About Us
Empowering Girls to Shine Bright, Lead Strong
Welcome to The GEM Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls since 2020. Originally operating within a school setting, we transitioned to a nonprofit in 2023 to broaden our impact and reach more girls within our community. Our mission is to provide transformative experiences through modules focused on self-love, relationships, life skills, and community engagement. By partnering with local organizations and inviting guest speakers, we aim to create a supportive environment where girls can thrive and become confident leaders of tomorrow. Join us in our journey to empower and uplift girls across our community!
Ashley Figueiredo
Ashley, the visionary President of The GEM Club, is dedicated to fostering the empowerment and self-worth of young girls. With a mission to enable girls to understand and protect their worth, cultivate healthy relationships, lead in their schools, and contribute meaningfully to their communities, Ashley's work is deeply personal and impactful.
Ashley is a devoted mother of three children—ages 20, 18, and 7—and a proud grandmother. Her motivation for creating The GEM Club evolved from watching her own daughter and many of her students struggle with recognizing their intrinsic value, which is crucial for making good choices during adolescence.
A passionate educator, Ashley firmly believes in the power of building relationships. Throughout her life, she has always been able to effectively use her voice to advocate for herself and others, a skill she is eager to pass on to the girls in The GEM Club. She has spent her career helping young people realize their potential and is committed to creating supportive environments where they can grow and succeed.
Under Ashley's leadership, The GEM Club has become a beacon of hope and strength, guiding countless girls towards brighter futures and stronger, more confident selves. Her dedication to this cause is unwavering, and her passion is evident in every aspect of The GEM Club's initiatives and programs.
Ashleigh Dawe
Ashleigh Dawe serves as the Curriculum Director and Co-Founder of GEM. By day, she is a dedicated K-8 Art Teacher, bringing creativity and inspiration to her students. She describes herself as eclectic, driven, eccentric, and passionate, Ashleigh brings a unique energy to everything she does.
Her commitment to GEM comes from a deep belief in the organization's mission to empower young girls to recognize their worth. Ashleigh is dedicated to helping girls understand their value from an early age, knowing that this foundation will enable them to thrive as they grow. She is also passionate about supporting young girls in establishing boundaries and finding the courage to stand up for themselves. With this in mind, she focuses on developing an impactful curriculum that aims to bring lasting value to all of the girls that GEM encounters.