Our Team

 
 
 

Meet our Founder, Chasta Hamilton!

A dancer since the age of 2 and a business owner since the age of 22, Chasta believes the performing arts can change the world and is manifesting that standard as the Founder & CEO of Stage Door Dance Productions in Raleigh, NC.

Girls Geared For Greatness is a non-profit extension of that vision as we support, train, and encourage strong, successful, disciplined, and talented female leaders through our engaging, timely, and relevant programming.

With a variety of experiences under her belt, Chasta is perfectly poised to gauge the pulse of programming needs.

Some accomplishments include:

  • Park Scholarship Recipient at North Carolina State University (Class of 2007)

  • Featured in the She Changed The World: Women Breaking Barriers Project for the North Carolina Oral History Records (2019)

  • Goodman Award Recipient for Regional Leadership Excellence in the Area of the Arts (2012)

  • Triangle Business Journal's 40 Under 40 (2014)

  • Triangle Business Journal's Future Star Recognition at Women In Business Awards (2016)

  • Founder/ Editor of The Dance Exec, an online resource center and seminar series for dance educators. TutuTix acquired the site in 2016.

  • Featured in KNOW Women Raleigh (2018 and 2019)

  • Author of Trash The Trophies: How to Win Without Losing Your Soul (2020)

  • Titled a "Disruptor" in the Dance Studio Industry for her innovative, game-changing business model. (2020)

  • TEDx Speaker: You Weren't Built to Break (2021)

For more information, please visit www.chastahamilton.com

 

 Meet Our Connectors

 
 
 

Sara Thames

Sara is thrilled to be a part of Girls Geared for Greatness! Sara works to implement programming and serves as our data analyst and program consultant.

Credential Highlights:

  • BA in Psychology and Neuroscience from Bowling Green State University

  • MA in Counseling from Wake Forest University with a Specialization in School Counseling

  • National Board Certified Counselor

  • Specialization in Trauma and Crisis Management

  • Previous jobs include: Advocate and Case Manager for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; PreK-12 School Counselor; Program and Evaluation Director for Read and Feed

  • Current positions: Crisis Counselor Supervisor with Crisis Text Line and Brand Vision/ Strategy for Stage Door Dance Productions

 
 

Jamie Allen

Jamie has a passion for helping people, especially women, understand their strengths and empower them to creatively use them. She worked in student ministry for over 20 years and now serves as a non-profit program manager helping design creative programming for all ages. Jamie has a love for visual and performing arts. She resides in Raleigh with her husband and 3 children.