About Us

As a mother of three daughters, helping girls feel confident and have a healthy self-esteem has been Renee’s job for the last 25 years. As a School Counselor for 20+ years, Renee has been an advocate for children and is fueled by a passion to help children feel socially and emotionally strong. Prior to founding She Believes in Me, Renee worked with non-profit Code 3 Association to forge positive relationships between the police department and local at-risk communities. The success of this program was  featured in the Washington Post and Associated Press and helped inspire her to go further to address the emotional needs of young girls in the community she witnessed daily through her work as a school counselor. Renee is a true believer in establishing a support system for young girls to help them become confident and strong community members. Helping to empower girls to live strong lives for a successful future is the reason Renee started She Believes in Me.

Michelle Galliano is an elementary school teacher in Fairfax County, Va. and has lived in the Northern Virginia area for 34 years. A stay at home mom for 12 years, she realized she loved working with kids and went back to school to earn a bachelor’s in education and become a teacher. She currently works at a Title 1 school and is passionate about giving back to the community as well as making a difference in children’s lives. Married to someone from a different culture and working with poverty-stricken immigrants, she is dedicated to building bridges where diversity exists and helping all children see their life potential and become successful members of society. It is through this passion and internal motivation in conjunction with the collaboration of others with similar aspirations that drove her to become part of the organization that is She Believes in Me.

Having spent over 20 years in the corporate world, she left it to focus on motherhood and a second career using her interpersonal and organizational skills to support those in need. She has a 20-year track record as an active, dedicated, and consistent volunteer for various organizations. Teri’s childhood family was exposed to too much, too young. It took a village to empower Teri’s family from their challenges, showing her that community support can make all the difference in a child’s life story, as it did with her. She is keenly aware that a child whose emotional and psychological needs are nurtured is more likely to have academic and social success. Teri is deeply passionate about She Believes in Me and the children and families they serve. She understands that even a smile can change a child’s day, and a warm blanket can feel like a hug for someone in need.