About Us

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Our team is made up of dedicated individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the world. Everyone at MePower United, from our student volunteer leaders to our board members, is committed to our mission and the girls and women we serve.

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Co-Founder and President- Kirsten Close

The President’s main priority is to oversee all the work being carried out by all the volunteers. This role requires working closely with the board and the departmental heads to ensure the operation runs smoothly and effectively. Ensures proper coordination with affiliated nonprofits, such as Mission to El Salvador (MTES), and that the clients' needs are the greatest priority.

Co-Founder and Director of Marketing- Ashley Close

The Director of Marketing creates, monitors, and maintains brand standards for the organization. Works with Sewickley Academy, Quaker Valley High School, local newspapers, and television to promote fundraising events. She creates and maintains content for the website and other media to promote awareness of period poverty and MePower's efforts to combat it. Currently working on creating a template for college and high school students to create their own MePower Club.

Vice President- Nora Hammond

The Vice president works with the president to ensure that meetings and other activities proceed smoothly. The vice president may also take on special duties, such as chairing ad hoc committees like the Local Community Needs Committee and/or Grant Writing Committee. When the president is unavailable, the vice president assumes his or her duties internally and externally to ensure proper coordination, including with affiliated nonprofits, such as Mission to El Salvador (MTES), and that the clients' needs are the greatest priority.

Secretary- Ruby Oliffe

The Secretary's duties include managing all the organization's internal communications and preparing or keeping track of board meeting dates, agendas, and minutes.

Volunteer Coordinators- Ruby Krotine and Lily Pulkowski

The Volunteer Coordinators’ responsibilities include recruiting and training new volunteers, keeping a database of volunteer information and skills, matching volunteers to opportunities that suit their skills, and keeping volunteers informed. Possibly to coordinate a service project or trip to El Salvador.

Social Media Directors- Vanessa Pickett, Olivia Jordan and Anna Hanley

The Social Media Directors develop and execute social media and email communications and campaigns (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram…). 

Fundraising Coordinators- Lucy Wagner, Grace Wiehe, and Shea Cunningham

Fundraising responsibilities include management and overseeing all fundraising events, ensuring effective planning and implementation. Develop and maintain a donor database, ensuring accurate and timely recording of gifts and effective communication with donors, such as thank you texts/email.

BOARD MEMBERS

Chair of the Board:  Kelly Close MD, MPH 

Dr. Close has vast experience as the founder and/or executive director of numerous organizations, including Safe Rides, Benefit for the Homeless, UCLA Prenatal and Well-Child Program for teens, and Emed Health (now Connect Community Paramedicine http://connectmedics.com/ ), as well as being a physician and public health advocate (https://www.doximity.com/profiles/844e0c89-c485-4614-833a-53b80ff24713/edit). 

Vice President of the Board: Teresa Mueller

Ms. Mueller is a Wharton School graduate with over 20 years as an accomplished marketing executive who is on multiple charitable boards.  https://blog.aboveboard.com/success-stories-teresa-mueller

Board Member: Courtney Jones JD, MFA 

Mrs. Jones is a community leader and chair of several boards, including the Laughlin Children's Center (https://laughlincenter.org/) 

However, this is a student-run organization outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Close, Ms. Mueller, and Mrs. Jones work closely with the students to ensure that the charity is highly effective, efficient, and accountable to its clients and donors.

PARTNERS:

1) Mission to El Salvador: Exists to empower Salvadorans to find freedom to realize their dreams and pursue their futures.  www.missiontoelsalvador.com

2) Women of the Cloud Forest:  Women of the Cloud Forest has direct, long-term relationships with small family workshops and cooperatives in Nicaragua, Nepal, Ecuador, and Peru.   www.womenofthecloudforest.com

3) The Empowerment Collective-  Join us in our mission to end modern slavery through survivor leadership. We provide advocacy, and economic opportunities to empower survivors of modern slavery. Our goal is to create a world where every individual is free to live a life of dignity and opportunity. www.empowermentcollective.org