bios

Whitney is the visionary Founder of Girls For A Change. Her inspiration for Girls For A Change springs from nearly a decade of experience in the leadership of innovative and progressive programs for girls and women. Her experience working with girls in juvenile detention and group homes has shaped her vision for a different world for girls and women. Envisioned as a highly collaborative and community-based model, Girls for a Change evolved out of Whitney’s work as the Chair of the Girls Coalition. In this role Whitney developed a powerful collaboration of over 75 community based organizations, legislators and individuals serving girls in Santa Clara Country. She has been honored by the Commission on the Status of Women and featured as one of ’s leading change agents. She was recently selected to attend Harvard Business School’s Nonprofit Strategic Management Program and awarded a scholarship to Hewlett Packard’s Leadership Initiative Program.

Prior to joining the GFC staff full time, she was the Director of the Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Advocacy (OWA). Since 1989 OWA has identified current and emerging trends and needs for women and girls, influenced the local and state legislative process and created public awareness about women’s and girl’s issues. Whitney was Program Director at Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County where she managed programs and services for 18,000 young women. A fearless social change agent and innovator, Whitney began her career in college where she initiated and developed the first Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) student support group and LGBT Faculty Allies group in the Pennsylvania State University system.

Whitney is skilled at creating strong and strategic organizations with deep community support. She shares her experience with other organizations as an active consultant in the areas of program development, nonprofit organizational development, fund development and outcomes evaluation. She is an artist and photographer. A tireless advocate for social justice and the unlimited potential of girls and women, Whitney speaks frequently to diverse audiences on social change, youth activism, and girls and women in leadership, including presentations at Simmons School of Management, The Women’s Leadership Alliance, Mills College, Arizona Foundation for Women, Women’s Fund, DeAnza College, and The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs.

contact
whitney@girlsforachange.org
408.529.7226

Annie Yaniga is the Executive Assistant to Whitney Smith, CEO and Founder. Annie is responsible for CEO communications and scheduling, the management of our Santa Cruz office, our Social Media communications, website maintenance and development, grant-writing, and various other aspects of daily business. She comes to us from Chicago, Illinois where she worked as a Research Assistant at her Alma Mater, The University of Chicago.  Annie’s research for The Language Development Project supplied video data from 6 and 7 year-old children around the country pertaining to the human acquisition and development of language.  Annie has also spent time in the business world as a management trainee at McMaster-Carr Supply Company, where she acquired many of the skills that help us keep Girls For A Change running smoothly.  Annie was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, West Africa where she worked and lived in a small village with the goal of improving the lives and power of all people, but especially women and girls. Annie has a long-running passion for youth development, specifically girls’ empowerment, evidenced by her experience as a Girl Scout Counselor, mentor, tutor, and coach.  Annie currently resides in Santa Cruz with her partner Leifa and two kittens, Pumpkin and Pancake. She loves being active outdoors whenever she's not busy being a couch potato or working for the cause of girls empowerment.

contact
annie@girlsforachange.org
408.206.0420

Carrie is currently GFC's National Program Director. She started as Silicon Valley Program Director collaborating with more than 75 schools in the Bay Area and recruiting more than 3,000 young women for the program starting from 2002-2006. She has since expanded the program to 7 new cities in the US and spearheaded the first international programming in 2009. New sites include New York City, Toledo, Washington DC, Richmond, VA, El Salvador and Nigeria. She has delivered the message of Girls For A Change in hundreds of classrooms throughout the country. She has also been a panelist and presenter at conferences including Boston's Conference for Women, National Mentoring Conference, Health Initiatives for Youth, Indian Business and Professional Women, the Latina Leadership Conference, Girl Day and the Young Women’s Health Conference. She has been a featured workshop presenter at the People to People Young Women's Leadership Conference in New York City in 2008 and 2009.

Carrie has recruited and trained more than 400 women volunteer coaches and managed more than 250 Girl Action Teams as a GFC Program Director. She also developed the GFC Coach Toolbox and Girl Manual and more recently, GFC's Change Your World Action Kit and Make a Powerful Difference Kit. Carrie was a member of the California Women's Foundation Advisory Committee on Youth, Media and Social Change and was selected for the Women Leaders for the World program at Santa Clara University for Summer 2008. She also completed the Bank of America Emerging Leader training program in 2007, Youth Leadership Institute’s Rising Leaders Fellowship in 2006 and served on the Advisory Board of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network in 2004.

Carrie began working in girl programming at the Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County where she started six new sports programs for girls of all ages and also provided support and guidance to teenage girls for the Girl Scout Gold Award. Carrie also spent two years in national service as part of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. In this program, Carrie served as a corps member completing projects across the Western United States including urban rehabilitation and tutoring adult immigrants in English. She also led a team of 18-24 year olds in her Team Leader year through seven projects including, tutoring elementary schools students and trail building. In addition to her work at GFC, Carrie continues to be engaged in AmeriCorps. She is active in the Bay Area Alumni Network and with her training partner, Carrie delivers the Cultural and Human Diversity Training for more than Team Leaders and Corps Members at NCCC campuses throughout the country. She also creates and delivers trainings on a variety of topics as well as consults for other non profits, through Collective Action Training.

