Meet The Board of Directors
President
ALICIA BIRONG
Alicia Marcos Birong is a pioneer in child mindfulness and the founder of ChatterGirls, a nonprofit organization, and Guided Choices. Her signature programs, ChatterGirls® empowers girls from the ages of 8 to 14 along with Pediatric Life Coaching®. Both programs have gained national recognition for their transformative impact on children and teens. With a mission to empower young minds, Alicia helps teens develop self-confidence, emotional resilience, and positive self-image.
Alicia's expertise spans more than 30 years as a therapist, coach, and educator. She holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Loyola University and is a certified hypnotherapist. Alicia has worked as a clinical therapist, school counselor, and the first female chaplain in her community. She was also a director in a hypnotherapy school, pioneering techniques that enhance children’s emotional well-being.
A seasoned speaker and trainer, Alicia has shared her insights on NBC & Fox and has collaborated with Coca-Cola, Girl Scouts of America, American Express, and the YWCA. She has also presented on prestigious stages alongside global leaders, including Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II. Alicia has spoken at the US Air Force Academy.
Alicia’s passion for empowering young girls led her to create ChatterGirls®, a nationally recognized confidence-building program that fosters self-esteem, positive body image, and leadership skills in 8-14-year-old girls. The program is available as a public school curriculum, after-school initiative, and summer camp experience, giving girls the tools they need to thrive.
Treasurer
MICHELLE MEHTA
Michelle Mehta is an International Bestselling Author, Confidence Expert, and TEDx Speaker. She has shared the stage with prominent figures such as Jack Canfield, 4-time Olympian Ruben Gonzalez, and Dr. Deepak Chopra. Her insights have been featured on FOX TV and at the US Air Force Academy, with ABC Television naming her as one of the most successful teen coaches of 2020. Yahoo Finance highlighted her as one of the top 10 female coaches to follow in 2021.Michelle speaks across the country about achieving time, freedom, and success without succumbing to unhealthy boundaries, added stress, or burnout.
Michelle’s personal journey from being bullied in school to embracing her unique strengths has shaped her commitment to helping others recognize their self-worth and build authentic, supportive relationships. She knows, firsthand, the importance of the mission and purpose of ChatterGirls and the impact it has on girls, parents, and the community.
Based in California, Michelle has dedicated over a decade to supporting nonprofit organizations. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and experience in the financial services industry, she brings valuable expertise to her role as Treasurer for ChatterGirls.
Meet The Board Members
Event Program Director
PATTI NOBLE
Patti Noble, ChatterGirls Event Program Director, has vast experience in working with or volunteering for non-profit organizations. As an event coordinator and founder and owner of Events With Benefits, and editor of a local magazine, her expertise in project management and community relations is a valuable asset to ChatterGirls. Patti’s focus on purpose-driven events and personalized details ensures each event's success and profitability. She combines her education and life experiences to support others and contribute meaningfully to her community. Patti is passionate about empowering and advocating for girls and women and through her work, she strives to inspire and guide others on their personal journey. Patti’s commitment to service is evident in her roles as a former Director and Board member of the Teen Break Center and as a coach and mentor with Girls on the Run. She also holds a certificate in Domestic Violence Counseling from the College of DuPage and is an alumna of the Leadership Greater McHenry County Core Program.
Fundraising
MEG ANDERSON
Meg is excited to help make an impact on the lives of young girls. She has a diverse professional background that includes event planning, PE teacher and over 15 years in financial services. Meg is currently the Director of Investment Operations at Hammortree Financial Services. Her expertise and skills will be a great addition to the board as she helps with the finances and fund raising for Chatter Girls. Meg has an undergraduate degree in Economics from Hobart & William Smith Colleges and later pursued a masters in teaching at North Park University. She is also an alumna of Leadership Greater McHenry County and enjoys volunteering at numerous charity events throughout the year. Meg grew up in New Jersey but has lived in Illinois for over 20 years where she raised two sons. Being a "boy-mom" she is now excited to have the opportunity to work with young girls and help them develop into strong, capable, successful young women.
Junior Advisor
ANABELLE BORATO
Anabelle is currently a student studying Community Health at the University of Illinois and has joined ChatterGirls with experience as a program participant herself. She went through the program at age 9 and became a mentor for the program throughout high school. Anabelle is passionate about how the program helped build her confidence and will be instrumental in the communication between the ChatterGirls junior board and executive board. Anabelle is eager to contribute to the expanding ChatterGirls' reach and influence across the nation!
Meet Our Advisors
Brand Management & Media
BRIAN SLY
Brian is the President of Emblem Creative Interactive.
He's always had a passion for storytelling and using his skills to support organizations that are making a positive impact in the lives of others. With a background in film and video production, he's worked on commercials, feature films, short films, music videos, advertising and marketing campaigns, training videos, and more. He's also currently developing two apps; one for kindness initiatives and one to support small business growth.
Brian first met Alicia in 2017 and has supported her mission through various media and content endeavors, from brand identity to video production to web development. He is here to assist ChatterGirls in any creative or technical way he can.
Meet our Allies
Bernard P. Boyle
Bernie was a loving and supportive husband and father to his wife and children.
He was an accomplished carver and artist and he believed in supporting those in need.
His daughters remember him being an avid supporter of their education, pushing them to be the best they could be as well as becoming independent and successful women.
Bernie believed that girls are just as powerful and influential as boys and supported Alicia's after-school program, ChatterGirls.
He believed in her vision for changing girls' lives and ensured that all local girls who wanted to attend ChatterGirls received the funds to participate.
In honor of his passing and prominent legacy, Bernard's family asks that we help them carry out his mission by continuing to support the families who need financial assistance in sending their daughters to ChatterGirls.