At Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, leadership isn’t about titles or job descriptions it’s something we live and breathe every day. We see it in the quiet confidence of a girl sharing her truth, in the staff who show up with care and purpose, and in our board members who bring their passion to the table with courage and heart.

This summer, we’re celebrating a few leadership milestones that feel especially meaningful. They reflect not only how we’re growing as an organization but how we’re continuing to live out our values of community, intentionality, bold advocacy, and inclusivity in real and lasting ways.

Big News for Two of Our Leaders

We’re so proud to share that two incredible members of our team; Melissa Cornejo, our Campus-Based Program Manager, and Jamie Collins, our Executive Director were recently selected for national leadership development programs that will support them in deepening their work and vision.

Melissa was accepted into the Girls Inc. National Leadership Accelerator Program, a year-long experience designed to strengthen leadership across the entire Girls Inc. network. She’ll be diving into workshops, peer learning, and collaborative projects that will equip her to keep growing as both a leader and an educator. Melissa has always led with humility and intention, and we’re so excited for how this opportunity will help her bring even more insight and inspiration to the girls she mentors.

Jamie was selected for the Nonprofit Executive Leader Roundtable, hosted by the Center for Nonprofit Leadership. This year-long cohort brings together local executive leaders to exchange ideas, explore challenges, and build community in the nonprofit space. Jamie has always had a gift for bringing people together and making bold, thoughtful decisions and this opportunity will only strengthen her ability to lead Girls Inc. of Carpinteria with clarity, collaboration, and compassion.

Welcoming New Powerful Women to Team

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria recently welcomed Madeline Balser as its new Development Director. With over five years of nonprofit experience and a background in international aid, Madeline brings deep expertise in fundraising, donor engagement, and communications. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and is a certified Fertility Awareness Educator. Madeline is passionate about girls’ empowerment and reproductive health and is thrilled to join the Girls Inc. community.

We’re also thrilled to welcome Alexandra Crew and Hallie Greene to our Board of Directors.

Alexandra is a Corporate Strategy Director at SCAN Health Plan, a Girls Inc. alum, and a fierce advocate for youth, health equity, and ethical innovation. Hallie brings a deep background in nonprofit governance, education, and public policy. She currently works in product strategy at ViQi and lives here in Carpinteria with her family.

Both of these women believe deeply in the power of investing in girls, and they bring rich lived experience and visionary thinking to our board. We couldn’t be more grateful to have them on this journey with us.

Why This Matters

When we invest in our staff, board, and community, we’re also investing in the future of every girl we serve. We’re showing them what leadership can look like when it’s rooted in intention, equity, and community.

From our youngest girls in Kinder to the high schoolers in our Eureka! program, everything we offer is grounded in a pro-girl, girl-centered environment where it’s safe to take up space, use your voice, and rise.

Want to be part of this movement?
There are so many ways to get involved as a volunteer, mentor, donor, or community partner. Every bit of support helps us continue this work and walk beside the next generation of leaders.

👉 Learn more at www.girlsinc-carp.org