Carrie has also worked as an instructor with the Princeton Review, teaching math, reading and writing to urban fourth graders in Boston, MA. In addition, she helped coordinate the annual Walk For Hunger event attended by 40,000 people and recruitment efforts for the Ride for Hunger in Boston, MA. She has also worked as a sports writer for newspapers, magazines and online services such as the Daily Oklahoman, USA Today Online and Hockey Magazine. She is a graduate of Michigan State University.

contact
carrie@girlsforachange.org
408.515.8148

Linda is GFC’s Chief Partnership Officer, responsible for developing, nurturing, and sustaining corporate partnerships.  Linda brings a unique blend of corporate and non-profit experience to GFC; she founded M3iworks, her web design & development company over 28 years ago, and has been a community advocate and non-profit volunteer for decades as well. Linda’s strong ties with the business community include:
•    Board member, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
•    Downtown San Jose Rotary Club
•    NAWBO (National Association of Business Owners) Silicon Valley
•    Co-founder NAWBO Central Coast Chapter (soon-to-be-launched)
•    Steering committee member of the Santa Cruz Chamber’s Women in Business Leadership Forum
•    Women’s High-Tech Coalition, Silicon Valley Chapter
•    Senior fellow, American Leadership Forum, Silicon Valley Chapter
•    Forum for Women Entrepreneurs & Executives

Linda’s non-profit experience includes:
•    Girl Scout leadership
•    Public & private school volunteerism
•    Board membership at Sacred Heart Community Service
•    International service in Ghana (PolioPlus) and Guatemala (Cleft Lip & Palate surgery missions)
•    Founding member of United Way’s Women Leading Change
•    YWCA advisory board member

Linda is thrilled to blend her passion for empowering women and girls with her business acumen and connections, and is committed to expanding corporate support for GFC.  She is proud mom of adult “kids” Arlin & Scott Gold, and is an active golfer, hiker, traveler, and community volunteer. She also loves to cook, read, connect with friends, meet new people, and be an advocate for those learning to find their voice, particularly women and girls. Linda is ecstatic to be a part of Girls For A Change.

contact
linda@girlsforachange.org

As the Silicon Valley Program Associate, Niki is responsible for delivering Change Your World trainings to Community Action Teams in the Silicon Valley.  She will also assist in Girl Action Team management, volunteer trainings, as well as cultivating and maintaining relationships with community partners.

While in college earning her B.A. in Community Studies with a focus on Youth Studies from UC Santa Cruz, Niki worked and volunteered for several different social justice and community development organizations. As part of an independent study project she was part of a team of students that created an after school media education program supported by the Santa Cruz County Board of Education for at risk and homeless youth entitled MS3.  She was also an intern at the Homeless Garden Project (HGP) where she taught youth about organic and sustainable farming and the benefits of healthy eating.  She mentored for and was the Mentor Coordinator for the Youth Empowering Youth program that connected college students with local high school students to create social documentaries about issues in their communities.

Working in the social justice field and with a youth focused organization is something Niki is extremely passionate about.  She wants girls to develop a sense of self based on their intelligence, abilities, and own desired criteria rather than ones created for them by society. She finds happiness in running, playing roller derby, fire dancing and traveling. Niki feels extremely privileged to be a part of GFC and in the company of such vibrant, accomplished and passionate women and girls.

Ashley has been a volunteer and/or part time staff with GFC over the last 4 years. She began working full time as the Operations and Program Assistant in May of 2006 and is now working as the Silicon Valley Program Director. Ashley infuses a strong sense of social justice and creativity to her work at GFC because of her background as an artist and activist. Ashley moved from Pennsylvania to California in 1999. She graduated from the California College of the Arts and Crafts in 2004 with an M.F.A. in Sculpture. Previously working with collaborative partner, she has worked on many pieces and projects around taking action for social change. The worked ranged from gallery installation to performance art.

One of the projects called “Soup Cart” was performed in on the biggest shopping day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving, known as “Black Friday." The atmosphere includes long lines to enter stores and heavy traffic. With a steel, three -wheeled, hand-constructed soup cart Ashley and her partners served lunch to anyone that wanted to eat - from the homeless to big holiday spenders in fur coats. They served a hearty home-made Persian soup in hand made ceramic bowls with a peace sign carved into the bottom of the bowl. The bowls were given away with the soup with the goal of encouraging connection. In turn, the artists, were gifted by the people they encountered with smiles, tears of joy, love, human connection, stories and immeasurable thanks.

contact
ashley@girlsforachange.org
408.529.9304

Meghan is the Western Regional Program Director.  She is located in Phoenix, AZ. Meghan is overseeing the management of more than 40 Girl Action Teams, 80 Girl Action Team Coaches, and collaborating with more than  50 schools and organizations throughout Arizona and the Bay Area in California.

Prior to moving to Phoenix, Meghan lived in Grand Rapids, MI. She worked as the Marketing Coordinator for Bethany Christian Services, the largest national adoption and family services agency in the United States. She was responsible for consulting with over 70 branch offices on marketing projects, goals, and execution. She also volunteered as an after-hours pregnancy counselor at Bethany. She consulted young women facing untimely pregnancies, answered questions about their options, and connection them to resources in their communities. Meghan was also a proud volunteer and mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters. She spent time meeting with her little sister, working on self-esteem, family matters, school, and having fun.

