Inside Boston Women Rising: A Conversation with Leader Michaele Morrow Esdale

Leader of the Boston Women Rising Giving Circle

From volunteering with Room to Grow to running a 10K for Dignity Matters, Inc., Michaele Morrow Esdale is committed to strengthening her community. Through Boston Women Rising, she has helped direct more than $115,000 to local nonprofits, including Transition House and BUILD Boston. Get to know Michaele and how her leadership is shaping the impact of this Giving Circle across Boston.

Get to Know Michaele Morrow Esdale

Dr. Michaele Morrow Esdale, CPA, CFT, founded Fintuition Advising, LLC in 2023 after a career spanning academia, finance, and technology. She brings more than 25 years of experience in accounting and tax advisory, including nearly two decades teaching at Northeastern University, Suffolk University, and Merrimack College, where she also led student advising and career development initiatives.

Alongside her academic work, Michaele served as a national tax instructor for PwC and KPMG and directed a Boston-based free tax preparation center for more than a decade, helping low-income taxpayers and international students file thousands of returns. Inspired by her work counseling students and clients, she later became a Certified Financial Therapist, integrating financial well-being into her practice.

A strong advocate for women and community impact, Michaele serves as President of Boston Women Rising, a Giving Circle that has distributed more than $100,000 to Massachusetts nonprofits in three years, and as Treasurer of Transition House in Cambridge. She also volunteers with Women’s Money Matters and ran the Boston 10K for Women in 2025 to support Dignity Matters, Inc. Below, Michaele shares more about her journey and what drew her to collaborative philanthropy.

Q & A with Michaele Morrow Esdale

What inspired you to join a Giving Circle?

Michaele: I received an email about a new women's group that had just been established as a Giving Circle. I had previously had colleagues involved in Giving Circles and I loved the idea that individual contributions, when pooled thoughtfully, could create meaningful, tangible impact while also fostering connection and shared learning among members. I had just left academia and was searching for a new circle of women to network with, so the timing was perfect.

What has been the most meaningful part of your Giving Circle experience?

Michaele: Seeing the profound impact a group of women can have on so many organizations. In just three years, we have raised approximately $115,000 and supported close to 40 organizations. Of course, while the main focus is about funding nonprofits, it’s about building a community of women who care deeply about impact, equity, and supporting one another as leaders and changemakers, and as friends.

What made you want to become a leader?

Michaele: I could say that I stepped into leadership because I saw both a need and an opportunity, to create a space where women could learn about effective giving, amplify causes they care about, and experience the power of collective decision-making, and this is what usually happens when I join a group! But the real circumstance? I was one of the first members and I was good at running meetings! Then, I missed a strategic planning meeting and the other board members asked me to be in charge.

How has being part of a Giving Circle changed the way you think about philanthropy or giving back?

Michaele: I am continually encouraged and uplifted when we come together for our quarterly Gather & Grant—seeing the passion that my fellow members have for similar causes reminds me that there is a lot of good in the world, even when we see so much bad. It really feels like we are doing grassroots work, helping the nonprofits who help our communities, and what we are doing makes a difference. For our Giving Circle, we have so many folks that go on to become involved in volunteering with the organizations as well as joining their boards and fundraising.

Do you have a memorable moment or impact story from your Giving Circle?

Michaele: Every Gather & Grant is memorable, primarily because the nonprofit leaders always speak so articulately and passionately about their work, and often expose us to organizations or work we have never heard of. For me, though, it was in the summer of 2023 when Transition House, Inc., was nominated to speak.

Transition House supports survivors of domestic violence, and they are the oldest domestic violence organization on the east coast (celebrating 50 years this year). The director who spoke was incredible, there wasn't a dry eye in the room when she finished. I decided to join their board shortly thereafter, where I am now the Treasurer. This work is deeply meaningful to me as I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence, and I would have never found Transition House without our Giving Circle.

I am also involved with other organizations I met through our Giving Circle, including Women's Money Matters and BUILD, helping them out with tax content for their educational programming, and I ran a 10k to raise money for Dignity Matters, Inc.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining a Giving Circle?

Michaele: Just do it. You will meet like-minded people and find a nonprofit you are passionate about.

Connect, contribute, and create lasting impact with a Giving Circle.

Joining a Giving Circle is about more than donating, it’s about connecting with like-minded people, learning together, and seeing your contributions create real, tangible impact. When individual gifts are pooled thoughtfully, even small contributions can support incredible organizations and causes. You’ll have the chance to hear directly from nonprofit leaders, discover work you may never have known about, and get involved in ways that truly matter. Being part of a Giving Circle also builds community, friendship, and leadership skills along the way. Take the leap and experience the impact of collaborative giving for yourself.