OUR STAFF
Maria Giordano, Ph.D.
Founder & Director of Curriculum and Development
Maria Giordano, Ph.D., Founder and Director of Curriculum and Development. Before founding Leadership 4Girls Maria was a former Assistant Professor of Counselor Education has coached and mentored girls for over twenty years. Her work with girls and young women in the elementary and secondary schools and university setting inspired her to found a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing girls for a lifetime of success. Maria is committed to empowering girls and young women with knowledge and skills to live happy, successful, balanced lives. As the mother of two daughters, she wants every girl to be prepared to build quality relationships, work effectively in groups, think critically and realize her own unique potential.
Tara Marvin
Co-Founder
Tara joined Leadership 4Girls while developing a friendship and shared vision with founder Maria Giordano. Tara and Maria discussed their common passion – empowering girls with skills to live courageous, successful and happy lives. Tara graduated from the University of Kansas with a double major in Advertising and Psychology. She spent her early career at an advertising agency in Chicago promoting brands like Gatorade and Quaker cereals. She switched to media sales, working with WIRED Magazine, The Washington Post and, most recently, Orlando Magazine.
Cindy Valdes, M.Ed.
Executive Director
Cindy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the University of South Florida and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Central Florida. She began her career teaching students with autism before transitioning to the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at both universities, where she supported individuals and families across the state. As a Grant Coordinator for several local and statewide non‑profit programs, Cindy continued her commitment to empowering youth throughout Florida.
Today, Cindy is a School Counselor with more than 30 years of experience working with younth in both community and school settings. She believes that meaningful growth begins with genuine connection—creating spaces where students feel seen, valued, and supported. Her work centers on nurturing leadership qualities in youth and helping them build the confidence, character, and skills needed to make a positive impact in the world.
As a mother of one daughter and two sons, Cindy blends her professional expertise with her personal experience, offering guidance that is both knowledgeable and heartfelt. She is dedicated to inspiring and equipping the next generation of leaders through compassion, connection, and purpose.
Stefanie Nagy
Facilitator and Trainer
Stefanie graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Business Administration and Advertising. She is the former Marketing Director for the non-profit Central Florida Fair and is currently a Kindergarten Teacher in Orange County. Stefanie joined Leadership 4Girls as a Facilitator and shares a passion for teaching girls important character traits such as kindness, positive attitude, dedication, and honesty that will help develop strong leaders among their peers. She finds joy in spending time with her husband and two young daughters.
Sheena Montgomery
Mentor Facilitator
Sheena Montgomery is passionate about serving others and living life by God’s design. She is a certified School Counselor, Life Coach, certified prepare and enrich facilitator and a certified Family mediator for the state of Florida.
Sheena earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy and School Guidance Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Shortly after graduation, she stepped into the role of an elementary school counselor for the School District of Osceola County. Seeking to expand her impact, Sheena transitioned to Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) as a SAFE Coordinator at Cypress Creek High School. She played a pivotal role in developing a dynamic SAFE program, providing preventive and supportive services to students and families navigating crises.
Currently serving as the District SAFE Coordinator for OCPS Mental Health Services, Sheena leads district-wide prevention initiatives to promote a safe and positive school climate. With a heart for counseling and a mission to support individuals and families, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between education, mental health, and community. Sheena uses her experience and gifts to impact families on all circles of life.
Twyla Patrick
Facilitator
Twyla received her Bachelor’s degree in K-6 Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in School Counseling and Guidance Services from the University of Southern Mississippi. Later, she went on to also receive a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education. She has worked as a teacher and a school counselor, but currently works as a district elementary school counselor for Orange County Public Schools. Twyla joined the Leadership 4Girls team in 2024. Twyla is passionate about helping girls find the leader within themselves and always encouraging them to let their “lights” shine! Girls are leaders!
Breanna Rummler
Facilitator
Breanna received her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and Education from University of Central Florida, and her Master's Degree in Special Education from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is a teacher in Orange County and has taught 1st grade, as well as kindergarten through 5th grade special education. Breanna joined the Leadership 4Girls team in 2022. She loves being a part of the girls' growth in compassion, mindfulness, and confidence. Breanna encourages campers to demonstrate kindness to themselves and others, and enjoys seeing the girls spread positivity and celebrate each other.
Courtney Simms
Facilitator
Courtney attended Auburn University in Alabama where she earned a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in International Studies. She just completed her eighth year in the classroom. She has taught Kindergarten and First Grade. Courtney grew up in Orlando and attended all OCPS schools before college. Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband, 10 month-old son and their fur pup!
Katie Grace Miller
Music Teacher
Katie Grace is an elementary school music teacher in Orange County in Orlando, Florida. She began teaching in 2005 and currently teaches at Lake George Elementary School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of South Florida and received her master's degree in Teacher Leadership with a focus on curriculum development from the University of Central Florida. She has her Orff Level 3 certification. She teaches before and after-school musical groups named "Lake George Jammers” for 3rd – 5th graders and directs a school musical each year. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2008 and 2020. She was named an Alumni of Note from her alma mater University of South Florida in 2022. She has presented clinics to music teachers in various states and has conducted various all county choirs and Orff groups in the state of Florida. She published the book “Get to the Point” with her aunt, Artie Almeida and has 4 published teacher resources of her own. Awarded 2025 Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Educator of the Year. Katie enjoys singing and spending time with her husband Jesse, her 2 children, Jackson and Emily and dog, Hobbes.
Stephanie Panas
Stephanie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resource Management and her Master’s Degree in Education-School Counseling from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has enjoyed 26 years as an Elementary School Counselor supporting youth by helping them to realize their strengths and feel important, safe, loved, a sense of belonging, supported, smart, and capable of anything. Building resilience in our youth is her mission and her motto is: “You Got This!!”
Elizabeth Witherspoon
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She just completed her thirteenth year in the classroom and her fifth year teaching first grade for Orange County Public Schools. Elizabeth embodies a leadership role as grade level chair for her first grade team and also as a new teacher mentor. Elizabeth is a wife and fur-baby mom to her beloved pup Lola. She believes in the power that creating strong connections with children can have in their academic and everyday life. Seeing the beauty that can flourish when giving girls the tools to empower themselves and those around them is a gift that keeps giving.