Prior to working in Grand Rapids, Meghan worked at the Lansing Housing Commission, Section 8 Department. She worked with low-income housing resident, helping program participants secure housing and understand federal housing rules and regulations. In 2003, Meghan traveled to India where she spent time studying in New Delhi at Lady Irwin College. Upon completing her studies, she participated in an internship with INHERE, a nongovernmental organization working in the foothills of the Himalayas. She spent her days working and studying the women’s self-help groups, focusing on income generation and micro-loan programs. Meghan graduated from James Madison College, a public policy college at Michigan State University. She has a degree in International Relations and Social Policy. During her years in college, Meghan also worked as an Urban Program Coordinator for the Boy Scouts of America. She coordinated summer scouting programs for boys living in economically and socially depressed areas of the city.

contact
meghan@girlsforachange.org
602.680.8182

Lori Fitzmaurice is the Chief Development Officer, responsible for development and oversight of all fundraising activities within the organization.  Lori brings over 20 years of management and development experience to her role.  Most recently the Director of Development at Keys School, a growing independent school in Palo Alto, Lori also served as Director of Fundraising Events for the San Francisco Zoological Society, and Director of Development for The Center for Grieving Children, the first children’s grief support program on the East Coast.  As a Senior Director at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. she honed her project management skills across myriad disciplines, including marketing, strategic planning, customer service, and information systems. While at Schwab, she also managed the Boston and Lexington, Massachusetts offices as Vice President and Branch Manager.  Also an entrepreneur, Lori created and managed her own yacht refinishing business in Florida and Maine.  Raised in California, Lori has spent many years living along the East Coast, and now is based in Santa Cruz, California.  She is proud mom to Caitlin Rose, and is an active sprint triathlete, avid writer, philanthropist, and loves to travel, cook, and sing.  She is passionate about the empowerment of our children, most notably girls, and is honored to be a part of Girls For A Change.

contact
lori@girlsforachange.org
408.5291298

As the National Operations Director, Elise manages the financial, accounting, human resources, and facilities activities for GFC. She is very excited to put her extensive professional business experience from the corporate world to work supporting the Program and Development staff Girl participants, volunteers and donors. In her corporate life, Elise was the Vice President of Finance and Administration for an international water purification company and the General Manager for a Palo Alto based water service company. Elise also brings two unique academic perspectives to GFC. She has recently been appointed to the position of Board Member for the Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Education. Additionally, Elise worked for 3 years as a full-time substitute teacher for Santa Clara Unified School District with primary focus in middle school and special education classrooms. Her hands-on experience as a classroom teacher helped Elise recognize her true passion – youth development.

Elise has been married to her husband for 23 years and is the proud mother of two teenage sons, ages 15 and 17. While home full-time during her sons' elementary school years, Elise was an active community volunteer and coordinator. She was a member of the Santa Clara Las Madres group, Little League coach and manager, elementary school volleyball coach, Cub Scout Leader, and active participant in the Santa Clara Historical Home Tour program. Especially focused on enhancing the public school opportunities in her home school district, Elise has served continuously on both unit and council level PTA organizations as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Auditor, and Parliamentarian. She has twice been recognized as an outstanding school volunteer during the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) Public School Week Awards (1997 and 2005) and received the SCUSD Board of Trustees Certificate of Recognition in 2004. Community involvement continues to be a high priority for Elise which she pursues through her role as Popcorn Kernel (popcorn sales fundraiser leader) for the Pioneer District of the Santa Clara County Council of the Boy Scouts, Treasurer for the Santa Clara High School PTSA and Auditor for Santa Clara Unified School District Council PTA.

Elise earned her Bachelor of Science and Commerce degree in Marketing and her Masters in Business Administration with emphasis in Finance and Management from Santa Clara University.

contact
elise@girlsforachange.org
408.529.4619

The following are current members of the Girls For A Change Board of Directors. The Board meets every other month from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Palo Alto. The Board consists of adult and girl members. Girl members have voting power on the board and 2 girls must be present for quorum.

Deborah Ludewig
Board Chair
DJL Corporate Law

Anita Manwani
Board Secretary
Founder and CEO, Carobar Business Solutions

Michelle Swenson
Board Treasurer
Chief Marketing Officer, Corefino Inc.

Priyanka B.
Girl Member

Onagh Ash
CEO, Exigen Elite

Caroline Burruss
Chief Marketer, Madison House Presents

Rich Cline
Founder and President, Voce Communications

Niko Everett
CSE Capital

Nancy Fox
Consultant, Girl Scouts of America

Jennifer G.
Girl Member

Natasha Gonzalez
GFC Alumna

Sejal H.
Girl Member

Courtney Macavinta
Founder and CEO, Respect Rx

Linda Shelby
Senior VP/Regional Executive, Bank of America

Aline S.
Girl Member

Whitney Smith
Founder and CEO, Girls For A Change

Rena S.
Girl Member