Meet the Team!
Executive Director
Jan holds an undergraduate degree in education from the University of Maryland. and a graduate degree from Syracuse University. After moving to Ithaca from Washington, D.C. in the 1970’s, she helped organize and served as a co-coordinator of the Ithaca Chapter of the National Organization for Women.
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She has worked in several local nonprofit organizations, including the Tompkins County Mental Health Association, Family & Children’s Services of Ithaca, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chemung County. In addition to her work in the nonprofit world, Jan has been a freelance writer since 2008. Her stories and photos have appeared in numerous regional and national magazines. In March 2021, she accepted the position as Executive Director with the Women’s Opportunity Center and in June 2021, her book Begged, Borrowed & Stolen published by Rowman & Littlefield, was released. She has three very grown children, one perfect granddaughter, and co-habits in Freeville with a frenemy cat named Leslie/Luther.
Operations Manager
Meet Mel, the multifaceted Operations Maven at WOC, bringing beauty to both women's lives and the intricate dance of spreadsheets. From sculpting styles in her salon to orchestrating operations, Mel’s journey has been a canvas of vibrant experiences.
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With five wonderful kids and a bonus daughter, her heart overflows with family adventures, relishing beach getaways and cozy game nights alike. A connoisseur of organization, hailed as the “Spreadsheet Queen” and the versatile “Jack/Queen of All Trades,” Mel's forte lies in finely tuned tasks and detail-rich endeavors, mirroring the radiance of her treasured sunsets.
Amidst the cheers for football games, she’s crafting a sunny February wedding in Florida, infusing warmth into every detail. Her passion for WOC's mission fuels her operations wizardry, where the pursuit of beauty isn't confined to flawless spreadsheets but extends to a life artfully lived.
In Mel's world, beauty sparkles in every meticulously placed cell and in the vivid hues that paint the sky at dusk. Join her in celebrating the symphony of life's beauty, love, and the exquisiteness of an immaculately organized existence.
Resource Navigator
Stefania is a former Strategic Life Coach at WOC, and now continues to support clients and the WOC team as the Resource Navigator. Stefania brings a wealth of expertise to our organization with her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and years of experience in the world of development, donor relations, and customer service.
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She is also the inspiring founder and owner of Breaking Stalking, an organization that provides education on stalking awareness and prevention for all communities. Her passion and dedication to educate others on how to proactively recognize and respond to stalking was born of her own personal experience as a victim. Now she identifies as a survivor-to-thriver of stalking and loves empowering others around this topic. Stefania also has a great love for squirrels and nutella.
Marketing Associate
Meet Brandi Maynes. She is the Marketing Associate at our Liverpool office. Skilled in a variety of digital marketing disciplines, she is dedicated to supporting our organization’s growth and customer engagement. With a strong focus on social media marketing, content creation, and client engagement, she uses media insights to develop impactful campaigns. She is here to help our business grow while also advocating for women’s mental and physical well-being
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She loves spending time with her dog, Loki, and is a mental health awareness advocate. Mental health awareness is a cause close to her heart, and she believes in creating open conversations that break down stigma and empowers others.
WOC Cares Coordinator
Introducing Ronnise Way, the dynamo driving Mary Durham Boutique, where style meets social impact. As the force behind this chic second-hand haven, Ronnise crafts a space where fashion fuels empowerment. Her mission? To equip women reentering the workforce with trendy clothing and accessories while championing sustainability through reuse and repurposing.
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But that's not all—Ronnise is a multitasking maestro. Balancing her role at the boutique, she's pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Community and Human Services at SUNY Empire State College. Her studies reflect her dedication to nurturing communities, blending trendy fashion with a heart for community impact.
Trendy fashion meets social change in Ronnise's world. Her flair for style harmonizes seamlessly with her passion for empowering women. With each curated piece at WOC Community Closet, Ronnise amplifies the ethos of sustainability and upliftment.
At the intersection of fashion and social impact, Ronnise shines, proving that empowerment and chic style go hand in hand. Join her on this stylish journey where trendy threads meet a heart dedicated to making a difference. Together, let's weave a tapestry of empowerment, sustainability, and fabulous fashion!
Strategic Life Coach
Stephanie King is a passionate entrepreneur and small business owner, educator, and strategic life coach dedicated to helping women achieve personal, professional, and financial success. With a master’s degree from Drexel University, she has spent over 25 years working in human services, with particular passions for women’s mental health, domestic violence recovery, substance abuse treatment, and reentry programs for incarcerated and justice-involved women.
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Now, as a strategic life coach, Stephanie integrates her vast experience in human services with practical business-building expertise to help women navigate life transitions, overcome challenges, and develop thriving small businesses. Her unique approach combines mindset work, mental well-being strategies, and business development to create holistic success plans for women ready to transform their lives.
Stephanie’s mission is to empower women with the confidence, skills, and strategy to build meaningful, sustainable futures—helping them thrive mentally, emotionally, and financially. Through strategic coaching, education, and advocacy, she is committed to supporting women in breaking barriers and achieving lasting success.
Strategic Life Coach
Tere joined The Syracuse branch of WOC as a Strategic Life coach in January of 2025. She is passionate about helping people overcome obstacles through dispelling self limiting beliefs, developing a greater sense of self worth, and taking actionable steps to find their true north. Tere has been a personal coach and spiritual mentor for over a decade, and brings an accessible, holistic approach to working with WOC clients.