Women & Philanthropy Impact Award Content

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 UC 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 UC 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 UC 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.