led by women, for women
Women and Youth Supporting Each Other consists of independently operated branches led by students at universities across the country, with central leadership provided by a National Board of Directors.
Each summer, college directors from each branch convene for the WYSE National Leadership Training Conference (NLTC) to connect, learn, and strengthen their personal leadership skills and overall branch efficacy.
WYSE values inclusivity and celebrates all women at the intersections of their overlapping identities. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, religion, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.
Interested in starting WYSE at your school? Contact info@wyse.org
wyse National Board of Directors
ANNA SHAW-AMOAH
Board Chair
Anna Shaw-Amoah joined the WYSE National Board of Directors in 2015 after being a WYSE mentor and volunteer in New York City for almost six years. She received an M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management & Policy from NYU and a B.A. in Global Development in 2012 from the same university. Anna works as a Policy Analyst in New York City and has a passion for international human rights issues.
MELISSA PIERCE
Chair Emeritus
Melissa Pierce joined the WYSE National Board of Directors in 2005. Melissa graduated from Stanford University in 2003 with a B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning. For more than a decade, she served as Board Chair and led initiatives including WYSE's incorporation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, branch expansion, fund development, and national leadership training. In addition, she coordinated WYSE's 20th Anniversary campaign and now oversees strategy and program execution for WYSE's 30th Anniversary celebration ahead. Beyond WYSE, Melissa has grown her professional career in nonprofit management. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN, with her husband and two daughters (tiny WYSE women!)
LAUREN GORSKI Allen
Development Co-Chair
Lauren Gorski Allen joined the WYSE National Board of Directors in 2013. Lauren graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in English with Emphasis in Creative Writing. She was a college mentor at the WYSE UCI Branch and served as Executive Director for two years. She earned a Master's in Professional Writing at the University of Southern California. Besides WYSE, her current passions include horses, tacos, and movies.
Evelyn Rodriguez Estrada
Development Co-Chair
As the director of corporate community impact at ComEd, an Exelon Corporation, Evelyn Rodriguez Estrada oversees ComEd’s corporate-responsibility programs, including charitable contributions, competitive grants, educational initiatives, signature events, employee engagement and volunteerism, and executives’ civic involvement. Before joining ComEd, Evelyn was senior advisor for neighborhood economic development and community engagement for Mayor Rahm Emanuel. In this role, she managed strategic partnerships and advised on public policy initiatives. Prior to her job in the mayor’s office, Evelyn worked in governmental affairs for the Chicago City Council and the U.S. House of Representatives, and with Erie Neighborhood House. Evelyn has a passion for civic engagement, having previously served as a commissioner for the Illinois Complete Count Commission, a community representative for the Chicago Public Schools local school council, and as committee member for the Illinois State Advisory Committee for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Evelyn is an alumna of Chicago Public Schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and a master’s degree from Northwestern University. Evelyn was a former WYSE mentee at Madero Middle School in Chicago, and a founding director of the WYSE Marquette branch in Milwaukee. She is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents from Durango, and she was raised in the Little Village neighborhood by her mother and two sisters. Evelyn is a lifelong Chicagoan and currently resides in Avondale with her husband and daughter.
Joëlle jackson
Programs Co-Chair
Joëlle Jackson (she/her) is a former member of the WYSE Alumni Committee. Joëlle graduated from The George Washington University in 2020 with a BBA in International Business and a minor in Economics. Joëlle was involved in the GWU branch of WYSE from 2015-2019, serving three years on D-team as a School Site Coordinator and Co-Exec. In her free time, Joëlle enjoys volleyball, reading, and spending time with her puppy, Harvey.
Nathalie Jaikissoon
programs co-chair
Nathalie joined the WYSE National Board of Directors in 2018 and was a WYSE Alumni of NYU in 2014. Nathalie graduated from the University of Central Florida after transferring from New York University, where she was involved in WYSE as a freshman. Nathalie is also a graduate of Columbia University where she earned her Master of Social Work. Currently, Nathalie lives in Orlando in the Sunshine State with her husband and Nespresso machine. Nathalie serves as a Mental Health Therapist for children and teens in New York and is an advocate for survivors of gender-based violence through her role on the Board of Jahajee Sisters. Apart from her passion for mentoring and supporting young women, Nathalie spends her free time seeking out oversized desserts, beautiful cocktails, and large bowls of pasta or planning her next adventure across the globe.
WYse alumni committee
Remi Beek
Remi Beek joined the WYSE Alumni Committee in 2019 after graduating from Tulane University, where she was involved in WYSE from 2016 to 2019 and served as School Site Director. Over the last few years, she worked as an intern and a volunteer at various shelters and organizations dedicated to uplifting marginalized women. Starting fall 2020, Remi is pursuing her Master’s of Public Health with a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual and Reproductive Health from Columbia University. While passionately advocating for sexual and reproductive health and education, she also enjoys art, yoga, reading, and eating bagels with friends and family.