Just Like My Child Foundation’s work has always been powered by a handful of individuals dedicated to equipping vulnerable adolescent girls to reach their full potential. The development of our programs, along with the relationships between JLMC’s team and partners in Uganda, and the communities we serve, could not have been possible without the collaboration and contributions from the members of our U.S. team over the years.
What began with one woman’s quest to make a difference has grown into a small, but mighty, corps of women who passionately believe in Margaret Mead’s famous quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Vivian GlyckFOUNDER
Vivian Glyck is the founder of Just Like My Child Foundation that she started following the birth of her son, Zak. Having experienced the love of a mother for her child, Vivian woke up to the value of every human life. After learning about the horrific numbers of children dying from malaria and orphaned by the AIDS epidemic, Vivian realized she had to make a difference.
Vivian was honored with the Women of Peace award by Woman’s Peace Power Foundation. She has also been selected as “One of 50 People to Watch” in San Diego Magazine and was featured in MORE Magazine for her work in Uganda. An author and successful marketing director for Deepak Chopra, Dean Ornish, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and others, Vivian Glyck, a native New Yorker, currently lives in San Diego with her husband and son. Read a message from Vivian and the story of JLMC.
Shawn RuggeiroLEADERSHIP CONSULTANT
A California native, Shawn was born and raised in Santa Barbara. She is an alumni of UCSB and has an MBA from Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. She holds a certificate in fundraising from UCLA and has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector. Shawn brought her passion for women and girls to JLMC after serving as the Executive Director for the International Folk Art Alliance in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Prior to her time in Santa Fe, Shawn spent eight years working with Project Concern International (PCI), a leading health and development organization based in San Diego.
Since 2014, Shawn’s leadership is the thread that has sewn the entire JLMC team together. From optimizing JLMC’s staff in Uganda for efficiency to helping refine JLMC’s programs for effectiveness, she has the unique ability to turn JLMC’s vision into a reality by developing relationships and delivering impactful solutions. Today, Shawn continues to direct the organization’s mission to empower vulnerable adolescent girls in central Uganda and is currently pursuing an EMBA at the Säid Business School at the University of Oxford and Lady Margaret Hall College.
Tessa DavisPROGRAM CONSULTANT
Tessa is the impassioned architect behind JLMC’s programs in Uganda. With a background in elementary school education, Tessa spent more than two years living and working in central Uganda as a Peace Corps Volunteer until she joined JLMC’s mission in 2008. Tessa’s innate warmth and charm compliment her pragmatism and level-headedness. Her unique experience and skill set have helped JLMC uplift impoverished communities by improving access to health care, education, microenterprise, and the law.
After leaving Uganda to get her Masters Degree in Education, Health Promotion and International Development at the University of London, she remains a vital resource for our organization by directing JLMC’s programs in Uganda and developing JLMC’s Girl Power Project® curriculum. She continually inspires us with her ability to navigate and inform the projects that translate JLMC’s guiding principles into community-led solutions.
Trisha DifuntorumDIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Trisha’s impact with JLMC expands beyond her sheer efficiency in creative branding and event management. Her passion and devotion to the cause has been rooted in years of entrepreneurial inspiration and enthusiasm to design. In fact, her eye for style and design formed at a young age in admiration of the emerging skate brands her aunt worked for and has grown effortlessly ever since.
This thirst for design drove Trisha to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for Fashion Design. After college, Trisha became involved with production and operations in her family textile business based in San Diego and the Philippines. In 2013, Trisha founded Black Veil Magazine, as a platform and collective to give individuals and small businesses a voice. After gaining a worldwide scope on business solutions she was motivated to work for the bigger picture in empowering girls and women.
In joining with JLMC as the Digital Media Specialist, Trisha has showcased her Jane of all trades skill set. As a ‘behind-the-scenes’ lady, she keeps the gears moving on each project or fundraiser that JLMC presents to bridge her passion of woman empowerment. Currently, Trisha is also the Branding & Marketing Director of Caravan Home & Couleur Nature and she also co-founded a Farm to Table Dinner Party company called Salt + Spread.
