Tammy Tibbetts
Creator

Tammy dreamed up She’s the First while directing the MacDella Cooper Foundation, which supports the education of abandoned children and orphans in Liberia, and working as a web editor at Hearst Digital Media, where she launched the charitable DonateMyDress.org network, the Ultimate Prom franchise, and MisQuinceMag.com. Tammy is on a lifelong mission to uphold the mantra of “style and substance,” as modeled by Ruth Whitney, the legendary Glamour editor-in-chief, in whose honor she received a scholarship from New York Women in Communications. She’s the first in her family to move to New York City and travel to Africa, two adventures that completely changed her life. tammy@shesthefirst.org

Christen Brandt
Director

As a journalist and recipient of a prestigious New York Women in Communications Scholarship, Christen has shown a strong interest in women’s issues and a passion for reporting the work of impressive nonprofit organizations. She interned for the Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press, where she researched women’s media and wrote and edited articles on media democracy. She attends Syracuse University and is editor-in-chief of the campus magazine 360 Degrees. Christen is tasked with helping to strategize the growth of She’s the First from a grassroots campaign to one of global scale. She’s the first in her family to become a journalist and editor. christen@shesthefirst.org

Blaire Briody
Peer Adviser

Blaire is a freelance journalist in New York, writing for The New York Times, Popular Science, and Cosmopolitan, among others. Blaire grew up in the mountains of Northern California and studied everything from abstract math to human sexuality in college before deciding to become a writer. She also runs the child sponsorship program for the MacDella Cooper Foundation and plans to teach at the MCF Academy in Liberia next fall. She’s the first in her family to make a living off writing and journalism, the first to speak Spanish, and the first to live in New York City! blaire@shesthefirst.org

Rachael Datello
Media Producer

Rachael is an aspiring film producer and student at Syracuse University, where she is the coordinating producer at the Orange Television Network, a student-produced university channel. There, she supervises production, manages staff, and creates programming. She has interned with the Tony Awards production team, Radio Disney, and Overture Films in New York City. Rachael supervises media development. She is the first in her family to receive a college degree. rachael@shesthefirst.org

Kaitlin Davis
Peer Adviser

Kaitlin Davis is a graduate of Fordham University with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. She works as the Coordinator of Marketing and Promotions for Music Theatre International. Kaitlin hopes to one day teach at a She's the First network school. She's the first in her family to perform in Carnegie Hall. kaitlin@shesthefirst.org

Kate Lord
Web Director

Kate is a photographer and web journalist based in New York, where she works as a multimedia editor for NBC Universal. Her career in visual storytelling has sent her around the world, from covering the Special Olympic World Summer Games to reporting on a small cloister of nuns in Peru. Kate became involved with She’s the First because she feels passionately that educating girls is the first step from poverty to prosperity. She’s the first professional photographer in her family. kate@shesthefirst.org

Bridget Nelson Monroe
Peer Adviser

Bridget Nelson Monroe is a research editor at the award-winning Reader’s Digest, where she reports the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary work around the world. She is also the web editor and staff manager for the MacDella Cooper Foundation. She is an active member of the Reader’s Digest Foundation and NYC ChangeMakers, a group that explores using social media for good. She’s the first young professional in New York City to author a personal finance blog while investing in the future of girls worldwide. bridget@shesthefirst.org

Chelsea Orcutt
Campus Outreach Coordinatorr

Chelsea Orcutt is a Syracuse University freshman who aspires to work in corporate communications for NBC Universal. She has been featured in The Buffalo News and Business First of Buffalo, for which she interviewed U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. She’s the first in her family to compete regionally in figure skating. chelsea@shesthefirst.org

Elizabeth Stoltz
Activities Coordinator

Elizabeth Stoltz, a freshman at Ithaca College, founded Food for Thought, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to serving children who are denied access to basic living necessities, quality education, and proper nutrition. Food for Thought has saved more than 700 children in Ethiopia. In 2009, Elizabeth traveled to Ethiopia to work with young children and HIV/AIDS patients. She’s the first student to graduate with more than 500 hours of community service from her high school. elizabeth@shesthefirst.org

Emmie Twombly
Peer Adviser

Emmie Twombly is a graduate of Bates College, where she majored in politics. She is a writer for Vital Voices, from which she received the Rising Voices 2009 Essay Contest Award. In addition to being featured in Business Week, Emmie has interviewed Martha Stewart for CosmoGirl. Emmie has volunteered at Hope House in Lewiston, ME, a support center for single and pregnant mothers. She’s the first in her family to live in Japan for a summer on a language scholarship. emmie@shesthefirst.org

Monica Townsend
Activities Coordinator

Monica Townsend is a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame who aspires to a career in international public health. She has attended several global health forums, including the International Low Vision Conference in Montreal, Canada, which emphasized the importance of children’s education in disease awareness and prevention. Monica is particularly interested in mobilizing college dorm life behind education sponsorship. She’s the first in her family to get involved with international non-profit work. monica@shesthefirst.org