OFFICE STAFF
Tara Bloch, Executive Director
Tara is passionate about making a difference in her community. As the Executive Director of BRAWS, she is committed to our mission of providing menstrual supplies and new undergarments to women and children in crisis who do not have access to critical, basic needs in our community and around the world. For Tara, giving back is not just a nice thing to do, it's an essential part of who she is. She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated team, and looks forward to continuing the partnership with generous individuals, foundations, and businesses in the community.
Tara also serves as the Director/Teacher at FB Meekins Preschool. Tara joined Meekins in 2008 as a Teacher and became its Director in 2016. Not only does she work closely with the children and staff, she works closely with the families as this is a parent run cooperative. She sits on the Board as voting member. Tara is currently the Treasurer for CROP WALK/Vienna and the Secretary for Virginia Cooperative Preschool Council Board of Directors. She has served as Vienna Town Councilmember, PTA President, and Girl Scout Leader. Tara lives in Vienna, Virginia. She has three adult children and one grandchild.
Tara also serves as the Director/Teacher at FB Meekins Preschool. Tara joined Meekins in 2008 as a Teacher and became its Director in 2016. Not only does she work closely with the children and staff, she works closely with the families as this is a parent run cooperative. She sits on the Board as voting member. Tara is currently the Treasurer for CROP WALK/Vienna and the Secretary for Virginia Cooperative Preschool Council Board of Directors. She has served as Vienna Town Councilmember, PTA President, and Girl Scout Leader. Tara lives in Vienna, Virginia. She has three adult children and one grandchild.
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Kristine Griepentrog - Director of Operations
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Kristine Griepentrog started her career working with children, teens and adults as a Physician Assistant in a medical office. A graduate of Marquette University in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science, Kristine went on to receive her Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Marquette University in 2001. She is actively involved in her children’s elementary and middle schools, serving on the PTA Board for many years. Kristine joined BRAWS in early 2018.
You can reach Kristine at info@BRAWS.org
You can reach Kristine at info@BRAWS.org
Beth Cohen Hahm- Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
Beth is a long time volunteer for BRAWS and is thrilled to be joining our staff. She received her BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania with an emphasis on women' studies, and her Master of Social Welfare from UCLA, focusing on mental health. Beth has worked in a variety of educational, medical, and community settings addressing the mental health and psychosocial needs of children and adults. Beth lives in Vienna with her husband and two children, and volunteers with her synagogue and children's elementary school.
You can reach Beth at volunteer@BRAWS.org.
You can reach Beth at volunteer@BRAWS.org.
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Emily Schofield- Special Events
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Emily Schofield has been with BRAWS since it’s inception. She volunteered with BRAWS for 6 years before recently becoming an employee. A graduate of the University of Delaware, she has many years of experience in the non-profit and the government sectors. Emily’s love for entertaining and attention to detail made her an obvious choice for this position. She oversees Mardi Bras, the Fun Run and OktoBRAfest events to name a few. In her free time, Emily likes drinking piña colada‘s and getting caught in the rain. She has three amazing kids, a loving husband and a sweet, floofy rescue dog.
You can reach Emily at events@BRAWS.org
You can reach Emily at events@BRAWS.org
Board of Directors
Holly Seibold, BRAWS Founder
Holly Seibold is the Founder of BRAWS: Bringing Resources to Aid Women's Shelters. In partnership with generous individuals, foundations, and businesses in the community, Holly and her team of dedicated staff and volunteers have distributed over two million period products and undergarments to women and girls in crisis. In a little more than 7 years, Holly has built one of the most recognized local nonprofit organizations in the DC region.
Holly is a fierce advocate for women's rights and is currently serving in the House of Delegates District 35 in Richmond Va. In the past she has testified in Washington, DC and Richmond in favor of the repeal of the tampon tax and an increased access to menstrual supplies for all girls and women in shelters, schools, jails, and prisons. Holly’s advocacy led to the successful passage of DC Law 21-201 (The Feminine Hygiene and Diapers Sales Tax Exemption Amendment Act of 2016), the 2019 Virginia Senate Bill 1715 (The Dignity Act), and the 2020 Virginia House Bill 405 - mandating menstrual supplies in school bathrooms. Holly also is a co-founder of the Virginia Menstrual Equity Coalition (VMEC), a statewide coalition that mobilizes supporters to collectively take action on the injustice of menstrual inequity. As a result of these efforts and more, Virginia’s General Assembly passed the 2018 House Bill 83 unanimously, requiring correctional facilities to provide menstrual supplies on demand and at no charge to inmates. Holly describes the evolution of this bill in her published piece, “Free to Bleed: Virginia House Bill 83 and the Dignity of Menstruating Inmates,” in Volume 22 of the University of Richmond’s Public Interest Law Review.
Exposing issues that much too often remain in the dark, Holly has educated the public on solutions to problems that result from inequity. She has participated in several prominent panels, including Netroots Nation 2018, “Menstrual Equity: Practical Action to Public Policy” and Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), “The Case for Menstrual Equity: How Policies Surrounding Menstruation Affect Outcomes for Women.” She has also presented a TedX Talk on this very issue. Holly has also been featured in multiple national and local media outlets, but most notably in the Washington Post article, "The Once-Whispered Topic of Women's Menstruation Now Has Political Cachet."
Holly was named the 2017 Emerging Influential Leader of the Year by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Rising Star Heroine of the 2017 Heroines of Washington Awards, the 2020 DAR Community Service Award, and designated a Citation of Merit from the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations 2020 Citizen of the Year,.
