UNCSW69 Delegates

Elon Darthard
YWCA San Gabriel Valley

Elon Darthard is a public health expert, biomedical and political science researcher, human health activist, and public speaker. As the Community Engagement Coordinator at the YWCA San Gabriel Valley, Elon works primarily on the LA County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative.

Partnering with industry leaders like Kaiser Permanente, Huntington Hospital, Baby 2 Baby, and First 5 LA she identifies solutions to advocate for the elimination of systemic barriers and gaps in services. Aiding in the support of 306+ families to reduce Black infant and maternal mortality rates regionally. Earning her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology at the University of Utah and Master of Public Health at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Her prior work and research has focused on autonomic physiology, historical anthropology, neurological impairments with concussion patients, skin disorders within medical school curricula, and operationalizing COVID-19 relief efforts in schools. She has four published works in research journals (Undergraduate Research Journal), abstracts (IME Conference), and a legislative resolution (The Daily Utah Chronicle).

As Chapter President and State Representative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Elon curated projects across five institutions she added to the charter. Recently serving as a SoCal Women's Conference Committee Member for The YWC Rise and Lead Women's Summit. Her notable addresses include a Keynote Speech at the LA County Department of Mental Health SALT 3 Juneteenth Celebration and Healthcare Speech at the CCRC Policy Conference. As a spokeswoman for change, she spearheads innovative programs, assesses wrap-around services, and connects stakeholders.

Imani Woodyard
YWCA York

Iman Woodyard, Esq. is the Legal Advocacy Director at YWCA York, overseeing operations of the Legal Department within Victim Services while maintaining a caseload to provide free legal representation and advice to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Iman graduated from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in 2018, with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology. She graduated from Penn State – Dickinson Law in 2021, obtaining her Juris Doctorate and a certificate in Family Law and Children’s Advocacy. She has been admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since October 2021.

Iman was previously employed as a Staff Attorney at MidPenn Legal Services, providing free legal services to low-income individuals and domestic violence survivors in Family Law matters. Iman was named a “Rising Star” by the York County Bar Association in October 2022. In April 2023, Iman was honored by Penn State – Dickinson Law’s Women’s Law Caucus with the “Recent Aluma Award”, recognizing a graduate of the school within the past 10 years who is exceptionally dedicated to her work and promotes encouragement of women in the legal field. Iman is also a graduate of YWCA USA’s Emerging Leaders 2024 Cohort, obtaining necessary skills and relationships to become a change agent.

Iman is a passionate advocate, especially for those the legal system disproportionately affects. Although she is still early in her career, she has already received achievement and recognition among her legal community and plans to continue to use her knowledge and abilities in the pursuit of true justice

Jessie Baer
YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley

Jessie earned her Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies in 2015 and began working at the Anderson County Public Defender’s Office. She later enrolled in the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Social Work, serving as a UTKCSW Ambassador, Transfer Peer Mentoring Program Coordinator, Dean’s Student Advisory Council Representative, and President of the Bachelor’s Social Work Organization. She was an Undergraduate Research Assistant for an interdisciplinary project with the College of Engineering seeking to develop a biosensor for detecting lead and arsenic in community water systems and identify correlations between those levels and socioeconomic status. She conducted research on the causes of recurrent social assistance requests, presented at EURēCA 2022.

Jessie graduated from the BSSW Honors Program in 2022, receiving the UTK Volunteer of Distinction – Extraordinary Academic Achievement and Outstanding BSSW Student Leadership Awards. In 2023, she graduated from the advanced standing MSSW Program, Organizational Leadership concentration, and two graduate certificates in Trauma Treatment and NASW Human Services Management. Jessie serves as President of the Board of Directors for ASAP of Anderson, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing substance misuse, and received the 2024 ASAP of Anderson Board Member of the Year Award.

Jessie works for the YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley as the Victim Advocate for the Anderson County Family Justice Center (ACFJC). Four months into her role, she received the 2024 Tennessee Family Justice Center Conference Advocacy for All Award for creating and facilitation of the ACFJC Peer Support Group.

Mariah Howard
YWCA Metro Chicago

Mariah incorporates their praxis of passion, compassion, allyship, and continuous self-improvement to work toward a more equitable world. They graduated Summa cum Laude from University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, where they studied Political Science. While in university, they worked with servant-leader organizations to promote ethical leadership across sectors. In 2020, Mariah participated in the ACLU’s National Advocacy Institute, where they were able to connect with other young leaders seeking to create a more equitable society during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, they served as a main facilitator at the 2021 International Servant Leadership Summit, which saw 1,100 attendees from across the world.

While in Graduate School at DePaul University, Mariah studied Public Policy and worked with Dr. Danielle Vance-McMullen and the Donor-Advised Fund Research Collaborative to study trends in the nonprofit giving space.

In 2022, they studied Peace and Conflict Resolution in Northern Ireland, where their cohort met with government, civic, and community leaders who were working to promote unity, peace, and equitable policy in the region. They started working on the Grants Team at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago in June 2023, where they have merged their passions of writing and social justice to strengthen the programs that benefit Chicago’s most vulnerable and underserved families.

