OUR TEAMMeet the Team behind GGG
The GGG team is made up of leaders, listeners, and innovators working together to inspire lasting change.
Our fully volunteer team is passionate about the organization’s mission. From the Founder/ President to the Board of Directors to College Student Input to our Teen Advisory Council and Junior Ambassador Council, we are all committed to creating a more equitable world for all.
Meet our Founder, Chasta Hamilton
A dancer since the age of 2 and a business owner since the age of 22, Chasta believes the performing arts can change the world and is manifesting that standard as the Founder & CEO of Stage Door Dance Productions in Raleigh, NC.
Girls Geared For Greatness is a non-profit extension of that vision as we support, train, and encourage strong, successful, disciplined, and talented young women leaders through our engaging, timely, and relevant programming.
Sara Thames
Sara works to implement programming and serves as our data analyst and program consultant.
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Credential Highlights:
BA in Psychology and Neuroscience from Bowling Green State University
MA in Counseling from Wake Forest University with a Specialization in School Counseling
National Board Certified Counselor
Specialization in Trauma and Crisis Management
Previous jobs include: Advocate and Case Manager for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; PreK-12 School Counselor; Program and Evaluation Director for Read and Feed; Crisis Counselor Supervisor with Crisis Text Line
Current position: Brand Vision/ Strategy for Stage Door Dance Productions
Crissy Fishbane
Crissy Fishbane is the co-founder of HER Health Collective, a supportive community and resource hub for moms.
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She is a certified therapeutic exercise specialist, personal trainer, wellness coach, and former high-school psychology teacher. Crissy believes in a holistic approach to women’s health and is a strong advocate of improved screening and treatment of perinatal mood disorders. She is passionate about building a supportive community for moms where they can make genuine connections and build authentic relationships. Crissy is a peer support facilitator and mentor with Moms Supporting Moms and a regular contributor for WRAL Family.
Whitney Schmidt
Through her daughter’s pageant journey starting in 2015 she has been a part of fundraising and with Victory Junction and AJ and the Cool Kids.
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Whitney resides in Youngsville with her husband, daughter, four cats, and two dogs and currently works in her local Animal Services department where she works hand in hand with 501c3 Rescues across the state. She is excited to work with young girls to help them realize their potential.
Janice Thomas
She is currently an Associate Director for a global Fortune 500 Contract Research Organization, supporting business operations and finance.
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Janice graduated from NCSU with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Women's and Gender Studies. While she has been in the Clinical Research industry for the last 10+ years, she also has experience in early education research in underserved communities, and as an ESL teacher for elementary aged children. She currently resides in Durham with her family and pack of huskies. Janice is also a certified yoga instructor at a local studio and can be found with her nose in a book during her spare time.
Jenn Viklund
With 15+ years of senior management experience, Jenn brings a wealth of knowledge and practice leading diverse teams and driving business with creative thinking and process implementation.
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Currently, Jenn holds the position of Chief of Staff with NWS, a technology infrastructure company located in Greensboro, NC where she leads Human Resources, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), ESG (Environmental and Social Governance), and CSR (Community Social Responsibility) programs in addition to other strategic initiatives. Jenn holds a Bachelor of Human Services from Salem State University, and a Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate of Non-Profit Business Management from NC State University. Previous roles Jenn has held include program management and finance roles in the telecom industry, grant development through various volunteer organizations and work as a facilitator with Girls Inc. and other NPO groups related to youth development and minority business enterprises. Jenn has a passion for developing leaders and diverse talent. She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, 2 kids and 2 rowdy dogs.
Maggie Mae Stapleton
Maggie Mae Stapleton is a passionate advocate for empowering young women and a dedicated professional in the field of communications.
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A graduate of Saint Michael's College with a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies, Journalism, and Digital Arts, Maggie Mae has utilized her education to excel in various leadership roles. Currently, she serves as the Director of Communications for AIA North Carolina, where she skillfully manages public relations and communication strategies. Additionally, Maggie Mae is the owner of Authentically You Consulting, a successful pageant coaching business dedicated to helping individuals present their best selves.
Maggie's commitment to supporting young women extends beyond her professional endeavors. She is the Chairwoman for the Distinguished Young Women of Wake County Scholarship Program, where she plays a pivotal role in encouraging and recognizing the achievements of young women in the community. As an active member of the Junior League of Raleigh, Maggie serves as the Captain for the Green Chair Project, further demonstrating her dedication to community service and leadership.
In her free time, Maggie enjoys staying active through pilates, rock climbing, and SCUBA diving. She also cherishes moments spent with her beloved cat, Prada.
Maggie is thrilled to join the board of directors for Girls Geared for Greatness. She is eager to contribute her skills and passion to further the organization's mission of empowering and inspiring young women to achieve their full potential.
Kayleigh Feldkircher
Kayleigh is the Owner & Director of The Dance Centre (TDC) in Rocky River, Ohio, implementing Girls Geared for Greatness programming since 2022.
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Under the former Owner & Director, Heidi Glynias, Kayleigh had the opportunity to spearhead an impactful inaugural event aimed at empowering girls to realize their full potential. TDC's Girls Geared for Greatness programming continues to champion self-confidence and compassion while fostering a holistic approach to growth. Kayleigh's dedication to this mission extends beyond the studio as she forges meaningful relationships with inspiring women and role models in her community, identifying and addressing the unique needs of young girls through innovative programming.
A Summa Cum Laude graduate from The Ohio State University, with a major in Political Science and minors in dance, women's and gender studies, and legal foundations, Kayleigh's diverse passions converge in her leadership roles. Her accolades in property management, including titles such as National Sales Person of the Year, underscore her professional acumen. Through skills and success gained in the corporate world along with her dedication to dance education and passion for inspiring the next generation of women, Kayleigh embodies a leadership style characterized by diligence, care, positivity, and a hunger for growth.
In the studio, Kayleigh's impact extends far beyond dance instruction, as she cultivates a supportive environment where students are inspired to embrace their unique strengths and aspire to greatness. Her deep gratitude to mentors like Chasta Hamilton and Heidi Glynias underscores her dedication to fostering confident, empowered individuals poised to make a difference in the world. Kayleigh is thrilled to take on a leadership position within this amazing organization and is excited to continue bringing the mission of Girls Geared for Greatness to life, shaping a brighter future for young girls everywhere.