Celebrating the Women of BlinkNow (Part 1)
Wednesday, March 08, 2023
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” - Mother Teresa
In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating some inspiring women on the BlinkNow/Kopila Valley team who are creating “many ripples.” Today we focus on those who are leading the organization and structure, casting vision, and keeping operations flowing smoothly. From our CEO to those behind the scenes, Nepal to the U.S. and the Netherlands, we are thrilled to have these women investing their hearts and their talents in the youth and women of Nepal. In addition to the work they do, they are setting an example for girls in the Kopila Valley School and around the world – women can make contributions everywhere.
If you’ve heard of BlinkNow, you already know of the inimitable Maggie Doyne. Our Co-Founder and CEO has taken some bold leaps throughout the years to start BlinkNow, to connect with partners, and to engage many more people in the mission. She is setting the tone for a whole new generation of young women to start nonprofits and businesses. Having just released a book last year, Between the Mountain and the Sky, Maggie is also sharing her heart and story with the world and encouraging girls to write their own stories, literally and figuratively.
Because of the innovation and vision of co-founders Maggie Doyne and Tope Malla, the BlinkNow team has multiplied over the years and now includes a number of inspiring women we’d like to also introduce you to, beginning with those on our Board of Directors.
- Last month we announced our new Board President, Leslie Shaw, who is a strong leader and long-time BlinkNow supporter. Leslie helps to set big-picture goals with the Board and loves children of all ages.
- Joke Aerts represents a growing contingent of BlinkNow supporters in the Netherlands and is a strong advocate for women and marginalized farmers. She currently works with Tony’s Chocoloney, engaging business partners to join Tony’s mission to make chocolate slave-free. Joke shares her experience with monitoring, evaluation, and sustainable farming on the Science & Sustainability Committee as well.
- Beth Holly is an attorney and has worked as a leader in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry and has received numerous awards. Her recent retirement will allow her to focus more of her energy on her passion for hiking and will include a trip to Nepal in the very near future. Beth serves on the Development Committee and recently spearheaded a gender equality discussion with prominent representatives from the U.S. and Nepal.
- Libby DeLana reminds us to stay connected to nature and inspires us to try new adventures. She sets a powerful example for girls and women who wish to follow their dreams as the founder of her own branding firm, Mechanica, and author of the book Do Walk: Navigate earth, mind, and body. Step by Step. She is an avid walker and flyfisher, an aspiring pilot, and a cold-water swimmer. She is a model, advocating for natural aging and embracing wrinkles, and "raging gracefully.” Libby also gets credit for introducing Maggie to her husband Jeremy!
- Claudia Mott is paving the way for women in the male-dominated field of finance, having worked as Managing Director at Prudential Securities, served as a Girl Scout leader, and served on the Women United Steering Committee for the United Way of Northern New Jersey. She is now BlinkNow’s Board Treasurer and contributes a wealth of knowledge and guidance to our big-picture planning.
On the small U.S. team, 6 out of 7 staff members are women supporting the mission and values of BlinkNow. Their work is often out of the public eye, but these passionate people keep operations moving and guide our U.S. efforts well.
- Ruth Dekker, our Chief of Staff, has been the operational backbone of BlinkNow for nearly 10 years. Besides her BlinkNow work, Ruth has mentored young women through Girls on the Run and Girl Scouts, and she was recently featured as a local hero by Congresswomen Mikie Sherrill.
- Allison Dalziel handles “all things data” for BlinkNow. It’s important that we track our efforts in order to learn and adapt our processes, and Allison handles the precision of record-keeping required for our programs. Allison is an avid skier and charter member of the Badass Biker Chics,
- Bidisa Rai, Director of Development, cultivates relationships with donors to connect them with program areas they are passionate about. As a native of Nepal herself, Bidisa also uses her bicultural perspective and experience to help donors and staff identify with our mission in Nepal.
- Lindsey Miller-Voss guides our messages and outreach as Communications Director. Lindsey is a passionate advocate for equality and showcases the stories of the BlinkNow family in as many ways as possible: women and children, donors and volunteers, young and old.
- Jeanne LeMon is our Accounting Manager and also shares her CPA skills with a number of charities empowering girls, including her local Girls on the Run chapter, Sum It Up For Girls, and Stanley Nursery School. She also helped to form Bridging the Gap, a group helping her local community members meet financial needs.
- Katy Munden Hays is new to the U.S. team as our Public Relations Manager. She loves connecting people by telling the stories of good causes, and she is also a social entrepreneur organizing a local and global women’s handmade market event this month in her hometown.
We have women who are supporting Kopila Valley and our global community at all levels of BlinkNow programs, including those in official leadership roles, those in administration and operations, and those working in the programs directly. Look for more of these stories coming soon.
THANK YOU to the many women supporting BlinkNow’s mission to empower children and women in Nepal. We could easily write a blog about each of you and your histories of service to others. All of the details of working for a better world can be challenging, but it matters and we see you.
To learn more about all of our amazing team members, visit www.blinknow.org/our-team.