Together Everyone Accomplishes More
STAR Girlz Empowerment leadership is dedicated to Mentoring!, Empowering!, and ultimately Transforming the lives of female youth and young adult women.
We strive for organizational excellence, optimizing resources and processes to achieve the mission and make a lasting impact on the lives of girls and women.
Learn more about our Leadership team below.
STAFF
Shalonda Palmer Founder/Executive Director
A Leader that S.H.I.N.E.S!
Shalonda Palmer, Founder and Executive Director of STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc. is an inspirational VISIONARY, motivational speaker, and MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, showcasing her creative force for women and families through the creation of STAR Girlz Empowerment and its programming. Also known as The Visionary, she is the author of B.L.I.N.G, a book that stemmed from her signature mental health camp, and an expert on training in treating trauma experienced by female youth who are victims of crime or involved in the criminal justice system.
Ms. Palmer holds a Masters of Art degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University Denver (2018) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Jarvis Christian (College) University (2007). In addition to graduate school, Shalonda holds a certification in addictions counseling and a certification in sand/play/art therapy with the Colorado School for Family Therapy.
Over the course of her career, she has effectively mentored, empowered, and transformed the lives of female youth, young adult women, and their families through her authentic speaking style. Through her expertise, she connects with young women, parents, and community agencies across all socioeconomic statuses as a trainer, facilitator, mentor and proud C.E.O.
Her commitment to STAR Girlz has awarded her with numerous recognitions in the community such as the 2020 Leadership in the Denver Community Champion Award with the Denver Afterschool Alliance, Denver 7 Everyday Hero, 2018 recipient of the African Americans who Make a Difference award, and much more. She continues to make an impact in the community through her creative work with signature programs such as the B.L.I.N.G empowerment camp and Surviving Trauma workshop series, expanding opportunities throughout Colorado and beyond.
Shalonda enjoys reading, volunteering, event planning, arts and crafts, and spending time her children.
Cindy Johnson Human Resources Manager
Cindy Johnson, Human Resources Manager, provides HR management and strategic organizational HR leadership to STAR Girlz Empowerment and partnering company Heavy Hands Heavy Hearts Foundation. Is responsible for directing and overseeing recruiting, hiring, training, learning and development, employee culture and well-being, HRIS, and administering and monitoring all benefit programs with a small but mighty talented team. She is people-centric and customer-service-driven and believes in cultivating positivity and empowering the whole human.
Cindy earned a double major with honors from Ashford University, focusing on a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Science with a concentration in Education. In addition, she is an honors graduate of the University of Phoenix with a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration and certificate in Human Resources.
She has over 20 years of serving in the healthcare industry, which includes a wide range of experiences, including providing personal care, OB-GYN Scrub Nurse/Scrub tech (mother-baby care and newborn nursery care), and providing support to physicians in offices and hospitals and some medical school education. Experience working with non-profits and for-profits in different capacities. In addition, she has some law office experience as well as some law school education. Has lived in Aurora, worked, and volunteered in the Aurora Public Schools. Is diligent in researching, self-learning and improvement, education, and having a growth mindset.
Cindy has a diverse background and has lived and attended schools internationally as well as in the US. She was born in Brooklyn, New, York. Lived in Pennsylvania, Barbados, and England, and moved to Colorado in 2010 from New Jersey. Considering her background, she has vast experience and skills in communicating and relating to multi-cultural, and muti-diverse backgrounds. Cindy enjoys photography as a hobby, tennis, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Kennedi Greene Empowerment Program Manager
Kennedi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Denver, and an Associate Degree in General Studies from the Community College of Aurora. Kennedi is completing a certificate in Allied and Professional Health Sciences and will continue her education to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
From an early age Kennedi has developed a passion for mentoring and empowering youth within her community. Before joining Star Girlz, Kennedi mentored incoming pre-health freshmen at CU Denver, as well as, volunteered at the Boettcher Boys & Girls Club. These experiences have helped her to understand the importance of community, mental health, leadership, acceptance, and access to necessary resources. She hopes to carry all that she has learned thus far and continue to learn through Star Girlz Empowerment in order to better serve the youth in her community.
