Rebecca Beasley-Cockroft, Administrative Associate Rebecca graduated from Dartmouth College in 2008 with a degree in Mathematics and Latin American Literature and is fluent in Spanish. Her interest in women’s empowerment grew out of her experiences supporting a local women’s shelter while in college and her study abroad program in Argentina. Since college, Rebecca has worked to empower women and the business community to create social change. Prior to joining the Girls Leadership Institute in November 2011, Rebecca spent a year as an Americorps VISTA, helping immigrant women become entrepreneurs. Before that, she interned at an international nonprofit that promotes sustainable business practices, where she developed partnership strategies, analyzed membership data and managed marketing materials for partnerships.

Sherry Biskup, Educator Sherry has taught and worked with children across the age spectrum, from preschool  to high school.  Currently she teaches preschool at Friends' School, a private school in Boulder, CO, with a strong emphasis on social and emotional learning.  In addition she works with Boulder County Public Health, facilitating weekly groups for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teens; providing education and support for families and schools; developing youth leadership programs; and providing crisis intervention.  She earned her Masters degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver.  Sherry has a passion for the creative arts, somatic studies, and developing rich and meaningful relationships. 

Stephanie Bratnick, Educator Stephanie has been a teaching artist for the past eight years. She has spent the majority of her teaching career guiding children and teens in the development and creation of their own original theater pieces. She has also created the classical theater program for children at The Henry Street Settlement, where she teaches children Shakespeare and Chekhov. She is currently working at Dalton, as a Seventh grade English teacher. Other programs she has taught at include The Wisdom Bridge Arts Project, in Chicago, and The Theatre Development Fund, in New York. She is the Artistic Director of Terra Firma Theatre Company.

Lindsey Buller, Educator 
Lindsey spent six seasons with The New Victory Theater, Broadway’s premiere theater for children and families, and worked as part of the team that won the 2008 American For the Arts Education award. Prior to joining the New Victory Theater, she devised curriculums for the Creative Arts Team, focusing on Literacy, Stress Management, and HIV/AIDS awareness. As the Associate Director of Summer Theater Institute, she worked with youth from around the world to devise original theater. She is also a Thesis Advisor for the first American Masters program in Applied Theatre at CUNY. She received her Masters degree from the Gallatin School at New York University focusing on Theater as a Tool for Communication and Learning. Lindsey is based in Palo Alto, California.

Sami Carroll, Colorado Sales, Marketing & Outreach Manager Since she was very young, Sami has proclaimed that she would be good at two things – Being a Mom and being an actress. One out of two isn’t too bad. Women’s and girls advocacy has always been a part of Sami’s volunteer life, with marketing consulting as her professional focus. Sami now happily brings both passions together in her role with GLI. Sami holds a BS in Education from Northern Arizona University and includes Pittsburgh as one of her most favorite places that she has lived. Pittsburgh didn’t hold quite the same appeal as Colorado did when Sami and her family fulfilled a dream and moved west in 2008. Sami’s oldest daughter is a GLI Alum and her youngest looks forward to participating in a workshop soon (although she can already tell you about her outside & inside feelings quite well)and her son and husband are GLI practitioners by proxy. In her "spare" time, Sami loves road biking, running, swimming, yoga and working as PTA President at her kids’ school.

Jessie Chan, Marketing Specialist, San Francisco Bay Area Jessie has enjoyed an extensive career in high-tech marketing, most recently as the VP of Marketing for an $800 million international company, specializing in educational software. She graduated from the College of Charleston in SC, with a BS in Business Administration and moved to CA in 1992. Her two spunky daughters, both proud GLI alums, keep her current on the dynamic world of girls. Passionate about educating and empowering young women, Jessie is thrilled to be a part of the GLI team!

Lindsey Dedow, Educator
 Lindsey recently moved back to Colorado from Florida, where she spent the past 12 years working with college students as an advisor and counselor, most recently at the University of Florida. Lindsey was born in England and moved to the US when she was 8. She grew up in Florida, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida where she established the campus volunteer program and wrote her undergraduate thesis about a mentoring program she started with middle school students. Lindsey earned her doctorate in psychology from the University of Denver and is excited to be back in Colorado again.

Anneka Fagundes, Educator Anneka is a New York City-based teaching artist / facilitator / educator. She recently earned her Master’s degree in Applied Theatre from CUNY School of Professional Studies, and also holds a BA in Drama from Vassar College. For the last 6 years, Anneka has facilitated drama-based curriculum in schools and communities all over NYC with organizations including The Creative Arts Team, The Story Pirates, Making Books Sing, The Leadership Program and the All Stars Project. In her work she uses drama to address issues and themes ranging from anti-bullying strategies to literacy and creative writing to violence prevention to social citizenship and leadership. Anneka's interest in working internationally has led her to Rwanda, Guatemala and South Korea, where she has facilitated and participated in various community-based projects. Most recently, she spent a fabulous summer at Smith teaching for GLI's summer camp, and looks forward to continuing the work with girls and their parents in NYC!