Going forward, Mariah will leverage their lived experience and their professional experience in academia, nonprofits, and foundations to become a strong asset for the public sector and a driver of equity in Chicago and beyond.

Rachel Grollmes
YWCA Northeast Kansas

Rachel (she/her) is a Topeka, Kansas native and graduated from Kansas State University in December 2022 with a degree in Communication Studies, a minor in Spanish, and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. Rachel is the Public Education Coordinator for the YWCA Northeast Kansas Center for Safety and Empowerment. In this role, she delivers prevention education to the community, offering training on topics such as domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking to a diverse range of groups, including community organizations, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, students, and faith-based communities.

Furthermore, she works as a part of the Community Engagement Team to plan fundraising and awareness raising events, including Week Without Violence, and the association's two signature fundraising events. Rachel is passionate about the power of self-reflection in the workplace and strives to be a part of a culture marked by connection, curiosity, and bravery.

Melinda Jimenez Perez
YWCA San Antonio

Melinda Jimenez Perez is the Director of Economic Empowerment at YWCA San Antonio and a financial education expert with over 12 years of experience in financial services. She is the leading expert in financial cultural humility and culturally informed financial education, specializing in generational financial empowerment and bilingual coaching in both English and Spanish.

Melinda is a CNM Certified Financial Coach® and an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®), credentials that enhance her expertise in delivering culturally attuned financial guidance. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word School of Education, where her dissertation focused on the financial literacy of Puerto Rican women in the United States through ethnographic action research.

Alongside her financial education work, Melinda is the author of Purple Lemonade/Limonada Morada, a bilingual children’s book introducing concepts of saving, giving, spending, and investing to young readers. As a speaker, she regularly shares her insights on financial empowerment and financial cultural humility.

A dedicated advocate for financial literacy and economic empowerment, Melinda lives and works in San Antonio, TX.

Mariame Sano
YWCA Central Massachusetts

Mariame Sano is a passionate advocate for gender equality. She currently serves as a Family Shelter Advocate at the YWCA Central Massachusetts, where she provides critical support to women and families fleeing domestic violence. In this role, Mariame addresses immediate challenges while fostering empowerment and resilience, helping survivors reclaim their independence and rebuild their lives.

Mariame's commitment to gender equity is deeply rooted in her upbringing in Guinea, West Africa, where she witnessed the structural barriers faced by women and girls in accessing education, economic opportunities, and basic rights. This experience ignited her lifelong dedication to advancing gender equity and empowering underserved communities both locally and globally.

In addition to her work at the YWCA, Mariame serves on the Board of RAIN for the Sahel and Sahara, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering rural and nomadic communities in Niger. Through this role, she helps advance education and economic opportunities with a particular emphasis on girl's education and economic empowerment for Nomadic women.

As a delegate for the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW 69), Mariame is honored to bring her unique perspective shaped by years of frontline work and a deep passion for international advocacy. She looks forward to participating in the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, sharing insights, and learning strategies to address systemic barriers to gender equality.

Jemma Riedel-Johnson
YWCA Spokane

Jemma Riedel-Johnson is the Engagement Lead at YWCA Spokane. Jemma collaborates with staff, volunteers, and community partners to advance education, outreach, and violence prevention initiatives. She champions YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through strategic communication, training, and engagement efforts that empower individuals and strengthen communities.

Jemma has been involved with nonprofits for over 10 years and is dedicated to fighting for equity through advocacy and education. She holds a Master of Science in Communications with a Graduate Certificate in Gender & Sexuality Studies from Eastern Washington University.

Kate Willow
YWCA Clark County

Kate Willow (she/her) is the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Specialist for SafeChoice at YWCA Clark County, in Washington state. As a graduate from the University of Portland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work and a minor in Sociology, she has over three years of experience in advocacy, crisis intervention, and equity-focused initiatives. Willow is a passionate leader in inclusive direct services, equity trainings and community outreach efforts tailored to support marginalized populations.

As the current Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equity Committee, direct organizational trainings, she strategically builds partnerships to expand access to housing, financial assistance, and legal resources for folks who have experienced intimate partner violence. In addition to her advocacy work, she has contributed to research on gender, sexuality, religion and power through the CHIRP Humanities Lab.

Willow has multiple co-authored publications, and a forthcoming book titled Liturgy in the Shadow of Trauma. With a deep commitment to social justice and empowering communities, Willow is driven to foster meaningful change and equitable access to resources.

Juliet Vargas
YWCA Berkeley/Oakland

Juliet Galvez Vargas is a recent graduate from UC Berkeley, earning a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology in Spring 2024. Vargas academic journey equipped her with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, preparing her to tackle complex challenges in a variety of settings.

After a one year of working as a Front Desk and Admin Assistant with the YWCA Berkeley/Oakland, where she gained hands-on experience in community engagement, program management, and organizational support. This role deepened Vargas’s passion for social justice and helped her build effective communication and project management skills, all while supporting the YWCA’s mission to empower women and promote equality.

