Meet the Team
OUR BOARD
Born in Burkina Faso, and partially raised in Belgium, Bienvenue Michelle Konsimbo knows first-hand the importance of education and reading. She has worked for many years in the education field in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and a Master of Arts in Conflict Management from Kennesaw State University.
Konsimbo created Girl Now Woman Later, a nonprofit dedicated to combating child marriage in Burkina Faso. She’s a staunch advocate of menstruation education, which includes helping young girls to understand how their bodies function.
Like most Burkinabè women, Konsimbo was given little information about menstruation growing up. She wasn’t able to learn about how her body worked in school, even in an all-girl boarding institution. Periods were a private matter, dealt with in secrecy or discussed only among family members. Some families keep the topic of girls’ periods taboo and are uncomfortable engaging in conversation about it with their daughters. If that sounds like the remote past, think again: this kind of misinformation goes on to this day in Burkina Faso.
This kind of behavior is one of the pillars of the child marriage issue that continues to pervade communities in the country. Girls who don’t understand how their own body works and lack a culture of promoting independence for women, girls do not believe they have options when offered as a bride to older men. The simple act of allowing girls to talk freely about their menstruation period can be a powerful tool to create a better and safer environment.
Through her own experiences and dedication to these issues, Bienvenue launched Girl Now Woman Later: to break taboos and emancipate Burkinabè girls so they can become leaders themselves!
Stacie Smith is a seasoned marketing and media executive with over 20 years of experience building brands and amplifying important messages. Her passion for female empowerment and deep commitment to menstrual equity have driven her to lead initiatives that provide young women with essential health resources and support.
As a mother and a dedicated advocate, Stacie is committed to leveraging her professional expertise to advance Girl Now Woman Later’s mission of ensuring every girl can transition to womanhood with dignity and opportunity.
Tiffany Pederson is a dynamic international affairs and conflict resolution professional with extensive experience in diplomacy, peacebuilding, and global engagement. She has a proven track record of leading high-impact initiatives, including shaping climate diplomacy, advancing gender-responsive leadership and policy frameworks, and delivering trauma-informed peacebuilding training in conflict-affected regions.
Her expertise spans strategic communications and global advocacy, having drafted official communications for Embassy Suva on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, coordinated high-profile UN panel discussions and press conferences, and contributed to multi-stakeholder conferences with organizations such as the International Monetary Fund.
Beyond policy work, Tiffany has revitalized nonprofit strategies, directed internationally recognized educational and arts programs, and spearheaded grassroots initiatives that amplify community voices. She holds two Master’s degrees from Kennesaw State University one in International Conflict Management and another in International Policy Management along with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a minor in German Studies. She is certified in Human Rights Consulting and Trauma-Informed Peacebuilding.
Tiffany actively engages in global forums as a member of NGO/CSW and Mediators Beyond Borders International and has served as a UN delegate for UNFCCC, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) for four consecutive years.
Why GNWL? Tiffany is joining the Girl Now Woman Later Board of Directors to champion menstrual equity and girls’ education as critical pillars of gender equality and sustainable development. Her commitment to empowering marginalized communities aligns with GNWL’s mission to dismantle barriers that keep girls out of school and to foster leadership opportunities for young women in Burkina Faso and beyond.
ADVISORY BOARD
MEET Mme KARAMBIRI /GOURBEGA Lady Fatou
My name is Mrs. Karambiri /Gourbega Lady Fatou. I was born in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast.
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Joseph Ki Zerbo University and began teaching in 2017. I later returned to school and earned my Master of Arts degree in African literature and culture. I am currently completing my thesis for my Master II in Modern Letters.
I have been a member of both political and apolitical associations. Because of this, I am well prepared and capable of promoting the ideology of Girl Now Woman Later within the educational sector and beyond.
As a French teacher in a private institution, I care about the mental and physical health of every student I teach. I strive to instill moral values in all youth as a teacher, especially in young female students who may lack this guidance. There is a saying that goes, “Educate a girl, educate a nation.”
I aspire to join Girl Now Woman Later, as my ideologies greatly align with those of the association. I hope to leverage my knowledge and experiences to motivate and galvanize the youth, who oftentimes need guidance.
I want to contribute in any way to positively impact the lives of young girls today to guide and inspire them to become the accomplished women leaders of tomorrow by aiding GNWL in her mission.
