Threads for Teens Team Leadership

Allyson Ahlstrom

Founder/CEO

Allyson Ahlstrom founded Threads for Teens at the age of fourteen, after becoming inspired from a book about teenagers completing service projects. On January 17th 2010, she got together the letter, logo, and idea to hold what would be a one-time clothing drive. Today, this ‘one-time’ clothing drive has grown into a national organization that has outfitted over 5,100 at-risk teen girls across the United States.

Allyson graduated from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Economics, with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate. Additionally, she earned a minor in Art History from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Amy Ahlstrom

President

Amy Ahlstrom has been involved with Threads for Teens since the beginning, January of 2010. Amy grew up in Sebastopol, California and after graduating Analy High School, she went on to get an A.A. from Santa Rosa Junior College and B.A. from Sonoma State University, both in business.

Amy is driven to remain active in TFT by the pleasure of witnessing so much transformative joy and inspiration on tour and in the boutique.

Amy’s hobbies include photography, reading, genealogy, and spending time with her family and friends.

Anika Ahlstrom

Donor Relations

Anika Ahlstrom, a senior at Rincon Valley Christian School has been involved with Threads for Teens since its inception in January 2010. Over the past seven years, she has worked with the organization in a variety of roles including operations, social media, and tour outreach. She is passionate about languages and hopes to study linguistics in college. She plays soccer and basketball, and runs track for her high school.

Current Boutique Managers

Elena Aldridge

Boutique Manager: 2018-2019

Elena Aldridge is a senior at Cardinal Newman High School. She enjoys playing soccer and spending time with my friends and family. She plans to attend dental school in the Fall of 2019. In addition to her schoolwork, she loves spending time with her Threads for Teens co-Boutique Manager Bella and the girls who visit Threads for Teens. She says, “Everyone is so sweet and happy. It warms my heart to work with them.”

Past Boutique Managers

Ava Alvarez

Boutique Manager: 2017-2018

Ava studies journalism at San Diego State University. On campus, she co-hosts a KCR radio show with her friends. Additionally, she is a member of the Daily Aztec, which is published on campus.

Ava Lepe

Boutique Manager: 2017-2018

Ava currently studies Agricultural Business at Cal Poly Slo and is involved in the Agribusiness Management and National Agricultural Marketing Association Club (AGBM/NAMA). In her free-time she also enjoys playing intramural indoor and beach volleyball.

Jordan Karuza

Boutique Manager: 2016-2017

Jordan is a senior at Cardinal Newman High School. She enjoys hiking, shopping, and being with family. She’s hoping to attend nursing school in the Fall of 2017, but until then she is in charge of Threads for Teens!

Megan Bertolone

Co-Boutique Manager: : 2015-2016

Megan Bertolone is a senior at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, CA. She plays many sports, her favorites being soccer and running, and participates in several extracurricular activities outside of school and work. She plans on attending college in Southern California and majoring in Business Administration.

Megan began volunteering at Threads for Teens in September of 2014 alongside her classmate, Amara Ortiz. She takes much pride in empowering young women and helping them to succeed in life. Megan enjoys her time at Threads for Teens and is enthusiastic to connect with the girls that she meets along the way.

Amara Ortiz

Co-Boutique Manager: 2015-2016

Amara is currently a senior in high school. She attends Cardinal Newman in Santa Rosa, CA. Amara started playing traveling soccer for Santa Rosa United when she was nine. Her team is now currently eighth in the country! She began volunteering at Threads for Teens in September.

Amara loves to make the girls feel welcomed when they come to the store. She loves seeing a smile on their face when they pick out their clothes. Amara is excited to run the store with her partner, Megan Bertalone, for the rest of their senior year!

Ashton Smith

Boutique Manager: 2014-2015

Ashton currently attends Chapman University in Southern California. She is a rising junior, studying Business. She began volunteering at Threads for Teens in January of 2014 and eventually became boutique manager from May of 2015 – April of 2016.

Ashton is very passionate about the bettering of self-esteem and fashion, so Threads for Teens is a sacred place to her. She loves making new friends with the shoppers and helping them acknowledge their beauty.

Taylor Foster

Boutique Manager: 2013-2014

Taylor is a graduate of the University of San Francisco and currently works as an Investment Analyst in San Francisco, California. She began volunteering at Threads for Teens in January of 2012, participated in the first Threads for Teens Tour, and eventually became boutique manager from May of 2013 to April of 2014.

Taylor remains active in philanthropic organizations and believes that her passion to serve others originated at an earlier age when she was a part of the TFT Organization.