We recently connected with Lily Fox and have shared our conversation below.
Lily, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
Yes to both.
I do sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I had a regular job. I think about the structured work hours, predictable responsibilities, and consistent salary and benefits. But when I reflect on those things, I realize they don’t appeal to me the same way my current role does.
The truth is, I enjoy having a lot of responsibilities and the fast-paced, creative work that comes with leading a nonprofit. Yes, my hours are unstructured, my compensation is less stable, and the work can be unpredictable, but these challenges energize me. They make every success feel earned and meaningful, and I wouldn’t trade that for predictability.
Early on in my journey with Women’s WOW, I had moments of doubt. After the first year, I questioned whether it was time to pursue law school, a dream of mine, and follow a traditional career path I had envisioned. I even started thinking about stepping back from my role as Executive Director and transitioning leadership to someone else. But those thoughts left me with one foot in the nonprofit and one foot out, not fully committed. That wasn’t fair to me or Women’s WOW. I realized I didn’t want to give anything less than my full effort.
Law school is still a dream of mine and I know it will always be there when the time is right. But the opportunity to lead Women’s WOW and make an immediate impact is something I don’t want to let pass by. I’ve gained skills I never imagined, built relationships with inspiring people, and seen firsthand how we’re changing lives.
By creating a space where women in wheelchairs can connect, find support, have fun, and thrive, I’ve found fulfillment far beyond what I envisioned when we started. I know it’s okay to have moments of doubt or curiosity about other paths but I find joy in what I am doing and I have the privilege of making a real societal impact. I get to drive decisions, lead with purpose, and engage in conversations that matter. This role challenges and fulfills me in ways a “regular” job never could and I have the chance to contribute to something bigger than myself. This is where I want to be.
When people ask me when I’ll go to law school, my answer is: someday, but not now. Today I’m focused on growing Women’s WOW and maximizing its impact. I know there will come a day when someone else will be better suited to take this organization to the next level, and when that day comes, I’ll step aside grateful for all I’ve learned. For now, I’m fully committed to our mission, to my team, and to making a difference in every way I can. Until I’m no longer the best person to lead this organization, I will give it everything I have.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am the Executive Director of Women’s World On Wheels (Women’s WOW), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting women wheelchair users. My journey into this work began when my mom, Kelley Fox, attended a camp for women wheelchair users in 2018 with plans to take over and run it. That summer, I volunteered at the camp and was inspired by the transformative impact it had on the women participating. Unfortunately, before another camp could be held, the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down. With no similar women-specific groups for wheelchair users, the loss was felt on a deep level.
A few years later, while finishing my undergraduate degree, I asked my mom if she wanted to bring the camp back. She loved the idea but knew it wasn’t something she could do alone. With my passion for creating inclusive spaces and supporting women with disabilities, I offered to reinstate the nonprofit, rebrand it, and manage it if she could help with connections and fundraising. We started by reaching out to Karen Crumback, a dedicated volunteer from the previous camps with a strong background in nonprofit work, and Anna Aranda, who had been involved since the camp’s inception with her family’s unwavering support. Together, the four of us rebuilt the organization, expanded its mission, and created what Women’s World On Wheels is today.
Reinstating the organization wasn’t just about restarting a camp event, it was about restoring a space for women wheelchair users and building a network of support. Women’s WOW now offers a variety of services and programs, including online webinars, local events, and an annual multi-day summer camp. These activities focus on building confidence and creating a strong sense of community among participants.
The camp is still our signature event and what we are most known for. It’s a space where women can try new activities like adaptive sports, build lifelong friendships, and discover new strengths within themselves.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the transformative impact of these experiences, whether it’s someone pushing past a challenge they thought was impossible or finding a sense of belonging they didn’t know they were missing. Seeing lives change and knowing our work makes a real difference is incredibly rewarding.
What I want people to know about Women’s WOW is that it’s more than an organization, it’s a family. We’re here to build connections, provide resources, and advocate for women in wheelchairs to live their best lives. I also want people to know how much care and passion goes into everything we do, from the events we plan to the partnerships we build.
As for me, I’ve learned that adaptability, patience, and collaboration are key to success in this field. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible leaders in the nonprofit and adaptive space, which has allowed me to grow as a leader and work towards a larger vision for what Women’s WOW can achieve.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There have been several resources and people who have had a profound impact on my management and entrepreneurial thinking as the Executive Director of Women’s WOW. Each of these have shaped my approach to nonprofit leadership and have provided guidance for running an organization.
