Our Team of Leaders and Facilitators
Lola Benjamin, Facilitator
Lola became involved with GLC in 2018 when she began as a camper. She attended until 2022 when she became a facilitator. Since then, she has worked closely with Meg Stowe, Ianthe Hershberger, and her fellow facilitators to develop engaging activities and meaningful lessons. Aside from Girls Leadership Collaborative, Lola is an active member of the North Kingstown DECA program which has helped her further her business knowledge as well as leadership and communication skills. Outside of school, Lola is currently studying political science and public policy. She deepened her understanding of government, civic engagement, and policy through her participation in American Legion Girls State Rhode Island, where she was selected to represent Rhode Island at the American Legion Girls Nation.
Gretchen Brindle, Facilitator
Gretchen’s Gallup Top 5 Strengths: Harmony, Empathy, Consistency, Relator, Discipline
Gretchen’s journey with GLC started in 2018 as a camper. GLC provided a supportive and empowering environment that boosted her confidence and leadership skills, inspiring her to become more involved in the organization. She continued to attend the camp until 2023, when she transitioned into the role of a facilitator. She is a member of the Invest in Girls Club which has helped her financial literacy and furthered her leadership skills. Her involvement in the Unified Club has helped her develop strong leadership skills and communication while fostering a sense of community and inclusivity. In addition, she participates in the Confetti Club, creating birthday cards for children in hospitals, and Letters for Rose, where she makes and sends cards to residents in nursing homes.
Maya Fenn, Facilitator
Maya’s journey at Girls Leadership Collaborative (GLC) started in 2023 as a camper. During her two years as a camper, she made strong connections with peers and facilitators. She learned that collaboration is fundamental to leadership. In 2025, she transitioned from camper to facilitator. Additionally, Maya became Safe Sitter Certified and CPR certified in 2022 and is currently a babysitter. She is an active member at her church and has been working in the nursery since 2023. In 2024, she was a CIT at Lincoln School’s summer camp. She enjoys working with kids which has given her the chance to use her leadership skills and impact future leaders. Maya has organized food drives and bake sales, and volunteered at PACE-RI and Hattie Ide Chaffee. Last summer, she attended the Harvard Future Lawyers Program, where she got to apply her leadership skills in a real-world setting.
Ianthe Hershberger, GLC Summer Camp Director
Ianthe’s Gallup Top 5 Strengths: Empathy, Achiever, Developer, Competition, Strategic
Ianthe is the Programs Director for Girls Leadership Collaborative and has been with the organization since it’s first program in 2014. She graduated from the Lincoln School in Providence where her passion for leadership and supporting other women was fostered. Ianthe earned a BA in Economics and minors in Government with a focus in comparative politics and Human Development with a focus in education policy from Connecticut College. After college she worked in Boston, MA as an Education Consultant while also earning an MBA from Clark University. Ianthe has worked with students of all ages as a classroom teacher, advisor, coach, trainer, tutor, as a parent to two curious and loving girls, and now as the Director of Lower School at Lincoln School. Ianthe also served as the Engagement Committee Chair on the Connecticut College Alumni Board of Directors.
Leela Kamat, Facilitator
Leela’s Gallup Top 5 Strengths: Woo, Competition, Communication, Activator, Individualization
Leela has been invested in the GLC program since 2023, when she discovered her passion for empowering young minds as a camper. Apart from GLC, Leela is passionate about making a difference in her community in many different ways. She devotes her time to multiple volunteer projects in Barrington and at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. GLC has helped her grow in these leadership roles.
Leela is an active member of her school’s debate club, as well as the Interact Club and the Sunrise TV Show. Leela has a passion for history, a subject that she is excited to continue into her upperclassmen years. Additionally, she is a fan of musical theatre and chorus, something that has nurtured her creative spirit and individualism throughout the years.
Mary Murphy, Assistant Summer Camp Director
Mary’s journey with Girls Leadership Collaborative (GLC) began as a camper, where she first connected deeply with the organization’s mission of empowering girls to lead with confidence and purpose. Inspired by that experience, she returned as a facilitator and now serves as the Assistant Summer Camp Director, helping to create meaningful, growth-centered experiences for the next generation of leaders. In recognition of her leadership and civic engagement, she was awarded the 2024 Secretary of State Civic Leadership Award. In her role at GLC, Mary is passionate about creating spaces where girls feel heard, challenged, and empowered to use their voices. At Holy Cross, Mary is a member of the Mock Trial A Team, where she strengthens her advocacy, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. As a psychology research assistant in the Educational Equity Lab and a legal intern with law firms, she continues to deepen her understanding of equity, opportunity, and systems of leadership.
Lena Pilipski, Facilitator
Lena has spent two summers as a facilitator for GLC, where she has not only enjoyed every moment but has also grown significantly as a leader. Soccer has also been an integral part of her life, and with that, many life changing injuries that have sparked her interest in helping female athletes. Lena recently had the opportunity to work at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games as a runner for NBC’s wardrobe team. The internship was a once in a lifetime experience that broadened her horizon and career goals. She is in the Pre-Med Honors Program at her University and & plays midfield in the Division I Soccer Team.
Hannah Stowe, Program Development
Hannah’s Gallup Top 5 Strengths: Relator, Empathy, Individualization, Input, Belief
As a daughter of Girls Leadership Collaborative founder, Meg Stowe, Hannah has been an active participant of GLC since its beginning. As a passionate leader and women’s activist, Hannah is excited to support and nurture the new generation of strong women. Hannah lives in Boston and is currently at Northeastern University, studying Psychology with additional work in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Leadership Development, and advocacy. She acts as the president of Title IX in Northeastern’s Sexual Assault Response Coalition. Hannah’s GLC journey began at its founding, participating in the first ever program and growing up as a facilitator and marketing consultant. Her passion for combating gender parity in our society fuels her excitement to work with our young leaders.
Meg Stowe, Founder
Meg’s Gallup Top 5 Strengths: Individualization, Strategic, Connectedness, Arranger, Activator
Meg has served young people for 30+ years in a variety of capacities including classroom teacher, school administrator, youth and service learning leader, Director of Innovation, dorm parent, academic adviser, curriculum designer, athletic coach, speaker, professional development coach, social venture founder, and coach to other founders.
- Harvard Business School, Organizational Leadership
- Harvard Business School, Leadership & Management
- M.Ed. Lesley University, Adolescent Education | Integrated Curriculum Design
Love to Our Past Facilitators and Game Change Speakers
Past Facilitators
Grace Reed, Allison DeGerlia, Yin Agbontaen, Hannah Thoms, Cathy Cesario, Claire Wiley, Sophie Stowe, Hannah Stowe, Carolyn Garth, Olivia Antonelli, Hannah Aronow, Elsa Block, Becca Raphaelson, Kelsey McGinnis, Caitlyn Lee, Elizabeth Poku, Morgan Prescod, Ella Rudisill, Wendy Gustavel, Maddie Lee, Emma Berthiaume, Hadley Wheeler, Nix Bates, Charlene Williams, Lily Kerachsky, Claire Harrison, Caroline Rex, Lena Pilipski, Lola Benjamin, Mary Murphy, Gretchen Brindle, Leela Kamat, Maya Fenn.
Game-Changer Speakers
Pearl Farquharson, Kayla Maki-Pittman, Margie Woods, Hannah Chung, Noa Machover, Viirj Kan, Kelly Ramirez, Alison Bologna, Theresa Moore, Maniola Odunsi, Amara Humphry, Sterling Clinton-Spellman, Marcy Reyes, Paris Dior.