Meet Our Leadership Team

Sydney Ealy, ABR, TAHS, VLB

Founder | Executive director

Sydney Ealy founded TWST4Girls in 2014 with the vision that no child should grow up without the resources and support they need to succeed. She translated the challenges she faced growing up into ideas to help girls in the Houston and surrounding areas. In terms of contributions and impact on the community, Sydney’s have been immeasurable. TWST4Girls would not exist without her compassion and initiative to create it. 

Miss Sydney’s deep empathy and understanding for girls and the challenges they face informs her choices on where we focus our efforts. She has effectively recruited and directs a team of volunteers to help the organization’s growing needs. She directly interfaces with the communities that we support. Sydney also has an incredible gift for developing a deep sense of community among both our volunteers and TWST girls. She identified the four ways to foster the success of girls: 1:1 mentorship, life skills development, and career exposure and cultural experiences.

Sydney’s professional passion has been sales for the past 15 years. One of Ms. Ealy’s proud career moments was serving as a Fortune 500 Company’s District Trainer, converting new sales associates into six-figure earners. She currently assists home-buyers as an Accredited Buyer Specialist Realtor and Texas Affordable Housing Specialist which allows her to help underrepresented people become first time home buyers.

Shirley “Necie” Ealy

board of directors

Ms. Shirley Ealy, a skilled, compassionate, and diligent nurse, and philanthropist is the Co-Director of TWST4Girls and brings a wealth of customer and donor outreach experience to the organization. A longtime resident of Houston, Texas, she earned her bachelor's of science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch and her certification as a registered nurse. In her diverse work career, she has worked as a customer account executive, an emergency medical technician, and in her current role as a registered nurse. She is also the current chairperson of her current employer’s Nurse Practice Council, playing a key role in evaluating and validating their policies and procedures, education curricula, and staffing decisions.

Shirley is also dedicated to serving the non-profit population, having direct experience conducting research and designing programming for other nonprofits to promote health education and access to economically disadvantaged communities.

Annie Mbride rose

chief operating officer

Annie Mbride Rose is a first generation Nigerian-American, born and raised in Texas. Her God-given calling is to break down barriers to improve lives. In the community, Annie has a record of involvement in education and is a firm advocate for women and youth empowerment. Professionally, Annie has carried out her purpose by working with numerous Fortune 500 companies as an Engineer, Strategist, and Advisor to supply energy, manufacture food, and provide transportation to the world. With degrees in Chemical Engineering and an MBA, Annie’s expertise spans across Operations, Process Improvement, Strategy, and Finance.

When she’s not at work, Annie, and her husband, are avid travelers who have lived abroad and enjoy experiencing new cultures and food. Annie’s fondest travel experiences are when she can authentically connect with locals and make a positive impact. Most recently, Annie helped provide clean drinking water to low income communities in the Dominican Republic by installing water filters on a mission trip.

As Chief Operating Officer, Annie leverages her passion for service and professional experience to lead TWST4Girls in strategy execution, developing operational improvement and growth initiatives, and managing the various departments. 

Donyae Scott

Director of Finance and Accounting

Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, Donyae Scott is a Management Consultant for a global management consulting and professional services firm. She works with a diversity of clients and helps with the implementation of project coordination, reporting and analytics, and change management. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Clark Atlanta University and her Masters in Accounting from Western Governors University. Her goal for TWST is to build a financial framework that will be sustainable for future growth and development. She has a diversity of volunteer experience and is passionate about enriching and developing the lives of young women.

Professionally, Donyae goals include deepening her knowledge in financial processes and operations in her industry and to become certified in a financial platform to help aid in the financial progression of TWST. Overall, she will continue to redevelop and reinvent herself as a Consultant, Director, and Mentor. 

hannah morris raska

Director of volunteers

Hannah Morris Raska is the Director of Volunteers for TWST4Girls. Hannah is the first contact for interested volunteers as she interviews and onboards new mentors and volunteers. She also keeps up to date with the current mentors' to make sure they have all the resources they need to continue supporting their TWST kids. Hannah is inspired by TWST's amazing group of powerful female mentors!

Hannah graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in anthropology as well as a minor in international studies and a Legal Studies Certificate. Hannah is driven by her desire to help others, and she is passionate about empowering all women. She enjoys exploring Houston for new restaurants, with her husband Cameron, and spending time with family and friends. 

Lauren Thomas

Director of administration

Ms. Lauren Thomas serves as Director of Administration for TWST4Girls. Lauren has had a lifelong passion for empowering young women and connecting them with the resources and skills needed to enact positive change in the world around them. Though a native of the Houston area, she attended college in southern California and graduated in 2014 with a dual degree in International Relations and Gender and Women Studies. While in college, she had an active role on the speech and debate team and led tournaments for high schoolers helping students to find out who they are, what they believe in and how best to express it.

