Team
Researchers
Aishwarya Bhake
Infected with a severe case of wanderlust, I crave new experiences and adventures. Curious, resourceful, & never without my sweet tooth.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: NYTimes, Forbes Woman, Mashable and Twitter.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Indra Nooyi, chair(wo)man and CEO of PepsiCo and Sheryl Sandberg COO of Facebook.
My First: I’m the first in my family to live in Spain, bike through the Irish countryside, move to New York City and work in Finance.
aishwarya@shesthefirst.org, @avbhake
MaryBeth Bognar
Small town girl who landed in the big city to pursue a future helping others. Always tweeting, writing, learning, and laughing.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing:Amnesty USA, Tiny Buddha, NY Times, GOOD, various inspiration and human rights reporting that catch my eye on Twitter.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Hillary Clinton or Madeleine Albright.
My First: I’m the first in my family to travel to Africa.
marybeth@shesthefirst.org, @marybeth_bognar
Elizabeth Stoltz
Ithaca College Integrated Marketing Communications student who has reread The Alchemist more times than she can remember.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: gojee for mouth-watering food photography and recipes!
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of the Acumen Fund and author of The Blue Sweater
My First: First sophomore to serve on the Ithaca College Board of Trustees.
elizabeth@shesthefirst.org, @liz_stoltz
Penpal Coordinators
Brianne Riviello
Documentary nerd and crafty MacGyveress with a healthy appetite for trying out life in new cities.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Thoughtcatalog.com
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: The six-year-olds at Kibera School for Girls in this video.
My First: First in my family to move to Brooklyn… and LA, Vancouver, and Ithaca.
brianne@shesthefirst.org, @bmriviello
{Assistant Coordinator} Lauren Strupp
Social Media pro, Scrabble addict & TV-aholic. Walking IMDB, pop culture aficionado, & believer in Disney Magic.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Pinterest, dreaming of shoes, food, and far-off destinations.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Amy Sherman-Palladino, creator of the brilliant Gilmore Girls.
My First: First in my family to study abroad and move to New York City.
lauren@shesthefirst.org, @struppster
Art Director
Genevieve Tabios
Web lover, graphic designer, wannabe photographer, avid cook, and even more avid eater.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: my Gmail for inspiring and creative newsletter designs
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Emily Oberman, graphic designer & branding extraordinaire of SNL, Jimmy Fallon, Air America Radio
My First: First in my family to become an art director and graphic designer
genevieve@shesthefirst.org, @gogenny
Graphic Designers
Sonya Elefante
Maryland Terps enthusiast, avid concert goer, and graphic design junkie.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Graphic and product design websites, such as Yanko Design
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: The funny and adorable Zooey Deschanel.
My First: First in my family to go away to college.
sonya@shesthefirst.org
Krista Firkins
Journalista with a passion for pop culture, social media, the Red Sox, and spontaneity.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter, ASOS, and Design Sponge.
Trailblazer I’d like to meet: Katy Perry, because she was never afraid to not follow the path carved for her, and Jillian Bell!
My First: I started the first high school women’s lacrosse team in the state of Nebraska.
krista@shesthefirst.org, @kristafir
Conor Harrington
Ithaca College junior interested in a career in something. Still figuring it all out! Enjoy traveling, pop culture, coffee, magazines, reality TV.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: my tweets, YouTube videos, and random design blogs.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: All of them, starting with Oprah!
My First: First in my family to study abroad in Europe.
conor@shesthefirst.org, @conorharrington
Kelsey Thorn
Love the Bruins, graphic design, creative jewelry design and metalsmithing, and the unexpected.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org I’m surfing: HerCampus.com, NHL.com, Pinterest, and various blogs for creative inspiration.
Female Trailblazer I’d like to meet: Tough one — but up there on the list is Lizzy Janssen, graphic designer for Free People Clothing.
My first: First in my family to pursue a love for graphic design and metalsmithing.
kelsey@shesthefirst.org
Tumblr Editor
Mileva Brunson
SMC junior studying PR. Founder/President of @STF_SaintMarys. Lover of coffee, film, animation, comedy, and all things blogging.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Tumblr, Pinterest, and theeverygirl.com!
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Amy Poehler – brilliant woman who is inspiring young girls everywhere with Smart Girls At The Party!
My First: Attending college, studying abroad in Italy, and learning a second language.
Mileva@shesthefirst.org, @MilevaB
Campus Team
Evann Clingan
Market research nerd. Fascinated by all things data+design. Lover of brunch, social media, bookstores, and cupcakes.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Sweet Lemon Magazine, The Levo League, Mashable, Fast Company
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Sheryl Sandberg, Tina Fey, Michelle Obama, and Beyonce
My First: I’m the first person in my family to move to New York City!
evann@shesthefirst.org, @evannclingan
Leonora Fleming
Proud @HofstraU alumna. In love with Cape Cod, live music, Essie nail polish. Addicted to Zumba, reality TV. Forever a ’90s kid.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Pinterest, Thought Catalog and RollingStone.com
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Michelle Obama
My First: I’m the first in my family to live in New York City!
leonora@shesthefirst.org, @leonoradee
Katie Riley
College-life fanatic & U of TN grad. Lover of philanthropy, cupcakes, Haiti & glitter. Perpetual optimist. Changing the world day by day.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: My She’s the First board & delicious recipes on Pinterest.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Emma Watson, for making smart girls look cool.
My First: Founder & first president of the first Haiti-focused philanthropic organization at the University of Tennessee, Give Haiti Hope.
katie@shesthefirst.org, @heykatieriley
Audio Visual Team
Brittany Brothers
Seeker of food for the brain and for the belly. Wanderluster. Documentary Filmmaker. Southern Gal. Pickle aficionado.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Flipboard – a ‘social magazine’ app!
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Kari Byron (from MythBusters). Reppin’ female tech nerds around the world!
My First: First in my family to graduate from an art school and work in the television industry.
brittany@shesthefirst.org, @beeebro
Marc Hall
Photographer extraordinaire, occasional musician, full time Anglo-Brooklynite.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Photography blogs, 1x.com, radiolab.org, and of course, Facebook
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Nicola Tesla. If only he was still around!
My First: First in my family to abandon good old England for the bright lights and sticky summers of New York.
@MarcHallPhoto
Kate Lord
Photojournalist, wanderer, storyteller, cookie monster, color lover, & coffee fiend
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Instagram – life updates via photos! What’s better than that?!
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Hillary Clinton
My First: First in my family to be a journalist, try yak butter and learn to make chou-fleur à la béchamel.
kate@shesthefirst.org, @katelordphoto
Creative Intern
Kristin Sprague
Creative, energetic, and passionate individual studying Graphic Design and French at Hofstra University. Living every moment!
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: Twitter, Brit and Co. Blog, Swiss-Miss Blog and anything else that gets me inspired.
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Designer Tina Roth Eisenberg, aka Swiss-Miss
My First: I will be the first person in my immediate family to graduate college.
#VoiceYourVerse Poetry Team
Hannah Brencher
Fueling a love letter movement (@moreloveletters), heart & prose pinned to human rights, dreams of owning a NYC coffee shop.
When I’m not on shesthefirst.org, I’m surfing: ToughMudder
Trailblazer I’d Like to Meet: Toni Morrison
My First: First in my family to work at the UN and be a published writer
hannah@shesthefirst.org, @hannahkatyb
