Our Leaders
The Board of Directors at Woman Within Eastern USA collaboratively and strategically guide and lead the successful journey of our Woman Within Weekend, Circles, and other programs. Together they set and hold the vision, mission, and values of the organization and direct the operational delivery plan and policy. If you have comments or questions, please feel free to email them. Your input is appreciated.
Donna Elser
President
Mission: With compassionate awareness, I create opportunities for healing and growth for myself and others.
Donna’s WWE journey began in November 2005 at Appel Farm in Elmer, NJ. Her passion for this work resulted in her being honored with a Rose Award in 2009. To date, she has staffed more than 30 times, is certified to present the Staff Training and Circle Intensive Workshops, and is pursuing full certification as a member of the Facilitation Team.
Before she “retired,” Donna was an elementary school teacher, worked for Hartford Insurance and co-owned a packing and shipping company with her husband of 40+ years, Mike Elser of the Mankind Project (MKP), WWE’s brother organization. She has 2 grown children and two fantastic granddaughters.
Donna became President of WWE in July 2017. The President of Woman Within Eastern USA is the designated executive of the Corporation. She holds the organization’s Vision, chairs the Board of Directors and leads the organization.
Mandy Redman
Secretary
Mission: To nurture myself and others with compassion and grace.
Mandy joined WWE in October 2013 at Diamond Ridge, Jamison, PA. She found a Circle the following February 2014 and has staffed nearly every WWE Weekend in MA and PA since 2014. In July 2015, Mandy attended the Level 2 workshop, describing it as one of the most transformative and inspirational weeks of her life. She is working toward her goal of serving on the Leadership Track.
Mandy is currently a dispatcher for the Horsham Police Department. She is married to her best friend, Jason Redman, and has four amazing children. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Always seeking an opportunity to give back to the WW Community, she jumped at the chance to serve as Secretary for the WWE Board. The Secretary is responsible for the oversight of the corporate recording of minutes, logistics of the monthly phone conference meeting, documentation management and limited general correspondence.
Julie Posmantier
Treasurer
Mission: I create safety for myself and others by nurturing, loving and hearing all beings.
Julie began her involvement with WWE in October 2010 at the Clara Barton Center in MA. She immediately helped build a new Circle in Cambridge with several women from her Weekend and continues to sit in Circle in CT. She staffs Weekends at least once per year and has completed the Skills and Level 2 workshops.
Julie has a BA degree in Economics and has worked for years as a bookkeeper with various businesses. She is married to her husband of 25+ years, MKP member Eric Posmantier. They have two beautiful daughters, and participate in and staff Father/Daughter weekends regularly.
In January 2013, Julie was thrilled to accept the WWE Board Treasurer role and has held the position since. The Treasurer serves as Chief Financial Officer of the organization and is responsible for auditing, reporting and maintaining the Corporate Financial Records and support for all bookkeeping tasks.
Megan Quinn
Director of Community Affairs
Mission: To celebrate the unearthing of life.
Megan went through her Weekend in March 2014 at Diamond Ridge, Jamison, PA. Since then, she has fallen in love with the work and Community. She staffs regularly on the East Coast, serves on the DEVA Region Council and attended Level 2 in 2017. Once frightened, confused, repressed and lacking direction, Megan says this work has ushered her into being a woman of integrity, desire, assuredness and creativity.
Megan is a Performing Artist, Pilates Instructor and Community Partner based in Philadelphia. She serves as Assistant Director of Archedream for Humankind, an internationally-touring dance theater company. She is also Adjunct Professor of Pilates at Temple University and has worked for the nonprofit Dress for Success.
In June 2017, Megan began her term as Director of Community Affairs. The Director of Community Affairs focuses on increasing involvement in WWE Circles, workshops, programs and the Community at large.
Dawn Speed
Director of Communications
Mission: To help others see their value and continuously affirm my own.
