Our Team
There are many people who keep Severson Sisters moving forward! We have two full-time employees, two very involved boards, an event committee, a marketing committee and 45 volunteers!
Our Advisory Board furthers the development of the Severson Sisters curriculum. These individuals are experienced in the education and social work fields. They meet at least once a month and more as needed.
Our Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the mission and purpose of the organization. Its duties include participation in strategic planning and making policy decisions, then securing the financing of them and the monitoring of their execution. Members must be willing to attend the requisite meetings, follow through on commitments, and participate fully in the decision-making process. The board also presents the organization’s image to the community and solicits its support in achieving Severson Sisters goals.
Join our Advisory Board or Board of Directors. Please fill out our Board Interest Form!
Carrie Severson - Founder
As a young girl, Carrie knew she was meant to make a difference in the world. Yet, these very feelings of wanting to shine and lead were buried deep inside her for a long while. Being heavier than other girls her age, she was made fun of, left out, and bullied throughout her entire childhood. Instead of enjoying these years, she felt ashamed of her body, depressed and continually worried that she would be embarrassed in front of her peers. Though she lacked self-esteem, she loved to dance and thrived on stage. This creative outlet gave her the freedom to be herself.
In January of 2011, at the age of 32, with only her savings and 401K dollars in hand, she left the corporate world, launching Severson Sisters, to help address the significant impact of bullying, specifically, among girls. Carrie strived to create a program that bridges self-compassion and social behavior through creativity, given its critical role in youth development.
Carrie was recently honored for her work through Sally Hansen’s ‘Best of You’ recognition in New York City and is featured in the August 2012 issue of Glamour magazine. She was also recently accepted as the first nonprofit into Class 15 of the prestigious two-year AAAME program, sponsored by APS for small, minority- and women-owned enterprises throughout the Phoenix area.
Join our Advisory Board or Board of Directors. Please fill out our Board Interest Form!
Advisory Board
Holly (Severson) Hammerquist
Holly is an integral spoke in this wheel – and the real sister in Severson Sisters! As an educator in Phoenix, Holly brings so much of her education and experience to our programs. Holly makes sure that the girls enrolled in the Severson Sisters Super Girl Program always show their true colors. She strives to do her personal best every day and expects the same from her students and the people she surrounds herself with. She enjoys empowering girls. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s Degree program, studying curriculum.
Larissa Rzemienski
Larissa is a licensed professional counselor and serves as an adjunct faculty member at two major universities, in the fields of Psychology and Human Services. She has more than 10 years of experience in the field of psychology, including working as a high school guidance and counseling chair, teen crisis hotline supervisor, and juvenile probation counselor. She received a Bachelor of Psychology degree and Master of Counseling Psychology degree at Arizona State University. She aslo completed an M.B.A. in Marketing Management at the University of Phoenix. Larissa has an 11 year old daughter. Having lost her husband just a few years ago, Larissa has a deep understanding of grief and loss issues from her perspective as well as her daughter’s.
Shirley Barna
Shirley has a passion for psychology and working with children. She has over 10 years of experience working with children, families, and adults in the capacity of a counselor, problem solver, and advocate. Shirley received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies at Northern Arizona University. At age 15, Shirley’s passion with working with children began, at her first job working at a summer camp with children with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and other physical handicapped conditions. She continued working with children in various capacities as a summer camp counselor, lifeguard, swim coach. After college, Shirley worked as a social worker for the State of Arizona and had the experience of working with hundreds of children and families. Shirley currently works in the field of Human Resources as a Director of Employee Relations where she is able to use her Psychology degree by assisting nearly 1,000 employees with employment related conflict and problems. Although she no longer directly working with children, Shirley continues to feed her passion by serving on board of directors with a non-profit groups in Phoenix who raise money for various children’s charities, and she also completed countless hours of organizing and participating in hands-on activities with girls and young women. Shirley believes that passion for working with mental health issues and giving stem from caring for a father who has battled his own mental health illness for her entire life.
Laura Madden
Laura works as a holistic lifestyle coach, personal trainer, yoga instructor, and model. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of New Hampshire, and multiple certifications in health & fitness related studies thereafter. Originally from Boston, Laura resides in Scottsdale, AZ with her husband and two dogs, and is extremely passionate about inspiring people to live a healthful, holistic lifestyle, based on her life experience and many studies. She enjoys traveling, whole food cooking, exercising, & entertaining friends, family, & her dogs.
Molly Minson
Molly is a Speech Therapist who received her degree from Arizona State University and works in the public school system. She is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health and the Arizona Department of Education. For several years, she has worked to meet the speech and language needs of special education students from diverse backgrounds with varying disabilities. She enjoys laughing with her students everyday and watching them grow.
She grew up mainly in Arizona and had an active childhood filled with playing sports and being creative through art. Molly still enjoys creating art, whether she is developing therapy materials, painting glass or crafting. She has always cared about helping others.
Board of Directors
Kristina Beres - Treasurer
Kristina Beres is our numbers expert! She has 15 years in the financial services industry, is a member of FINRA, and Vice President of Chase Investment Services Corp. We do keep her pretty busy with Severson Sisters, but this Super Girl still finds time to further her education! She is in her graduate program at University of Phoenix. She’s also a former kids Martial Arts instructor and Dog Lover! Send Kristina a note if you’re interested in donating to our mission.
Nicole McVey
Nicole brings 14 years of business-to-business sales to our crew. Her professional goal year in and year out is to continue to love her job and always grow within her company. With a marketing degree from ASU and a MBA from University of Phoenix, Nicole believes in life long learning. Originally from Oregon, she loves to travel, especially to beach destinations. Above all, Nicole enjoys spending time in San Diego with her best friend and goddaughter.
Ed Garay
Ed is the CEO of Lutrum LLC, his own business. With a background and B.S. and A.A.S. in Information Technology, Ed’s our tech guy! We put him in charge of the fulfillment process for the Severson Sisters Super Girl Kits. He’s a Dad’s Club Member for Settler’s Point Elementary School, Contributor to Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology organization, 2010 Arizona Republic’s 35 under 35 Entrepreneurs, and lead previously owned IT organization to 2009 Small Business of the Year and 2010 Chandler 100 recognition.
Laura Ebert
Laura Ebert is currently a Vice President for Willis Personal Lines in Scottsdale, Arizona. She specializes in offering Personal Risk Management, including risk assessment, design and placement of personal insurance for high net worth individuals. Laura also worked as the Personal Lines Manager and worked closely with management to service one of the largest personal lines for Willis. Laura is married with a seven year old daughter who is a member of Girl Scout Troop #4009. She is an active parent volunteer with her daughters school, the Girl Scout Troop and attends several yearly charity events in the Phoenix valley. Her hobbies include snow skiing, traveling and hiking in South Mountain.
Suzanne Lanctot
Suzanne has twenty years of non-profit management experience, currently serving as the Administrative Director for three associations. She is a graduate of Arizona State University (B.S. Communication, Summa Cum Laude). She is also a graduate of Project CENTRL, a two year community leadership development program with a statewide network of over 500 alumni. Her affinity for the performing arts began at age 15 when her mother enrolled her in dance and acting classes, which helped to build her confidence and cultivate her self esteem. Suzanne remains committed to supporting and promoting the arts within the community.
