STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BRAWS STAFF

TARA BLOCH

  • 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 a 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 became Executive Director of BRAWS in 2023.

KRISTINE GRIEPENTROG

  • Krissy 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, Krissy 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 schools and sports.

    Krissy joined the BRAWS staff in 2018.

    Reach Krissy at krissy@braws.org

EMILY SCHOFIELD

  • Emily has been with BRAWS since its founding in 2014. Before joining the staff as Events Coordinator, she was a dedicated BRAWS volunteer and served on the Board of Directors. A graduate of the University of Delaware, she has many years of experience in the non-profit and the government sectors. Emily brings her love for entertaining and attention to detail to our make BRAWS events special. She oversees major events and planning for coordinated supply and funding drives. In her free time, Emily likes drinking piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. She has three amazing kids, a loving husband and two sweet, floofy rescue dogs.

    Emily began volunteering with BRAWS in 2014 and joined the staff in 2021.

    Reach Emily at events@supportbraws.org

BETH COHEN HAHM

  • Before joining the staff as Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Beth was a long time BRAWS volunteer herself. 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.

    Beth began volunteering with BRAWS in 2018 and joined the staff in 2021.

    Reach Beth at volunteer@braws.org

LAUREN STERLING

  • Prior to joining BRAWS, Lauren has served as Executive Director, Grants Writer, and Development Associate for multiple Christian ministry and housing organizations. Lauren holds a Master of Social Work from VCU and earned a double major in Government and Religion from The College of William and Mary. She lives in Bristow, Virginia with her family.

    Lauren joined the BRAWS staff in 2023 after volunteering for BRAWS since 2018.

    Reach Lauren at lauren@braws.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VACANT

JENNIFER MIN

  • Jen has been a School Psychologist for Fairfax County Public Schools for over 25 years and also works for United Way Next. 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.

    Jennifer began volunteering with BRAWS in 2016.

    Reach Jen at jennifer@braws.org

OLGA MOSHINSKY WOLTMAN

  • 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.

    Olga began volunteering with BRAWS in 2018.

KARI GOVAN

  • Kari began volunteering with BRAWS in 2016. Kari is originally from Akron, Ohio but has been living in the Vienna, Virginia and Washington D.C. area for over 20 years. She loves being involved in the Vienna community and has served on many boards including her daughters’ pre-school, elementary school and currently serves as a deacon at her church and is active with multiple community organizations including the Vienna Arts Society and Women Giving Back. Kari is Principal of 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 with a service-oriented business that makes her clients a top priority! Prior to Real Estate, Kari worked in public relations and advertising, runing PR/Advertising campaigns for Verizon, MCI and the Chemical Manufacturers Association. She is a graduate of Ohio University with a BS in Journalism and is a member of the Chi Omega sorority.

AMANDA BROWN

  • Amanda has served the nonprofit and international development community for over 15 years. As a Senior Global Grant Manager at Digital Green, Amanda provides 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 began volunteering with BRAWS in 2018.

YULIA P. BOYLE

  • Yulia currently serves as the first woman Chair of the 100-year-old global media association - FIPP - where she is championing FIPP’s innovation and diversity and inclusion efforts. She also serves as a Supervisory Board Member of Silknet Telecom, Republic of Georgia’s leading fixed and mobile network provider and is the Founder and Principal of a boutique global business strategy firm specializing in guiding global businesses to foster partnerships and establish frameworks for their expansion.

    Now calling Vienna, Virginia home, Yulia boasts a distinguished career as a worldwide media executive spanning several iconic global media and entertainment corporations including The World Disney Company, 21st Century Fox, and National Geographic (NatGeo). She holds extensive expertise and success track record in forging innovative and long-lasting partnerships among some of the largest global media entities including NatGeo, Nikkei Inc., Hearst, Editorial Televisa, Bertelsmann, Scholastic, Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Macmillan. For 16 years, Yulia served at National Geographic as the Senior Vice President of International Media.

    Yulia Boyle is fluent in several languages, keenly attuned to cultural nuance living and working in places like Armenia, US, Central Asia, Ukraine. Throughout her entire career she focused on achieving impact through mutually enriching partnerships. Yulia joined the BRAWS board in 2023.

RAHUL SAHA

  • Rahul joined the BRAWS Board of Directors in 2023 after multiple years volunteering for the organization and attending fundraising events. He’s excited to be a part of BRAWS, not only for the great work the organization does, but also to inspire others to join causes that might be less immediate to their individual self. Rahul believes that all noble causes are ultimately human causes. He started volunteering in high school and college, continuing educational non-profit support throughout his career and demonstrating volunteerism to his family and community by working side-by-side with them at activities such as the BRAWS Cocoa for a Cause event. Professionally, Rahul is an aerospace engineer. He lives in Vienna, Virginia with his wife and daughter and is proud to call the Vienna community home.