Girls Inc. welcomes new members to National Board of Directors
NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Girls Inc., the longest-running girls' leadership organization, proudly announces the appointment of five industry leaders to its National Board of Directors. With expertise across marketing, finance, strategy, design, and nonprofit leadership, these accomplished professionals offer valuable perspectives and experience to advance Girls Inc.'s mission. The new members of the board are united by a commitment to expanding opportunities for girls and preparing the new generation of leaders. Together, they will help Girls Inc. with its strategic growth objectives to ensure more girls have the benefit of the Girls Inc. Experience – a combination of pro-girl spaces, mentorship, and holistic programming proven to have positive outcomes in the lives of girls.
New Board of Directors include:
Dessie Brown, Jr. is a marketing executive, entrepreneur, and community advocate with more than 20 years of experience in brand strategy, entertainment, and experiential marketing.
Brown currently serves as Director of Marketing for Feng Cha, a growing national specialty beverage brand, where he leads brand strategy, digital growth, franchise marketing, and community engagement. Brown is also the Founder of LD Unlimited Marketing, a marketing and event production agency focused on creating impactful campaigns, partnerships, and experiences.
His work in entertainment includes collaborations with actress and entrepreneur Marsai Martin, supporting creative projects and initiatives that inspire and empower the next generation.
Brown is a proud girl Dad who brings to the Girls Inc. board a passion for mentorship, leadership, and expanding opportunities for young women.
Amanda Carroll, IIDA, CID, LEED AP, is a Principal at Gensler, where she serves as Managing Director of the New York office and Global Leader of Gensler's Work Sector.
A recognized leader in pioneering workplace strategy and design, she advises leading global occupiers and developers, including Google, Deloitte, IBM, and Related, on how to create a resilient, high-performing future for individuals, businesses, and their communities. She is a sought-after speaker whose work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company. Carroll's most notable projects include Etsy's Living Building Challenge-certified global headquarters and Google's St. John's Terminal in Hudson Square, which earned the International Living Future Institute's (ILFI) Zero Carbon Ready designation.
In relentless pursuit of positive community impact, Amanda is committed to advancing Girls Inc.'s mission of inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold. For nearly a decade, Carroll has served on the Girls Inc. National Scholarship Committee and National Luncheon Committee, helping to raise awareness and advocacy for the next generation.
Jan Coleman is Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships and Promotions at The Walt Disney Studios, where she contributes to the development and negotiation of brand partnerships, co-branded campaigns and sponsorships across Disney's film portfolio. With 25 years of experience in entertainment marketing, Coleman has built collaborations that bring together leading global brands and entertainment properties to create meaningful consumer experiences across fashion, beauty, technology, automotive, food and lifestyle.
Beyond her professional work, Jan has spent more than 20 years mentoring young girls, helping them recognize their worth, embrace their potential and find the confidence to use their voices to create positive change. She has also volunteered at Girls Inc. of Los Angeles events, reflecting her longstanding commitment to empowering girls. Jan brings this personal passion, alongside her professional expertise, to the Girls Inc. Board of Directors.
Cheryl Jones is President and CEO of Girls Inc. of St. Louis, where she has led for over a decade. As a longtime leader within the Girls Inc. Network, Jones brings firsthand knowledge of Affiliate operations, program delivery, and a keen understanding of the needs of girls and local communities.
A mission driven leader Jones extensive board and advisory experience includes the St. Louis Community Foundation, St. Louis Sports Commission, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, and Simmons Bank Advisory Committee. Jones also founded and led Jones & Associates, Inc., helping to create environments and pathways to success for employees from various backgrounds. Clients included Frito-Lay, Ralston Purina, Citigroup, Sara Lee, Edward Jones, Nestle Purina, Pepsi Americas, Tyco Healthcare, Barnes Jewish Hospital, AT&T, Anheuser-Busch, and NASA.
Jones brings to the Girls Inc. Board of Directors a valuable combination of organizational growth experience having increased enrollment at her Affiliate by over 57% serving over 9,000 girls annually, community relationships, and a deep understanding of how to expand opportunities for girls.
Marvena St. Agathe brings nearly two decades of experience driving enterprise-wide transformation, growth strategy, and operational excellence across the financial services industry across organizations like Deutsche Bank and Barclays, and Bank of America.
With a passion for service, creating spaces of belonging, and leadership development, St. Agathe serves on the board of East Side House Settlement, a South Bronx-based organization focused on education and workforce development, and is a member of her alma mater's Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth's Dean's Council (formerly the MBA Council), an advisory group supporting the school's mission and student experience. Within the corporate arena St. Agathe co-chaired Black Employee Resource Groups and contributed to women's leadership networks, helping build pathways for the new generation of leaders.
St. Agathe brings strategic expertise, a commitment to expanding opportunities, and a focus on leadership development in alignment with Girls Inc.'s' mission.
"We are thrilled to welcome these leaders to the Girls Inc. Board of Directors," said Dr. Stephanie J. Hull, President and CEO of Girls Inc. "While they may be new to the board, they are not new to Girls Inc. or our mission. Each shares our belief in the power and potential of every girl, and through their thought-partnership will bring new perspectives and expertise to the table that will help Girls Inc. expand its reach so that more girls have access to the relationships and opportunities they need to realize their potential and lead with confidence."
To learn more about Girls Inc. and for the complete list of board members, visit www.girlsinc.org.
About Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. is a network of local organizations that works with schools and in communities across the United States and Canada. Through direct service and advocacy, Girls Inc. equips girls with the knowledge and skills to effect positive changes in their lives and to become leaders who will change the world. Professionally trained staff and volunteers provide mentorship, supportive spaces, and research-informed programming that address the challenges girls face and are proven to help them succeed. Together with partners and supporters, Girls Inc. is building the new generation of leaders. Join us at girlsinc.org.
Media Contact
Elizabeth Velez, Girls Inc., 1 212.269.4630, [email protected], www.girlsinc.org
SOURCE Girls Inc.
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