Katie Jickling
Founder
Katie started GEMS in 2012 with a few hundred dollars and two middle school girls. A Randolph Union alum, Katie graduated from Hamilton College in 2015 and worked as a Vermont journalist before pursuing grad school in Belgium. She loves to have deep discussions, play capture-the-flag, and learn the cool dance moves from GEMS girls.
She has served as treasurer of the board since 2018.
Marya Merriam
Co-Founder
Marya grew up in Brookfield, VT, and joined GEMS as a co-director in 2014. She studied environmental biology at Columbia University, and now works at Strafford Creamery. She has maintained her love of camp cheers and encouraging young women to support each other and now serves on the board
Adria Ciampaglia
Program Director
Adria grew up in central Vermont and now lives in Braintree. She studied at Champlain College and Capella University where she focused her studies on building skills to work with children and families. She has worked with Washington County Mental Health as well as Laraway Youth & Family Services. She loves to spend time outside and with her daughter.
She started with GEMS in the fall of 2021 and looks forward to making connections and having a lot of fun with GEMS girls!