Meet the team of amazing and dedicated professionals and students who make Empowerteen great!
Staff and Teachers
Dr. Paula Pilcher
Founder, Director, Physician, and Teacher
Dr. Paula Pilcher is the Founder, Director, Naturopathic Physician and Teacher of Empowerteen. In 2013, she established Empowerteen as a holistic, integrative approach to give all adolescents access to the tools they need to thrive and prosper during these formative years She designed the program and curriculum with activities, lessons, labs, and projects while keeping mental-emotional-physical-and social wellness in mind.
Maui Ramos, E-RYT 200,
Yoga, Meditation, and Capoeira Instructor
Maui Ramos is the Yoga. Meditation. and Capoeira instructor at Empowerteen for the boys and girls retreats. As well as the Co-leader of the 2018. 2010, and 2020 Boys Summer Camps.
Seth Brown
Yoga, Meditation, and Pilates Instructor
Seth Brown is the Yoga, Meditation, and Pilates instructor at Empowerteen for the 2022 and 2023 summer retreats, and was Co-leader of the 2022 High School Summer Retreat.
Juan Rodriguez
Self-Defense and Training Instructor
Juan Rodriquez is the self-defense and partner training instructor at the 2023 Summer Empowerteen Retreats.
Troy Rulmyr
Karate, Martial Arts, and Self-Defense Instructor
Troy Rulmyr is the Karate, Martial Arts, and Self-Defense Instructor at Empowerteen for the boys and girls summer retreats, and is a Staff Member of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Summer Camos.
Sada Chalk, DC
Chiropractor, Sports Medicine, STOTT-certified Pilates and MELT Instructor
Sada Chalk is a Chiropractor who specializes in Sports Medicine, as well as a STOTT Pilates instructor, a MELT Method instructor and a ZenGa instructor. She has been teaching at the tween and teen classes and summer retreats since 2015.
Niki Carr, MScN
Nutritionist and Cooking Teacher
Niki Carr, MSCN is a Nutrition and Cooking instructor at Empowerteen. She teaches teens and tweens how to develop a healthy relationship with food.
Corinne Sharlet, MA
Drama Therapy Teacher
Corinne Sharlet, MA, teaches Drama Therapy for Empowerteen's Teen Girls Retreat.
Molly Kaplan, BFA, MAT
Art Therapy Teacher
Molly Kaplan, BFA, MAT teaches Art Therapy at Empowerteen's Tween Girls Retreat.
Jen Coyne
The Future of Work and Values Instructor
Jen Coyne is the CEO of The PEAK Fleet and teaches Values and Vocational Skills for a Fulfilling Future at the Empowerteen's Teen and Tween Summer Retreats, as well as the Adults Empowerment Workshop Benefit.
Wanda McKenzie
Life Coach
Wanda McKenzie is a Life Coach and Nutritionist who shares the same concepts and tools with teens that help Corporate Leaders reach their potential.
Rachel Leigh
Mindset Management Coach
Rachel Leigh is a Mindset Management Coach at Empowerteen's tween boys, tween girls, and teen girls retreats. She will work with them to create a unique personal goals-centered soundtrack that they will get to keep to help overcome obstacles and reach their goals.
Natalie Lehmann, LAc
Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Teacher
Natalie Lehmann, LAc owns Edelweiss Acupuncture and teaches concepts in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture to teens in Empowerteen's High School Curriculums, as well as volunteers for Summer Retreats.
Melissa Berry, ND
Vegan Chocolate Truffle Instructor
Melissa Berry, ND, is the founder and owner of Missionary Chocolates and Vegan Truffle Instructor at Empowerteen's Teen Summer Retreat.
College Student Interns
Grace Darazs
Social Media & Marketing Student Intern
Grace Darazs is a Senior at Oregon State University graduating with her BS in Business Administration, with minors in Marketing and Psychology. She is interning as Empowerteen's Social Media and Marketing Content Creator from Fall 2024 through Fall 2025.
Frida Aguilar
Creative Design Student Intern
Frida is a student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is interning as Empowerteen's Creative Designer from Fall 2024 through Fall 2025.
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Ginae Borja-Johnson
Videography Graduate Intern
Ginae is a recent graduate from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, with a BA in Film & Video Production. She is interning as Empowerteen's Videographer from Spring 2025 through Fall 2025.
Kris Sanders
Creative Writing Student Intern
Kris Sanders is a student at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Kris is interning as Empowerteen's Creative Writer from Spring 2025 through Winter 2026.
Grace Bland
Journalism Student Intern
Grace is a senior at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. She is interning as Empowerteen's Journalism and Interview Liaison from Spring 2025 through Fall 2025.
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AaJanae Henry
Website & SEO Student Intern
AaJanae is a student at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. She is interning as Empowerteen's Website & SEO liaison from Spring 2025 through Fall 2025.
