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.

Evelyn Blue, B.A. Bowie, Treasurer

Evelyn Blue, B.A. While working in public accounting for the past 15 years, Evelyn developed a passion for trusts and estates. She enjoys the creative techniques used to craft each estate plan and has completed a Certification in Estate Planning through National Institute of Certified Estate Planners.

Most recently Evelyn was a Tax Senior Manager at the accounting firm Synder Cohn, P.C., where she managed the firm’s estate, gift, and fiduciary tax preparation process. Evelyn’s clients appreciate her patience, flexibility, responsiveness, and ability to simplify complex tax issues.

At Birchstone Moore, Evelyn leads the preparation of estate and gift tax returns for the firm’s clients, as well as trust accountings. Evelyn also assists with IRS audits of client gift and estate tax returns and compliance issues.

Evelyn is the Treasurer of the Estate Planning Council of Montgomery County Maryland, Inc. She also serves as a Board Member for the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Professional Advisors Council and Sharing Montgomery.

Ms. Blue is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park.

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 alumni, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, and a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from The American School of Professional Psychology. She is Vice President and Co-Founder of S.A.S.S.I.E. Mentoring Inc. – where she has served teen girls for over 15 years. Dr. Neely is currently a Comprehensive Planning Specialist, serving on the legislative team at Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). At MSDE, Dr. Neely is responsible for monitoring and providing statewide technical support and assistance to ensure that students, staff, families, and communities receive equitable mental health awareness and prevention services. Prior to joining MSDE, Dr. Neely spent 16 years as a Clinical Psychologist within the District of Columbia Public Charter School System, (DCPCSS) where she was responsible for addressing the well-being of over 700 students and families in addition to over 100 staff persons. Before serving in DCPSSS, Dr. Neely was 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 a Board Member for Every Girl Can Learning Institute and an Advisory Board Member for The Solid Foundation Inc.

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.

Crystal Jackson, B.A., Bowie, MD

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., Arlington, VA

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.

Zoë N. Hillocks, B.S., Upper Marlboro, MD

Zoë Noelle Hillocks is a 2025 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University-University Park where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrative Science with minors in Biology, French and Francophone Studies. She aspires to continue her education in medical science. While at Penn State, Zoë was a Bunton-Waller Fellow Scholar which earned her a “full ride” and made the Dean’s List three times. Zoë served as choir director of the Unity Christian Campus Ministry, interned at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Center of Excellence in Research and served on the executive board of the Minority Association of Pre-Medicine Students as secretary. In 2024, Zoe joined the Anatomy in Italy Study Abroad Program. She is a Girl Scout Gold Award winner, and an accomplished singer (soprano), serving in her church choir and performing as guest soloist. Since age thirteen, Zoë began attending programs sponsored by Every Girl Can Learning Institute and has since been a dedicated volunteer. She enjoys traveling, dancing and listening to music in her free time.

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 katherine@wurzburg.us