Meet our Team!

Send us an email at info@girlforward.org

ashley

Ashley Marine

Executive Director

Ashley received her undergraduate degree from Xavier University, where she concentrated on social work and peace studies, before receiving her master’s degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago. During her undergraduate studies, Ashley studied abroad in Ghana, where she collaboratively provided street education with girls engaged in migrant labor work. Ashley’s work and studies have primarily been focused on inequalities based on gender and sexuality, empowering women and girls and advocating for their rights. In her free time, Ashley enjoys singing show tunes, dancing, and exploring all that Chicago has to offer.

Adriana Gracia

Director of Programs

Adriana is a native of Chicago. She attended DePaul University earning an undergraduate degree in Psychology and received a Masters in Marital and Family Therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. Adriana has an extensive work history in the social service sector providing administrative oversight and direct service support. She has worked with a myriad of populations including but not limited to: survivors of trauma, young parents, first-generation students (high school and college), and marginalized communities. She currently volunteers as a rape crisis counselor and mentors community college students. In her spare time, Adriana enjoys spending time with her family and friends, checking out cultural events, and baking.

Becky Alemán

Senior Program Manager - Austin, TX

is an educator and youth worker originally from Austin, Texas. Having studied Africana Studies and Art History at Vassar College, Becky builds and strengthens programs that support young people in developing their leadership and passions while exploring ideas of identity, justice, and community. She has created and run youth programs in art museums, city parks, cultural institutions, public schools, and at community based organizations in Austin and New York City. In her free time, she loves hanging with her family, baking treats, experiencing art, and spending time in nature!

Rosie Tingpalpong

Development Manager

Rosie has held positions in organizations dedicated to fostering the leadership abilities we have within each of us. She has over 20 years of leadership experience in program development, project management, marketing, sales, and fund development. In the community, she continues to contribute her talents and efforts to advancing social issues. Her parents, along with her father’s family, emigrated from Vietnam in April of 1975 and were placed in Fort Chaffee Arkansas Refugee Camp, and finally settling in Nebraska. Rosie graduated from the University of Nebraska in Broadcast Journalism and Communications. She currently lives in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago with her husband and their three children.

Esther Ishimwe

Program Coordinator - Austin, TX

Esther is originally from Rwanda and came to Texas in 2018 and now calls Austin, TX home! She recently graduated from Travis High School and is currently studying to be a nurse at Austin Community College. Esther loves to hike, listen to live music, and explore Austin. Esther is a Girlforward alumna who participated in Camp and Mentoring for 2 years before joining the team. She is a passionate activist for the rights of refugees, asylees, and young people.

Zahra Muhsin

Education Program Manager - Chicago, IL

Zahra’s love for education has spanned her whole career from teaching best practices for learning as a Scholastic Manager to supporting scholars in the Upward Bound Program in their pursuit of a secondary education. She’s passionate about sparking curiosity and exploring new ideas, which she lives out fully as a lifelong learner and avid reader. When talking about her new role, Zahra shared that she’s excited to be at the GirlForward community at the intersection of education, curriculum-building, and mentoring.

Kathy Tun

Communications Manager - Chicago, IL

Kathy is a writer, editor, and photographer with a love for the visual arts. She holds a Masters in English from the University of Illinois Chicago and has spent her career in editorial work, publishing, and communications. Kathy was a former tutor with GirlForward in 2018 and 2022.

Fatima Mirzkhail

Girls Group Assistant - Austin, TX

This year's recipient of the GirlForward Founder’s Award. Fatima joined GirlForward in 2017 when she enrolled in summer camp after that she jumped into every community aspect, including mentoring, safe spaces, and leadership programs. She served as a junior intern and on the inaugural Girl Leadership Board. Over the years, Fatima has shared her story on panels, press conferences, rallies, and in the news. During Spring 2023, she served as an interpreter and co-facilitator during GirlForward’s McCallum High School program AND will be co-teaching Camp GirlForward this summer. Fatima isn’t just GirlForward famous she is Austin famous everyone in the immigrant community here knows Fatima. She works and volunteers with a handful of organizations serving new-arrival Afghan families. She does all of this so that no one else has to walk alone as they create their home in Austin.


Contractors

Samera Hadi, Curriculum Consultant


Blair Brettschneider

GirlForward Founder

In 2010, Blair moved to Chicago. Soon after starting a position in development at a refugee resettlement agency, Blair began tutoring a girl whose story, challenges, and determination inspired what would become GirlForward.

Blair has a B.S. in Communication from the University of Miami and a Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management from North Park University’s Axelson Center. Blair has been featured on CNN Heroes, named as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Education and Crain's Chicago Business 20 in their 20s, and honored by the Chicago Foundation for Women Impact Awards and YWomen Leadership Awards. Blair can be found at the spin class with the loudest music, in the park with her dog, or checking out Chicago's newest food offerings.


Board of Directors

Wajiha Rizvi, Board Chair

Sarayu Adeni
Prathiba Pandian
Rachel Hermes, Vice-Chair
Gabi Castillo Roediger

Hala Daher
Kate Rohald
Deqa Aden
Elizabeth Levey
Joanna Evans
Sadaf Usmani
Kutu Baker

Veenu Verma
Sepora Makabeh Badower