EmpowerHer Guatemala is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting and empowering young women in Guatemala. Our focus is on education, mentoring, life skills, and Christian values to create a brighter future for young women and their communities.

We provide safe, nurturing environments where young women can thrive, offering a variety of services to help them grow. We accompany girls and young women in developing their life plans and equip them with the basic services and tools they need to achieve their goals and dreams.

Our Vision

A Guatemala where every young woman has the opportunity to cultivate her unique, God-given talents and foster new generations of compassionate leaders who inspire change and uplift their communities.

Our Mission

Rooted in love and compassion, we empower girls and young women with opportunities, skills, and support to reach their God-given potential and transform their communities.

Our Values

  1. Dignity: Every young woman has inherent worth and deserves respect, opportunity, and the freedom to reach her full potential.
  2. Accompaniment: We walk alongside each young woman with compassion, providing safe spaces where she is seen, valued, and supported.
  3. Empowerment: We equip young women with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship to take ownership of their lives and lead with confidence.
  4. Faith: Rooted in faith and guided by God, we cultivate purpose, confidence, and hope in every young woman through intentional faith community and spiritual guidance.
  5. Education: Education transforms lives. We provide opportunities that help young women realize their full potential and become leaders in their communities.

Strength in Unity: Uplifting Women Together

Meet the dedicated board members driving our mission forward.

Erin McHugh

Founder and President

Erin’s vocation has been shaped by over a decade of cross-cultural service in South Africa, Jamaica, and Guatemala. Rooted in the Franciscan values of presence, dignity, and accompaniment, she has responded to a quiet yet persistent call from God to walk with young women during life’s most vulnerable transitions. Through EmpowerHer Guatemala and the founding of Casa Rosa, Erin is creating a sacred space where young women can flourish, dream boldly, and reach their full potential.

Phil McHugh

Chairman of the Board and Treasurer

Phil is currently the President and Executive Director of Catholic Inner-city School Education (CISE), a non-profit based in Cincinnati, Ohio. CISE provides financial resources for inner-city children to receive a Catholic, values-based education for Pre-K through Grades 12. Prior to this role, Phil worked for a top regional bank for 34 years with extensive experience in wealth management. private banking, commercial lending and regional banking. He has also served on many non-profit boards in various leadership capacities.

Mary Ann Steutermann

Secretary

Mary Ann has lived in Louisville, Kentucky all her life. A career educator, she has worked at Assumption High School for 29 years serving as an English teacher, school administrator, and currently, campus minister. She is devoted to empowering young women to realize their potential and become strong servant leaders. Additionally, she is a freelance writer and editor, a certified catechist, and a member of Epiphany Catholic Church.

Steve Brown

Board Member

Steve is originally from Northern Virginia, where he was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. In 2006, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky—his wife Becky’s hometown—and has been a member of Epiphany Catholic Church ever since. Together, Becky and Steve own ASCB Therapy, a multi-disciplinary agency that provides early intervention services to children from birth to age three across the state of Kentucky. In 2023, Steve had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala on a mission trip with Epiphany’s youth group. That experience opened his eyes to the profound need in Guatemala—particularly for young women—and deepened his conviction in the importance of a program like Casa Rosa.

Lisa Theriault

Board Member

For Lisa, it started with a whisper—quiet talks around a small table in the middle of God’s country (Guatemala). Before she knew it, she was swept away by the beauty of the project and Erin’s enthusiasm. There’s no other place she’d rather be. Lisa teaches theology at St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School in Canada and is a Secular Franciscan.

Cesar Castanon

Board Member

Cesar Castanon is a devoted husband, proud father, and loving grandfather with over 25 years of experience in civil service. For the past 16 years, he has been actively involved in youth ministry at his parish, walking alongside young people in their journey of faith and growth. As a board member,  Cesar brings his deep commitment to service and mentorship to support young women transitioning from high school to independent living. He is passionate about empowering them to discover their potential, build confidence, and grow into compassionate, capable leaders in their communities and beyond.

Emily N.

Board Member

Emily creates sacred spaces of spiritual discovery and deepening as a spiritual companion, contemplative group facilitator, and a retreat leader. She also serves as a nonprofit consultant. Prior to freelancing, Emily served for 8 years as the Program Director for Franciscan Mission Service’s (FMS) international program, in which adults serve abroad in cross-cultural ministries with a posture of humility, inclusivity, and relationship-building. Working with Erin through an FMS partnership in Guatemala taught Emily more about the challenges young women there face to continue their education or job training after high school. Emily is excited to support EmpowerHer Guatemala in its efforts to address these challenges and support young Guatemalan women in reaching their full potential.