Staff

Julia Cuba

Education:

B.A. in Women’s Studies, Creative Writing, Literary Studies, Beloit College, Beloit, WI; Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Experience:

Before GENaustin, Julia worked for eight years at the Girl Scouts of Central Texas running various outreach programs that served at-risk girls.  Prior to that, she worked in Chicago at various grassroots women’s agencies on equal employment opportunities, international women’s issues, mentor programs and emergency rape counseling.  She is the recipient of numerous professional and academic awards, including Austin Under 40.  While earning her Master’s degree at UT, she was honored as the NASW Student of the Year for the City and the State, and was the student commencement speaker for her graduating class.  She is currently the Chair of the Austin Commission for Women, and is a graduate of Leadership Austin and Leadership Texas.  She was the narrator and troop leader in an award-winning documentary about a program she developed while at the Girl Scouts called Troop 1500, which aired on PBS to more than 800,000 viewers in March 2006 and was highlighted in O Magazine, People Magazine, This American Life and won the runner up “Audience Award” at SXSW.  The documentary, about a Girl Scout troop with incarcerated mothers, had a successful U.S. tour with Julia as its spokesperson and can still be seen on PBS today.

What I like about GENaustin:

I love that GENaustin is addressing critical issues that girls face today, both locally and nationally. GENaustin is an amazing catalyst for change because we are educating our community about the unique pressures of growing up female. The staff members of GENaustin are as passionate about women’s and girls issues as I am, and that makes our work environment not only energetic, but educational and very fun. Together we are committed to being a resource for our community – so that when a parent, educator or girl calls us for help, we have a way.

Rachel Ladov

Education: B.A. in Urban Studies, Haverford College, Haverford, PA; Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

Experience: Rachel Ladov, LCSW, is GENaustin’s program director. Rachel began her career in social services working for 2-1-1 Texas, United Way Capital Area’s information and referral helpline. After pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Texas, she worked for several years at a local nonprofit healthcare clinic. At the clinic, she provided counseling and other support services to  youth, including many with developmental and/or behavioral issues. Through her work with youth and families, she became increasingly aware of the community’s need for creative, engaging programs to support the healthy development of teenage girls. Since coming to GENaustin, she has helped to grow and develop several programs designed to meet that need. Rachel’s focus has been to develop these programs so that they are relevant to girls, reach a diverse population, and based in sound research and evaluation. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys being outdoors, traveling, cycling, reading, and spending time with her family.

What I like about GENaustin: I love working with all the passionate, talented staff and volunteers who are a part of GENaustin. I am most inspired when I get to spend time with the smart, funny, strong girls who are part of GENaustin’s programs.

Jana Collins

Education:
B.A., Business Administration, Austin College, Sherman, TX; M.B.A., Finance, University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Experience: Jana’s most recent experience was as Back Office Manager for Greenlights for Non Profit Success. She has also worked as the accountant for a small consulting firm, and as a financial analyst for Travis County. Jana began her career in Dallas as a banker.

Jana was a PTA volunteer for many years, serving in almost every capacity including President, Treasurer, and Fundraising Chair.  Jana is married and the mother of three children. Outside of work, Jana enjoys traveling, gardening, her dog, and reading.

What I like about GENaustin: As the mom of
a daughter, I think GENaustin is doing incredible work
and focusing on important issues facing young women today. The
GENaustin team is a strong, dedicated group, and I enjoy contributing to the team and furthering our mission.

Ami Kane

Education: B.A. in Political Science, Psychology, and Gender Studies from Butler University, Indianapolis, IN; M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN.

Experience: Ami is from the Indianapolis area which is where her passion for girl services began. This interest was sparked through volunteerism and her undergraduate political science and gender studies programs where she was honored as the Servant Leadership award winner in 2007. Her commitment to girls was further inspired by four years of work with Girls Incorporated of Greater Indianapolis, during which time she also received her masters. After arriving in Austin in late 2009, Ami worked briefly with Foundation Communities before going back to her girl service roots with GENaustin. Ami coordinated the annual We Are Girls Conference for three years, serving thousands of girls, before moving into her present role as Development Director. In her free time Ami loves to watch movies, read, volunteer, buy new nail polish, blog, and take Turbo Kick workout classes.

What I like about GENaustin: Having worked in girl services since 2005, I know firsthand how vital GENaustin’s empowering messages and skill building activities are for girls. I am so happy to be a part of an organization led by women working to make a real difference in the lives of girls. It is because of a commitment to our mission that I’m honored to work with our community to ensure the necessary resources to support our fabulous, life changing programs for girls.

