Confidence | Opportunities | Growth
Goal: Economic Mobility
Nurturing women to feel supported in their journey to financial resilience, find their voice, and be prepared to accept opportunities for self-growth and economic mobility.
An empowered young woman is one who knows her strengths and isn't afraid to embrace them. To be empowered means to be in control of her life, aware of her capabilities, and ready to take on even her biggest dreams.
Program: Awareness, Acceptance & Growth
Career Journey strives to coach women to be confident and have the tools necessary to navigate through their individual career paths while supporting their independent development and working towards their financial resilience.
We have designed a Career Journey program to help women become equipped with the skills and knowledge to create and work through their career journeys. The comprehensive workshops incorporate hands-on activities and real-life scenarios, taught by experienced professionals. Group sessions address common themes where they can also learn from each other. Individual coaching sessions are for working on the individuals’ specific needs, e.g., individual goals, jobs, personal crises, etc.
5 Broad Categories of the Career Journey Program:
Creating Vision
Establishing Goals
Understanding Ethics
Developing Skills
Learning Behaviors
Each module includes:
· Featured partner employer
· Session on the topic of the month
· Group debrief and action plan
Each 1-on-1 Session includes:
Focus on individual goals
Working towards monthly targets
Being a sounding board
Connecting with opportunities and resources
Being an advocate for the women and their children
Team
ASHLEY GUZMAN - Dimensional FUND ADvisors
Ashley is a Senior Digital Communications & Marketing Associate at Dimensional Fund Advisors. A native Texan, she received her BBA in Finance and MS in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin. Throughout her life, Ashley has found tremendous meaning in giving back to her community. Her motto is “fail fast, fail forward”, and—from her hometown in the Rio Grande Valley, to Austin, to Charlotte—Ashley hopes to continue spreading this message and empowering others to have the courage to pursue anything they desire.
Ashley’s Statement:
“Just a few months after settling into Charlotte, I felt the intrinsic need to get embedded into the community. Having recently graduated from school and entering the workforce, I found myself learning to be a better leader in my own life. Coincidentally, I found an organization that was teaching young women how to be a leader in their own lives as well. Some circumstances we’ve endured are different, but the goal for me and the women FFG serves is the same—to be filled with courage, confidence, and empowerment. The experience I’ve had with FFG is special. Whether that be as a volunteer, a coach for our leadership and career journey programs, or a serving member of the board. I’ve learned that picking up skills in key areas is important. However, without the courage and confidence to execute these skills, being exposed to them isn’t enough. That’s where FFG has come in. FFG is an organization that treats its participants like family. FFG is a family that provides the guidance, support, and nurture that fuel a financially independent, digitally savvy, career-ready leader. Their holistic approach to skills training, plus genuine desire to guide, support, and nurture each individual is truly what creates the life-changing empowerment it has been able to produce. Women leave this program not only with the knowledge to be financially independent, digitally savvy, career-ready leaders, but with a support network of coaches and mentors they can trust.”
KHIANA DEAS - Bank OF America
Khiana is currently a Responsible Sourcing Manager at Bank of America. She is a North Carolina native and graduated from NC State University with a B.S. in Business Administration - Finance. Khiana enjoys traveling, trying new things, and relaxing. She finds happiness in giving back to community and is so excited to be a part of FFG!
Khiana’s Statement:
“Working with Foundation for Girls has been nothing short of amazing. FFG's mission of nurturing the leader in every girl resonates with my soul and I am overjoyed I get to take part in carrying out this task. Through volunteering and coaching, I have been able to work with several women on their financial and career goals and witness the benefits of FFG's economic empowerment based programs. The family atmosphere encourages everyone, regardless of whether you are participating in our classes or providing support, to empower the leader within themselves and take charge of their future as strong, independent individuals.”
CARA CREMEANS - Northwestern Mutual
Cara Cremeans joins the team with a background in sales, analytics, and coaching Division I cross country and track. Grateful for mentors who inspire and guide her career, service, well-being, and leadership, she loves helping others realize their potential to grow and give back. Cara resides in Charlotte and works for Northwestern Mutual.
Cara’s Statement:
“Courage, kindness, and consistency are three values I share with FFG that make working with our participants and coaches rewarding. Every girl who participates at a session has the courage to better themselves and our caring coaches help nurture that. The FFG family continues to grow because we establish essential life skills in the girls, which instills confidence in them to pursue their goals and ambitions. I have coaches who invest in me, for whom I am incredibly grateful; this is my way of sharing what others have shared with me--it is how I say 'thank you.' In coaching, I have stronger connections to our Charlotte community and earnest awareness of others' reality. Awareness is one thing, but feeling the feelings of what these girls have felt, what they have gone through, that's where FFG has grounded me. It empowers me when I relate to underserved women with great ambitions, because we have incredibly similar goals. “
cheryl nickel - Neiman Marcus Group
After spending most of her career as a hairstylist, Cheryl developed the belief that employees are the most valuable asset of a company. She left the industry to pursue a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, which focuses on the “people side of business.” In her current role as a Manager of Associate Experience at Neiman Marcus Group, Cheryl works to enhance the ways in which employees are enabled and motivated to succeed. She is a vocal advocate for gender equity in the workplace and excited to join the FFG team to empower women throughout their career and life journeys.
