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Giving Stars

About Us

About Us

This is a new non profit 501(c)(3) corporation, Giving Stars. Giving Stars encourages dreaming for the stars by helping people think beyond their circumstances. We will be providing assistance and empowering the achievement of these dreams. Our mentors will help with dream building and the steps to achieve these dreams. We believe everyone can have true success and live their dream life!

We are seeking mentors, financial support and people interested in applying for grants to achieve their dreams. There is a simple application where we want to hear about your dream! In return for our assistance we will ask our dream recipients to allow us to post their story in order to inspire others. We will post all of our success stories!

We also believe in the importance of brain health in order to dream and achieve. We will support research focused on brain health and disease prevention.

We have a fantastic talented board of 6 successful women:

Traci Granston Barthel, MD-Orthopedic Surgeon and Founder of Giving Stars
Alison Webb, MD-OB/Gyn physician
Jenni Byrd Grier-President David Byrd Consulting
Jodi Ropert-Global Marketing Director YouTube
Haley Barthel-student and varsity athlete Brown University                                         Jennifer Granston-Global COO WE Communications

#givingstars

Giving Stars Board Members

Giving Stars Board members at our launch event April 27th, 2017 (pictured left to right-Jenni Byrd Grier, Traci Barthel, Jodi Ropert, Alison Webb)

Our launch video created by Travis Lawton! https://youtu.be/MDs7y0GTyYw

Jennifer Granston


Global Chief Operating Officer, WE Communications

Jennifer Granston

Global Chief Operating Officer, WE Communications

Email: jengranston@hotmail.com

Tel: 425-213-0906

Jennifer Granston joined WE Communications in 1999 and serves as a member of the Global Executive Team. As Global COO, Jennifer is charged with overseeing the agency’s intellectual capital and methodology, insights and analytics team, and global marketing. Jennifer has worn many hats at WE, from client work to operations including overseeing HR, Learning & Development, Citizenship, Strategic Planning and various other growth-focused and operations initiatives. Prior to her role as COO, Jennifer served in multiple roles for the agency’s Microsoft team, including Chief of Staff, champion of global expansion, and various client responsibilities for Microsoft’s Worldwide PR business. Jennifer got her start working for Walter McGuire & Co. of San Francisco and then for Pyramid Communications in Seattle doing grassroots organizing and leading cause-related marketing campaigns, including the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay for the Atlanta Olympic Games; a nationwide campaign to raise money for cancer research; leading Coca-Cola Co.’s marketing effort to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America; and working on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Shared Visions Summit. A Seattle native, Jennifer has also lived for extended periods in France, Australia, the U.K. and Washington, D.C. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Washington.

Traci Barthel, M.D.


Orthopedic Surgeon

Traci Barthel, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgeon

Email: traci@givingstars.com

Tel: 425-766-4789

Dr. Traci Barthel is an orthopedic hand surgeon currently practicing at Proliance Orthopedic Associates in Renton, Washington for the last 15 years. She was born and raised in Seattle and attended the University of Washington for her undergraduate studies. She then studied at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville where she received her doctor of medicine (MD). Her Orthopedic Surgery Residency was completed in Cleveland at Case Western Reserve University. She received the “best orthopedic chief resident” award. Due to her love of the Pacific Northwest, she returned home to Seattle to complete her training with a Hand and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center in 2001-2002. She is board certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Hand Surgery. She has been married to her husband Steve, also a physician, for 22 years and has two children, Haley and Jonathan. Traci has been very active supporting local charities for years, it has been a long time dream to start her own non profit organization.

Alison Webb, M.D.


OB/Gyn physician

Alison Webb, M.D.

OB/Gyn physician

Email: webbyalison@gmail.com

Tel: 425-681-8022

Dr. Alison Webb is a board certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist currently practicing in Renton, Washington for the past eighteen years. She was raised in Seattle and attended Occidental College and University of Washington for her undergraduate studies, as well as taking a trip around the world with Semester at Sea. She attended Case Western Reserve University for Medical School and then continued her training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for residency. Alison was thrilled to return to Seattle where she had a successful private practice for 16 years. After adopting her son 5 years ago, and helping to care for her mom, Alison decided to become a hospitalist for better work/life balance. Alison has been very active in the medical community serving as the chief of the department, and multiple positions on the hospital Medical Executive Committee and other committees. She enjoyed serving on the Lakeside Alumni Board and other volunteer organizations. She lives in Newcastle with her 5 year old and 5 month old and enjoys travel, taking part in her community, and being the best mom that she can be. She looks forward to serving on the board of Giving Stars, helping others to achieve their goals.

Jenni Byrd Grier


President David Byrd Consulting

Jenni Byrd Grier

President David Byrd Consulting

Email: jenni@davidbyrdconsulting.com

Tel: 254-300-1967

Jenni realized her dream goal when she joined the team at David Byrd Consulting in 2014 after serving as Director of Customer Experience and Marketing at Duke Energy in Charlotte, N.C. During her 13+ years at Duke Energy, Jenni completed the Duke Energy/University of Chapel Hill Strategic Leadership Program and the Charlotte Leadership Program. Previously, she worked as project manager at Tegrasis Technology Corporation and in the management training program at Sealand Service, Inc. in Charlotte and was a marketing assistant at PMSC in Hennef, Germany. Jenni grew up in Waco, Texas and attended the University of South Carolina, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing and Management degree. She then went on to receive her Master of International Business Studies at the University of South Carolina after completing Intensive Business Language Training in Cologne, Germany. While at Carolina, Jenni was elected into Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society; after graduation she served on the USC Board of Visitors and the Darla Moore School of Business Board of Advisors. Jenni and her husband, Rob, have two daughters and are actively involved in their church and community.

Jodi Ropert


Director of Marketing, YouTube

Jodi Ropert

Director of Marketing, YouTube

Email: jodiropert@gmail.com

Tel: 425-301-0010

Jodi Ropert is the Director of Marketing for YouTube, leading global marketing for YouTube Music & Artists, YouTube Red, YouTube Originals, and YouTube TV. Jodi has spent 20 years in the consumer technology world, and was the CMO of Smule, an innovative music-making app startup, prior to joining YouTube. She started her career at Microsoft where she lead Office for Mac and MSN marketing teams. Jodi holds an MBA from UCLA where she also earned her international management fellowship degree with a focus on France. Jodi has two teenage daughters and loves spending time with her family, international travel, cooking and music.

Haley Barthel


student and varsity athlete Tufts University

Haley Barthel

student and varsity athlete Tufts University

Email: haleybarthel@gmail.com

Tel: 425-647-5555

Haley is Traci’s daughter and currently attends Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She attended Tufts University for her freshman year where she was a varsity athlete in both cross country and track and had nationally ranked times as a freshman. She was on the Dean’t list at Tufts University for both semesters and is pre health majoring in Biology. She plans to attend medical school. She graduated from Bellevue High School with a 4.0 GPA and top of her class. She was the captain of both the cross country and track teams and received 7 varsity letters while at Bellevue High School. She was very involved in community service in high school and was awarded the Wolverine Guard Service Award for 3 consecutive years, this requires at least 100 hours of community service per year. She manages Giving Stars social media.