Tina Charles, CW Advisors pledge $20K to AED charity

Tina Charles and Boston-based CW Advisors announced on Friday a partnership that includes a $20,000 donation to Hopey’s Heart Foundation to fund automated external defibrillators at schools, community centers and recreation facilities across the United States. The pledge is described by the firms as an initial commitment to the foundation’s ongoing AED deployment program.

Hopey’s Heart was founded by Charles in honor of her late aunt, Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, who died in 2013 of multiple organ heart failure. Before her death, Vaz made a private contribution of $14,775 that enabled the purchase of 10 AED units for schools, according to the foundation. The group also commemorates Wes Leonard, a student-athlete who died of sudden cardiac arrest at a site without an on‑site AED.

Since its launch, Hopey’s Heart has placed more than 500 AEDs in locations across the U.S. The foundation reports one life saved using one of its devices. Charles, who retired from the WNBA in May 2026 after a career that included two NCAA championships at UConn, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft and three Olympic gold medals, framed the work as part of her post‑playing priorities. “The foundation was created to honor my aunt by helping save lives and strengthen communities,” Charles said in the partnership statement.

CW Advisors manages about $17.5 billion in assets and serves clients that include women, athletes, business owners and multigenerational families. The firm described the $20,000 pledge as a starting point and indicated it may expand support for Hopey’s Heart in future joint efforts. Nelly Xavier, a managing director at CW Advisors, wrote that women are directing an increasing share of wealth and that impact is central to how the firm advises clients.

Scott Dell’Orfano, CW Advisors’ CEO, said the firm expects organizations already structured to serve women and families will be positioned to meet changing client needs as women assume larger roles in business and philanthropy. Industry estimates project an $84 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer by 2045, with more than half expected to be inherited by women; advisers and firms cite that shift as a factor in expanding philanthropic and legacy planning services.

Representatives for Hopey’s Heart and CW Advisors said the $20,000 will be used to purchase and place additional AEDs and that they will continue discussions about further collaboration and outreach.