Dawn came to WWE in March 2015 at Diamond Ridge, Jamison, PA after witnessing the power of the MKP program with male family members. She has since staffed, completed Level 2 and helped plan the 2018 Community Weekend. Dawn believes that now more than ever women’s empowerment is crucial to the well-being of generations to come.
With more than 20 years Communications experience in TV, print and corporate with iconic global brands including MasterCard, PepsiCo and most recently Ketchum, Dawn served as a VP at the only top 5 PR firm whose CEO is a woman. She volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, is married to MKP member Chris Bailey with a beautiful mosaic of five children.
Dawn became Director of Communications in July 2017. The Director of Communications is responsible for WWE’s website, social media, print media, merchandising selection, membership drive and tracking, and connection with The Mankind Project.
June Fisher
Director of Governance
Mission: To heal myself and hold safe space for others by honoring the sacredness of every being.
June was introduced to Woman Within in 2002. She was so grateful for the support received during her Weekend, she volunteered for the roles of Director of Circles and then Director of Training for six years. Within two years of her Weekend, June completed Circle training, Skills and Level 2. She has staffed several Level 2 workshops, more than 30 Weekends and entered the Facilitation track.
June has had careers in Nursing, Law and currently is employed by a pharmaceutical company. She provides preventive benefits to persons within the United States and globally. She is married to Bob Walters and has two children. Her daughter Lauren Weiss serves as WWE Staffing Coordinator.
In June 2017, June was appointed Director of Governance, a new position on the WWE Board. The Director of Governance oversees the organization’s processes, protocols, succession planning, on-boarding of new directors, strategic planning, and internal and external communications.
Natalie Robbins
Director of Training
Mission: To hold space for healing myself and others with grace and love.
Natalie began her WWE journey in Jamison, PA in October 2013. She quickly became involved in the organization, attending Level 2 (formerly known as Wholeness) and staffing her first Weekend in March 2014. She then completed Skills and continues to regularly staff Weekends. In 2015, Natalie began her work on the Facilitation track and continues to be an active member in the organization.
Natalie maintains a full-time Psychotherapy practice in Danbury, CT and works part-time for the local hospital. Her son is in college so she has plenty of time to travel and explore new adventures.
Natalie joined the WWE Board as Director of Training in June 2017; The Director of Training is responsible for coordinating the Woman Within Weekends and other training opportunities that support the development of community members.
Kimberly Thareja
Director of Circles
Mission: To lead with whole hearted connection and grace.
Kimberly’s Woman Within journey began September 2011 in Jamison, PA – the first time the Weekend was held at Diamond Ridge. She loves staffing and has done all the staff jobs at least once. Kimberly has also served as Assistant Team Leader for Level 2 several times and, to cover as Marg Renaud retired, took on the Team Leader (TL) role to lead the past few Level 2 workshops and is excited to complete the TL track.
Married with two twin grown sons, Kimberly works for her husband who graciously supports her efforts with WWE. She has a pilot’s license, deciding that if her husband was going to fly them around, she’d better learn to land the plane!
Kimberly joined the WWE Board as Director of Circles in April 2018. The Director of Circles is responsible for all matters pertaining to the support and growth of Circles in the Community.
Christie Miller
Administrator
Mission: To hold the hope for women who have lost theirs.
Christie attended her Weekend in 2002 in Columbia, IL and returned hungry for more connection and involvement in the organization. She spent the next few years staffing and going to any WW workshop that was offered. Christie is certified as a Facilitator 3 and is one of the Coordinators for the Level 2 workshop. She is passionate about her work and believes that change and transformation are possible for all women.
Christie’s role is the perfect vehicle for her to manifest her Mission. Her training as a nurse has served her well in her work with Woman Within. She has been married to her husband and MKP member Jim for 44 years. They have four children and seven grandchildren.
In 2005, Christie became WWE Administrator which included a non-voting seat on the WWE Board. The Administrator registers each of the women who attend a Woman Within Weekend on the East Coast.
