Every Giving the Glam moment represents something bigger — confidence restored and students reminded they are valued and celebrated.
Proudly Supported By
What Giving the Glam Does
Giving the Glam helps students facing financial hardship experience prom night with confidence, dignity, and joy through attire, support, and unforgettable moments of celebration.
More Than Just a Prom Night Experience
For many students, prom is more than a school dance. It’s a moment to feel confident, included, celebrated, and seen. Giving the Glam helps students facing financial hardship experience that moment with dignity through formal attire, community support, and unforgettable experiences that remind them they matter.
A Moment They’ll Carry With Them Forever
Every dress, tuxedo, makeover, photo, and memory created is part of something bigger — restoring confidence, creating belonging, and helping students walk into one of life’s milestone moments feeling proud of who they are.
Creating the Moment
From preparation to prom night, Giving the Glam walks alongside students to create an unforgettable experience filled with confidence, celebration, and belonging.
Impact Behind the Moments since 2014
Every moment created through Giving the Glam represents something bigger — confidence restored, memories created, and students reminded they are seen, valued, and celebrated.
1,284
Students Given the Glam
200
With Intellectual Needs
138
Schools That Participated
1,284
Futures Inspired
Seen Across the News
Meet Our Board
Giving the Glam is guided by a dedicated board of leaders who bring their experience, passion, and commitment to helping students feel seen, valued, and celebrated.
Maristela Rapo
Founder, President & Advisory Board Member
Years of Service: 12 years (2014-Present)
Professional Affiliation: Founder & President, Giving The Glam; former owner of Wolford boutiques in Boston and New York and a Giuseppe Zanotti boutique in Boston.
Board Contribution: Leads Giving The Glam's mission, programming, fundraising, partnerships, community outreach, and participant experience. Drawing from her lived experience growing up in poverty in Rio de Janeiro and her professional career in fashion, she uses fashion as a tool to build confidence, dignity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging.
Alexis Rapo
Co-Founder & Advisory Board Member
Years of Service: 12 years (2014-Present)
Professional Affiliation: Law Clerk, Ricciardelli & Small; J.D. Candidate, Suffolk University Law School (2024-2027); graduate of Boston University (2020-2024).
Board Contribution: Supports community outreach, fundraising, communications, and the continued development of Giving The Glam's mission and programs.
Muriel Dol
Advisory Board Member & Former Giving The Glam Participant
Years of Service: 2026-Present
Professional Affiliation: Wealth Consultant, Voya Financial Advisors; former Analyst at Goldman Sachs; Harvard University graduate with concentrations in History of Science and Psychology and a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy.
Board Contribution: A former Giving The Glam participant from 2020, Muriel brings firsthand understanding of the program together with experience in finance, leadership, mentorship, community service, and youth engagement. Her return to support the organization provides an invaluable former-participant perspective.
Lauren Pyes
Advisory Board Member
Professional Affiliation:
Fundraiser at Harvard University | U.S. Editor, Ac.cess Magazine
Board Contribution:
Lauren Pyes brings a unique combination of fundraising experience, fashion expertise, and a deep commitment to community building to Giving the Glam. A recognized fashion personality and collector specializing in the work of Marc Jacobs, Lauren has been profiled by Vogue, Ac.cess Magazine, and SourcedBy. She has also been invited to consult on museum exhibitions featuring Marc Jacobs' work, give talks, and exhibit pieces from her archive.
Professionally, Lauren works in fundraising at Harvard University and serves as the U.S. Editor of Ac.cess Magazine. Her experience in philanthropy, fashion, communications, and community engagement brings a valuable perspective to Giving the Glam's mission. Lauren is passionate about creating meaningful connections and strengthening communities through both her professional and volunteer work.
Nolan Meader
Advisory Board Member
Years of Service: 2026-Present
Professional Affiliation: Fashion Editor, Avenue Magazine; NYC-based Image Consultant & Fashion Stylist; LIM College.
Board Contribution: Brings extensive experience in fashion, luxury, styling, and editorial work. His professional work and presence in the fashion industry have been recognized by leading publications, including Vogue. His industry expertise and understanding of fashion's role in confidence and self-expression align strongly with Giving The Glam's mission.
