Founder and President
Board Member

Amanda Ready is an award-winning licensed mental health counselor, licensed professional counselor, speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and communities build emotional resilience and self-sufficiency. Since beginning her career, Amanda has dedicated her life to empowering others through compassionate counseling, mental health education, and community wellness initiatives.

As a therapist and founder of Ready Therapy Practice and Ready to Empower, Amanda provides counseling and coaching that help individuals manage anxiety, heal from trauma, and develop emotional tools to thrive. Her deep clinical expertise, combined with a passion for advocacy, inspired her to expand her impact beyond the therapy room and into global community empowerment.

Amanda brings not only extensive experience in providing mental health support to individuals, but also a proven track record of partnering with school systems to enhance emotional wellness and resilience. She offers workshops, coaching, and presentations that reduce anxiety, build emotional resilience, and foster well-being among students and staff. Her dedication to education and advocacy is also reflected in her authorship of Something’s Wrong at Mason’s Home, a children’s book she has leveraged in schools and community programs to help families and educators address family violence and emotional safety in an empowering, age-appropriate way. With a passion for fostering resilience and self-sufficiency, Amanda continues to lead initiatives that create lasting change for individuals and communities worldwide.

Ready to Empower (RTE):

 In 2013, Amanda founded Ready to Empower (RTE), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that helps women in underserved areas gain healing, independence, and self-sufficiency through mental health support and education. For more than a decade, she and her team of Empowerers have developed programs that address both emotional wellness and economic empowerment, creating lasting change for women and their families around the world.

Ready Empowerment Program:

 RTE’s cornerstone initiative, the Ready Empowerment Program, provides women in low-income communities with access to mental health support, human rights advocacy, life skills, and sexual health education. The program equips women with the knowledge and confidence to to heal and become empowered.

Ready EmpowerED, 

Building on this foundation, Amanda launched Ready EmpowerED, a school-based wellness initiative designed to strengthen mental health and resilience among educators, students, and parents. Ready EmpowerED offers professional development, group coaching, and workshops—delivered in-person and virtually—that equip school communities with practical strategies to reduce stress, prevent burnout, and promote well-being.What makes Ready EmpowerED (RED) truly unique is its dual-impact model: every dollar generated from school partnerships directly funds RTE’s global mental health programs for women in need. This sustainable approach transforms local investment into global change—enhancing mental wellness in schools while expanding access to care worldwide.

Through her clinical work, leadership, and advocacy, Amanda Ready continues to build bridges between healing and empowerment, creating a movement that uplifts individuals, schools, and communities across the world.

Amanda’s work has earned widespread recognition:

2024 – Recognized by Nasdaq for her leadership with Ready to Empower in providing mental health services both locally and globally.

2018 – Honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award by I’m Here For the Ladies And You for her advocacy in women’s empowerment.

2015 – Received the Amway Hero Award in the Generosity category, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy.

2014 – Named one of Westchester’s “40 Under 40” Rising Stars by the Business Council of Westchester, recognizing her leadership, vision, and professional accomplishments.

2014 – Awarded the Unsung Hero Award by the Westchester Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect for her dedication to protecting the well-being of children.

Vice President
Board Member

Olivia Skiffington is a digital marketing and demand generation leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth for Fortune 500 companies and high-growth tech startups. With both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Marketing, Olivia has built a career at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and revenue—leading demand generation, go-to-market initiatives, and scalable growth programs across diverse industries.

Alongside her corporate work, Olivia has dedicated much of her career to nonprofit leadership and community impact. For 11 years, she managed the Norwalk Special Olympics team, reinforcing her belief in inclusive, community-centered leadership. She now serves as Vice President of Ready to Empower, where she brings her strategic and marketing expertise to help grow programs, strengthen partnerships, and expand access to mental health support—most recently helping launch Ready EmpowerED, RTE’s mental-wellness and social-resilience programming for schools and communities.

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Olivia maintains a deep personal connection to the country, which fuels her passion for Ready to Empower’s global work and its mission to expand access to mental health resources for women and families. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and brings a culturally informed, human-centered approach to everything she does.

Whether driving business growth or advancing social impact, Olivia is deeply motivated by the belief that sustainable change—both in organizations and communities—starts with empowered people.

Treasure & Board Member
Governance and Revenue Committee

Joe is the Chief Growth Officer of Rotation Digital, where he leads the company’s growth agenda across M&A, sales, and marketing, driving both organic and inorganic expansion to position Rotation Digital as the category leader in digital technology services.

Prior to Rotation Digital, Joe was a Partner at Lansen Capital Partners, where he worked with private equity partners to identify and acquire high-performing businesses in the lower-middle market.