In her free time, Kennedi enjoys shopping, creating beauty content, reading, and rewatching Harry Potter. She is excited to be a part of Star Girlz for another year and watch the participants grow as they continue to learn that we are all STARZ and it’s time to SHINE!
Brooklynn Haggerty Empowerment Program Assistant
Brooklynn Haggerty, Empowerment Program Assistant, is a woman of many talents. A leader, mentor, and athlete, she is currently working toward her associates degree as a medical assistant, and empowering her community through volunteering and engaging in community service projects to advocate for other young ladies. Ms. Haggerty attends East High School and is interested in attending Spelman College, a Historically Black College and University to pursue a degree in nursing.
Brooklynn enjoys watching crime shows and trying to solve them because she strives to help people get justice for what issues that deserve justice.
She is the daughter of STAR Girlz founder, Shalonda Palmer, and enjoys opportunities to learn from her mom, being with family and friends, traveling, and most of all singing in the shower.
“I’ve always had a passion for giving back to the community and STAR Girlz gives me the perfect opportunity to do so.” This year as an employee of STAR Girlz, I am looking forward to meeting new girls and being able to watch everyone grow and develop from a different perspective. I can’t wait for all of our photo shoots and moments we’re able to get closer to one another and bond.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Toni Renee Rodgers Board Chair
Toni Rodgers has been a successful businesswoman for over 38 years . As a McDonald’s Owner/Operator, she launched her franchise in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With her extensive experience, she has held numerous leadership roles, including SEMMOA Coop Board President, SEMMOA Coop Board Vice President, Vice President of the Women’s Operator Network – Michigan, and President of the Women’s Operator Network - Rocky Mountain. Under her leadership, she generated over $310 million in sales and oversaw more than 1,800 employees. Upon relocating to Denver, she operated the highest-volume airport restaurant in the McDonald’s system and earned multiple Outstanding Restaurant and Sales Awards.
Passionate about community service, Toni has served on several nonprofit and corporate boards, including the Chevy R.O.C.K. Foundation Board, the Washtenaw Community College Foundation Board, and the Ann Arbor State Bank Board of Directors. Her contributions to the Ann Arbor community earned her the Women of Achievement Award from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., as well as recognition from the Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs.
In Denver, she has served on the Board of Directors for the National Owners Association, The Center for African American Health, The International Women’s Forum of Colorado, the Denver International Airport Concessionaires Association, and the Airport Minority Advisory Association. She has also collaborated with organizations such as The Denver Links, Inc., EspeciallyME Inc., The Denver Foundation, The International Women’s Forum, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and The Council for Motown Museum Expansion.
Through The Rodgers Organization, Toni has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to deserving minority students. She and her husband, Benjamin, also established The Rodgers Foundation to further support their community.
Ms. Rodgers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Michigan State University and an MBA in Marketing and Economics from the University of Detroit, where she was also a Fellow at the Entrepreneurial Institute. Before pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams, she worked as a Mid-Market Lender at Comerica Bank and as a Marketing Brand Manager at General Motors.
Toni is happily married to Benjamin Rodgers and cherishes her blended family of children and grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, shopping, event planning, decorating, exercising, and playing the piano.
Breanna Florian Vice Chair
Breanna Florian is a proud wife and devoted mom to two wonderful girls—her gentle-hearted 6-year-old and her spirited 2-year-old who’s on the autism spectrum. Together with her family, she calls Akron, Colorado home.
With a strong background in the nonprofit world, Breanna brings a unique blend of heart and expertise to her work in grant and financial management. She's known for making complex things feel approachable, always working with care, clarity, and a thoughtful strategy.
Breanna is passionate about creating uplifting, judgment-free spaces where people feel genuinely supported. Whether she’s mentoring staff or walking alongside community partners as they learn fiscal best practices, she leads with warmth and purpose.