Beth Grams Haxby, Educator, Massachusetts A native of the Midwest, Beth graduated from Carleton College with a B.A. in sociology and followed that with a B.S. in elementary education from the University of Minnesota. Happily on the staff of the Smith College Campus School in Northampton, MA for more than 20 years, she also received her Ed.M from Smith. During that time she taught in preschool, kindergarten, third and fifth grade classrooms in addition to her work as a supervising teacher for both undergraduate and graduate students of education at Smith. Retiring from full-time teaching in 2010, she is now working as a consultant in the areas of sleep and parenting. Beth’s work in the classroom was always guided by her strong commitment to supporting and developing emotional intelligence which explains her true delight to be working with GLI!

Batya Greenwald, Educator Batya was born and raised in South Africa,became a teacher in Australia and earned a MA in Education from the University of Montana. She now lives in Boulder with her husband and two teenage daughters. She teaches Kindergarten and has previously taught third, fourth, and fifth grade at the Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies. Batya also leads PassageWorks courses, supporting educators with practices and principles that integrate social, emotional and academic learning to create meaningful and rigorous relationship-based classrooms. Her work with GLI blends beautifully into her family structure and her mission of empowering the lives of young people by facilitating and co-creating healthy communities in which they can thrive. Ms. Greenwald leads PassageWorks courses, and presents keynote addresses throughout the U.S.

Whitney Holton, Educator Whitney has been in the field of education for 19 years. She has held the positions of teacher, Vice Principal, Principal and Director of Extension Programs.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Credential from California State University, Chico and then went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Santa Clara University.  She loves to learn new things and is always reading the latest book on parenting, leadership and girl empowerment.  She enjoys spending her weekends sitting on the sidelines of a baseball, soccer, or football field being the #1 fan of her son and daughter.  She is thrilled to be teaching for GLI and looks forward to sharing her passion with the people she meets in workshops.

JenMarie Landig, Director of Operations and Finance Jennifer Marie (JenMarie) holds a Master’s in Global Affairs from New York University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. JenMarie’s passion lies in using her business skills for social good. Post graduation she worked in Spain and France in women’s development and international education.  After nearly two years in Europe, JenMarie joined the team at a cultural exchange organization in San Francisco, until she moved to New York to study Global Affairs. While at NYU, JenMarie evaluated European Union funding for women’s empowerment projects in Turkey, and her article was published in Women’s Studies International Forum. Prior to joining the Girls Leadership Institute she consulted at the United Nations Population Fund in New York, and is now thrilled to be back in her native California. 

Julia Loonin, Educator and Associate Director of Camp
 Julia moved to California from Boston, Massachusetts where she was the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Wellesley College. Before coming to GLI, Julia was a program assistant for Tenacity Inc., a youth development organization whose mission is to build resiliency and life-skills in inner city youth. Julia grew up in New York City and graduated from Bowdoin College. A former basketball player at Bowdoin, Julia’s team graduated with a winning record of 112-9. During her four years, the team won 4 NESCAC championships and made 4 NCAA elite 8 appearances. She was elected tri-captain and graduated ranked 5th for all time leading 3pt scorer. Upon graduation, Julia received the President Award and was a Sarah and James Bowdoin scholar.

Simone Marean, Educator and Executive Director
 The co-founder of Girls Leadership Institute, Simone currently lives in Berkeley, CA, where she teaches GLI programs year-round. She has a Masters Degree in Educational Theatre from NYU. Simone taught the GLI program at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. She taught theatre at The Young Women’s Leadership School, The Brearley School, The McCarter Theatre, Henry Street Settlement, American Place Theatre, Red Bull Theatre, The School of the Future and the Neighborhood School. Simone Marean grew up on the north shore of Boston and graduated from Bryn Mawr College Magna Cum Laude.

Libby Oberlin, Educator Libby recently moved to the West Coast after 10 years in New York City working as an educator and performer. She received her Master’s degree in Educational Theater from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.  Libby was an educator at The Brooklyn Lab High School, NY devising and teaching a project-based theater curriculum focused on discovering and expressing oneself through theater, improvisation, and personal narrative.  She directed Lane High School’s after school theater ensemble, where students wrote and performed original plays through improvisation and textual analysis. She has worked as a teaching artist at Essex Street Academy, The Bronx School for Law, Government, and Justice, and has performed on dozens of New York stages. Libby is more than thrilled to be teaching something she really believes in at GLI and excited for what’s to come in California.

