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Leadership
Our team is made up a powerhouse of women who collectively have over 50 years of work experience in various industries. Learn more about our team.
Founder
Dr. Maurine Kwende
Dr. Maurine Kwende is the Founder of Girls Can Dream Big 2, a non-profit for women and girls focused on education and community empowerment. Maurine’s purpose is to empower others especially women and girls to dream big, take action and reach their full potential. Prior to founding the non-profit, she has over 20 years of work experience in the field of learning and development. She holds a Ph.D. in Learning Technologies Design Research from George Mason University with research interests in decision-making, artificial intelligence (AI), workplace learning and emerging technologies. Maurine wears many hats and believes you can be anything you want to be in life if you take action.
Board Members
Tina Fisher
Tina Fisher brings a unique voice to the board of Girls Can Dream 2. As a musician and activist, she recently has advocated for women and girls through a series of benefit concerts that raised money for women recovering from human trafficking in Nepal, where she visited shelters run by the international organization called Shakti Samuha, translated as “Turning Tears into Power”. She has also contributed to a benefit concert to help women out of domestic violence situations and homelessness through a local organization called Doorways, located in Arlington, Va. As the current Community Engagement Coordinator for the Manassas Church of the Brethren, Tina works with a large variety of non-profit organizations in the community that help people overcome food insecurity, homelessness, and domestic violence. In addition, she provides affordable event space for family celebrations, weddings, and fundraisers at the church facility where she works full-time. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Healthy Families Prince William, a visitation-based program to help first time mothers acclimate to the demands of raising a child.
Tina also comes from many years in the hospitality industry with an operations background bringing with her an element of structure and knowledge about a variety of management styles and problem-solving skills.
Cindy Kacer
Cindy Kacer, a dynamic and compassionate individual who brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to social change as a member of Girls Can Dream 2.
Cindy’s journey into advocacy began early in her life, driven by a deep desire to make a positive impact on the world around her. With a background in psychology and counseling, she has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and communities in overcoming challenges and achieving their full potential.
As a licensed therapist, Cindy has worked tirelessly to address the mental health needs of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls. She has been instrumental in establishing and managing counseling programs for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Her empathetic nature and expertise in trauma-informed care have provided a safe space for healing and empowerment.
Kelly Neff.
Kelly is a speaker, blogger, and transformational coach who shares her story of facing some of life’s most daunting mountains. She is the founder of TOM’s Board + Together Overcoming Mountains, which she created in memory of her oldest son Tommy. Her mission is to help others including women and girls find the hope, healing, and freedom that she has found.