After graduating, Lauren began a career in marketing at a small advertising agency in San Antonio. She currently works in digital marketing for a Fortune 500 global chemical distributor, but her past work experience includes various marketing and communication roles in oil and gas, corporate tax services and the maritime industry. She also has done pro bono marketing work for other local organizations such as the United Way of Greater Houston and the Harris County Democratic Party.

Her hobbies include finding new spicy foods to eat, interior decorating and DIY projects and travelling to new places. As Director of Administration, Lauren works with the TWST4Girls leadership team to identify and implement solutions that optimize operational efficiency and streamline program efforts.

Taylor Nzimiro

Director of Scholars program

Mrs. Taylor Nzimiro, an entrepreneur and educator, is the Co-Director of Operations for TWST4Girls and brings a wealth of operations and volunteer experience to the organization. A Houston, Texas native, she attended Tuskegee University earning her bachelor's of science degree in animal, poultry, and veterinary sciences. During her undergraduate studies, Taylor truly developed a passion for female empowerment and for aiding others, joining the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. chapter at Tuskegee University, serving as Educational Development chair. While holding this position, she worked closely with high school aged girls, helping them realize their potential through a series of workshops. This solidified her passion for educating children and helping girls be all they can be while developing into well-versed and equipped young women.

Taylor is a successful entrepreneur, currently managing an online handmade accessory business while also pursuing a career in education. She is a creative individual who enjoys spending time with her loving husband, Brandon, and her beautiful baby girls, Mali Bem and Meta.

As Co-Director of Operations for TWST4Girls, Taylor is responsible for developing and coordinating the various organizational programs, and managing the volunteer staff to help the organization achieve its goals and deliver on its mission.

Lydia Graham

co-Director of Scholars program

Born and raised in Houston, Lydia is an Alumna of the University of Houston- Downtown holding a Bachelor's degree in Health and Behavioral Science. During her undergraduate studies, Lydia held the position as President for the Black Student Association, receiving multiple awards reflecting her success as a student leader. At a young age, Lydia became concerned with some of the adversities that plague the African-American community. Highly motivated to overcome, Lydia continuously pursues involvement in progressive efforts for her community, such as TWST4Girls. 

Lydia is currently a Home Health Care Provider, Doula, and a post-baccalaureate student at the University of Texas- Arlington completing her nursing degree. Her ultimate professional goal is to become a Certified Nurse Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner in the private sector. 

As Co-Director for the TWST Scholars Program, Lydia is responsible for working with our high-school junior and senior TWST kids, providing guidance as they complete our scholars' program curriculum, and coordinating duties that support the mission for TWST. Lydia also serves as a mentor for the TWST Core program, providing 1:1 mentorship to a wonderful TWST kid! Lydia's goal for TWST is to create opportunities and make significant contributions that aid in the molding of successful young women.

Rosy hernandez

director of marketing

Rosy Hernandez graduated from Houston Baptist University with a BBA Bachelors in Business Administration in International Business in May 2017. She joined TWST4GIRLS to develop knowledge of non-profit organizations and to help others in an efficient and fruitful manner.

Ms. Hernandez's hobbies include reading, hiking with her miniature poodle and supporting museums and opera houses across the country.
An interesting fact about Rosy is that she is great with accents such as Irish, British and Australian. Her favorite book is The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Her favorite characteristic is that she is open-minded to new experiences and ideas.

Eboni littlejohn

grant writer

Eboni moved to Houston in 2017 from a small town in South Carolina to pursue her masters degree in social work at Baylor University. During her masters program, Eboni focused on working with children and families in a clinical setting. She is truly passionate about working with families who have experienced trauma. Eboni has spent the last 9 years working in various areas of social work like foster care and sexual and domestic violence. Eboni is currently a licensed social worker with Harris County.

Eboni is a member of the Junior League of Houston and the Grant Professionals Association. Her hobbies include learning to play tennis, doing anything outdoors, painting, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Shannon De Melo

grant writer

Raised in Perth, Australia, Shannon moved to Houston in November 2019 to accommodate a career opportunity for her spouse. Shannon previously worked as an environmental scientist for a consulting firm in Perth and obtained her Masters in Environmental Management from the University of Western Australia.

Whilst studying, Shannon has always had an interest in increasing learning opportunities for disadvantaged youth, providing online mentoring services to Indigenous students in rural Australia. Since moving to Houston, Shannon has used this opportunity to volunteer with the local community and study sociology at Houston Community College.

As a grant writer for TWST4Girls, Shannon works collaboratively with the leadership team to secure funding for programs and opportunities that align with the organization's goals.