Program Director ~ Boys With Confidence
Board Member ~ The Confidence & Leadership Foundation
Social Media & Marketing Manager
When Nancy Lemon started Girls With Confidence in 2011, she wanted to create special experiences for school-aged girls to develop self-love and grow brave spirits that would carry with them the rest of their lives and shine onto others. It was her desire to give girls the safe space she believes would have been greatly impactful in her own young life had such a place existed.
Prior to beginning Girls With Confidence, from 2008 to 2011, Nancy volunteered with a now closed youth support organization. Her volunteer work came from a deep place, as the work to equip strong-spirited and vibrant youth was driven from her own experiences and struggles.
Moving from Pain to Purpose
With her confidence shaken at a young age due to a childhood trauma, Nancy experienced the feelings of shame and the lack of proper supports to heal. Into adulthood, the events of her childhood manifested in an eating disorder, which Nancy battled for years.
Through years of counseling and personal work, Nancy found herself whole, healthy, and healed. Seeing the gap of programs to teach girls to love and honor themselves, make positive decisions, and navigate all that comes with growing up in the modern world, Nancy was inspired to continue the mission she had once served through volunteerism and now on a new path that this time she would forge.
Envisioning a World Where Every Girl Knows her Worth
In the years since Nancy founded Girls With Confidence, it has grown from Tampa Bay to cities and countries beyond. Nancy knows that all girls, no matter their background or socioeconomic status, struggle from time to time with self-perceptions and confidence. Every girl needs guidance, mentors, positive friends and places to be herself.
Through workshop series, camps, craft nights and other inspirational events, girls are given opportunities to rise. Nancy is proud of the work everyone involved with Girls With Confidence has accomplished to impact hundreds of girls who have heard the message of how to love themselves from the inside out and accept themselves wholeheartedly. One of Nancy’s greatest joys is seeing girls go through the programs from elementary to high school and come “full circle” by applying what they’ve learned to mentor the younger girls.
We are proud of our amazing team of support staff, instructors, regional directors, program directors and volunteers. Everyone has different backgrounds and experiences but what they all have in common is the love of our mission which is to help grow the confidence in our girls, and now with boys.
When we embarked on the journey of starting Boys With Confidence, we knew there was one person who would be the perfect fit to help us: Greg Rusch. Greg serves as the Director of Youth Ministries, Radical Hospitality, and Operations at Grace Community Church.
Greg holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Florida and is a 2013 graduate of YMI. Greg has been a vital part of Grace since 2002 and joined the staff in 2011. Additionally, he leads the Young Life ministry in the Lithia area. Greg is married to Cindy, a registered nurse, and they have two children, Emily and Derrick.
Sabiene Nieuwendam, a graduate of Newsome High School, is currently studying Political Science and Criminal Justice at the University of South Florida. She has worked at Girls With Confidence for three years and previously volunteered with the organization
When she’s not working, you can catch her reading, traveling, and cooking.
“Working with these girls makes me a better person every day, and I am so thankful to call Girls With Confidence my second home.”
Shayla grew up in the Tampa Bay Area and was one of our very first participants to attend Girls With Confidence, where she gained valuable life lessons.
Shayla graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Business Management and Marketing and a minor in Psychology. At FSU, she was President of the Case Competition Club, active in Delta Zeta sorority, and served on the kNOw More Student Advisory Board to promote awareness of power-based personal violence.
Passionate about helping others, Shayla creates environments for individuals to reach their authentic selves. In her free time, she enjoys being with family and friends and going for long walks.
A little more you might want to know about Nancy Lemon...
Jessica Thomas is a dedicated mentor and influential figure in the Tampa Bay area. As a successful entrepreneur, she is the proud owner of South Tampa's esteemed eyelash salon, "Glam Bella Studio." Jessica's passion for beauty and makeup artistry sparked at a young age, leading her to become a licensed esthetician specializing in eyelash enhancement services and makeup.
She strongly believes in continuous learning, recognizing that knowledge is key to providing exceptional service to her clients. In addition to her salon endeavors, Jessica is committed to uplifting the youth community. She founded "Future Beauty Boss Camp," a program that empowers girls in underserved communities by teaching them about entrepreneurship and how to effectively manage their own businesses. Through her experiences and dedication, Jessica Thomas is a beacon of inspiration and support for aspiring entrepreneurs and young women alike.
