--MENTORSHIP NONPROFIT ANNOUNCES NEW AND CONTINUING STRATEGIC LEADERS--
LOS ANGELES (February 18, 2026) - Mentorship nonprofit Step Up today announced the newest members of its national board of directors. The board of more than 25 leaders will guide the organization toward the development of its next strategic plan, as it strengthens its role as the trusted source for mentorship, career exploration and confidence-building programs for teen girls and young women.
Maria Salcedo (operating partner, &vest) has been selected as the new chair of the board of directors. Based in Chicago, Salcedo has been supporting the organization since 2017 and was originally a member of its Midwestern Region Chapter Board. Known as a transformational beauty retail and consumer packaged goods executive, Salcedo brings extensive operational, development and management experience to Step Up during a critical moment for women and girls in the United States.
Monique Saunders Patrick (chief finance and strategy officer, Community Catalyst) will join Salcedo as an officer, serving as treasurer of the board of directors. Elizabeth Radichel (partner, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, LLC) and Maggie Stockdale (global enterprise sales director, Double Verify) will chair the governance committee and the strategy and impact committee, respectively.
Joining these officers and chairs will be new board additions Jennifer Bombardier (global communications leader), Devon Crimin (vice president of key account planning, Shiseido Americas), Vernon Francois (hairdresser, educator and cultural architect), Katie Frazier (senior vice president of operations, [solidcore]), Jennifer Kobus (divisional vice president for global supply chain, REI), Breanne Metcalf (vice president of human resources, The Walt Disney Company), Dr. Jean Rhodes (Frank L. Boyden Professor in the department of psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston) and Carissa Smith (vice president for government relations, FOX Corporation).
Along with 19 returning members, these board leaders will guide the nonprofit in a myriad of initiatives during 2026, including growing its Mentoring App that’s based on “flash mentoring” – providing young women with short-term opportunities to connect with mentors who share their experiences and skill-specific support.
Step Up offers free mentorship programs that concentrate on supporting girls, and those who identify with girlhood, on their path to success. With structured mentorship programs, focused support, and inspiring connections, Step Up has established a multi-generational community that shares the resources and relationships needed for individual and collective success.
During a time that has seen teens and young adults face new systemic challenges, including the continuation of the Loneliness Epidemic and political and economic unrest, Step Up has remained unwavering in its mission to help girls define and pursue their visions of success, thanks to the support of its boards, mentors, partners and donors.
“Step Up is grateful for the commitment, guidance and investment of our national board of directors,” Step Up CEO Delores Druilhet Morton said. “These leaders understand that mentorship is critical in this moment and they stand ready to provide the organization with the support we need to navigate the year ahead.”
Many of the board members also serve as mentors to Step Up girls and help the organization access resources on both national and local levels. In addition to the board, the organization relies on nearly 1,500 members who share their time, talents and resources in support of the next generation of leaders. To inquire about board service or involvement, please contact Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Governance Maya Menon at maya@suwn.org. A full roster of national board members may be found below and on the organization’s website here.
About Step Up
Through structured mentorship programs, focused support, and inspiring connections, Step Up helps girls, and those who identify with girlhood, define and achieve their unique visions of success. Connect at suwn.org.
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Maria Salcedo, operating partner, &vest, Board Chair
- Melanie Barr, founder, She Built It®
- Celina Blanks, vice president, Lockton
- Jennifer Bombardier, global communications leader
- April Carr, senior director of innovation platforms, PepsiCo
- Garnesha Crawford Ezediaro, portfolio lead, Bloomberg Philanthropies
- Devon Crimin, vice president of key account planning, Shiseido Americas
- Cori Fernandez, enterprise sales, Google Cloud
- Vernon Francois, hairdresser, educator and cultural architect
- Katie Frazier, senior vice president of operations, [solidcore]
- Tonya Garrett, director, agency development North America, LinkedIn
- Brieanne Gershick, managing director, strategy and consulting, health industry, Accenture
- Minda Harts, founder and CEO, The Memo LLC
- Baaba Holland, founder and CEO, Baaba Holland Agency
- Marnie Kain, VP brand marketing, Grub Hub, board emeritus
- Kaye Poposfky Kramer, founder, Step Up, board emeritus
- Jennifer Kobus, divisional vice president of global supply chain, REI
- Breanne Metcalf, vice president of human resources, The Walt Disney Company
- Delores Druilhet Morton, CEO, Step Up
- Mark O. Page, senior vice president for client engagement and operations excellence, SoundThinking Inc.
- Avani Patel, founding partner, The Ember Company
- Kelsey J. Patel, wellness expert
- Beth Radichel, partner, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
- Dr. Jean Rhodes, Frank L. Boyden Professor, department of psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston
- Monique Saunders Patrick, chief finance and strategy officer, Community Catalyst, Board Treasurer
- Carissa Smith, vice president for government relations, FOX Corporation
- Maggie Stockdale, global enterprise sales director, Double Verify
Media Contact: Alissa Zito Cruz, Step Up
alissa@suwn.org | 310.880.9049
