About Us
Founders
Co-Founders and Co-Presidents:
Kirsten Close (left) is a freshman at Haverford College who is pre-law and a D3 tennis player (Class of 2029).
Ashley Close (right) is attending Wake Forest University (Class of 2028) in the Pre-Wall Street Accelerated Career Track.
MePower is located outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they live.
About MePower United
Our Team
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-Founders and Co-Presidents: Ashley Close and Kirsten Close
As Co-Presidents of MePower United, Ashley and Kirsten oversee all volunteer operations and ensure seamless coordination across departments and partner organizations. They work closely with the Board of Directors and program leads to maintain efficient, mission-driven execution while prioritizing the needs of the communities served.
Their responsibilities include managing partnerships with affiliated nonprofits—such as Mission to El Salvador (MTES)—and expanding MePower’s reach through new international collaborations. They are currently developing a replicable MePower Club template for high school and college students to increase awareness, foster youth leadership, and drive fundraising. Additionally, they are leading initiatives to expand MePower’s El Salvador program to rural regions and extend sustainable menstrual-health and empowerment programs to Nepal, Haiti, and other areas through strategic global partnerships.
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
4) Work- Their mission is to accompany families in Haiti out of poverty through good, dignified jobs. https://www.dowork.org/vision
