Visionary leadership.
Proven impact.
Girls Play Trumpets Too is supported by a committed network of executives, educators, nonprofit leaders, business professionals, community advocates, and strategic advisors working together to expand opportunity for the next generation of young women.
Leadership With Purpose
A powerful mission requires strong people behind it.
GPTT’s growth is not accidental. It is the result of intentional leadership, artistic excellence, operational planning, trusted partnerships, and a shared commitment to girls.
Our leadership structure brings together experience in education, nonprofit governance, program development, finance, marketing, business strategy, community engagement, music, culture, and youth development. Together, these leaders help ensure that every investment is supported by vision, accountability, and the infrastructure required to produce meaningful outcomes.
Executive Leadership
The team driving the vision forward.
GPTT’s executive leadership advances the mission through artistic direction, organizational development, operations, public relations, strategic partnerships, financial stewardship, and sustainable growth.
Founder
Founder, Executive Director & Artistic Director
Troy Sawyer
Professional trumpeter, music educator, cultural advocate, and visionary founder creating a new pathway for girls to perform, lead, and thrive through music.
Executive Leadership
Chief Strategy Officer | Enterprise Growth Architect
Damian A. Kennedy, MBA
Strategic executive and organizational architect advancing GPTT’s development, partnerships, visibility, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.
Executive Team
Director of Program Operations & Strategic Engagement
Janee’ Johnson
Leading program operations and strategic engagement, including student and family communications, program coordination, organizational systems, and initiatives that support GPTT’s sustainable growth.
Media & Public Relations
Casey Ferrand
Communicating GPTT’s story, elevating its students, and connecting the organization with media, partners, supporters, and public audiences.
Accountant
Allison Young
Supporting GPTT’s financial records, reporting, accountability, and fiscal systems required for responsible nonprofit growth.
Board of Directors
Governance that protects the mission.
GPTT’s Board of Directors provides governance, financial oversight, accountability, strategic guidance, resource development, and community advocacy to protect the organization’s mission.
President
Lisa Barthelemy
Governance • Leadership • Mission Stewardship
Vice President
Sean Vappie
Governance • Strategy • Community Advocacy
Secretary
Terrance Dugas
Governance • Documentation • Organizational Accountability
Treasurer
Damon Burns
Finance • Investment Strategy • Institutional Sustainability
Advisory Board
Specialized expertise.
Expanded possibilities.
GPTT’s advisors provide trusted counsel, professional perspective, strategic insight, industry knowledge, and relationship capital that strengthen the organization’s programs, partnerships, and growth.
Strategy & Organizational Development
Laura Stein
Providing strategic perspective and guidance in support of GPTT’s mission, relationships, and organizational development.
Community Partnerships & Growth
Emily Madero
Supporting GPTT with strategic counsel, community perspective, and guidance for responsible organizational growth.
Education, Leadership & Youth Development
Dr. Cherie Goins
Contributing experienced counsel and strategic perspective to strengthen GPTT’s leadership and student-centered impact.
Community Engagement & Strategic Counsel
Susan Henry
Providing guidance and informed perspective in support of GPTT’s mission, programs, relationships, and future development.
Our Leadership Commitment
Built to serve. Structured to grow.
Every leadership decision is measured against the mission, the experience of our girls, and our responsibility to those who invest in their future.
Mission Stewardship
Protecting GPTT’s purpose while ensuring that every initiative remains responsive to the needs of girls and families.
Responsible Growth
Building the systems, partnerships, staffing, and resources required to grow without compromising program quality.
Financial Accountability
Strengthening governance, oversight, planning, and transparency so supporters can invest with confidence.
Transformational Impact
Creating opportunities that build musical ability, confidence, leadership, visibility, and lifelong possibility.
Why Leadership Matters
Your investment is backed by people prepared to deliver.
Donors are investing in an organization building a sustainable pathway for girls to access education, mentorship, leadership, cultural experiences, professional networks, and national opportunities.
GPTT has assembled the artistic vision, executive leadership, governance, advisory support, community relationships, and program infrastructure necessary to convert financial support into measurable opportunity.
Explore Our Impact ↗What your support strengthens
- ✓Professional music education
- ✓Instruments and performance equipment
- ✓Mentorship and leadership development
- ✓Transportation and student access
- ✓National and international opportunities
- ✓Sustainable organizational infrastructure
Stand With Our Leadership
Invest in the people building
the next generation of leaders.
Join our board, executive leadership, advisors, families, educators, and partners in creating a future where girls have the instruction, support, visibility, and opportunity to be heard.