Rachel Thrift

Education: BA in Sociology, University of Texas at Austin; Master of Social Work, University of Michigan

Experience:  While obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Rachel worked with the Girl Scouts of Central Texas providing supportive services to youth in foster care, incarcerated youth and youth with incarcerated parents.  In Michigan, she worked with the Michigan Women’s Justice and Clemency Project on behalf of female survivors of domestic violence who were incarcerated for using self-defense against their abusers.  She also served a year-long internship with a private foster care agency in Detroit, Michigan.  After moving back to Austin, Rachel spent 2 years working with the Texas Council on Family Violence providing training and technical assistance to family violence programs across the state.  Before coming to GENaustin, Thrift worked for Communities In Schools for 2 years providing school-based counseling and supportive services to children and their families.  She is excited to join GENaustin so that she can focus her efforts on the needs of adolescent girls.  When she is not working, you can find Rachel at Dharma Yoga, on her bicycle in East Austin, or out sampling new restaurants.

What I like about GENaustin:  I joined the GENaustin team so that I could work with an amazing network of strong women who are devoted to serving girls!  clubGEN is exactly what was missing from my life in Middle School, so I feel honored to be part of such a crucial program.  I love that GENaustin is a space for all girls and women to express and celebrate their female identity.

Joy Beth Myers

Education: B.S. in Mass Communication and Electronic Media Production from Middle Tennessee State University

Experience:  After a few years in the production field, Joy Beth decided to follow her passion for the healthy development girls.  Prior to coming on staff, Joy Beth was a GENaustin Workshop volunteer as well as a volunteer for Austin Child Guidance Center and the YWCA in Nashville, TN.  She is thrilled to pursue a career in providing direct service to girls and women in her community.

What I love about GENaustin:  GENaustin provides incredible programs and experiences to so many girls in our community.  GENaustin’s  message of empowerment is allowing  girls to have an even stronger voice here in Austin.  It is a privilege to be a part of a team that is dedicated celebrating girlhood and helping girls build a healthy self-esteem!

Ani Mirasol

Education: Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin; Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Minor in Women’s Studies, Illinois State University, IL

Experience: Ani is an empowerment educator originally from Chicago, IL. She has 10 years of experience leading youth programming including anger management, conflict resolution, dating violence, hip-hop, leadership, self-esteem, and service learning projects. She has served with AmeriCorps*VISTA and City Year national volunteer programs. She also spent time abroad in Ghana providing health education to teens. Since living in Austin, Ani has worked with Communities in Schools (CIS), East Austin College Prep Academy, Southwest Key, UT’s Voices against Violence and co-founded the Hip Hop Club, an after-school program using hip hop to engage, empower, and change communities.

Ani has worked in nearly every program of GENaustin, since first joining the team in 2007. She is currently the 180 Program Manager and has previously worked as Campus Coordinator, Workshops and Outreach Coordinator, and Conference assistant. She holds a Masters of Science in Social Work degree from UT-Austin and a Bachelors of Science in Sociology and Women Studies from Illinois State University.

Ani is a fan of most everything Chicago, including Chicago style pizza, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Cubs. She absolutely loves to travel both domestically and internationally. She can be found enjoying Austin’s many taquieras, hanging at the dog park with her best bud Stanley, losing pub trivia, or conducting important “research” on Pinterest.

What I like about GENaustin: I love the simple fact that an organization like this exists. We provide girls, parents, and educators with the tools and resources to improve their own lives and the lives of those around them. Our programs are unique and targeted to the specific issues girls are facing. We are current, relevant, and up to date on the latest concerns girls and parents are facing. I love that everyone in our office is passionate and committed to our cause. I always love coming to work!

Marisa Ievans

Education: BA in Photography from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and a MS in Counseling from National Louis University in Chicago.

Experience:

Marisa works as the GirlConnect Coordinator at GENaustin.  A recent Austin transplant, Marisa spent the last nine years working for The Menomonee Club for Boys and Girls in Chicago, a non-profit that provides recreational  and enrichment programs to over 2,000 Chicago area youth.  It was because of her work at The Menomonee Club that she knew she wanted to continue to work for other organizations that are making a real difference in the community.  This idea is what first drew her to GENaustin.

When not working, Marisa enjoys going camping, hanging out with her dog, having picnics, eating apple pie and collecting vintage cameras.

What I like about GENaustin: I think GENaustin is doing such important work for the girls here in Central Texas. I wish I had something like GENaustin when I was growing up! I am so grateful to be part of this amazing team of women who are helping to make a difference in the lives of girls.

Maria Geary

Education: B.A. in Political Science from Beloit College, Beloit, WI.

Experience: Maria is the Marketing and Fundraising Specialist at GENaustin. She is originally from Wasilla, Alaska and is a first-generation college graduate. Maria began working on behalf of low-income youth while still in college, as a peer mentor and tutor for Help Yourself & Student Support Services, both of which are dedicated to encouraging educational achievement in underrepresented student populations. She was also inspired by a semester spent in Washington DC at American University’s Transforming Communities program, where she saw first hand the positive impact non-profits serving girls and young women can have on their participant’s lives. In her free time, Maria enjoys reading, exploring Austin, and eating at as many food trucks as is physically possible.

