WIC Biography - Yolanda Walther-Meade

Yolanda Walther-Meade

Yolanda Walther-Meade is an active philanthropist and community catalyst in both the Tijuana and San Diego communities. She sits on the board of the University of San Diego (USD) since 1989, is board member at the International Community Foundation, since 1996, and member of the Board of Governors of The University Club, since 2001. She is on the Advisory Board of The Mainly Mozart Festival since 1994 and the Center for US-Mexican Studies at UCSD since 1997. She is a trustee at the Children’s Hospital of San Diego, since June 2004. Yolanda is also Vice President and Founder of the Fundación Internacional de la Comunidad, AC since 2000, the first community foundation in Baja California, a board member of the Club de Niños y Niñas, AC. (First Boys and Girls Club being built in Latin America- Tijuana) since 2003, Vice President of Special Events and member of ARCS (Achievement, Rewards for College Scientists) since 1992 , San Diego Natural History Museum since 2006 and is a Lady of the Order of The Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem since 1990. In the past,she was President and Founder of the Ladies of Charity, San Diego Chapter (1983) (now the Ladies Guild for St. Vincent de Paul Village), as well as National Vice President in the US., she has served on the Boards of the Mercy Hospital Foundation (1988-1994), The Burnham Institute (1996-2002), Francis Parker School Mother’s Club (1987-89), L.E.A.D San Diego, (Leadership, Education, Awareness, Development) (1993-1995). The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (1997-2003) and on the Advisory Board of the San Diego Opera (1990-1993).

The first Binational organizational meeting in Tijuana for the Planning for Prosperity Fund (sponsored by The Dialogue-Union Tribune) was held in her Tijuana home. In 1988, she chaired the first fundraiser at the Cultural Center to benefit Mother Teresa’s Home in Tijuana;, and co-organized Esperanza’s Foundation 1989 first fundraiser in Tijuana, honoring her late husband Jorge; Yolanda also started the yearly seminar for LEAD in Tijuana in 1992.

Because of her extensive civic involvement, Ms. Walther-Meade’s efforts have been recognized by numerous organizations, including being named 1989 Women of Dedication by the Salvation Army Auxiliary, 1992 Women in Leadership and 1995 Women in Volunteerism by Country Friends. She was named 1994 Sustainer of the Year by the Junior League of San Diego. I In 2004, received the Outstanding Development Volunteer Award on National Philantropy Day given by (AFP) Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Community Leadership Award from Project Concern International and the San Diego/Tijuana Citizen of the Year, given for the first time by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Mexico Business Center . She was honored with her family, as the Yolanda Walther-Meade 2006 Legacy by the American Heart Association and is going to receive the Living Legacy Award by the Women International Center, in May 2006.

Ms. Walther-Meade has served as Chairwoman of the 1991 Mission San Diego de Alcalá Ball , 1993 San Diego Opera/José Carreras Dinner, 1994 San Diego Opera Gala , The Mercy Ball 1993, National Charity League Fashion Show 1997 , St. Vincent de Paul Village Annual Dinner 1997, 1998 Co-Chair of the Kick-Off marking the 100th Year for the American Red Cross and Co-Chair of the Athenaeum Annual Event celebrating México. Three consecutive years (1999, 2000, 2001) she chaired the Philanthropist of the Year Event in Tijuana.

With her daughter Yolanda S., she has served as Co-Chair of the Dos Aguilas/Two Eagles Binational Gala for the San Diego Natural History Museum in 2002, 2003, 2004 and once more in 2006, as well as for Saks Fifth Avenue and UCSD Cancer Center’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, San Diego Museum of Art and Tiffany and Co.’s , Sherry Tea for Art Alive 2001 and the International Community Foundation Gala in 2002.

Ms. Walther-Meade is the mother of five accomplished adults on their own right and grandmother of five.