MEET Jillian Ellermann, MPH, MPA
Jillian Ellermann is a public health professional specializing in regulatory affairs, women’s healthcare, and systems transformation. She currently serves as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Coordinator at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers and led a menstrual health insurance coverage and advocacy initiative with Wave Bye Inc.
Jillian joined the Girl Now Woman Later advisory board to support youth-centered policies that expand access, dignity, and opportunity for girls, believing that early investment in their well-being builds stronger and more equitable communities.
MEET Kelly Lauturner Zayas
Kelly Zayas
Senior Communications Specialist, Advisory Board Member
Kelly Zayas has been a storyteller since childhood. She earned her B.A. in English from Marist College and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Health Communications at Boston University. Her passion for health advocacy has guided her career and inspired her commitment to advancing equity for women and girls.
Kelly brings a wealth of experience from her roles at organizations such as Women’s eNews, the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, and Emblem Health, where she serves as a Senior Communications Specialist. She has also volunteered with the New York Board of Elections, Dress for Success of Northern New Jersey, and the American Copy Editors Society.
With many years as a camp counselor, Kelly joined Girl Now Woman Later to help mentor and empower the next generation of girls. In her free time, she enjoys tap dancing, practicing yoga, and gardening with her family.
MEET Catherine (CJ) John
Catherine (CJ) John
Catherine John is Trinbagonian native, a mother of two amazing young adults, and a community organizer from Connecticut. She has organized people for urban renewal and health equity, created and implemented community-building strategies that engaged residents and anchor institutions, and assisted grassroots volunteer efforts throughout New Haven County.
Catherine volunteers for various projects including the Connecticut Cross Disability Lifespan Alliance, and the Medical Assistance Program Oversight Council, while writing and presenting legislative testimony for various social injustices, co-organizing calls to action to raise awareness and press for change to empower communities in various matters. She’s a board member on Helping Women Period (located in Chicago), Favor Inc. and the Connecticut Women’s Consortium (both located in Connecticut). She’s also the lead anchor on the Black and Brown United in Action’s podcast, the Sound of Black and Brown which is streamed via PodBean.
Catherine believes in the power of Black and Brown people to change the cycle of disenfranchisement, stigmatization and devaluation which has enslaved communities for too long.
BURKINA FASO VOLUNTEERS
MEET Joel Konseimbo
Volunteering as Program Accountant and Communication Officer at GNWL, Joel Konsiembo believes in the cause of empowering young women. A graduate student in accounting and auditing at the Burkinabe Institute of Arts and Crafts (IBAM), Joel is also a graphic designer in his free time and is a staunch defender of the cause of sustainable development.
MEET Sakande Koanda Sanata
After hearing about students who couldn’t go to school after having their period in class, Sakande Koanda Sanata decided to volunteer for GNWL as a health trainer. An experienced nurse, she used her skills to fight against this scourge and to help young women to understand how their bodies work.
MEET Salamata Toure
To Salamata Touré, girls contribute significantly to improving the health, nutrition, and education of their families. Thus, helping young girls will have a direct impact on the well-being of their families. As the Program Director Volunteer at GNWL, Salamata wants to help Burkinabè girls to avoid pregnancy and to have more opportunities, which will have a positive impact on the lives of those around them.
U.S. VOLUNTEERS
Meet Tenecia Douglas
Tenecia has been working in Accounting for over 15 years.
She feels like her purpose is to help others and to be a vessel of positivity, support, fun, and unity to everyone she encounters.
She’s passionate passing down knowledge and support to teens and young adults especially young ladies, which is why she enjoys volunteering with GNWL. She believes that every girl should have equal opportunities to education, resources, and support related to women’s health and body and supports GNWL efforts to provide that.
Meet Diane Adelson
Diane has been working in IT since 1981. She enjoys contributing her time and skills to help support nonprofit organizations.
I support GNWL because I believe every girl deserves to live a life free of shame, have equal access to education, and the freedom to live to their fullest potential.
DEARLY MISSED
Laure Congo
We have lost a cherished member of our GNWL family, Mme. Laure Bado Congo. Her passing has left us all deeply saddened.
Mme. Laure was more than a colleague; she was a sister, a mentor, and a guiding light within our mission.
Laure Congo was a volunteer Program Coordinator for GNWL.