At the core of everything she does is a deep desire to help others feel seen, valued, and empowered. For Breanna, it’s not just about building strong financial foundations—it’s about helping entire communities grow stronger together
Benjamin (B.J.) Rodgers Treasurer
Retired McDonald’s Restaurant Owner
Retired CFO General Motors Foundation+
B. J. has over 40 years in business and professional leadership. Currently he is a retired entrepreneur having owned several McDonald’s located in the Denver, Aurora and Commerce City Colorado. B. J. began his professional career with Bank of America. Worked for Alameda Country Human Services as a Social Worker in Oakland California. Then Joined Kelly Moore Paint Company as a Corporate Accountant. Later he joined General Motors where he held numerous financial positions. He worked in GM Assembly Division Headquarters, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Worldwide Purchasing and GM’s Corporate Audit Staff. He retired from General Motors as the Chief Financial Officer for the General Motors Foundation and Director of Finance for the Legal Staff, Public Policy Staff, Office of the Secretary and Treasurer of the General Motors Political Action Committee. He became a McDonald’s owner in 2004 with several locations in Ann Arbor Michigan. Purchased restaurants in Denver Colorado in 2015 at the Denver International Airport. Successfully growing these business to become the largest McDonald’s airport restaurants in the world and managing over 300 employees. While at the airport established a summer training program for over 200 international students from Europe and South America.
He is a graduate of the University of San Francisco. In 1997, B. J. was made an honorary alumnus at Southern University and is past President of the Southern University MBA National Board of Advisors and past Vice Chairman of the Southern University Business School Advisory Council. Additionally, B. J. has been the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. He is a past board member of the Ronald McDonald House, past Board Member of the Washtenaw Community College Foundation, past member of the Duke University Cancer Research Foundation, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Delta Eta Boule` Foundation, Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporated, the National Association of Accountants and Starz Girlz Empowerment. He has been an active sponsor of many community activities such as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Especially Me, Colorado UpLift, the Epworth Foundation, the Hope Bicycle Program, United Airlines Fantasy Flight, the Charles H. Brown Foundation, the NAACP and the Walk for the Cure.
He is married to Toni Rodgers for 30 years and they have a blended family with six children and five grandchildren.
Michelle D. Campbell Secretary
In 1990, Michelle Campbell leveraged her engineering degree and became the founder of MD Campbell & Associates, LLC., an engineering firm with a focus on manufacturing engineering systems. In addition, she was instrumental in recruiting candidates for available engineering positions. The call to assist clients with their technical and human resource issues was a unique yet necessary business aspect. Her commitment to support clients to recruit candidates for engineering and technical positions was a critical decision during that time.
Michelle later founded Campbell.HR to assist clients with recruiting, professional development and organization system operations. Campbell.HR has three distinct business units:
- Diverse Talent, an executive search and placement firm that attracts robust degreed- talent in all industries. Diverse Talent is intentional in their efforts to assist organizations with their goals to create an inclusive workplace.
- Professional Development via DT University, an on-line platform that guides individuals through leadership development curriculum, with an assigned mentor. In addition, Global Trustee, a certified virtual board development curriculum in partnership with The Private Directors Association.
- REACH, a non-profit since 1976, provides an evidence-based inclusivity curriculum that has trained and certified thousands of individuals over the years.
In addition, in 1997 she was the engineering general contractor that brought vision to Serenity's Place Retreat Center, a retreat lodge that provides a serene respite lodge in the country. And an operations partner for Campbell Litigation, P.C.., an employment labor defense firm.
Michelle earned her engineering degree from Kansas State University, where she was awarded numerous academic honors. Additionally, she has a master’s degree in counseling, where she vowed to utilize her academic success to provide a platform for others to excel. Michelle’s Midwest values – serve the community and honor the family, have been her guiding principles. In addition, she continues her life passion of community engagement, leadership and providing access and opportunities to all.