups, we can build strategic bonds among community members and ensure that every individual feels valued and heard.”