Six months ago, she transitioned into a new role as Bookkeeping, Communications, and Development Manager. In this position, she is responsible for managing financial records, overseeing communications strategies, and supporting donor relations and fundraising efforts.

This role has broadened her skill set and allowed Vargas to contribute to the organization’s growth in a meaningful way. She is driven by a desire to blend her scientific background and nonprofit management to create positive change. Vargas is excited to continue growing professionally and using her skills to make an impact in both the nonprofit sector and beyond.

Natalie Washington
YWCA Metro Phoenix

Natalie Washington is a dedicated advocate for racial and social justice, currently serving as the Racial and Social Justice Coordinator at YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix. With a passion for empowering both young women and aging communities, Natalie’s work focuses on addressing systemic challenges, building bridges across generations, and fostering collective action.

She holds a Master of Science in Aging from Arizona State University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Psychology from Grambling State University. Raised between Oregon and Hawaii, her diverse upbringing informs her inclusive and holistic approach to advocacy and community engagement.

As an Afro-Indigenous LGBTQIA+ woman, Natalie brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her leadership. She actively mentors emerging leaders through the Young Professionals Greater Phoenix Urban League and is an engaged member of Young & Empowered Women, amplifying the voices of young women and inspiring the next generation.

Natalie’s leadership extends to global platforms, including serving as a Voting Delegate for YWCA at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), where she advocates for gender and racial equity on an international stage. By blending personal storytelling with data-driven insights, Natalie drives meaningful change that inspires action and creates lasting impact.

Through her work, Natalie remains committed to YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women, while uplifting the communities she serves with passion, authenticity, and purpose.

Fatima Ahdaoui
YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley

Fatima Ahdaoui is a dedicated domestic violence victim advocate with the YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley. Originally from Morocco, Ahdaoui immigrated to the U.S. with dreams of a brighter future. Her language skills, understanding of the nuances of some specific cultures, and recognition of the unique barriers faced by her clients has played a prominent role in Ahdaoui’s career as an advocate for the immigrant and the refugee victims of abuse.

Committed to empowering victims of domestic abuse, Ahdaoui strategically empowers clients by providing a safe non-judgmental environment, guiding them to navigate the complex legal system, and ensuring that they have access to resources they need to achieve independence and to reclaim their lives.

In addition to working with clients, Ahdaoui collaborates with law enforcement, legal professionals, community organizations, and government agencies to ensure that victims receive all the services they need. She also conducts domestic violence prevention trainings, and public speaking engagements to raise awareness about the challenges faced by immigrant survivors of domestic violence and the importance of culturally sensitive support services.

Ahdaoui’s dedication to serve victims of domestic violence stems from her commitment to social justice and desire to amplify women’s voices, promote women empowerment, and achieve meaningful change for women’s rights in society.

Netsanet Gebregizbher
YWCA Rochester & Monroe County

Netsanet Gebregzibher is a dedicated nonprofit leader currently serving as the Vice President of People & Culture at YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County. With a strong commitment to equity and community impact, she focuses on building capacity and empowering leaders to drive meaningful change.

A graduate of the University at Buffalo with a BS in Business Management, Netsanet holds professional certification from Society for Human Resource Professionals (SHRM-CP) and Institute for Diversity (CDE).

She has experience working in Workforce Development, Training & Development, Talent Acquisition, and organizational management. Her extensive experience nonprofit has been fueled by her passion for supporting marginalized groups, promoting social reforms and enhancing community well-being.

Netsanet has received numerous accolades for her work, including being named a finalist for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce IGNITE award (2022), and recognized as one of Messenger Post’s Greater Rochester 40 under 40 African American Leader(2011), Featured spot light as an emerging leader in Rochester Business Journal (2012). She volunteers her time to support her community, by serving as Vice Chair on Horizon’s at Harley Board and as a past board member for Rochester Refugees Helping Refugees.

Through her lived experience and unwavering dedication, Netsanet is committed to make a positive impact in her community.

Deniece Kitchin
YWCA O’ahu

Deniece Kitchin is a passionate advocate for social justice, currently serving as Senior Program Manager for the YWCA Oʻahu Dress for Success Honolulu program. With over 20 years of experience in retail and fashion, Deniece combines her expertise with her passion for self-expression through personal style to help women feel confident and empowered.

As a Black woman, Deniece incorporates her lived experiences into her advocacy, focusing on dismantling systemic racism, anti-fat bias, and gender inequities. She creates inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+, trans, nonbinary, and plus-size clients by implementing size-inclusive practices, sourcing diverse, high-quality inventory, and educating volunteers on using empowering language. Deniece is also a committed reproductive justice advocate, working to ensure equitable access and bodily autonomy for all.

With a background in higher education, Deniece has worked with college students to foster personal and professional growth, equipping them with the tools to navigate systemic barriers. This experience informs her ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and empower them to achieve their goals.

Deniece has participated in YWCA USA’s BIPOC-focused cohorts, including the 2022 Racial Justice Community Series and 2023 Rest is Resistance program, and completed trauma-informed yoga teacher training through Project Koa Yoga. Her work exemplifies YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women by combining innovation, advocacy, and cultural relevance to drive meaningful change in her community.