Cheryl’s Statement:
“The impact that FFG has had on my life is hard to put into words. These women are tenacious and unwavering in their commitment to success, not dissuaded by the systemic barriers that exist. I have been enlightened through thoughtful conversations, challenged to address my own inherent biases, and profoundly humbled to partner with them on the journey to rewrite the narrative. I could not be more proud to be part of the FFG family as we strive to empower the women of tomorrow.”
Marlene Hendricks - Sofi Stadium
Marlene received her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and human resources certification from Florida International University. She after working with the Charlotte Hornets for over 15 years, she now is the VP of Guest Experience at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. Marlene is exciting to join FFG as a Career Journey coach and invest in women on the journey to economic empowerment and independence!
Darby Voisin - Roylco Industrial
Darby holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in economics. She currently leads Business Development at Roylco Industrial. When Charlotte identified its economic mobility issue when it was placed 50th out of 50 cities among America’s largest cities in Upward Mobility, and Darby believes that the work FFG does is directly improving economic mobility in Charlotte, Greenville, and Spartanburg more than any other local initiative.
Hannah Buckley - TiAA -CREF
Hannah is a Manager at TIAA-CREF who is passionate about economic mobility, financial awareness, and sustainability. Born and raised in Raleigh, NC, with a love of reading, traveling, and the Carolina Hurricanes. I happened upon FFG in October 2019 as I was searching for an organization dedicated to reaching the underserved in the Charlotte community. I liked FFG’s mission and what stood out more than anything was their relationship-building and the Circle of Care they provide for those in need. FFG is an ongoing program that supports those who truly want to make a difference in their lives, and I am so glad to be a part of an organization that can provide these opportunities.
Sarah stormzand - Ally Financial
Sarah is a graduate of the University of Michigan – Ross of Business, currently working in the Ally Financial’s Balance Sheet Management Asset Forecasting group as a Treasury Analyst. It was through an internal innovation competition at Ally I first got involved with Foundation For Girls. I could see the tangible difference that the programs to the lives of those it serves. The program’s dedication to providing approachable, active coaching on topics that otherwise be left as daunting and opaque is something that is irreplaceable.
Patti Clements - East Carolina University
Patti is a first-generation college graduate from New Rochelle, NY. She began her education at Westchester Community College with an Associate of Arts degree and then received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Professional Studies in Education from SUNY at New Paltz. She has worn many hats in education, ranging from elementary school teacher, corporate trainer, college academic advisor, and now undergraduate admissions counselor. She is an advocate for all who pursue higher education, helping students to think about career and life choices after high school.
Ashley spring - Ally Financial
Ashley Spring is the marketing research director at Ally focused on brand, advertising, target market, custom, and trends/innovation research for Ally. She brings her experience as a research leader to integrate insights and innovation across the Ally organization. Prior to joining Ally she was a senior manager for panel research and television ratings at NASCAR. She has also held positions on the research vendor side supporting CPG brands, including management of ongoing global brand studies for Proctor & Gamble fem care, laundry care, and baby care businesses. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends and traveling, usually to go to a concert or a Disney park.
Lauren Blaising - Ally Financial
Lauren is an expert in strategic planning and financial risk management. She currently oversees corporate governance and business operations for the digital partnership between Ally Bank and Better.com. Lauren’s strengths are project management support and strategic communications to build out complex programs and partnerships. Key professional accomplishments include formation of the team that provided oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while in government conservatorship, the build out of a project management office for the Federal Housing Finance Agency, program support and oversight for the creation of Common Securitization Solutions, and programming for the USA Pavilion at the World Expo in Yeosu, Korea.
Rue mushavi - Senior Consultant EY
Rue completed her undergraduate education at Limestone College, a private liberal arts school in South Carolina where she graduated with a degree in finance and accounting. She has a Master of Management Studies (MMS) degree from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Rue has experience in international settings, diverse teams, financial services, and the NGO sector and is currently a Financial Analyst at Ally. Rue is passionate about FFG and is excited to support young women as a Career Journey coach!
Samantha Rodriguez - Apple
Samantha graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and went on to receive a Master of Science in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin. She currently works an Americas Supply Demand Manager at Apply in Austin, TX. When searching for an opportunity to give back to her community and was instantly drawn to the mission of Foundation For Girls. Samantha is passionate about providing women with the space to freely express themselves without judgement. She seeks to empower women to feel confident so that she can help them nurture and sharpen their skills to become the strong, independent, and unstoppable women they already are.
Najla Haywood - FDY, INC.
Najla has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Howard University and a master’s degree in International Communication from American University. She returned to Charlotte to serve as vice president and director of communications at FDY, Inc., a diverse food service organization started by her grandfather 1982. There she is responsible for expanding the company’s profile through strategic communications and business development. Najla is excited to join the FFG Team!
