Meet Divine Daughters Unite Board of Directors
Deborah Maragopoulos MN FNP, President
Hello, I am Deborah Maragopoulos, a board certified family nurse practitioner, a speaker, and an author. After writing LoveDance: Awakening the Divine Daughter, I realized the importance of the Divine Daughter energy of passion, joy and love in the world today. I wanted to give a portion of my proceeds to a charity, but there are so many from which to choose. So I founded Divine Daughters Unite—a nonprofit designed to empower young women through compassionate service. I am very excited to be serving on this delightful board of directors. The young women are full of loving energy, eager to serve, and burst with wonderful ideas. I am honored to be serving on the board of directors of Divine Daughters Unite.
Kyra Maragopoulos, Vice President
Hello my name is Kyra, I was born in Santa Barbara and raised in Ojai, California. I was a competitive gymnast for 15 years ending my career as a level 10 State Champion. As my hobbies I surf, paint, draw and am a active environmentalist and have a passion about preserving habitats for the animals. I am now 20 years old and a full time student at San Diego State University. I am majoring in Nursing and have plans to travel internationally using my skills to help third world citizens and especially children and animals. I am a huge advocate in empowering women and believe strongly in spreading awareness of the importance of women’s rights and relieving their tribulations around the world. Divine Daughters Unite is a great organization that has helped me ignite my future in assisting those in need globally.
Anna Porcellino, Chief Financial Officer
Hello, I’m Anna Porcellino. I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2007. After graduation I worked for an accounting firm in downtown Los Angeles where I earned my CPA license. I decided to make a change from the field of Accounting to Human Resources. Big change, yes, but the experiences I had have in turn made me a better, more well-rounded professional. I have a large Italian family and an amazing group of friends that I love to spend as much time as I can with. I am getting married in January 2016 to an amazing man and looking forward to starting a family of our own. DDU is a wonderful organization and I am extremely excited to be apart of its continued growth.
Gaby Tapia, Secretary
Hello my name is Gaby, I am 25 years old. Currently I am a Family Nurse Practitioner Assistant, previously in the medical field for 6 years. Absolutely love what I do, helping people and changing lives mind-body-soul is genuinely gratifying. I also enjoy doing freelance makeup. My clients are all beautiful before the makeup but they don’t always see the inner beauty and I love being able to help them feel amazing with just a touch of glam. As a divine daughter I hope to be able inspire and motivate young women, and make endless possibilities to those in need. Personally I know how hard it can be not knowing who to reach out to in a time of despair. I am very excited and honored to be part of such a compassionate nonprofit organization, and make a difference in many lives.
Melanie Balestra, Director
Hello I am Melanie Balestra. I’ve been a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for over 25 years and an attorney 15 years. I’ve taught at major universities throughout the United States and have traveled nationally and internationally assisting in pediatric care and treatment in under developed areas. I look forward to utilizing my nurse practitioner and legal skills in support of Divine Daughters Unite.
Shelby West, Director
Hello, my name is Shelby West. I am 23 years old, and from Jamestown, Indiana. I am a full time college student pursuing my bachelors degree in Farm and Ranch Management. I am passionate about agriculture, especially preserving sustainable agriculture for generations to come. I have been a FFA, and livestock judging coach for five years. I hope to use my skills and energetic attitude to help empower women, spread love, and help everyone find the divine daughter inside them. I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve such a selfless, giving group.
IN MEMORIAM
Maria Diodato, 1940-2015
Divine Daughters Unite mourns its eldest founding board member, Maria Diodato, who passed peacefully in her daughter’s home on July 21st. Mother of four divine daughters, five divine granddaughters and one divine great granddaughter, Maria was inspirational in her vision for empowering young women through compassionate service. She loved working with young women and fueling their passionate desire to help others by making sure everything was in order, keeping track of every idea at the board meetings, and reminding us that when you help a woman improve her life, you improve the lives of her children, her family, her community. Thank you, Maria, for inspiring Divine Daughters Unite. We love you!
Divinedaughtersunite's Blog 
I challenge all the divine daughters in my life to take up the cause of helping other divine daughters to make a better life for themselves..We need your help ladies…..