Our Staff
Susan Dougherty
President/CEO
Most inspirational woman: My mother. There's not anything she can't do. And, she's hilariously funny!
Words to live by: "Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Been with Girls Inc. since: September 1994
Most proud of: My parents and children
What I wanted to be when I grew up: A first grade teacher
Coffee or Tea: Sonic Unsweetened Peach Tea with easy ice
Places Traveled: US, Asia, Europe, South America, Caribbean - My goal is to hit all 7 continents and all 50 states!
If I could have one super power, it would be: Flying! I could go all over the world!
Becky Balarin
Program Director
Most Inspirational Woman: In addition to my mom…. Maya Angelou
Words to live by: “This is the day the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it”
Psalm 118:24
Most proud of: All of the family values and life lessons I learned from my parents.
With Girls Inc. since: 1999
What I wanted to be when I grew up: Teacher or Accountant
Coffee or Tea: Tea
If I could have one super power, it would be: To be able to fly.
If I were a crayon, I would be: royal blue
Favorite Food: Anything mom makes.
Places traveled: Bahamas, New York, Las Vegas, Denver
Carroll Burney
Vice President of Marketing & Development
Most inspirational woman: My mom and my dad's stepmother, WOSM, for their amazing strength, faith and love.
Words to live by: Live every day with a smile on your face and make sure you have no regrets each day because you never know what will happen tomorrow.
Been with Girls Inc. since: January 2008
What I wanted to be when I grew up: An astronaut - totally didn't go that route!
Coffee or Tea: Coffee - straight up black!
Places traveled: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Italy, California, Florida, New Mexico, New York, Mexico, St. Maarten, Antigua... and more to come!
If I could have one super power, it would be: To go back in time and see my precious daddy again or be able to call Heaven so I could talk to him every day!
Misty Gann, LBSW
Program Director
Most Inspirational Woman: I have two. My mother – she is a strong woman that has taught me to be who I am today. Sue McFadden- Like a second mother to me and a key role model in my life.
Words to live by: “Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” ~Malcolm S. Forbes
Most proud of: My job and the opportunity I have to work with such amazing kids!
With Girls Inc. since: October, 2008
What I wanted to be when I grew up: Physical Therapist
Coffee or Tea: Both!
If I could have one super power, it would be: To fly
Favorite Food: Chinese
Places traveled: Costa Rica, Bahamas, and Mexico
Jennifer Limas
Senior Vice President
Most Inspirational Woman: Condoleezza Rice
Words to live by: If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.
Most proud of: My children
With Girls Inc. since: 1998
What I wanted to be when I grew up: An Olympic gymnast
Coffee or Tea: Creamer with a little coffee!
If I could have one super power, it would be: To duplicate myself…
If I were a crayon, I would be: Tickle Me Pink
Favorite Food: A good cheeseburger!
Places traveled: Honduras, Mexico & 39 states
Ryan Miller
Director of Tarrant County Kids
Most Inspirational Woman: My mother
Words to live by: Be yourself
Most proud of: My family
With Girls Inc. since: February 2004
What I wanted to be when I grew up: I had no idea because I was too busy being a kid.
Coffee or Tea: Tea
If I could have one super power, it would be: Teleport anywhere
Favorite Food: Mediterranean
Places traveled: South Korea, Canada, Mexico, numerous states
Melissa Oden, LMSW-IPR, MPH, CHES
Vice President of Program Development
Most inspirational woman: Mary Kay Ash
Words to live by: It might be insane to live with a dream but it's madness to live without one.
Most proud of: My husband for pursuing his dream of being an Engineer late in life.
Been with Girls Inc. since: August 2000
What I wanted to be when I grew up: A nurse or an archaeologist
Coffee or tea: TEA! Unsweet with lemon or lime
If I could have one super power, it would be: Being in multiple places at one time!
Places traveled: Mexico, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois
Myra Payen, BSW
Program Director
Most Inspirational Woman: My Mother
Words to live by: If you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
Most proud of: Graduating College
With Girls Inc. since: November 2009
What I wanted to be when I grew up: I wanted to be a Social Worker
Coffee or Tea: Tea
If I could have one super power, it would be: Read Minds
Favorite Food: Mexican, Sushi
Places traveled: Costa Rica, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New York, California, Florida, Mexico
Amy Rasor
Volunteer Coordinator
Most inspirational woman: My grandmother. She has overcome countless obstacles and is the most creative and talented person I’ve ever known.
Words to live by: Tell people that you love them!
Most proud of: My relationships with my family and friends.
With Girls Inc. since: March 2010
What I wanted to be when I grew up: Someone that helped others.
If I could have one super power, it would be: Healing
Favorite Food: Sushi
Places traveled: Cancun, Paris, and about half of the 50 states
Brooke Frame
Account Manager
Most Inspirational Woman: My grandmother because she is the most positive realist I have ever met.
Words to live by: “You can’t always have a clean house; you can just be happy and play in the mess.” – My daughter, Taylor, age 3
Most proud of: My kids
With Girls Inc. since: April 2010
What I wanted to be when I grew up: Nurse. Obviously, I chose a different direction.
Coffee or Tea: Dr. Pepper with ice
If I could have one super power, it would be: Telekinesis
Favorite Food: Any kind of pasta!
Places traveled: Why travel when I live in Texas??
Marlene Sweda
Chief Financial Officer
Most Inspirational Woman: My mom. She always had just the right answer.
Words to live by: Always do things to the best of your ability.
Most proud of: My mom & dad.
With Girls Inc. since: January 2010
What I wanted to be when I grew up: An Algebra or Trig teacher
Coffee or Tea: Caramel chocolate coffee
If I could have one super power, it would be: To bring my mom and uncle back from heaven and tell them things that I wish I would have said to them while they were still with me.
If I were a crayon, I would be: Red and black swirled!
Favorite Food: Pizza & Sushi
Places traveled: Over 75% of the United States.
