About Us

Yasmin Anderson-Smith, MCRP, Colesville, MD – Founder/President

Yasmin Anderson-Smith, MCRP is an award-winning speaker, trainer, coach and author who earned her graduate degree from Howard University. Yasmin ignites and inspires  young and mid-career professionals to soar and shine with distinction and gain competitive advantage in today’s crowded global business marketplace. A former management professional, Yasmin re-branded her career in 2007 as an entrepreneur. Her leading-edge experience in workplace excellence training, personal branding, professional development and civility skills helps college students, business women and young professionals sharpen their skills in career-readiness and advancement. Known as a leader in her field, Yasmin brings high enthusiasm, insight and inspiration to all her programs in order to touch the hearts and minds of participants. In 2007, Yasmin created Every Girl Can™ to help teen girls project confidence, practice civility and embrace a healthy body image. Yasmin has published several articles, a white paper and blogs on business image, personal branding and civility http://bit.ly/1lbhjYh and is co-author of the books The Power of Civility and Executive Image Power. This Jamaican-born Maryland resident is the mother of three college graduates  who are MCPS graduates.

Tiffany Williford, MBA, Waldorf, MD - Executive Secretary

Tiffany Williford, MBA has over twenty years experience as a Human Resources professional in the Federal government. During her career, she has had several internship  opportunities and later managed various internship programs. An interest in counseling and behavioral sciences lead her to pursue and complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Bowie State University. She subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Studies, from the University of Maryland. Tiffany has always had a passion for shaping the future of our youth and their development. She actively assists her homeowner’s  association in finding activities for youth in the  community and volunteers as a “dance mom” for her  daughter’s dance school. She is the proud mother of a pre-teen daughter who is in middle school. Tiffany  enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, home improvement activities, creative fashion, and volunteering at church events.

Shakira Nelson, Ph.D., Columbia, MD

Shakira M. Nelson, Ph.D. is a Program Director in the Division of Training, Workforce Development and Diversity at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Dr. Nelson manages multiple grant portfolios, including the Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, the Bridges to Baccalaureate and the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development. Before joining NIGMS, Dr. Nelson worked in Philadelphia, PA as a Senior Science Program Administrator at the American Association for Cancer Research. Her graduate education includes her earning a B.S. in microbiology from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Ph.D. in immunology and infectious diseases – also from The Pennsylvania State University. While continuing her education, she conducted postdoctoral research as a cancer prevention fellow (in the areas of prostate cancer and health disparities) at the National Cancer Institute.

Renee Neely, Psy.D., Glen Burnie, MD

Dr. Renee Neely is a two-time Bowie State University alumna, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology, and a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. For the past 13-years, she has served as a Psychologist within the District of Columbia Public Charter School system, where she is responsible for serving over 700 students and families. Prior to her current position, Dr. Neely served as a Congressional Fellow for Congressman “Bobby” Scott, VA (D). In this role she advocated for children and families by drafting legislation for initiatives within the areas of juvenile justice, education, health disparities, and workforce development. Dr. Neely’s diverse work history also includes her dedication and commitment to serving as the Co-Founder for S.A.S.S.I.E. Mentoring Inc. and Metropolitan Psychological Group, LLC. Dr. Neely’s member affiliations include the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Udean Mars Williams, Ph.D., Hyattsville, MD

Udean Mars Williams, Ph.D. is an Instructional Coach at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Maryland and Adjunct Professor in the psychology department at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).  She received her BS from  Howard University with a major in Biology, minor in Chemistry, a Masters from Trinity University and a doctoral degree from The Chicago School of Professional Studies in International Psychology.  She has over a decade of experience in K-12 STEM classroom education.  Her areas of expertise include International Psychology,  Intimate partner violence (IPV) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, alcohol abuse, curriculum writing , learning disabilities,  diversity, and women’s issues.

Ayanna Flegler, Ph.D., Bowie, MD

Ayanna Flegler, Ph.D. currently uses her biomedical sciences, biodefense and program management background to achieve U.S. government solutions for scientific and health challenges. Ayanna has experience with managing biodefense (preventing and reducing biological threats) programs with the Department of Defense, where she provided technical and programmatic advising on research portfolios within Africa and Southeast Asia. Ayanna also managed Research and Development efforts for programs focused on emerging biological and chemical threats. Ayanna has a research background in the life sciences, with knowledge areas in infectious diseases, virology, and cell biology. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Ayanna earned her PhD, with a focus in Cell and Molecular Biology, from Northwestern University. Her primary expertise is in early stages of HIV transmission. Ayanna was born in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She enjoys traveling, trying different cuisines, and seeking new adventures.

Deborah A. Finley, Ph.D., Miami, FL

Deborah A. Finley, Ph.D. is a native of Philadelphia, PA and the proud mother of one daughter. Her early professional career, as a speech-language pathologist, has given her the opportunity to provide therapeutic services to pediatric, school-age children and adults with communication disorders. Throughout her career she has practiced in seven states as a staff therapist,  a school administrator and an adjunct professor at three universities. She is the founder of several corporations focused on healthcare, artificial intelligence and multimedia. Recently, she expanded her interests to writing and self-publishing  children’s picture books. Her community service activities have included being involved with several non-profit organizations in the role of board member. She is an alumna of Leadership Montgomery, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Myesha Bynum, Bowie,, MD

Myesha Bynum is an entrepreneur and holistic practitioner of Tricology at MJB Holistic Hair Care, located in Bowie, Maryland. Myesha is a dedicated and experienced volunteer with youth girl programs aged 9 to 17 through her involvement in summer camps, girl scouts and other activities. Myesha is affiliated with several non-profit and community-based organizations such as health fairs, church events and other programs. Myesha is passionate about serving, leading and giving back. She is interested in community outreach, conference planning, marketing, public relations, social media, writing and leadership. Myesha is the proud mother of teen girl and enjoys spending time with her family.

Crystal Jackson, B.A.

Crystal Marie Jackson is a 2010 graduate of Elizabeth Seton High School and a Spelman College Alumna, Class of 2014. At Spelman she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Japanese Studies. Crystal is currently employed by KIPP DC as an Office Manager at Grow Academy in Northwest Washington DC. She has a passion for providing developmental support to growing organizations. Crystal has been a volunteer with the Every Girl Can Conference since 2014 and a youth adviser to the Board of Directors since 2015.

Onyinye Nworokie, B.A.

Onyinye Nwokorie is a graduate of Springbrook High School and Towson University. At Towson, she earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication Studies and Mass Communications with a concentration in Strategic Public Relations. While at Towson, she served as vice president of the Collegiate Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women. Nworokie has been a volunteer with the Every Girl Can Conference since 2009 and a youth adviser to the Board of Directors since 2015. Nwokorie is passionate about empowering young girls and women in mind, body and spirit.

L. Isabelle Blackwood-Ellis, PhD – Clinical Psychologist, Co-Owner, Psychological and Educational Associates

Gillian Cadogen, CPA – Accountant

Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines, PhD – Senior Materials and Mechanical Engineer, Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Lab

Elaine Knight, PhD -Research Scientist, NIH

Claire Nelson, PhD – Engineer and Futurist, Sagient Futures

Chu Chu Onwuachi-Saunders, MD, MPH – Pediatrician, Public Health Consultant and Author

Paulette Watson, PhD – Former Educational Consultant, Massachusetts, Board of Education

Coming soon.
Girls in 8th to 12th grade and college students may send a message of inquiry/interest to EGCLI secretaty, Katherine Wurzburg at [email protected]