One year ago, I stepped into the role of CEO of Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey. While the title changed, my commitment to this organization did not.

For 26 years, I have had the privilege of growing alongside Girls Inc.—witnessing firsthand the power of what happens when girls are given the opportunities, support, and encouragement they deserve. Becoming CEO wasn’t the start of my journey; it was a new chapter in a mission I’ve dedicated much of my life to advancing.

As I reflect on this first year, what stands out most isn’t any single accomplishment. It’s the collective impact we’ve made together.

In this year of leadership, we raised nearly $3 million to invest in the future of girls. We expanded our reach to serve more than 3,300 girls across Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. We opened the Free to Be Me Wellness Center in Partnership with Free People creating a dedicated space where girls can prioritize their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

We’ve deepened partnerships, strengthened our community presence, and continued building an organization that is positioned not only to meet today’s needs, but to grow for generations to come.

This year also provided incredible opportunities for leadership growth and professional engagement. I participated in the ASCEND Leadership Program and Girls Inc. National’s Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team Program, experiences that strengthened my leadership skills and reinforced the importance of building strong, collaborative teams. I was honored to join and build relationships with fellow leaders who are committed to advancing equity, innovation, and impact across our region.

Along the way, I was honored to be recognized as a Temple University alumna making an impact, named one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2026 Faces of Philanthropy, and celebrated alongside our partners at DPR Construction as a Philadelphia Business Journal Partners in Philanthropy honoree. While I am deeply grateful for these recognitions, they are truly a reflection of the incredible Board members, staff, donors, volunteers, partners, and supporters who make this work possible every day.

What I am most proud of can’t be measured in dollars raised, partnerships secured, or awards received.

It’s the girl who discovers her confidence.
The girl who finds her voice.
The girl who begins to believe that her future is unlimited.
That is why we do this work.

To our Board, staff, donors, volunteers, partners, alumni, families, and every girl who trusts us to be part of her journey—thank you. Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do.

Leading Girls Inc. has been the greatest honor of my career, and after one year as CEO, I am more energized than ever about what lies ahead.

The future is bright, and we’re just getting started.