Ron Wood,  Executive Director

Ron Wood

  Ron Ryan, Chief Operating Officer

Ron Ryan

Ron Ryan has been the driving and guiding force behind the creation of the FreeGirl concept and image since shortly after 9/11. At that time, he left a 10-year career in law enforcement to focus on his social-entrepreneurial endeavors. Ron’s business intuition, eye for good ideas and talent, creativity, branding, creation of new concepts, vision, team building and passion for helping others have been key in keeping the FreeGirl dream alive. Ron is also a multioptioned screenwriter, songwriter and children’s book author.

 Afifa Kashif,  Director of Development

Afifa Kashif

Afifa Kashif is a seasoned international nonprofit executive with a particular focus on gender-equality and women’s empowerment issues. Afifa has dedicated herself to working on social development using art as a positive force for change. She has served as program manager, development director and a technical adviser. Afifa brings to FreeGirl a wealth of experience and a passion for the cause. She has been extremely influential in Pakistan by helping her country take great strides in improving issues relating to gender-based violence. Afifa has developed and cultivated relationships with many of the international donors in the gender-based violence movement.

Anita Gillinson, Chief Marketing Officer

Anita Gillinson

Anita is a qualified experienced team player with a BS in Finance who graduated with Honors from Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA.   She has a multifaceted background with more than 16 years of progressive business management and sales/marketing experience, culminating in executive-level profit and loss accountability, regarding new business development, establishing profitable account relationships and increasing revenues.  She devised and implemented marketing strategies for revenue growth and referral network development, as well as acquiring, writing and administering contractual obligations with clients.  Working as a Marketing and Trade Events Specialist in a non-profit organization established by Congressman John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, she was a member of an international U.S. trade delegation to Japan representing American merchants and opened markets in Japan and the Far East.  She now brings this pedigree to the FreeGirl team.

 Carl Cascio, Corporate Counsel

Carl Cascio

Carl’s expertise is in the areas of real estate and real estate development, corporate and estate planning and trust and commercial litigation. Mr. Cascio is a member in good standing with the Florida Bar, and a member of the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, admitted to United States District Court Southern District of Florida, a member of Palm Beach County Bar Association, and it’s CLE Real Estate Committee; and associate member of the Palm Beach County Realtors’ Association. Mr. Cascio earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi, School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Purdue University.