Holly is a graduate of George Washington University with a M.Ed in Elementary Education, as well a B.A. in the interdisciplinary study of Communications, Law, Economics and Government from American University in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of the 2018 Emerge Virginia program. Holly lives in Vienna, Virginia with her husband, Erik, and two children, Morgan (14) and Matthew (11).
Holly is a fierce advocate for women's rights and is currently serving in the House of Delegates District 35 in Richmond Va. In the past she has testified in Washington, DC and Richmond in favor of the repeal of the tampon tax and an increased access to menstrual supplies for all girls and women in shelters, schools, jails, and prisons. Holly’s advocacy led to the successful passage of DC Law 21-201 (The Feminine Hygiene and Diapers Sales Tax Exemption Amendment Act of 2016), the 2019 Virginia Senate Bill 1715 (The Dignity Act), and the 2020 Virginia House Bill 405 - mandating menstrual supplies in school bathrooms. Holly also is a co-founder of the Virginia Menstrual Equity Coalition (VMEC), a statewide coalition that mobilizes supporters to collectively take action on the injustice of menstrual inequity. As a result of these efforts and more, Virginia’s General Assembly passed the 2018 House Bill 83 unanimously, requiring correctional facilities to provide menstrual supplies on demand and at no charge to inmates. Holly describes the evolution of this bill in her published piece, “Free to Bleed: Virginia House Bill 83 and the Dignity of Menstruating Inmates,” in Volume 22 of the University of Richmond’s Public Interest Law Review.
Exposing issues that much too often remain in the dark, Holly has educated the public on solutions to problems that result from inequity. She has participated in several prominent panels, including Netroots Nation 2018, “Menstrual Equity: Practical Action to Public Policy” and Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), “The Case for Menstrual Equity: How Policies Surrounding Menstruation Affect Outcomes for Women.” She has also presented a TedX Talk on this very issue. Holly has also been featured in multiple national and local media outlets, but most notably in the Washington Post article, "The Once-Whispered Topic of Women's Menstruation Now Has Political Cachet."
Holly was named the 2017 Emerging Influential Leader of the Year by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Rising Star Heroine of the 2017 Heroines of Washington Awards, the 2020 DAR Community Service Award, and designated a Citation of Merit from the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations 2020 Citizen of the Year,.
Holly is a graduate of George Washington University with a M.Ed in Elementary Education, as well a B.A. in the interdisciplinary study of Communications, Law, Economics and Government from American University in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of the 2018 Emerge Virginia program. Holly lives in Vienna, Virginia with her husband, Erik, and two children, Morgan (14) and Matthew (11).
Ginger Dockery- Interim Chair
For over 15 years, Ginger has professionally supported arts, education, and policy non-profits through strategy and donor relationship building. Ginger has been involved in all aspects of non-profits since childhood, in capacities from volunteering “on the ground” in shelter environments to serving on fundraising committees and many experiences in between. Ginger earned her BFA in Interior Architecture and Design from MICA (Maryland Institute, College of Art) in Baltimore, Maryland. Ginger currently serves as Director for Special Events at Wolf Trap Foundation and has consulted for a variety of nationally recognized nonprofits. Ginger lives in Vienna, Virginia, with her husband and two children. When she’s not volunteering or volunteering non-profits, Ginger enjoys remodeling her home (a family endeavor), hosting friends, attending live performances, and exploring new cuisine.
Jennifer Min – Vice Chair
Jennifer Min has been a School Psychologist for Fairfax County Public Schools for over 25 years. She earned a Master of Education and an Educational Specialist degree from James Madison University. Jennifer also serves in a variety of volunteer roles in her community. She has been an active volunteer with BRAWS since 2016.
You can reach Jennifer at Jennifer@BRAWS.org
Amanda Brown- Treasurer
Amanda Brown has served the nonprofit and international development community for over 15 years. As a Director in KPMG's Development and Exempt Organizations team, Amanda provided grant management and organizational strategy and effectiveness support to organizations inside and outside the US. Amanda holds a B.S. in Accounting and received certificates in Nonprofit Management and Project Management. Amanda became an active volunteer with BRAWS in 2018.
Olga Moshinsky Woltman - Secretary
Smart strategy and creative ideas to help good causes, that’s been the driving force behind Olga’s professional work. After nearly two decades of working with some of the most inspiring causes including Special Olympics, American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the Smithsonian Institution, and many others, Olga launched her own company, LemonSkies, to help nonprofits raise money and awareness. She is a graduate of Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She is thrilled to join BRAWS’ Board of Directors and help advance its mission of empowering women and girls.
Kari Govan- Marketing
Kari is a Realtor at The Govan Real Estate Group at Keller Williams Realty. For over ten years, she has been helping clients buy and sell homes in Northern Virginia. She runs a service-oriented business making her clients a top priority! Her background is public relations and advertising and has run PR/Advertising campaigns for Verizon, MCI and the Chemical Manufacturers Association. She loves being involved in the Vienna community and has served on many boards throughout the years including her girl's pre-school, elementary school and currently serving on her church board. She looks forward to becoming more involved with BRAWS and all the great things they do!
Barbara Holmes - Programs
Barbara Holmes, CPA, is a Compliance Director for a mortgage company with over 25 years of experience in the areas of mortgage compliance, risk, internal audit, and controls. She is a co-founder of the first Global Women's Affinity Group at her current employer, where she is involved in teaching diversity and inclusion classes. Barbara has a B.S. in Business Administration and English from McDaniel College. She has been volunteering with BRAWS since 2017, and previously held volunteer board positions with several other organizations.
*To become involved, please click on the VOLUNTEER button below.
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2102 GALLOWS RD, SUITE C
VIENNA, VA 22182 |
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office hours BY APPOINTMENT
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