Meet the Girl Made Family!
Allyson Bowen
Founder & Director
Allyson is a nationally renowned author, speaker and consultant on relational aggression, cyber-bullying, peer abuse and relationships. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in clinical private practice and is co-owner and director of Turning Point Counseling in West Columbia, SC.
Allyson is the author of Livin’ Out Loud: Today’s Girls and Technology a comprehensive curriculum designed to teach girls how to live out loud responsibly in the real world and cyber world. She is also co-author of the book, Mean Girls: 101 ½ Creative Strategies and Activities for Working with Relational Aggression. Allyson developed a Relational Aggression Survey used in schools throughout the US and Canada to identify female bullying behaviors in girl’s grades 3-12.
Allyson has led professional seminars and worked with youth across the US and Canada on topics such as: relational aggression, anger, bullying, cyber-bullying, peer relationships and adolescent behaviors and disorders. She is also a member of the International Bullying Prevention Association and is the Bully Police SC Legislative Liaison.
In addition, Allyson is a past adjunct professor at Limestone College, South Carolina's largest private accredited institution. She served in the Social Work Department focusing on human behavior, sexuality and gender role differences. She has also worked in the medical field and developed a community outreach program for teen mothers.
Allyson also speaks to community/civic groups educating them about relational aggression/bullying and encouraging mentorship/volunteerism with youth. In addition, she works to educate parents about the daily perils of peer relationships their children face.
Allyson received her BA in Social Work from Columbia College and her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina.
You can learn more about Allyson at www.allyson-bowen.com
Nicole, Misty, Allyson and Lauren-Summers
at the Palmetto Parent Camp Fair in February!
Nicole Hold
Assistant Director
Nicole holds a BA in Speech Pathology from Columbia College. She served in the public school system as a speech pathologist for many years before marrying and traveling the US with her husband. Currently, Nicole is a speech language pathologist for Columbia Speaks.
Nicole is passionate about serving and making a difference in children's lives. She serves as an ambassador and team captain for the March of Dimes, a charity close to her heart after the premature birth of her daughter.
Misty Burton
Consultant/Educator
Misty has a Masters in Education from Clemson University. She was a 5th grade teacher before becoming a proud mommy to twin boys. Misty is a member of the Junior League of Columbia where she volunteers her time for local charities. She is currently an educator for Houghton Mifflin and recently joined Girl Made as an educator/consultant.
Lauren-Summers Hodgens
Art Direction/Educator
Lauren-Summers received her Masters in Teaching at North Park University, Chicago, IL., and a BA in Studio Art from Wesleyan College, Macon, GA. In addition, she studied abroad in Cortona, Italy with the University of Georgia.
She is a design assistant with an interior designer in Macon, GA, and co-leads an after school art program for 3rd-5th graders. She also continues to paint 'REDbird's' into a success. Lauren-Summers was recently published in Macon Food and Culture Magazine as the premier featured artist for January 2010.