What I like about GENaustin: I love that GENaustin provides resources and opportunities for girls and young women to celebrate themselves & overcome the challenges that often come with being a girl in society today. On a personal level, I feel privileged to work in such a positive, female-driven environment, and one that is doing such good work in the lives of girls and young women.

Celeste King

Education: B.S. in Youth and Community Studies, Minor in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘Em!)

Experience: Celeste served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate for GENaustin this year and now serves as the AmeriCorps VISTA, Volunteer Specialist. She was born and raised in Colorado, but has considered Austin home for the last five years. During her time at UT, Celeste was active in the Texas Spirits social organization, while serving as a volunteer for the UT Autism Project, Camp Fire USA-Balcones Council, and the Horse Powered Learning Program. Outside of work, Celeste can be found trying new restaurants and recipes, napping with her mini dachshund Joanie, or getting caught up in a new television series.

What I like about GENaustin: I am unbelievably lucky to have many strong, confident and beautiful women in my life who taught me how to handle the most difficult situations with grace and resiliency. I hope, through my work at GENaustin, that I can serve as that positive role model for all the girls we serve. I am so excited to work with such amazing women who share my passion for changing people’s lives for the better.

Claudia Garate

Education: B.A. in Psychology, Minor in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin

Experience:  Claudia is the AmeriCorps VISTA, Outreach Specialist at GENaustin. She is originally from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, but has lived primarily in Central Texas and loves living in Austin. While in college, she formed an organization called Gain to Give, where she worked in the production of a benefit concert for adrenal cancer research and focused on outreach, fundraising, marketing and social media. She also worked a research assistant at UT’s children’s research labs, but her most inspiring work with girls began when she worked as the head coach for eighth grade volleyball and as the assistant basketball coach for middle school and high school girls at Austin Waldorf School. Outside of work, Claudia loves meditating, cooking, reading and watching soccer. She can often be found singing and dancing her way through the Austin music scene.

What I like about GENaustin: I would’ve loved to have something like GENaustin growing up- it’s so amazing to see the ways in which our programs help girls embrace not only who they are as a person, but also to embrace everyone around them. I feel totally privileged to be working in such a supportive and positive environment with such passionate staff. I’ve found that our programs don’t just empower the girls who attend, but that working with GENaustin is a highly rewarding and empowering experience in itself.

Blair Stirek

Education: B.A. in Communication Studies from University of Nevada Las Vegas

Experience:  Blair moved to Austin, Texas at the end of 2012, after being in Las Vegas for 17 years. She started her work with non profits in 2005 when she organized all the events for an organization called Women’s Empowerment Network. After working with a few different marketing companies and doing brand management Blair found herself working for Aid for AIDS of Nevada, the largest non profit in Southern Nevada to support people with HIV and AIDS. She held a role with AFAN for almost 2 years as Development Coordinator, which entailed planning the Las Vegas AIDS Walk, which would have more than 8,000 attendees. Blair always had a dream of going to Africa, so she put her mind to it and personally fundraised over $5,000 to spend July 2012 in Uganda building sustainable businesses for schools. Shortly after returning from Uganda Blair was contacted by Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada, an organization she had been volunteering with for years.  They invited her to come on temporarily to manage their 5K and “Knockout Cancer for Candlelighters Kids” an amateur MMA fighting event. Immediately after the execution of these events Blair moved to Austin, Texas. Blair also volunteers locally at LIVESTRONG, Animal Trustees, and Texas Veg Fest.

What I like about GENaustin: GENaustin is near and dear my heart. I remember what it was like to be a young girl just like it was yesterday. There are so many challenges EVERY moment of the day. GENaustin wants to take those challenges and help young girls through them before it is too late. How could someone not believe in an organization like this?

Beth Donnan

Education: Bachelor in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.

Experience:  Beth is the 180 Program Assistant at GENaustin. She started off as a BSW intern with the 180 program and has since officially joined the team! In her experience as an intern she was able to learn about a variety of issues facing girls today. She co-faciliatated several 180 groups and was able to complete a group on her own. Beth also learned about working with other organizations and was able to attend many meetings throughout the community. Beth was also able to be part of a ClubGEN at one of our middle schools. She greatly enjoys being able to work directly with such incredible girls! When not working Beth enjoys reading, listening to music, going to the gym and exploring Austin with her friends.

What I like about GENaustin:  I love being able to work with such strong and empowering women. Our clients are all incredible and teach me something new every day. I am always inspired by their strength and resiliency! The staff at GENaustin is fantastic as well. Everyone is driven and passionate to work toward the goal of helping to empower girls! I have learned so much from everyone in my time here and have grown so much. I am excited to be able to share my passion and excitement about girls’ issues with such a wonderful organization.