Board

Michelle Stephens

President & Founder

Michelle Stephens is a Naples, Florida native of 4 generations. She holds a bachelor's of Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of South Florida. After working for 7 years as a civil engineer, Michelle decided to stay at home with her daughter Sophia. Now that Sophia is starting kindergarten, Michelle has more time to devote to her passion in life: improving the lives of destitute and orphaned children.

"I see our gift of Humanity as a unique privilege we as human beings can all give. And if we all did, imagine the great difference we could make. This is my Great Hope for Humanity."

Lynn Simmonds

Lynn Simmonds has been a provider of childcare services for the past 38 years. She was born in Houston, Texas though for many years lived in the United Kingdom.
Here she studied and followed the standard set of guidelines known as The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and was indentifed as an "Outstanding Provider" following inspection by the governing body OFSTED (The Office for Standards in Education, Childrens Services and Skills.
She has lived in Naples Fl for the past 5 years where she's often referred to as "The British Nanny, Child Whisperer & Mary Poppins!
"I whole heartedly support the Mahaan Aasha Foundation. Anyone who knows me knows that children are my passion, my life, my true love. To be involved with an organization whose goal is to make a positive impact and help change these children's lives is a dream come true!"

Sara Mueller

Sara Mueller is the founder of JoyDiscovered.com, a blog and community that inspires women to live their best lives. She is also the executive director of market research and program development for Worldwide Business Research's Field Service events. Sara eagerly supports The Mahaan Aasha Foundation because she believes in its mission to unite all of humanity and spread hope and compassion.

Jennifer Ashford

Jennifer Ashford brings 10+ years of nonprofit experience to the Mahaan Asha Foundation. She has worked for a variety of nonprofits and political advocacy organizations specializing in mentoring and education. She has worked and volunteered for numerous political campaigns. Jennifer and her husband John spent two years living on a ship with 400 people from 50 different nations sailing the world doing philanthropic work in Europe, the Caribbean and Africa. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University and lives in Naples, Florida with her husband and two young daughters. She is thrilled to be serving as a founding board member for the Mahaan Aasha Foundation. She is passionate about all things India and was privileged to help establish One Hope Village, an organization serving the orphans of Tamil Nadu, India.

Robin Williams

Robin a native Floridian with a career in the Healthcare as a Microbiology Lab Manager has devoted 40 years of compassionate care in the diagnosis of infectious disease for adult and pediatric patients in Naples, Florida.

“I am passionate about giving children a chance to thrive in a healthy, caring and safe environment. No child should hunger for food, for a warm bed or a roof over their head. Every child should have a chance to learn and be educated. I am inspired to help with projects to assist children who live in a country where the need is great and resources are few. Empowering the ones in India who will run programs, schools and orphanages to help these children will be my Mahaan Aasha (Great Hope)."

Stacy Bick

Stacy Bick is a mother of two children but also a high level marketing executive at a global ad agency. She has over 20 years of marketing and advertising experience, transforming organizations into brands that create emotional connections with their consumers. It was Michelle's drive for true emotional, human connection that attracted Stacy to The Mahaan Aasha Foundation. As a mother, Stacy believes in nurturing each and every child’s greatness. Where you start in life doesn't have to be where you finish. It is a passion and mission in her life to bring value to the lives of children less fortunate and to make this world a better place by empowering children to realize their gift in this world.

Victoria Gaccione

Victoria has been a childcare provider for over 10 years. Her loved ones knew since she was a little girl that her heart was sometimes bigger than her body. She knew she wanted to make a difference in the world someday. Graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University in May of 2015 with a Bachelors in Social Work, she began working at the Shelter for Abused Woman & Children. Soon after, she realized she wanted to pursue her lifelong dream of helping children; our most vulnerable population. That brings us to her latest and most rewarding career change; a Child Welfare Case Manager with the Children's Network of SWFL.

Heather Matjasic

Heather joins us with an 18 year career in the sports industry working mostly in college football team operations, NFL team operations, & remote tv operations for ESPN / ABC Sports. Originally from Cleveland, OH Heather attended Ohio University majoring in sports industry with additional studies in business, communications and coaching.

Since 2010, Heather has been primarily focused on bringing the skill-sets and talents she developed in her sports career to consulting small businesses, start-ups, and non-profits around the country. She is especially passionate about consulting social enterprises & B corporations. Additionally, she is the founder of ohmjewelryshop.com, a jewelry company that aims to preserve culture & craftsmanship around the world. Lastly, Heather has a 15 year yoga + meditation practice, she has been certified twice as a yoga teacher and has studied with some of today’s top yogis. Heather has been an avid supporter & board member of Mahaan Aasha since 2018.