Leaders in Action

Dream. Plan. Act.

Turning passion into purpose.

This program is creating youth mentors for community. It is the container to support youth goals and help them into action. Through mentorship, goal setting and coaching support.

Designed for:

7th-9th graders (female) who are ready to spread kindness, positivity, and hope for a brighter future.

We empower youth to lead with purpose by transforming passions into meaningful, community-driven action.

After participation in this program, your teen will:

  • Gain confidence & sense of purpose

  • Develop goal setting skills for meaningful action

  • Strengthen mentor skills

  • Be impactful in community

Session Dates:

January 25

February 22

March 22

April 19

May 24

June 7 - celebration event

*Other dates may be added

$500

Meet Our Team

Connie Maday, founder of Spark to Empower.

  • An innovative and revolutionary leader in education who values collaboration, creativity, and connection. She worked in elementary education for two decades and founded Spark to Empower in 2023, with the mission to empower our youth to become the changemakers of the world. Connie Maday blends her experience and expertise with heart and purpose. She holds her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UCSB, her Reading and Literacy Added Authorization from UCSD, has a Masters in Education from UCSB and emphasis in Teaching for Understanding and Visible Thinking through the Wide World Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has participated in Project Zero at Harvard, the Coaching Program at Columbia University and completed the Ally to Accomplice Training of Santa Barbara. She was an integral member of the Strategic Planning Committee for the Montecito Union School District, where she worked as classroom teacher and teacher librarian. Additionally Connie is a certified Pilates Instructor through BASI and has been trained in various coaching modalities, including Neurolinguistic Programming. As a collaborative coach and educational consultant she supports individuals in self-actualization and transformation.

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  • Adlee is passionate about supporting young people in their life journey through a holistic lens. She holds her Masters in Group Leadership and Education at the University of San Diego and is a graduate of Cal Poly SLO in Child Development and Psychology. Adlee is a well-known and highly acclaimed volleyball player and was recently the assistant coach for the UCSB women’s volleyball team and prior to that the Graduate Assistant Coach for the University of San Diego’s women’s volleyball team.

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  • bio coming soon

A young woman with long, light brown hair, smiling, wearing a beige crochet sweater and blue jeans, standing outdoors with green shrubbery and trees in the background.
A young woman with dark curly hair, smiling, standing near a lake with boats and a distant tree-lined shoreline in the background.

  • Ava Jane’s true passion is kids. She loves working with children of all ages! She is the founder and entrepreneur of Sunny Smiles Day Camp, a fun filled camp for young girls. Ava Jane loves to give back to her community and inspire others in any way she can. In addition, she is a CIT for the Hendry’s Jr. Lifeguards program, where she gets to work with kids all summer long. A student of Mrs. Maday’s back in 2017, she is a current student at the AAPLE Academy at San Marcos High School. She loves to lead, learn and help others. She is also a volleyball player and n the mock trial team.

  • Lyle attends San Marcos High School. She plays varsity lacrosse and flag football, and in her free time, she is studying Arabic. She loves the outdoors and everything that comes with it. Traveling with her family has given her the chance to explore a lot of the world, and she also loves diving into new worlds when she is reading a great book. Her youngest sister Sasha, who is also her best friend, also attends San Marcos. Connie Maday (or as she still refers to her, “Mrs. Maday”) was Lyle’s third grade teacher at Montecito Union School, and brought her into this wonderful experience. She is so proud to help young girls become their most authentic and true self.

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“ There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.”

-Michelle Obama

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