Chiruza Muhimuzi
Advisory Board Member & Former Giving The Glam Participant
Years of Service: 2026-Present
Professional Affiliation: Veeva Specialist, Vertex Pharmaceuticals; UMass Amherst graduate in Biology; Patient Advocate Council involvement at Boston Medical Center.
Board Contribution: A former Giving The Glam participant from 2021 and a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chiruza brings a powerful lived perspective to our Advisory Board. His journey, combined with his experience in healthcare, research, education, mentorship, and youth advocacy, gives him a deep understanding of resilience, opportunity, and belonging. Returning to Giving The Glam allows him to use both his personal and professional experiences to help guide and inspire the next generation of students we serve.
Raquel Fauza
Advisory Board Member
Years of Service: 4 years (2023-Present)
Professional Affiliation: Founder & Creative Director, Raquel Fauza Jewelry
Board Contribution: Community outreach, relationship building, fundraising support, and promoting Giving The Glam's mission.
Andrea Kaplan Yanoff
Advisory Board Member
Years of Service: 3 years (2023-Present)
Professional Affiliation: Founder, Design Edge Inc. and AKY Designs; commercial design professional with over 15 years of experience in Boston and New York City.
Board Contribution: Community outreach, relationship building, and support of Giving The Glam's mission. Andrea brings extensive community experience through years of volunteering with Westwood schools, PTO involvement, school events, and youth sports.
Dante Patterson
Advisory Board Member
Years of Service: Less than 1 year (2026-Present)
Professional Affiliation: Head of Community Engagement, Brunswick Sports Management; professional athlete management.
Board Contribution: Community outreach, relationship building, and support of Giving The Glam's mission. Drawing from his experience growing up in Boston's inner city and his professional work in community engagement, Dante brings a strong understanding of community, inclusion, confidence, and creating opportunities for young people.
Officer Cynthia Beckford-Brewington
Advisory Board Member
Years of Service: 5 years as an Advisory Board Member (2021-Present); involved with Giving The Glam for approximately 10 years.
Professional Affiliation: Boston Police Department; U.S. Army veteran and former Military Police Officer.
Board Contribution: Community outreach, youth engagement, relationship building, and connecting Giving The Glam with students and families in underserved Boston communities. Cynthia brings decades of experience working with youth, schools, families, and community organizations throughout Boston.
Monique Marshall-Veale
Advisory Board Member
Years of Service: 12 years (2014-Present)
Professional Affiliation: METCO Director, Dover-Sherborn Public Schools; community and youth advocate with more than 20 years of experience working with children and families.
Board Contribution: Has been part of Giving The Glam's journey since its beginning. Through her leadership with the Dover-Sherborn METCO program, she helped connect Giving The Glam with students who could benefit from support. She contributes student outreach, community relationships, and advocacy for young people.
Meet the Team
Giving the Glam is powered by a dedicated team and incredible volunteers who bring their talents, passion, and commitment to creating meaningful experiences where every student feels seen, valued, and celebrated.
ALTERATIONS & STYLING
Gilbane Gomes
Lead Seamstress & Alterations Specialist
Arlete Silva
Seamstress & Alterations Specialist
HAIR
Josias Barbosa
Director of Hair & Styling
Gabriel Machado
Lead Hair & Styling Specialist
Alessandra Souza
Lead Hair Extension Specialist — Bellaxan
Paulo Andrade
Hair & Styling Specialist
MAKEUP & BEAUTY
Jozitânia Felix
Director of Makeup Artistry
Michele Pacheco
Lead Makeup Artist
Felipe Mahoney
Makeup Artistry Specialist
Carla Barbosa
Makeup Artist & Aesthetic Specialist
Cristina Montilla
Makeup Artist & Skincare/Wellness Specialist
NAIL SERVICES
Priscylla Fontes
Director of Nail Services
BARBER SERVICES
Kiko Enrique
Director of Barbering
PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM
Marcela Alves
Lead Photographer
Cameron
Lead Film Producer & Videographer
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS
Helena Augusto
General Manager
Juju Costa
Glam Team Operations Manager
Debbie Guity
Assistant General Manager
Cristine Anita
Glam Team Coordinator
Our Partners
Local businesses, sponsors, schools, and community partners help make every Giving the Glam experience possible for the students we serve.