meet our all-female board
Whitney Saxon, Board President and Founder of The Letter Project
Whitney is a 30-something life coach specializing in helping girls & women become more confident in who they are and where they're going in life. She works at Neenah as the Manager of Communications and Engagement. She loves spending time with her husband and son, eating ice cream and being outside. She's a passionate coffee drinker. Whitney is originally from Indiana and currently lives in Charlottesville, VA. She received her bachelor's in Journalism and English from Indiana University. Get to know her a little bit better by reading her blog or following her on Instagram.
Elizabeth Levine,
Board Vice President
EAST COAST
Elizabeth deeply believes in helping woman focused non-profit organizations. She currently lives in NYC and has moved all around the east coast from Hartford, CT to Lighthouse Point, FL. She loves New York City, spending time finding new restaurants and coffee shops, her Aruban rescue pup, traveling and walking aimlessly to explore. She received her bachelor's in Biology and Neuroscience from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and her master's in Public Health - Epidemiology from Columbia University. Currently, she is working as a Director of Advocacy Strategy and Research with Life Sciences clients.
Jennifer O.
EAST COAST
Jennifer is a seasoned mom with two adult kids, and is currently a host parent for a teenager who is training for the Crossfit Games. She works as an administrative assistant for a public school district and has a passion for giving support and guidance to kids who are underprivileged or disadvantaged in some way.
She loves spending time pursuing fitness, camping with her husband and two rescue pups (who are an even mix of Chihuahua/Pitbull) and serving in her local church.
Jennifer was born in the Northeast, but raised in the Southeast, so calls herself a northern-born Southerner. She currently lives in rural Upstate NY.
SARAH BROWNING
Sarah joined The Letter Project in 2017 and quickly fell in love with the mission of the organization through writing and serving as a city ambassador.
With a bachelor’s degree in public relations and professional writing background, she believes our words can be a powerful catalyst to inspire and change lives.
She works at Net Health as the Director of Corporate Recruiting. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her family, various hobbies ranging from knitting to pistol matches, and spoiling her dog shamelessly.
ELIZABETH KUMBHARI
FLORIDA
Elizabeth served as the Executive Director of The Letter Project in 2022 and 2023. Elizabeth Kumbhari has more than 14 years of experience in higher education, immigration law, and business development. She is a recognized attorney and nonprofit leader, having served on Forbes Nonprofit Council, Chair of NAFSA’s Embassy Dialogue Committee, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Publication Board, and nominated as a 2020 Superlawyer. She currently works at Amazon.
Elizabeth earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, J.D. from Northern Kentucky University, and Bachelors of Art from Capital University in International Studies. She resides in Atlantic Beach, Florida with her husband and two young daughters.
Regarding her appointment, Elizabeth said “As the mother of two young girls, I believe there is nothing more important than instilling confidence and providing support to women. The Letter Project is a community that is building futures and changing lives- one letter at a time.”
APURVA BHAGALI
TEXAS
Apurva Bhagali is a dynamic tech leader and community builder with 8+ years of experience navigating datacenter systems, program strategy, and stakeholder influence. She balances sharp business acumen with a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. Apurva serves as an Executive Leader for AnitaB.org’s Dallas chapter, leads a thriving ERG at Microsoft, and also serves on the board for the IEEE Dallas section! Known as the Connector-in-Chief, she bridges people, purpose, and progress—whether she’s mentoring students, architecting impactful events, or exploring new destinations with her husband!
JULIANNE DOWNING
ILLINOIS
Julianne was born and raised in Northern California and now lives on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, IL—cue the ‘70s hit by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah. She is a graduate of Notre Dame (go Irish!) and works as a nonprofit fundraiser, specializing in grant writing and foundation relations management. She loves to volunteer with women-centered organizations, and in addition to her letter writing and board service with TLP, she holds leadership positions in her local chapters of the Junior League and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is an avid vintage/antique shopper and forever on the hunt for new-to-her Fire King jadeite pieces.
ALEXIS MOORE
FLORIDA
Alexis is a graphic designer and photographer at the University of Florida, where she uses creativity and strategy to tell powerful stories. She holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a certificate in strategic communications, combining artistic vision with thoughtful messaging. Her passion lies in encouraging and equipping college and career-aged women. Alexis first joined the organization as a college intern, supporting graphic design and community engagement efforts. Now, after graduating, getting married, and becoming a mother, she’s honored to return as a board member and continue championing the work that shaped her early career and purpose.
GALINI ANTONETTI
CONNECTICUT
Galini Antonetti, a proud mother of two daughters and a lifelong Connecticut resident, joins the board with valuable professional insights and a strong desire to contribute meaningfully. She serves as a Managing Director of Enterprise Market Research at Travelers and holds a Bachelor's in Finance from the University of Connecticut. Galini's journey to involvement began at a moving letter-writing event hosted by her employer. The mission of The Letter Project to encourage and empower girls and women resonates deeply with her; as a first-generation American, she understands the profound impact of support and encouragement during challenging times. Her personal experiences have shaped her appreciation for the power of connection and empathy, making her passionate about fostering these values within the organization. Outside of work, Galini enjoys interior decorating, Pilates, and trying new coffee spots with her husband.
CHRISTA GLANZER
TENNESSEE
Christa was drawn to TLP because it speaks to her heart for women’s health, advocacy, and showing up for others with empathy and care. What began with hosting write nights in college became a meaningful way to connect with and encourage women through words. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health at the University of Tennessee, where she also earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences. Alongside her studies, Christa serves women and girls in developing countries by teaching menstrual health, addressing stigma, and distributing reusable menstrual kits through Days for Girls. She hopes to carry these experiences into a future career in healthcare, continuing to serve women and make a meaningful impact.
NICOLE THOMAS
MISSOURI
Nicole first heard of The Letter Project when she served as Miss Kansas City 2022 in the Miss America Organization and has loved participating in Write Nights. A graduate from the University of Missouri with a degree in hospitality management and a minor in Vocal Performance, Nicole still uses her interview skills that she learned in pageantry in her professional career as a campus recruiter for Shamrock Trading Corp. When she’s not hard at work you’ll find her cruising, exploring the city with her husband, or at the park with her pup Archie.
