Meet our Staff
LaVonda Baldwin
Executive Director
Centered on social justice and youth empowerment, LaVonda has championed equity in education and elevated the voices of countless young people through her work with public and private youth development organizations. Her priority has remained in leading girls and young women to develop the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to succeed personally, interpersonally and beyond. Prior to joining Oasis, LaVonda served as a U.S. diplomat focused on public diplomacy, where she advanced meaningful engagement, mutual understanding and collaboration between people and nations. Her personal commitment to Christ and fostering community has always been at the heart of her identity as she infuses love, compassion and unwavering dedication into every aspect of her life.
Donna Hakimian
Program Director
Donna Hakimian joined Oasis for Girls in November 2023. Prior to that, Donna worked in higher education in both the areas of interfaith chaplaincy and residential life. For several years Donna worked in Washington D.C., having served as the Representative for Gender Equality and the Advancement of Women at the U.S. Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs. Donna holds an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, an M.A. from the Women and Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto, and a B.A. from McGill University. Donna is thrilled to be able to contribute to the mission of Oasis for Girls and looks forward to engaging in such vital and meaningful work.
Jen Wana
Operations Director
After two years as an Oasis board member, Jen joined the staff as Operations Director in March 2022. She has over two decades of experience in fashion, retail, and publishing. Jen began her career at InStyle Magazine, followed by marketing and merchandising roles at L'Oreal Paris, Gap Inc., and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Prior to Oasis, she worked for UC Berkeley in admissions and career advising. She received her BA in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania and her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
