Our Staff
Dawn H. Haaz, Psy.D.
Founder and CEO of Girls Empowered
Dr. Haaz is a licensed psychologist in PA. She earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. She obtained her B.A from Muhlenberg College with a major in Psychology and minor in Women’s Studies. She was honored to have been presented the Sojourner’s Truth upon graduation from Muhlenberg due to her potential in the field of women’s studies.
In addition to her work with Girls Empowered, Dr. Haaz sees clients at the private practice of David A. Nover, M.D., P.C. in Warrington, PA. Her specialties include treating adolescents and adults struggling with issues related to self-esteem, relationship/marital problems, sexual abuse/trauma, life transitions, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Haaz empowers her clients to develop healthy relationships with themselves and others.
Dr. Haaz has worked clinically with children, adolescents, and adults through her Psychology Residency at a private practice in Doylestown. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Rider University's Counseling Center. During her internship, she also had the opportunity to gain training in eating disorders at the Renfrew Center in Philadelphia. Her other clinical experience includes working as a therapist at Lenape Valley Foundation and Foundations Behavioral Health and completing psychological assessments at Horsham Clinic. Additionally, she worked for over 15 years in various roles at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, including developing and facilitating an autism mentoring program and as their Psychological Consultant.
Dr. Haaz was honored to have been selected as one of 19 Emerging Leaders in Bucks and Eastern Montgomery Counties by the Bucks County Courier Times, Intelligencer, and Central Bucks Family YMCA for 2017.
Enadia Elvidge, M.S.
Program Facilitator of Girls Empowered
Enadia Elvidge has earned her Masters of Science in School Counseling from Gwynedd Mercy University and is certified through the Pennsylvania Department of Education to serve K-12. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice. She is currently an Elementary School Counselor with Abington school district. Enadia works closely with students, teachers, and families to promote social emotional learning. She is a strong advocate for mental health, striving for equity and collaboration at all levels. Her passion has always been to help those in need. She has acquired many years of experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings ranging from day care to high school.
Samantha Trachtman, M.Ed., N.C.C.
Program Facilitator of Girls Empowered
Samantha holds a Masters of Education in School Counseling from West Chester University and a B.S. in Psychology from DeSales University. She is also certified in Pennsylvania as a school counselor for grades K-12 and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Samantha is a School Counselor for Saucon Valley School District at the high school level and therapist at Doylestown Psychological Services where she works with children with Autism, Anxiety and ADHD. Samantha has provided educational programs to adolescents through agencies in the community including the Central Bucks YMCA's Empower U Program, A Woman's Place Peace Camp, and the Girl Scout Organization through Girls Empowered.
Kelly Schenk
Program Facilitator of Girls Empowered
Kelly Schenk holds her B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh.
Kelly became involved in empowerment programming for women and girls through several different organizations, including Girls Empowered, Girl Up, and the American Legion Auxiliary's Girls State. After serving as President of the University of Pittsburgh's Girl Up chapter from 2016 - 2018, she assisted Keystone Girls State (American Legion Auxiliary political engagement program) as a Counselor and Vice Dean. She interned with Girls Empowered in 2016 to assist with summer programs!
She presently is a Study Coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh's Sleep and Cognitive Health Laboratory and also assists research conducted at the University of Pittsburgh's Perinatal Health and Behaviors Laboratory on maternal health outcomes. Kelly is predominantly interested in women's bio-behavioral health, as well as women's healthcare inequality and access abroad. By working with women across the lifespan, Kelly hopes to find intervention strategies that can effectively improve both mental and physical health outcomes in women and girlsAllison Whitmore
Allison Whitmore
Program Facilitator of Girls Empowered
Allison is excited to be joining Girls Empowered as a Program Facilitator after volunteering to teach yoga during the organization’s empowerment summer camps the last couple years. Allison is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with trainings in children/teen yoga, meditation, Vinyasa, gentle, and restorative yoga. Allison is also a Level II Reiki practitioner.
As of May 2020, Allison will hold a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. She received her B.A in Psychology from Bloomsburg University, with two minors in Spanish and Political Science.
Allison has almost five years’ experience working in the mental health field, most recently as a Counseling Intern. Allison has worked with the children, adolescent, and adult population. Specifically, she has worked with those with autism, anxiety, mood disorders, and identity concerns. She plans to continue integrating her experience with yoga and mindfulness training with her work as a counselor. She plans to pursue licensure as a practicing counselor post-graduation.