Previously, Joe was a Senior Managing Director at E78 Partners, where he advised corporate leaders and private equity sponsors on profitability and growth initiatives. He joined E78 through its 2022 acquisition of Cadilus, a tech-enabled finance and strategy services firm where Joe was Managing Partner & Chief Commercial Officer.

Joe also brings extensive leadership experience from the nonprofit sector, having served as Chief Executive Officer of the Port Chester Carver Center, as well as earlier roles as Chief Operating Officer, Business Director, and Advisor to the CEO. He has also built and scaled entrepreneurial ventures, including co-founding M.O.S.S. LLC, which he successfully exited in 2018, and serving as Principal at Kwas Builders LLC.

Joe holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BS in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University.

Secretary & Board Member
Program & Revenue Committee

Jasmeet is an experienced Business Operations and finance leader with a career spanning across both pharmaceutical and financial services industries, including spending early part of her career as a consultant and financial auditor.  Jasmeet was also part of a technology startup where she was part of launch team for their first customer!  Through her career she has been responsible for leading various teams to define and execute business strategies, launch new commercial products, served as Chief of Staff as well as defining portfolio strategies.  She currently leads a Patient services team with a large pharmaceutical company to ensure patients can access and afford critical therapies.  

She is driven by her passion to serve others and her community and is an active volunteer – helping adults learn English, disaster recovery work or supporting NGOs with business processes.  She resides in NJ with her family is looking forward to empowering women within their own communities.

​Board member, Governance & Revenue Committee

Kimberly currently leads the Digital, Technology & Communications Global Solution Sales team at Citi’s Commercial Bank, where she supports the team’s sales efforts and drives strategic initiatives to expand Citi’s market share within these industries. Kimberly also serves as Co-Chair of the Northern California Women’s Network, advocating for gender equity and leadership development.

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Kimberly is fluent in both Spanish and English and has built a dynamic career providing global cash management and embedded finance solutions to technology companies—ranging from startups to Fortune 100 firms.

Before joining Citi, Kimberly was a Partnership Strategist at Goldman Sachs, where she helped the Transaction Banking division identify, structure, and implement partnerships to enhance their product suite. She also served as Head of TMT Sales, focusing on cross-selling transaction banking products to the firm’s technology, media, and telecommunications clients.

From 2015 to 2020, Kimberly held several leadership roles at J.P. Morgan, working closely with technology companies on tailored financial solutions. She began as an International Product Specialist, advising corporate clients on global expansion strategies. She then built and scaled the first industry-aligned treasury sales team in the Middle Market division, growing it from 5 to 25 salespeople and expanding its reach to include technology, disruptor, and life sciences companies.

Kimberly is known as an entrepreneurial, passionate, and values-driven leader. She is deeply committed to mentorship, diversity, and continuous learning. In addition to her professional work, Kimberly serves on the Board of Ready to Empower, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and fostering sustainable change globally. She is also the co-founder of SKY Flower Co., an e-commerce business focused on dried floral goods, which she launched with her sister and godmother.

​Board member, Governance & Revenue Committee

Mona Soni is the CTO of Sustainable 1at SPGLOBAL, leading a global technology team focusing on delivery and sustainability solutions​​ to financial services customers. Over the years, Mona has also been the founder and mentor of several women’s technology leadership groups and served on national D&I councils. Prior to joining S&P Global, Mona was Vice President of Engineering at Dow Jones and has held prior roles at Amplify, Intent Media, and Thoughtworks. Mona currently lives in Connecticut; she enjoys cooking for her three kids and is working on her stamina to match their energy by practicing mixed martial arts.

Board member, Governance & Revenue Committee

Salomi is a finance and management professional with a focus on commercial lending. ​With over 10 years of experience in two different countries, she brings a unique perspective to her work, which is greatly appreciated by her colleagues as it adds more value. As a lifelong learner, Salomi enjoys devoting her time to education and development. She has a master's degree in finance from Mumbai University in India and an MBA from the University of Manitoba in Canada. In addition to her current role at Royal Bank of Canada as Finance Specialist, Salomi is passionate about using her knowledge and talents to address social issues. In her free time, she assists start-ups and small enterprises with their business plans.

Board member, Program & Revenue, ​Committee

Edna Kavuma is a public health professional with over 25 years of international research experience and a deep commitment to empowering women and girls worldwide. She has led clinical research across the pharmaceutical, nonprofit, and academic sectors, with a focus on women’s health, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and chronic disease.As Associate Director at Lindus Health, Edna oversees clinical operations teams delivering faster, technology-driven trials. Her previous roles include leading prospective studies at Premier Inc. and directing real-world evidence research at Cencora. Her work has spanned five continents and emphasizes innovation, community impact, and equitable access to care.

