Each of our extraordinary staff has a wealth of experience from diverse backgrounds and industries. Our Leap to Confidence® program is taught by teams that include senior instructors and program graduates who have received instructor training. All of our instructors use their skills and passion to bring out the best in the women we serve.
Michele Cooney
Luiza Campos, MBA
Fatima Ashaq, MPH
Kasey MacNair, MA
Natalie Reilly
Kylie Wilcox, MA
Kelly Carman
Sara Hassani, PhD
Helice “Sparky” Bridges
Dana Bristol-Smith, CEO & Founder
Dana Bristol-Smith is the Founder and CEO of Leap to Success and a passionate advocate for helping women find their voices, build confidence, and recognize their own worth and personal power.
Dana’s journey began with her own experience of building the confidence to become a public speaker. As founder of Speak for Success, she spent years training executives and professionals throughout Southern California and saw firsthand how confidence and the ability to communicate effectively could change a woman’s opportunities—and her life.
In 2008, Dana had an idea: What if confidence and communication skills could help women rebuilding their lives after domestic violence and trauma? She launched what would become Leap to Success as a volunteer project in collaboration with organizations serving survivors. What began as an idea has grown into a nonprofit that has helped more than 4,000 women build confidence, reclaim their voices, and move forward in their lives. Today, Dana leads Leap to Success with a commitment to making its transformative programs available at no cost to women who are ready to improve their lives.
Dana is an accomplished public speaker, trainer, and author of Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking. Since beginning her speaking career in 1992, she has delivered presentations and training to more than 100,000 people and has served on the faculties of UC San Diego Extension, California State University San Marcos, and San Diego State University.
Her leadership and community impact have earned numerous honors, including recognition from California Assemblymember Tasha Boerner and State Senator Catherine Blakespear, Power Woman San Diego, Woman of Dedication, Women in Leadership, and first place in the Advance San Diego Quick Pitch competition. And while Dana still hasn’t met Oprah, she did have her 15 minutes of fame when she was interviewed and quoted in O, The Oprah Magazine.
Michele Cooney, Senior Director of Programs
Michele Cooney oversees Leap to Success programs and also teaches in our classrooms. She brings a wealth of experience and was formerly the Executive Director of the San Diego Regional Training Center, a local government agency that provides training to Federal, State, and local government employees. In that role, she oversaw development and presentation of domestic violence courses for law enforcement officers throughout California. Through her work on these courses, she developed a passion for helping victims of domestic violence move beyond their experiences to create new lives.
Over the past 30 years, Michele has held management and training positions in local and Federal Government and in the private sector. Michele specializes in developing and delivering training sessions in communication skills, instructor training, leadership, and time management. She believes training should be fun as well as relevant to people’s real-world experiences. Michele is proud to be on the Leap to Success faculty. She knows that these programs impact women’s lives and she is excited to be part of a team that is helping women reach their greatest potential.
Luiza Campos, MBA, Director of Program Operations
Luiza Campos leads the organization’s strategic operations and internal systems, aligning programs, people, and processes to deepen transformation. She is committed to data-informed decision-making and meaningful leadership that strengthens the organization’s impact and sustainability.
She oversees program operations, ensuring that each program is supported from recruitment and relationship-building through implementation, reporting, and evaluation. With a background in economics, business administration, project management, and program evaluation, she brings both analytical insight and a people-centered approach to her work.
Luiza is passionate about collaboration, continuous improvement, and intentional organizational growth, and finds purpose in building systems that help people and missions thrive.
Fatima Ashaq, MPH, Manager of Community Engagement
Fatima Ashaq is committed to raising visibility by sharing stories, highlighting accomplishments, and creating opportunities for women who might otherwise be overlooked. Whether through outreach, partnerships, or community events, her priority is to bring people together.
Fatima led one of the nation’s largest wearables digital health studies and served on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing together technology and empathy to improve health for all. She earned her Master of Public Health from San José State University and is committed to advancing health equity through human-centered innovation.
Fatima believes empowerment isn’t just about representation; it’s about ensuring women have a seat at the table, the tools to lead, and the encouragement to challenge limitations. She is inspired by creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and valued, and where their experiences help shape meaningful progress.
“I hope my daughter grows up surrounded by examples of women who are leading, creating, innovating, and uplifting each other,” she said. “Most importantly, I want her to see that her voice matters and that her dreams are valid.”
Kasey MacNair, MA, Manager of Development
As Development Manager, Kasey MacNair supports fundraising and donor stewardship efforts that empower women to achieve economic stability and lasting independence. With more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and development, Kasey brings a thoughtful, relationship-centered approach to philanthropy that is grounded in authenticity, strategy, and measurable impact.
