OUR FOUNDERS

Haseena Patel

Growing up non-white in Apartheid South Africa is where Haseena’s passion for being part of creating equality began.  In 1994, at the age of eighteen, she was able to vote in the first democratic general elections of her country, witness first-hand and participate in the journey of a nation to equality, democracy, freedom and forgiveness.  This deeply shaped Haseena’s path on her own journey to finding her voice and stepping into her power by using her voice. 

Haseena Patel is the Mind-Body-Spirit Breakthrough coach, Chief Trailblazer of Yogi Soul Sage, author, international keynote speaker and certified Akashic Records reader.  She helps heart-centred individuals achieve mind-body-spirit breakthroughs so that they can be UN-stoppable, UN-limited,and UN-distracted as they create a happy life that they love.  Haseena works with people around the world helping them experience mind-body-spirit breakthroughs and recreate their realities.

Together with her sister, Shameema, she is co-founder and executive director of Leave No Girl Behind International and co-creator of the Bubbles Beyond Borders worldwide campaign to support the rights and dreams of girls and women, as well as all gender equality. She is co-author of Leave No Girl Behind: How to Help Girls Become the Change in Our World. She is on her way to publishing her newest book, The Truth-Walker’s Journey: The UN-Becoming of who you are not.

Because of her own experiences of discrimination as a girl and woman, speaking out for gender equality has always been something that Haseena has felt strongly about. She teaches girls to own their independence, step into their power and live their truths with courage.

She has been featured in South African and international press, was interviewed on South African magazine TV Show, An NUR – The Light, and has also been named as 100 of the Most Empowering Women around the Globe in Dr. Shellie Hipsky’s Common Threads Trilogy.

 The world we want to create is determined by this generation of girls.  When you can see a girl come alive, see the light in her eyes and watch her become her potential – that is powerful! When that point comes, no one can put her down.

~ Haseena Patel

Shameema Patel

Shameema can be described as a woman who defies the odds!    Her journey through a life-threatening illness and back to health has been one of immense personal empowerment, and her philosophy is:  “While the odds may seem impossible, to overcome them is in how you choose to respond”.  And while she was defying the odds, she decided to get a university degree too – a BCom in Information Management!As a girls’ empowerment coach, author, gender rights activist, co-founder and development director of Leave No Girl Behind International, Shameema teaches children the importance of persistence, resilience, seeing past the external, and tapping into the potential of who they are.  She is also a kick-ass organiser and planner of all Leave No Girl Behind events!

Shameema is the creator and designer of her African gemstone jewellery line, Blinging Hope.

It is about creating change and making a positive difference in lives across the world.  If we can help young women understand the magnitude and importance of their own voices, it will be a catalyst that changes the world.

~ Shameema Patel

Our Team

Jenny Raghoo

Jenny Raghoo is on the board of Leave No Girl Behind International and is a teacher for the LNGB School of Leadership. For the past few years, she has also been a Power Circle Leader for the LNGB St. Dominic’s Academy Newcastle Power Circle in Newcastle, South Africa. Teaching is Jenny’s calling, biology and her students are equal passions, she is a proud feminist and an advocate of gender equality. Jenny has a Bachelor of Science in microbial biotechnology.

Jenny is married to her best friend, is raising a strong, empowered daughter and is always up for an adventure.

“Perhaps my calling can be summed up in Scott Hayden’s words: ‘Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners and the love of bringing the first two loves together.’ ”

Phyl T. Macomber, M.S. ATP

Since completing a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Kennedy-Krieger Institute in 1988, Phyl Macomber has become an award-winning keynote speaker, author, and education specialist. Phyl has consulted with and trained thousands of teaching staff and was featured in the international best seller, the Common Threads Trilogy book series, as one of the top 100 empowering women who is a passionate catalyst for systems change in education.

Phyl has been a guest on numerous radio shows, including CBS Radio’s People of Distinction Show, to discuss simplifying instruction for students of all abilities. Phyl serves two ambassadorships – the first for the educational affairs organization, I AM Living Education Everyday (I AM L.E.E.) and the second at Energime University, based in Manhattan, as the educational co-producer of the University’s global youth program, Mission Earth Solutions.

Phyl’s partnership with South Africa-based Leave No Girl Behind International is training young people in key leadership principles globally. In addition, she holds one of the two U.S. appointments on the Board of Directors for the Leave No Girl Behind Leadership School in Africa.

Phyl has created a 4-step simple system for how to teach anything to anyone, called T.H.E. P.A.C.T., which is outlined in Phyl’s first book, The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T. Her research-based teaching strategies have been published in numerous articles featured in education publications since 2009 and are being successfully used across North America, and in parts of Australia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and various countries in Africa.

Donna Davis

Donna Davis is on the board of Leave No Girl Behind International and is a teacher for the LNGB School of Leadership.  She holds a Master Degree in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University and cherishes the journey of life, learning and the pursuit of dark chocolate all over the world.

As an educator, author, international speaker, columnist and coach, Donna Davis is a perpetual optimist dedicated to helping women transform and enjoy all that life has to offer. Donna also describes herself as a modern day Change Agent who celebrates the magic, mystery and mayhem of midlife.

Donna is taking bold action to educate, celebrate, and collaborate with women in all phases of life around the globe to heal, grow and to “Be the best version of yourself possible!”

 

Vanessa Arias

Vanessa Arias is the U.S. Ambassador for Leave No Girl Behind International.

Born and raised in Southern California, Vanessa was exposed to a variety of experiences and cultures which instilled a deep love for community and empowering others, especially women and children. Vanessa graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in 2009 with a degree in Sociology and minor in Psychology. She worked with at-risk youth for about 10 years before committing herself completely to her family businesses.

Although she works in the field of construction, you can often find Vanessa at community empowerment events, as inspiring and uplifting others continues to be her passion and “why.”

Rashida Patel

Rashida Patel is a Leave No Girl Behind International board member and resident life coach. Through her experience as a wellness coach, professional nurse, tutor and teacher, Rashida has a broad base that enables her to connect with almost anyone.

She serves in an advisory capacity to both the organisation and individual girls seeking personalised coaching and mentoring.

“The most important thing when you’re going through a challenge, is to take care of YOU! You matter! When you feel good, you’re able to give the best of yourself to others.”