Dr. Eleanor (Ellie) Benner, Psy.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the Eating Disorder Assessment & Treatment Program and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Amy Mack, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the hospital as well. They specialize in delivering evidence-based treatment for child and adolescent eating disorders.

Dr. Benner received her master's and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. Amy studied Psychology at Gettysburg College and received their Master of Social Work degree from Widener University.

Amy and Ellie have presented at schools, primary care offices, and conferences at the regional, national, and international scale on assessment and evidence-based treatments for eating disorders. They are inspired by teaching others to provide exceptional care for pediatric eating disorders.

Julie Henning is an Amerasian born in South Korea at the end of the Korean Conflict. At age 13, her Korean mother died, and Julie was brought to America by Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck who raised her as her daughter.

Julie earned her BA from King's College and received her master’s degree in Education from Wilkes University. Julie retired after 25 years of teaching math at Indian Valley Middle School. Most of her time teaching was with her husband, Doug, who is now the Family Care Pastor at their church. Julie has presented two of the Pearl S. Buck Women of the Year Awards, one to Madam Lee He Ho, wife of Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, and one to First Lady Laura Bush.

Julie will take you on a journey from her roots outside of Seoul, Korea to her life with the famous author, and finally into a new, lasting family.  She is the author of “Rose in a Ditch” which is available on Amazon. Julie is also a wife and mother of two married sons and five wonderful grandsons, three of whom are currently SASD students.(taken from https://youngwomenrising2017.wixsite.com/i-am-that-girl/speakers)

Before joining TechGirlz, Danica Pascavage was a technical instructor for 18 years, beginning her career at IBM. She created and taught courses throughout the United States. She joined TechGirlz in 2015.

Danica remembers being the only girl in her high school and college STEM classes. She would love to see the gender gap reduced by introducing the next generation of girls to technology careers. Being a part of the TechGirlz team is important to her not only because it teaches the girls technology, but confidence as well.

Danica has a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Maryland and Master's degree in Education from Gwynedd Mercy University. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering in the community, yoga, and coaching lacrosse.

Ashley has decades of clinical experience in outpatient, residential, and educational settings, where she assists clients as they tackle temporary road bumps or ongoing significant life crises. She is passionate about her work with children, tweens, and teens, striving to equip them with the tools they will need to move successfully through life.

In addition, Ashley has a special interest in the emotional health of women. She comes alongside to provide counseling and coaching for all of life’s stages and spaces. She is known in her field for her empathetic approach while helping others navigate anxiety.

Ashley is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania, having received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Mennonite University, and her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. Additionally, she holds a certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Penn State University.

Ms. Garret works as a Prison Break Coach. She speaks of her own rise from being labeled a habitual offender to someone who now experiences personal and professional success.

Allison lived a life plagued with abuse, addiction, and crime. With a criminal history, low self-esteem, and no one to guide her, she went to prison and developed her own method of recovery by redefining success. Through persistence and determination, Allison refused to allow her ex-offender status to define her.

Using her past to fuel her passions, she became a certified life coach, published author, speaker, and entrepreneur. The development of The Prison Break Success System©, which shows women how to get out of 'prison', came from her very own personal prison break.

Allison works with professional women who struggle with life's setbacks and helps them break free from their mental prison so they can experience true freedom in their personal and professional lives. Ms. Garret spends her time advocating for incarcerated women, criminal justice involving females, and gender-specific programming.

Katie Sanford is one of the educators at Laurel House, a nonprofit comprehensive domestic violence agency in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Katie has worked at Laurel House for over 2 years and has been in prevention education for more than 3 years.

She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology with a minor in Gender Studies from Bloomsburg University and is currently working towards her Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health.

Her main job responsibility at Laurel House is to outreach to the community. She speaks to students ranging from middle school to college about domestic violence to help them change their behaviors and lessen the prevalence of domestic violence in the future.

Shaneen Dewendre is the Technical Operations Manager at Brooks Instrument LLC. Brooks Instrument is the leader in the Test & Measurement division of ITW (Illinois Tool Works). In her role, Shaneen is responsible for driving operational growth, coaching her team, and continuously improving the Brooks product lines.

Shaneen received her Bachelors’ degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University and shortly thereafter, was accepted into the Brooks Instrument Management Development Rotation Program. She recently graduated with an MBA from Villanova University’s Fast Track program. Shaneen has held the positions of Quality Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, and Continuous Improvement Engineer prior to her current role.

Outside of work, she supports causes that are close to her heart including several non-profits back in her home country of Sri Lanka. She is currently a Social Enterprise Consultant to the Villanova Social Enterprise Consulting Practicum MBA course at Villanova University.

Danea L. Durham is a Trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police. She currently serves as the Community Service and Public Information Liaison.

Originally from Philadelphia, Trooper Durham graduated from Olney High School and continued her education with a bachelor’s degree from Temple University.

Trooper Durham makes presentations upon request to a wide variety of community organizations to foster an understanding of State Police operations and programs. She serves as a Pennsylvania State Police liaison and promotes understanding between community groups and the State Police. Trooper Durham also participates in arrangements for the Camp Cadet Program within Troop K and serves as a counselor during the camp.

(taken from https://youngwomenrising2017.wixsite.com/i-am-that-girl/speakers)

Michelle Bauer is an entrepreneur and owner of Nex Level Fitness, located in Chalfont and Doylestown. Michelle has been in the health and fitness industry for over 27 years and has helped thousands reach their full potential in sports and fitness.

Michelle was a keynote speaker at the Empire Business Summit in San Diego, appears on PHL 17 to give home workout and fitness tips, and won the Philadelphia Inquirer Women Owned Family Business award.

Michelle continues her mission to empower women and young girls to accomplish things they once thought were impossible, both physically and mentally. In addition to owning Nex Level Fitness, Michelle has a coaching program where she coaches entrepreneurs to help them take their business to the "Nex" level.

Mikayla Wales is a professional hairstylist, currently working for a Salon and Destination Bridal company. She graduated from Souderton Area High School with the hopes of starting school the following fall at Penn State University as a math major. However, due to a medical leave, those plans were delayed.

Mikayla decided to turn to her other passion and obtain a cosmetology license while focusing on her health. Within the first month of school, she was offered a job working with destination weddings.

In school, Mikayla learned to appreciate that a hairstylist is much more than someone who does someone's hair. They are someone who can offer advice and comfort to their customers.

Later, Mikayla went back to school to obtain her teaching license. She hopes to start teaching in the near future.