"I was inspired to work with young girls because I was a teenage mother and it was the strong network of women who pushed me forward. They showed me even if your path in life is not perfect, you can still be successful. I believe it truly takes a village to raise children and I love to be a part of molding the future leaders of the world."
Maggie is a Lithia native and a 2022 graduate of Newsome High School. She is currently pursuing a degree in Management at Florida Gulf Coast University. Maggie has been volunteering with Girls With Confidence since 2018, and this is her second summer as an instructor. Having attended GWC classes as a child, she now cherishes the opportunity to bond with each girl like a little sister, creating relationships she deeply values.
In her free time, Maggie enjoys spending time with friends and family, visiting Disney, and crafting. Her favorite part of camp is building relationships with campers, volunteers, and fellow instructors. Last summer was memorable for her, and she’s excited for an even better one this year!
Christy, originally from Ohio, has called Fishhawk home for the past 21 years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State University and has taught various grade levels in Ohio, Arizona, and now focuses on Early Childhood Education in Florida. For the past 8 years, she has been a VPK teacher at Fishhawk Early Learning Preschool.
When she's not teaching, you might find Christy practicing Pilates, enjoying the beach, or watching a tennis match. She is the proud mother of two daughters who grew up in Fishhawk, became Division 1 tennis players, and attended James Madison University in Virginia. With 29 years of marriage under her belt, she's currently enjoying raising an empty-nester puppy!
Excited to share her love for children and her teaching skills, Christy is a wonderful addition to Girls With Confidence! Welcome, Christy!
Hailey Riggs has dedicated the past three years to working with children and recently joined GWC in Summer 2024. She served as a paraprofessional at Bailey Elementary School, assisting students with disabilities, and previously worked at Disney World as an attraction cast member during college.
Born and raised in the Plant City/Brandon area, Hailey is passionate about travel. She has an older brother and a 15-year-old teacup Yorkie named Lucy. Recently married to her high school sweetheart, Hailey is also fluent in American Sign Language and often interprets at Tampa Bay Rays games.
Her dream is to become a business owner by opening her own wedding venue and helping couples realize their dreams. We are thrilled to welcome Hailey to our team, knowing that her dedication and skills will be cherished by the kids she works with.
Joaquin Mangum is excited to join Girls & Boys with Confidence. He is a rising senior- class of 2025, at Newsome High School who excels in his academics and extracurriculars. A previous volunteer at the center with over 100 hours served, Joaquin enjoys building character and self-confidence of young boys and girls enrolled in the program. You can often find Joaquin participating in the activities along with the kids, sharing his passion for ceramics, drawing, painting, and a love for animals.
The son of American and Nicaraguan parents, he is fluent in both English and Spanish. He is proud of his multi-cultural background and actively promotes an environment of diversity and inclusion. His favorite foods include gallo pinto, mangos, and pasta. Joaquin looks forward to interacting with the kids and guiding them to their full potential; he hopes to gain new skills and experience that he can share with staff and students alike.
Mia brings a unique and invaluable perspective as an instructor, having been involved with Girls With Confidence since she was just 5 years old. Her journey began with participation in our Confident Girls program, then our Girls With Leadership program while in middle school, eventually leading her to become a dedicated volunteer. With a natural affinity for working with children, Mia volunteered for three years before stepping into the role of instructor in Fall 2022.
A homeschooled student set to graduate in 2025, Mia is also dual enrolled at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, where she studies business management and entrepreneurial studies. Her passion for health and wellness, both physical and mental, has been a significant part of her life for years. In her free time, Mia enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and being with family and friends. The kids are so lucky to have her guiding and mentoring them.
Bio Coming Soon
Annabell Mesa is a 2020 USF graduate who majored in Elementary Education. She was a classroom teacher and now has transitioned into an ESOL resource teacher, bringing her passion in helping students who are English language learners be successful. Annabell has worked with Girls With Confidence since 2018, leading summer camps and after school workshops.
"My favorite part of Girls With Confidence is getting to teach young girls about the importance of loving who you are and being a kind person, not just to others but to yourself too. I think this is such an important mindset to learn at an early age and it makes me so excited to watch these girls year after year put this practice into action!"