Annie Berry
Children's Storybook Illustrator Student Intern
Annie Berry is a student at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. She is interning as Empowerteen's Children's Storybook Illustrator from Fall 2023 to Winter 2025.
Grace Darazs
Event Coordinator Student Intern
Grace Darazs is a student at Oregon State University. She is interning as Empowerteen's Event Coordinator from Fall 2023 through Fall 2024.
Adam Kim
Social Media and Marketing Student Intern
Adam Kim is a student at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. He is interning as Empowerteen's Social Media Marketing Content Creator from Fall 2023 through Fall 2024.
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Brinda Jimenez
Business Apprentice Student Intern
Brinda is a student at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. She is interning as Empowerteen's Business Apprentice from Fall 2023 through Summer 2024.
Kayley Ilikapeka Dombrigues
Creative Design Student Intern
Kayley "Leelee" Ilikapeka Dombrigues is a student at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. She is interning as Empowerteen's Creative Designer and Special Projects Liaison for the Spring and Summer of 2023.
Madeline Weisbecker
Social Media and Marketing Student Intern
Madeline Weisbecker is a student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She is interning as Empowerteen's Social Media Marketing Content Creator for the spring and summer of 2023.
Moses McAninch
Videography-Marketing and Leadership Mentor Student Intern
Moses McAninch is a student at Eastern Oregon University. He is interning as Empowerteen's Special Projects Marketing Videographer and Leadership Mentor for the 2020 Boys Virtual Summer Retreats.
Gabriela Santoyo Gutierrez
Business Apprentice - Executive Assistant Intern
Gabriela Santovo Gutierrez is a student at Willamette University. She is interning as Empowerteen's Business Apprentice - Executive Assistant for the spring and summer of 2020.
William Tang
Videography-Testimonials Student Intern
William Tang is a student at Portland State University. He is interning as Empowerteen's Testimonials Videographer for the summer of 2020.
Amaya Varma
Community Outreach - Public Liaison Intern
Amaya Varma is a student at Portland State University. She is interning as Empowerteen's Community Outreach - Public Liaison for the summer of 2020.
Vivian Monteiro
Creative Design Student Intern
Vivian Monteiro is a student at Scripps College in California. She is interning as Empowerteen's Creative Designer for the summer of 2020.
Kirsten Kyllingmark
Business Apprentice - Projects Management Intern
Kirsten Kyllingmark is a student at Lewis and Clark College. She is interning as Empowerteen's Business Apprentice in Projects Management for the summer of 2020.
Kess Moulton
Event Coordinator Student Intern
Kess Moulton is a student at Lewis and Clark College. They are interning as Empowerteen's Event Coordinator for the 2020 Summer Retreats.
Emmett Moore
Videography-Documentaries Student Intern
Emmett Moore is a student at Santa Clara University in California. He is interning as Empowerteen's Documentaries Videographer for the summer of 2020.
Megan Bartholomy
Social Media and Marketing Student Intern
Megan Bartholomy is a student at Portland State University. She is interning as Empowerteen's Social Media Marketing Content Creator for the spring and summer of 2020
Faryn Boone
Community Outreach - Support Liaison Intern
Faryn Boone is a student at the University of Washington. She is interning as Empowerteen's Community Outreach - Support Liaison for the summer of 2020.
Lilia Watt
Creative Writer Student Intern
Lilia Watt is a student at Willamette University. She is interning as Empowerteen's Creative Writer and Blogger for the summer of 2019.
Ireland Addis
Social Media and Marketing Student Inten
Ireland Addis is a student at Washington State University. She is interning as Empowerteen's Social Media Marketing Content Creator for the summer of 2019.
Barely Swan
Event Coordinator Student Intern
Braelyn Swan is a new graduate of Linfield College. She is interning as Empowerteen's Event Coordinator for the summer of 2019.
Russell Hendrickson
Social Media Student Inten
Russell Hendrickson is a student at Linfield College. He is interning as Empowerteen's Social Media Content Creator for the 2018 Summer Retreats.
Dani Golladay
Event Coordinator Student Inten
Dani Golladay is a student at St. Luke's College of Health Sciences. She is interning as Empowerteen's Event Coordinator for the 2018 Summer Retreats, and 2019 Winter Retreat Get-Away.
Hallie Campbell
Program Assistant
Hallie has been a Program Assistant to the Empowerteen Director from 2015-2020.
Big Sib Mentors
Grace has been volunteering with Empowerteen since participating in many events 2019-2020! Here is what our beloved volunteer has to say:
“I love Empowerteen because I get to see how much everyone can change and grow as a person with just a little guidance. I enjoy knowing I get to be a part of those positive changes.”