Our Leaders
The Board of Directors at Woman Within Western USA collaboratively and strategically guide and lead the successful journey of our Woman Within Weekend, Circles, and other programs. Together they set and hold the vision, mission, and values of the organization and direct the operational delivery plan and policy. If you have comments or questions, please feel free to email them. Your input is appreciated.
Ania Mieszkowska
President
An avid supporter of Woman Within for many years, Ania is delighted to serve on the Board with so many strong, passionate women.
The President of Woman Within Western USA is the designated executive of the Corporation. She holds the organization’s vision, chairs the Board of Directors, and leads the organization.
Marie Bice
Past President
Marie is a mechanical engineer in the Texas Panhandle. She has remained connected to Woman Within in various regions since 2006 and is a certified Woman Within Facilitator.
The Past President of WW Western USA is to ensure continuity during governance transitions and organizational change, to help ensure the appropriate succession of Officers and Directors, to support the President in her role, and to provide continuity to the organization by providing historical context for issues.
Beth Zare
Vice President
Beth Zare is a professional horn player in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has championed womens’ rights as a member of the American Federation of Musicians Diversity Committee. She is a member of two Woman Within committed circles including a successful virtual circle.
The Vice President is the Coordinator for the Woman Within Weekend and works closely with the President to support the organization. She supervises the tasks of the Merchandise, Supplies, and Site Coordinators. She also serves as the chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Candida Ramirez
Treasurer
The Treasurer functions as the chief financial officer of the organization. It is her responsibility to keep the financial records up-to-date and accurate, and report the information when requested
Carol Riggs
Secretary
Carol has been active in Woman Within Western USA since 2000 when she attended her Woman Within Weekend. She has served in many volunteer positions including Staff Coordinator, Circle Guide, Circle Community Contact, and Facilitator in Training.
The Secretary is the board member who is responsible for the oversight of the corporate recording of minutes, and the logistics of the monthly phone conference meeting. She is also responsible for limited general correspondence such as thank you notes.
Cindy Christensen
Director of Circles
Cindy Christensen returns to the Western USA Board of Directors as Director of Circles. She brings her experience as a past Vice President and a Certified Circle Guide. She is an experienced Circle mentor, providing new Circles with skills needed to make them thrive. She also earned a 2020 Woman Within International Rose Award.
The Director of Circles serves as a resource for Woman Within Circles throughout the region by providing information, consultation, and counsel. She supervises activities of the Circle Training Manager.
Kelly Wong
Director of Development
Originally from Taiwan, Kelly is a preservation planner at the City & County of San Francisco. She has been active in Woman Within since 2019 when she joined a Circle in the Bay Area and subsequently did her weekend in February 2020.
The Director of Development raises funds vital to the growth of Woman Within in our Region and makes it possible for women with financial need to attend our programs.
Marilyn Dugan
Director of Programs
Marilyn has been active in Woman Within since her weekend in 2008, a transforming experience that continues to this day. Marilyn resides in Vallejo, California.
The Director of Programming cultivates opportunities region-wide for women to continue their personal growth and sense of connection. She is responsible for coordinating community events, Staff Training, Facilitation Training, and is the liaison with Woman Within International for all additional Woman Within Programs.
Kirsten Skipper
Director of Communications
The Director of Communications is the Board member with responsibility for both the internal and external activities that communicate the organization’s mission, vision, and activities to others. She supervises activities of the Social Media Coordinator and the Website Coordinator.
Susan Stokes Lambell
Staff Coordinator
Though originally from England, Susan has called San Diego her home for many years. Active in Woman Within since 2007, she believes passionately in our organization.
The Staff Coordinator connects with women around the world who apply to staff a Woman Within Weekend in Western USA. She is responsible for staff registration, communication for staff members, and all associated paperwork.
Michelle Reilly
Registrar
Michelle is an artist living in San Diego and went through the Woman Within Weekend in 2005. She feels honored to be on this path with so many amazing women.
Registrars are the main contact for participants and is responsible for all aspects of Weekend registration, from payment and records to questions before and after each Weekend.
Ara Thorpes
Registrar
Ara believes that WW is a place where any and every woman can find the GOLD within and blossom/ Ara is a Facilitator-in-Training and and has sat in circles for 14 years. She has hosted and led open circles for the past 4 years, and is a member of the WW Engagement for Women group. Ara engages women wherever she goes: “Boots on the Street” she calls it. Being a black woman, she is an active proponent of diversity for the organization and loves that WW attracts women worldwide. Ara is a activator, speaker and an actress. Her passion is mentoring young women. She has been nominated for the Rose award and received WW community recognition.
Registrars are the main contact for participants and is responsible for all aspects of Weekend registration, from payment and records to questions before and after each Weekend.
Nina Schloemerkemper
Circle Training Manager
Originally from Germany, Nina moved to California after spending a few years in the UK. Her weekend in May 2019 was an eye-opening and healing experience that she truly cherishes. Finding a community where one can share and grow without fear of judgement but rather a ton of love and support is what excites her. She is keen to help others on their personal journey.
In her role as Circle Training Manager, Nina will help with overall logistics, budgeting and scholarship requests for women attending a Circle Training Workshop. Other roles in her life include being a wife to one, mother to three, and anesthesiologist to many.
Rita “Ri” Fassett
Open Circle Coordinator
Ri spent many years in Admin/Human Resources and is now retired. She completed the Woman Within Weekend and joined her Circle in 2019, and is wholly dedicated to the connection between women on their journeys.
In the role of Open Circle Coordinator, she serves to ensure that Western USA Open Circles offer consistent and safe spaces for women to experience support, connection and community.
Christina Velasco
Social Media Coordinator
Christina is a first generation American living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her participation in a Woman Within weekend in 2019 became one of the most significant experiences of her life, out of which incredibly meaningful friendships have emerged. Her mission is to create a more loving world through engaged empathy, vulnerability, and open-heartedness.
The Social Media Coordinator is responsible for publishing our events and activities using our social media accounts. She ensures our events are sharable with accurate, current, and branded information.
Linda Montgomery
Merchandise Coordinator
Linda lives in San Diego and works in healthcare. She did her weekend in 2017 and has since been joyfully committed to our organization.
The Merchandise Coordinator serves as the focal point for buying, inventorying and selling of merchandise, primarily at the training weekends.
Gail Battaglia
Site Coordinator
Gail is a retired Telecom executive who lives in the Oakland CA with her husband and adorable golden retriever. She continues to grow, learn and feel the support of the many wonderful women she’s meets in Woman Within.
The Site Coordinator is responsible for scouting new sites for our Weekends, negotiating/coordinating contract changes with the existing camps and helping our Team Leaders, Registrar, Staff Coordinator, and VP plan the use of our Weekend site facilities.
Ann DiLoreto
Website Coordinator
Ann’s contributions as Western USA’s Communications Director (2016 -2020) were recognized with an International Rose Award in 2019. After her Woman Within Weekend in 2014 on Maui, Ann served on the Woman Within Hawaii Council and was President in 2017-2018. She earned a Master of Science in Library and Information Science and in 1984 founded Legal Information Management to provide database solutions for clients many industries.
As Website Coordinator she is responsible for the communicating our vision, mission, and activities to our region through our website. Our program registration forms and calendar of events are published there.