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OUR MISSION 

WIL is an organization that aims to uplift, empower, and inspire women to develop self-advocacy skills in order to become leaders through personal and professional growth by providing access to leadership development and educational opportunities.

Our Team

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Stacy Burleson,

Executive Director and Co-Founder

I lost my son the first day I was sent to prison. It broke my heart and my spirit was darkened. And then 8 months later, I lost my mother. I couldn't fathom how I would survive another day.

 

It was through the heartache and pain that I found my purpose. I didn't want any other mother or daughter to feel as helpless as I had because of incarceration. That's when I knew Women In Leadership was needed.

I was 17 years old when I first hit the prison compound; I was scared out of my mind. It took me years to learn that life is whatever you make it and if you want something, you have to work for it. 

I wanted a life in which I helped as many young women as I could to avoid the pain and loss that comes with incarceration; not only physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

Women In Leadership is a part of my legacy and I am a part of it.

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Carissa McGee,

Program Manager and Co-Founder

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Aisha Baloo, MPH (Navajo/Dine)
Program Evaluator

I am a trained epidemiologist with experience overseeing community health-related evaluation activities and developing reliable & valid mixed method measurement tools. I believe in the mission of  WIL and am passionate about measuring the true, personal & professional impact of WIL. 
Overall, my evaluation approach is community-driven and inclusive, ensuring that evaluation findings are easy to understand.
In my spare time, I like to weight-lift, crochet, binge-watch Anime TV shows, and spend time with my cats & significant other.

I am a Mother, Full Spectrum Doula/ Birth Worker, DV/SA survivor, CPSW, MHFA, Kundalini Yoga Instructor, and a voice of our Ancestors. I am the owner of Soul Ties Doula Svc LLC where I am your Down Doula Dai, Project Coordinator for Women In Leadership, and an Appointee of The Office of African American Affairs to the Maternal Mortality and Severe Morbidity Review Committee of New Mexico.

 

My past has many colors that I embrace and project into my life's work and into the future of others.

Let's Build Together

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Daijah Smith

Doula, CPSW, MHFA

Project Coordinator 

My name is Lexi Henderson, a health and life coach seeking out transformation in those looking for it. My mission is to help my clients break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back in life. Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled. Let me help you learn and develop better ways to handle the issues that are standing in the way of your goals.

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Lexi Henderson

Health and Life Coach

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Noelle Munoz

CPSW

Hi, My name is Noelle Munoz. 
I was born and raised in Las Cruces and I am the Mother of six children and a Certified Peer Support Worker. After spending fourteen years in the NM Dept of Corrections I  am driven to help those that haven't yet found their voice and aspire to be the change I want to see in the world . 

Welcoming The Women In Leadership
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