Edna holds an MPH from the University of North Carolina and a BSc from the University of Toronto. She is a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), published author, and active member of SOCRA and ACRP.
​

Board member, Program & Revenue Committee

Renée Anzovino is a seasoned leader in strategic management, risk analysis, and organizational leadership, with a wealth of experience spanning diverse sectors. She has held notable roles at F&G Life, Transamerica, and Swiss Re, where she consistently drove impactful change and innovation. From spearheading DEI initiatives to overseeing risk management strategies, Renée has demonstrated her ability to drive organizational excellence and foster innovation throughout her career. In addition to her professional endeavors, Renée is dedicated to making a difference in people's lives through counseling. Her background as a licensed professional counselor associate allows her to bring a unique perspective to her leadership roles. With her innovative spirit, dedication to driving positive change, and commitment to helping others through counseling, Renée is poised to make significant contributions as a board member, supporting Ready to Empower towards new heights of impact and success.

Event Committee Co-Chair

Ana McBride is a seasoned logistics and operations professional with nearly two decades of experience specializing in the movement and storage of commodities across Latin America. Her expertise spans inventory management, transportation scheduling, and enhancing operational efficiency . Bilingual in English and Spanish, Ana possesses a deep understanding of Latin American culture, both personally and professionally.

Beyond her career, Ana is a passionate advocate for women's empowerment. As a dedicated volunteer since 2016 with Ready to Empower, she supports the organization's mission to promote mental health and self-sufficiency for women. Her contributions have been in fundraising efforts and event planning, helping to expand RTE’s reach and impact.

Business Development & Partnerships Representative

Joshua joined Ready to Empower in July to help expand and promote Ready EmpowerED, and his impact has already been significant. He brings years of experience in EdTech and public-sector partnerships, having led pipeline development and growth initiatives with organizations such as Google Cloud, SADA, Edlio, Community Brands, and Inquiry By Design.

Known for building meaningful relationships and creating repeatable growth strategies, Joshua excels at connecting schools and organizations with solutions that support long-term success and innovation. His background includes supporting districts across multiple states in adopting progressive curricula and advancing cloud-based technologies that enhance public-sector outcomes.

Outside of work, Joshua gives back as a Board Member and Kickball Director for Stonewall Sports, enjoys playing dodgeball, and is a proud dog dad to three pups. We’re excited to have Joshua on the Ready to Empower team as we continue expanding our impact on mental wellness and empowerment in schools and communities.

Social Media Intern

Isla Freshwater is excited to join Ready to Empower as an Intern, supporting social media, operational tasks, and organizational initiatives. She is currently a senior at Greenwich Academy and plans to study Psychology in college.

In her role, Isla works closely with the Executive Director to support task management, organizational priorities, and day-to-day operations. She also assists with event planning and fundraising efforts, contributing to initiatives that advance Ready to Empower’s mission of mental wellness and women’s empowerment.

Isla is deeply passionate about mental health advocacy and empowering women and girls, and she is inspired by Ready to Empower’s integrated, community-centered approach to impact. She brings thoughtfulness, creativity, and a strong sense of responsibility to her work.

Outside of Ready to Empower, Isla enjoys reading, studying history, traveling, and volunteering. She believes that meaningful change happens when individuals take action together and that every contribution matters.

We are thrilled to welcome Isla to the Ready to Empower team and are grateful for the energy, care, and commitment she brings to our work.

Board Member & Program Committee 

Dr. Puja G. Patel is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Dell Medical School and Director of Pediatric Psychology at Dell Children’s Medical Center. A licensed pediatric psychologist, she specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy for youth with anxiety, depression, and complex medical conditions, with extensive expertise in medical coping, pain management, and supporting treatment adherence. Dr. Patel has held multiple leadership roles across hospital and academic settings, including directing psychosocial programs, leading statewide telehealth training initiatives, and serving as a clinical advisor for Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine. Her career includes significant contributions to multidisciplinary clinical care, program development, research, and workforce training. She is deeply committed to improving mental health systems, advancing integrated behavioral health approaches, and mentoring the next generation of clinicians.

Program & Event Committee 

A passion for the real estate market and a genuine desire to help others find their dream home or successfully sell their largest investment, coupled with extensive negotiation expertise, is what Jimena offers her clients.

Originally from Costa Rica and fluent in Spanish, Jimena brings a deep appreciation for people, relationships, and service. She is committed to guiding her clients with care, diligence, and clear communication through every step of the buying or selling process.

Jimena brings strong sales and marketing experience from her work as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry. As the former owner of Aqua Bliss, a clothing line based in Fairfield County, she developed a keen understanding of branding, client relationships, and strategic negotiation. Her experience is complemented by her in-depth knowledge of the New Canaan, Norwalk, Rowayton, Fairfield, Westport, and Greenwich areas.

After many years of residing in Norwalk, Jimena and her family recently made Fairfield their home, further strengthening her local insight and community connection.