Kasey believes meaningful change happens when women are supported with both opportunity and community. She is deeply committed to cultivating strong partnerships with donors and ensuring they feel connected to the real, measurable difference their generosity makes in the lives of the women Leap to Success serves.
Kasey holds a Master’s degree in Psychology Counseling from Adams State College and previously served as Executive Director of Girls on the Run San Diego, where she led strategic growth and expanded impact for girls across the region. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing confidence, leadership, and opportunity for women and girls.
Natalie Reilly, Manager of Communications
Natalie Reilly lends her breadth of experience and lifelong love of writing to kindle and convey the voice of Leap to Success and the women we serve. As communication and development manager, she is responsible for raising awareness and visibility of our mission. She works directly with our executive director to provide support in fundraising, consistently reflecting and reinforcing a professional and inspiring atmosphere through each and every touchpoint.
Natalie graduated cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She is an author, professional speaker, editor, and former newspaper columnist who feels both blessed and determined to be a valued part of our team, able to exercise her love of words for the purpose of inspiring and encouraging every woman’s greatest potential. She believes a woman’s self-confidence is the tipping point for positive social change in the world.
Kylie Wilcox, MA, Program and Outreach Associate
Kylie Wilcox holds a master’s degree in psychological sciences from Northern Arizona University. She has extensive experience in advocacy, crisis intervention, and case management, having worked with Mobile Crisis Units and Victim and Child Protection Services. Previously, Kylie led outreach campaigns, conducted program evaluations for first responder support teams, and contributed to academic research in both organizational and clinical psychology.
To ensure the smooth delivery of our events and classes, Kylie supports program coordination and outreach efforts. She is instrumental in program administration, which includes tracking attendance, preparing materials, providing technical support, and managing logistics.
Kylie is passionate about trauma-informed care and deeply committed to helping women reclaim their voices and thrive. She believes in the power of community and connection. She is driven by the idea that when women feel seen, heard, and supported, they become unstoppable, not just for themselves but for everyone around them!
Kelly Carman, Graduate Instructor
Kelly Carman is a 2016 Graduate of Leap to Confidence, and a 2018 Graduate of the Transformation Leadership program. Since graduating, she has volunteered as a classroom assistant many times. Kelly uses her lifelong struggle with low self-esteem and self doubt as stepping stones for growth.
Today, Kelly is determined to let people know that they matter, that they have value, are loved, and that who they are makes a difference! Attending Leap to Confidence and the Transformation Leadership program have been life-changing in helping Kelly to see her self-worth and live with passion and purpose. Kelly’s statement of growth shows just how far she has leaped. “I am strong and resilient. I was living a life of feeling small, but now I am letting my light shine and encouraging others to do the same!”
Sara Hassani, PhD, Lead Instructor
Sara has a professional background in curriculum and program design, facilitation, and coaching. As a proud graduate of Leap to Confidence Class 95, Sara is dedicated to supporting women as they rebuild their lives after domestic violence and other significant life challenges. Additionally, she designs and delivers education and training programs to parents of children and adults with disabilities — and to the professionals who serve them.
Sara believes domestic abuse affects people from all backgrounds and that meaningful change happens when women have safe, welcoming community spaces to explore, reflect, and grow.
Helice “Sparky” Bridges, Guest Faculty
Helice Bridges is the creator of the world-famous Who I Am Makes A Difference® Blue Ribbon Acknowledgement System. She is the founder and CEO of Difference Makers International, a nonprofit educational organization impacting the lives of over 30 million people worldwide. Helice is also the president of Helice Bridges Communications, Inc., helping leaders of leaders in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives.
Her work has been featured in Women’s World magazine, ABC’s 20/20, the Los Angeles Times, and has been heard on 1100 radio stations. Her Who I Am Makes A Difference® signature story was made into a television movie that aired nation-wide on PAX TV. In 2007, her Standing Strong Together leadership training program was approved by the Secretary of Education for Mexico and is slated to impact children and educators throughout the country.
Helice is the winner of the 2005 Gandhi Nonviolence Award and the 2009 Speak for Success Women Changing the World Award. She is a globally recognized author, trainer, consultant and dynamic keynote speaker. Helice has been recognized along with First Lady Barbara Bush, Kareem Abdul Jabaar and the late Norman Cousins for her work in raising the self-esteem of children of all ages. She has spoken along with Vice President Al Gore, the Dalai Lama and other global leaders. Her stories appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work, Heart at Work, and The Aladdin Factor.