– Preventive Law for Business Professionals by Martin E. Segal has been incredibly influential in shaping my approach to leadership and managing the legal aspects of running a nonprofit. The book stresses the importance of identifying and addressing potential legal risks before they become major problems. This has helped me create the bylaws that Women’s WOW adheres to and stay in compliance with federal and state regulations. Overall, Preventive Law for Business Professionals has made me more proactive, thoughtful, and strategic in addressing potential legal issues, ensuring the nonprofit operates in a compliant and transparent way while remaining conscious of risks.
– BoardSource’s Exceptional Board Practices emphasizes the importance of strategic governance, clear roles, accountability, and mission alignment. As someone with no prior experience in running a nonprofit or business, it profoundly shaped my management approach. It taught me how to foster collaboration between board and staff, and prioritize long-term goals. One of my board members, Craig Pollitt, who introduced me to Exceptional Board Practices, has been a guiding force for me. With nearly four decades of diverse business experience, Craig’s thoughtful questions and unwavering support challenge me to lead with intention, face challenges directly, and continuously grow as an Executive Director.
– Kellie O’Keefe has profoundly influenced my management and entrepreneurial thinking. Her knowledge and expertise in the nonprofit sector, coupled with her genuine support and guidance, have been transformative. We meet regularly, and every conversation with her leaves me more equipped to handle the challenges of running Women’s WOW. I admire Kellie for telling me what I need to hear, even if it’s tough, because she’s also one of my biggest fans, always reminding me to celebrate successes and not just rush to the next task. She’s also been instrumental in helping me tackle challenges, offering thoughtful suggestions for navigating board meetings and other complexities of nonprofit management. Beyond professional guidance, she has helped me grow into a more confident, prepared, and intentional leader.
– LightHouse has built a collaborative social network that makes it easy for Denver nonprofits to develop strategic partnerships and share resources to enhance their impact and efficiency. Being part of this network has been incredibly helpful in expanding Women’s WOW’s reach and developing relationships with like-minded organizations.
– Lighthouse recently set up an event for nonprofit leaders in Denver to watch UnCharitable. The movie challenges several common beliefs about nonprofits, such as the misconception that nonprofits should spend as little as possible on operational costs, often leading to underinvestment in critical areas. It also addresses the stigma around competitive salaries and the reluctance to take risks or scale operations. This film made me reflect on how I believed some of these myths that limit organizations from reaching their full potential. Discussing these ideas with other leaders sparked creative strategies to bring awareness to the real needs of our sector. It reinforced the importance of investing in people, embracing innovation, and focusing on long-term impact.
– The Silicon Valley TV show—while a comedy about starting a tech company and problems arising at every turn—highlights leadership challenges, growing a business, and the importance of flexibility when facing setbacks. I didn’t expect to relate so much to the show, but the way the characters navigate team dynamics and high pressure decisions reminded me that I’m not alone in facing challenges. It has made me more patient, adaptable, and reinforced the importance of building relationships and never giving up.
These resources and people have helped me stay focused and continuously improve the effectiveness of Women’s WOW. I’m always trying to learn more and grow as a leader. While I don’t have all the answers, I feel more prepared and intentional as I continue to work towards larger goals.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building a social media audience for Women’s World On Wheels (Women’s WOW) was a strategic process that began before we officially launched the nonprofit. I started by building a presence on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, targeting female wheelchair users, their families, and supporters within Colorado, with plans to expand nationally. The campaign began during National Women’s Month to coincide with the launch of our website.
The main goals were to build awareness, create trust, and develop our brand. I focused on creating brand awareness by sharing the Women’s WOW story, showcasing upcoming events, and engaging with the audience through relevant content. I consistently posted about disability awareness, and community-building, using hashtags like #WomensWOW, #WomensWorldOnWheels , #Empowerment, #Nonprofit, and #Support to increase discoverability.
To grow our audience, I followed ideal users and interacted with their followers, asking questions and encouraging feedback. This helped create an online community and built trust, which led to a higher rate of engagement.
I also ran an audit of our social media performance after about two months to analyze what worked well and identify areas for improvement. This audit guided my content strategy, ensuring that I’m consistently delivering relevant and impactful messaging that resonates with our growing community.
My advice for those just starting: Be consistent, engage authentically with your followers, and stay true to your brand’s voice. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your audience. This will help shape the content and services you offer, creating a community that feels personally invested in your cause.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womenswow.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensworldonwheels/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womensworldonwheels
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womensworldonwheels/
Image Credits
Sara Hertwig
Mark Woolcott