Marsha Philitas, Summer Camp Co-Director Marsha has worked in the field of education both as a classroom teacher and as an administrator for the past decade. Most recently, she served as the Admissions Coordinator for the Kripalu Schools of Yoga and Ayurveda in Lenox, MA. Marsha graduated from Harvard University with a BA in Biology and has a passion for the science of faith as well as for the science of life. She has worked with adolescent girls through the Teen and Tot Clinic at Boston Medical Center and as an Assistant Housemaster in the Freshman girls’ dorm at The Lawrenceville School. In her free time, Marsha practices yoga, teaches workshops on merging mindfulness with issues such as body image and dating, and lounges in the passenger seat during road trips with her partner.

Shannon Rigney Keane, Educator and Elementary Education Specialist 
Before joining GLI, Shannon taught for several years at PS 321 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, developed literacy curriculum, and led professional development workshops to help teachers strengthen their reading and writing lessons. She loves being a part of GLI, which allows her to get to know amazing parents and girls and gives her an excuse to scour her local library for the newest children's literature. Shannon lives in Brooklyn where, when she's not working, she's usually cooking, reading, or playing with her daughter.

Leyea RisleyCorum, Educator
 Leyea graduated from Marlboro College Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Dance/Movement Therapy. Through college she worked at The House of Peace in Northern Mass. assisting refugees seeking asylum. She has taught Mindful Parenting Classes around New England along with being a Polarity and Massage Therapist and teacher. She has also taught dance to children of all ages. She recently moved to Boulder, CO with her husband, teenage stepson, and two young daughters who greatly inspire her to delve deeper into the world of empowerment for all children and she is thrilled be part of the GLI team!

Rachel Simmons, Educator and Director of Programs
 Rachel is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls, and The Curse of the Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence. The co-founder of the Girls Leadership Institute, Rachel has worked as a classroom teacher at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield and the Roedean School in Johannesburg, South Africa. Rachel writes an advice column online for Teen Vogue, has appeared on Oprah and is a frequent contributor to the Today Show. She lives in Northampton with her West Highland Terrier, Rosie.

Johanna Walker, Educator
 Johanna is writer, performing artist and teacher living in Boulder Colorado where she received her MFA in Contemporary Performance from Naropa University. She has performed solo and ensemble theater and dance works in studios, bathrooms, subway stations, rest areas, intersections and on stages all around the US. She has led writing, dance and performance-making groups for incarcerated women, senior adults, and children. Currently Johanna teaches two self-produced community classes--Grrrls Speak: writing and performing for adolescent girls, and Fearless Solos: making solo performance for adults. She also dances around in a 7 foot tall Big Green Rabbit suit (for the PBS TV show The Big Green Rabbit) and works as a role-player for Colorado police departments, teaching police officers crisis intervention skills for people with mental illnesses.

Lisa Wittner, Educator Lisa Wittner has been working with children and teens for more than twenty years. With a BA in Political Science from Vassar College and an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy from The Naropa Institute, she has worked in public and private schools as a counselor, dance teacher and health educator. She currently serves as the Dean of Student Life of The Hudson School, in Hoboken, NJ. She is passionate about helping young people find their voices and express themselves through theater, poetry, art and dance and she believes strongly in the power of peer to peer education. She founded the Speak Out Youth Theater Company in Boulder, Colorado which performed throughout Colorado and developed and facilitated The Echoes of Eve Performance Group, comprised of teen girls, which performs at schools and conferences in the New York and New Jersey area and presented at the U.N. Conference on Girls and Women in 2008. The pieces she creates with students address issues of of racial and ethnic identity, sexual orientation, body image, gender roles, bullying and teen pregnancy.

Jackie Wolff, Educator
 Jackie has worked as a teaching artist and director with such organizations such as  Making Books Sing, Urban Arts Partnership, The American Place Theatre, The Leadership Program, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, LEAP, Wolf Trapp Institute for Early Learning through the Arts, Columbia University Teachers College and New York University. Jackie has worked extensively  in the field of arts in education, advocacy and staff development and has presented her work and research  at such conferences at Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, American Association of Theatre Education and Association of Theatre in Higher Education. Her pedagogic focus is on theatre for social change with adolescent girls and creating meaningful, sustainable, school-based arts partnerships. Jackie holds a Masters degree in Educational Theatre from New York University and a BFA in Acting and Directing from Miami University.