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​Meet the Team
We are a diverse, highly qualified group of international women, who are passionate about preparing the girls of today to be the leaders of tomorrow.


Our collective expertise spans a range of youth education settings, including schools, summer camps, refugee homes, after-school clubs, post-conflict communities, and juvenile justice programs.


We have lived and worked in 16 countries, including Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States.


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Courtney Adams
Founder & Director
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​"GGU is a powerful and supportive international community of girls and women who are passionate about driving positive change in today's world. At the Academy, we take our confidence and skills to the next level while having fun and creating lifelong friendships."
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EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
+ Co-Founder of award-winning international peace building camp: The Youthbridge Initiative 

+ 15+ years process and project management for international European companies
+ Has taught all levels of ESL, negotiation, and presentation skills in four countries

+ Speaks English (native), fluent German, advanced French, some Czech
 and beginning Hindi

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Chi Ugbor
Founder  & Director

​"GGU provides an incredible opportunity to make great and lasting friends from around the world while having heaps of fun. I really believe in the power of the Academy to bring out the best in us, and I get excited thinking about all the potential each girl has to yet discover within themselves. The GGU team and Power Mentors look forward to getting to know you! "
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EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
+ Co-Founder of Linden Global Learning Support Services  ​
+ 10 years experience in personal development and coaching in Europe, Africa and the US
+ Speaks English (native), German, some French & Igbo


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Tina Limbird
Founder & Director
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​"The amount you can learn, experience, and bond at the Summer Academy feels like 10 times more than what you’d get from a whole school year. Many girls look back on this week as a defining moment in discovering themselves and their role in the world."
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​​EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
+ Educational Psychologist with 8 years experience as a School Counselor in an International School
+ Co-Founder & Director of award-winning international peace camp: The Youthbridge Initiative & Co-Founder of Linden Global Learning Support Services 
+ Speaks English (native) and fluent German


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Julia Mair am Tinkhof
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Program Operations & Finance
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"Meeting girls from all over the world is a unique way to connect with other cultures and to inspire and motivate each other in many different areas of life. I believe this is a great way to learn, build confidence and to grow friendships for life."

​EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
+ Technology, Education & Social Entrepreneurship enthusiast
+ Studied economics and business with more than 3 years of experience in Operations & IT consulting
+ Driving change in teams and processes through technology and IT with the dream of bringing those skills into the social field 
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Passionate about bouldering, music and board games
+ Speaks German Italian, English and Dutch

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Tia Robinson
Mentoring Program Coordinator
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"As a female business owner and mom of a daughter, I love helping girls find their voice, meet powerful role models who can mentor them, and get inspired about their own futures!" 

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EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
+ Entrepreneur in language learning, immigration & relocation
+ Personal mission: Helping others help themselves
+ Taught English in France, Turkey and Germany
+ Speaks German, French, English and a little Turkish and Spanish

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Kim Kermath
Senior Academy Facilitator​

" By exploring, discovering and stepping out of our comfort zones, we can encounter experiences where our insight and confidence can grow.  Meeting people from around the world is a great way to learn and share all our talents.”

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EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
+ Outdoor Enthusiast with a strong passion and involvement in Guiding and Scouting

+Design Teacher at an International School with a background in the Arts (BA(Hons) Illustration)
+ Speaks English and Finnish


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Miriam Mey Khammas
Academy Facilitator 
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" Empowered girls empower the world! I believe that today's girls are our most precious source for a brighter tomorrow.  I'm so excited and proud to be part of GGU and can't wait to watch us all grow.”


​EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
+ Working in Digital Education and studied European Media Studies

+17 years of experience with children (Nanny, Kindergarten, & School)
+Passionate traveler with a  multicultural background
+ Speaks German, English, and Arabic


Youth Advisory Board
Our Youth Advisory Board is made up of Girls Gearing Up Alumni from various cohorts and from all over the world. They are core members of the GGU Team, offering valuable input and insights with regards to the programs we offer and the content that is included. We are honored that these next generation leaders are helping GGU chart our path forward. 
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Sachi Patil
Attended GGU 2015,16,17&19
"There's something special about the GGU spirit that you can feel the moment you arrive at camp, it's a feeling where you know you're in good hands but can also thrive and step out of your comfort zone!"
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International Business student at Maastricht University
In the future I'd like to work with businesses to make them more sustainable in terms of their structures and values.

Speaks English, Marathi, German, French

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Ayse Kara
Attended GGU 2019
"With GGU I made a promise to myself that I will take advantage of this wonderful community that evolves around exactly the bravery and courage that girls shouldn't be afraid to claim as their characteristics! GGU has taught me that I am strong and that together we can ignore our fears and face what brings us together: our will to change what is wrong and stand up for ourselves."
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High school student in Berlin
I want to become a journalist and work as a writer and artist.
Speaks German, English, Turkish

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Naya Sarah 
Attended GGU 2016,17
"GGU taught me to always get out of my comfort zone to take opportunities and become the confident, strong and independent woman I am today."
Currently doing a voluntary ecological year (Freiwilliges ökologisches Jahr) at the Future Foundation of agriculture (Zukunftsstiftung Landwirtschaft) in Berlin.

I'd like to study human/ molecular medicine in Germany.
​Speaks Arabic, English, German, French


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Lena Jovanovic
Attended GGU 2019,20
"GGU has a very special place in my heart, it's where I first gained my confidence and the ability to put my feelings about the inequalities in the world into action. It's played a huge role in my personal development, and I absolutely love the international, vibrant community we have built."

High school student in Berlin doing the IB diploma
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In the future I'd like to immerse myself more in political activism in my community, develop a deeper understanding of the interrelationship between our society and politics, and further improve on my confidence and leadership skills. In terms of work, I'd like to study international relations and work in the political sector.
Speaks German, English, Serbian, Spanish

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Leandra Voss
​Attended GGU 2015,16,17,19
"GGU brought out some of my favourite traits in me! The atmosphere of support, female empowerment and love is unforgettable."
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Student at the University of Amsterdam, studying Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics

​My goal for the future is to have a career related to politics and ideally make activism a job. I’d like to inspire women to reach for their potential and promote more equality in the world.
Speaks German, English, Spanish

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Chindikani Mbale 
Attended GGU 2020
"[GGU] encourages me to implement change on things that I am passionate about." 

Highschool student and owner of a small business

I want to go to an international university and also be employed. I also want to grow my charity group to an international level.
Speaks English, Chichewa and Chitumbuka 




GGU SUMMER ACADEMY

We look forward to meeting you! 

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 Girls Gearing Up International Leadership Academy e.V. info@girlsgearingup.org
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