Our Story
Rise & Lead Moms was born from a simple truth: mothers are already leading change—but too often, they’re doing it without the support, flexibility, and recognition they deserve.
We live in a culture where personal growth is often treated as optional, indulgent, or something to pursue only once everything else is taken care of. For mothers—who carry enormous amounts of invisible labor—growth is rarely framed as an act of health or necessity. Through coaching, our founder Agatha Altarovici came to see personal growth differently: not as a luxury, but as a human need, especially for mothers navigating leadership, caregiving, and social impact at the same time.
Rise & Lead Moms was created to meet that need. We support mothers leading social impact by offering coaching, community, and practical tools that adapt to real life—not the other way around. We believe leadership should be sustainable, growth should be accessible, and support should be collective.
At Rise & Lead Moms, we’re building a new model—one where mothers are resourced, connected, and empowered to rise together and lead for the long haul.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to empower mothers across the USA who are driving social impact—whether through nonprofit leadership, active volunteering, community organizing, or political activism—by providing coaching services that support both personal and leadership growth.
OUR VISION
Mothers confidently stepping into leadership roles, making up more than 50% of leadership positions in nonprofits, politics, and community organizations across the USA.
Our Core Values
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Compassion
We lead from real-life experience as mothers, take the pressures women carry seriously, and build practical programs that turn care into leadership, support, and action.
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Integrity
We show up and make decisions with honesty and authenticity. We are transparent about our programs, funding, and commitments to the moms we serve.
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Resilience
We design flexible, realistic support that adapts to the changing demands of motherhood — helping moms stay engaged, recover when life intervenes, and continue leading without burning out.
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Empowerment
We provide real tools, guidance, and opportunities that help mothers step into leadership, speak with confidence, and take on visible roles in their work and communities.
About Our Founder
Agatha Altarovici, Founder/Lead Coach
Agatha Altarovici is the Founder of Rise & Lead Moms, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting mothers across the U.S. who are leading social impact through nonprofits, politics, and community organizing. Through coaching, community, and practical leadership support, Agatha helps moms build confidence, resilience, and sustainable leadership paths—without burning out or choosing between purpose and family.
Agatha brings over 15 years of experience across marketing, nonprofit development, and grassroots organizing. A Certified Professional Coach, she blends strategic insight with empathy-driven coaching to support leaders navigating complexity and transition. Previously, she served as Director of Marketing & Development at The Gratitude Network, partnering with nonprofit leaders globally to accelerate their impact. She is also an active organizer with the Debt Collective, where she supports tenant-led efforts challenging corporate landlord practices, and a local leader with Bonfire, building in-person spaces for women to connect, reflect, and engage in civic life.
Earlier in her career, Agatha worked as a talent agent in Paris, developing a deep understanding of career navigation, leadership potential, and human motivation—skills that continue to shape her coaching approach. She holds a Master’s degree in Creative Business & Social Innovation from EDHEC Business School.
At the heart of Agatha’s work is a commitment to championing mothers, strengthening connection, and expanding collective leadership. She believes moms are already doing the work of leadership—and deserve systems, communities, and support that recognize and sustain that power. Above all, Agatha is a mom herself, building the kind of leadership culture she wants her children—and all families—to grow up in.
Our Board of Directors
Arwen Alexandra Thiel
With over a decade of experience in grantmaking and capacity-support programing, Arwen currently serves as Director of Programs for the Los Angeles-based Sholl-Freede Foundation. Having served as Vice President of Programs, Director of Social Impact and Senior Program Manager in previous roles, Arwen shares her combination of insight and expertise to deliver impact with non-profit leaders all around the world. She began her career in the non-profit education space nearly 20 years ago.
Arwen is a proud mother of two fiercely dedicated to promoting inclusive, balanced work environments - especially in the social impact/non-profit sector where moms can thrive and do well while doing good.
Dr. Richelle Brooks
Dr. Richelle Brooks is a Black Momma, Educator, the founder of ReTHINK It, an organization dedicated to addressing antiblackness through education and mutual aid, and a Grassroots Organizer and Biden Jubilee 100 Striker. She is the co-founder of Los Angeles chapter of the Debt Collective and wrote the piece Why I Joined the Jubilee 100 Student Debt Strike.
Dr. Brooks has been on the frontlines of the fight for housing justice, racial equity, and educational reform. She shows us every day that motherhood and activism are not separate paths — they are deeply connected. Her work proves that moms know what our communities need and will stop at nothing to make change happen.
Tie Gutierrez
Connie "Tie" Gutierrez is a 27-year resident of Thousand Oaks, a seasoned HR professional, a dedicated community leader, and a proud Latina representing District 5 in the heart of Thousand Oaks. With over a decade of experience in Human Resources, Tie has supported local businesses and played a key role in guiding teams through initial public offerings (IPOs). Her passion for fostering collaboration and inclusivity is reflected in her strong advocacy for public safety, a testament to her concern and dedication to the community's well-being, enhanced livability, and strong community partnerships.
Our Partners
(coming soon)
Are you aligned with our mission to support mothers leading social impact?
We’re actively building partnerships with local* businesses, organizations, funders, employers, and community groups who want to invest in women’s leadership in a meaningful, practical way.
Whether you’re interested in providing resources to support our nonprofit, sponsoring coaching for moms in your community, offering your team or members access to a dedicated cohort, or co-creating programming aligned with your values—we’d love to explore what partnership could look like.
Reach out to us at info@riseleadmoms.org to start the conversation.
* if you are local to Thousand Oaks, CA, please reach out via text: 818-514-5090