Girls' LEAP Staff

	Deborah Weaver, Co-Founder and Executive Director of LEAP Self-Defense Deborah holds an MFA equivalent in Dance and is a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics at Wellesley College. She has been teaching for over 30 years, focusing on the relationship between self-esteem, physical training, and well-being. email Deborah
	Tracey Westgate, Program Director Tracey holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Spanish from Gordon College. She has over seven years of professional experience working with youth, including mentoring and peer leadership programs. Tracey started as a part-time facilitator with LEAP in 2004 and became a full-time employee in 2006.  She is responsible for developing and maintaining successful program partnerships, ensuring high-quality program delivery, and managing all program staff.  email Tracey
	Mark Wiranowski, Development and Finance Director Mark holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Princeton University. Before joining Girls’ LEAP, Mark directed the Harvard GEAR UP program, preparing low-income high school students for post-secondary education. Mark has worked with at-risk youth for over ten years in wilderness, therapeutic and educational settings. email Mark
	Kristen Cuneo, Teen Mentor Program Coordinator Kristen is a Facilitator of LEAP programs and is also responsible for managing the Teen Mentor Program.  She is especially dedicated to utilizing the Teen Mentors as LEAP Ambassadors, delivering community demonstrations, workshops, and outreach. Kristen is an alumna of Wellesley College, with a BA in Women’s Studies.  Kristen has been with LEAP since 2006, as a teaching assistant and student intern through Wellesley College. She started her full-time role with LEAP as of June 2007.email Kristen
	Jennifer Rokke, Community Education Coordinator, Mass Promise Fellow Jennifer is an alumna of Scripps College, with a BA in Media Studies and is beginning a graduate program in Public Relations at Northeastern in fall of 2008.  She is currently a Massachusetts Promise Fellow with AmeriCorps and is the Community Education Coordinator with Girls’ LEAP.  Her role includes leading the Community Education Initiative which engages youth workers and teenage girls in dialog about issues of violence facing girls.  Additionally, Jennifer is a Facilitator of LEAP programs.

LEAP’s all-female teaching staff consists of professional facilitators, college-age “Teaching Women” and “Teen Mentors.” Diverse staff and low ratios offer strong role models and significant opportunities for practice and discussion.

Part-time Professional Facilitators include:

Leah Hart Tennen, MPH, CHES, LICSW
4 years LEAP experience, Coordinator of Life Choices Group Mentoring, Big Sister Association.

Rosalinda Linares
2 Years as Teaching Woman, 1 as Facilitator, Customer Relations Administrative Assistant, Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.

Melissa Lockman
6 years LEAP experience, Early Childhood Clinician, Child Witness to Violence Project.

Jennifer McCracken, LICSW
8 years LEAP experience, Director of Preschool Outreach Program, The Home for Little Wanderers.

Margaret Murray
6 years LEAP experience, Human Resources Manager, Institute for Health and Recovery, Inc.

Jessica Rickards
2 years as Teaching Woman, including Student Coordinator , 1 as Facilitator, Administrative Assistant, Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Stephanie Sunderland
10 years LEAP experience, Program Coordinator, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network.

Rebecca Pisarski
3 years LEAP experience as Teaching Woman, Lead Tutor, City on a Hill Charter School.

Roberta Udoh
1 year LEAP experience, Parent and Community Activist.

Tanya White
4 years LEAP Experience, Personal Trainer, YMCA of Roxbury and Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women.

Active Facilitators-in-training include:
Sheila Biggs, Maureen Buckley, Ophera Davis, Cynthia Gordon, Tiffany Gosier, Amanda Hall, Rebecca Pisarski, Kieya Redden.