Meet Our Team

Vickie McGowan

Founder and Creative Director

In 2003, Vickie started Girl Friday Assistants as a way to work part time with a toddler in tow. Having worked in retail management for over two decades, she has a copious amount of customer service and leadership skills that are unmatched. Helping others has always been Vickie’s passion. It was that trait that sparked the original idea that became Girl Friday Assistants. Vickie’s superpower? Kindness and compassion. She has a heart of gold like no other!

When Vickie is not working you will often find her spending time with her son and his fiancé or her four furry friends, Luca, Daisy, Buddy and Sawyer. It isn’t unusual to find her in her car, radio on, windows down, singing and driving to the shore just to smell the salt air. Vickie also enjoys a loud competitive game night, sitting in a dark movie theatre, or relaxing with a good book and a hot bath! 

Volunteering has always been a part of Vickie’s life and she has worked with several local charities for many years. She also manages and coordinates events for a well known local bookstore. Family is everything to Vickie, and you will often find her organizing a family Gingerbread House competition, planning a retirement trip for 18 family members to Walt Disney World, or making her nephew's favorite dessert, just because he called and asked for it!

Vickie’s vision of helping as many as she can has encouraged her to expand Girl Friday Assistants. Her goal is to be a leader to her team, live a balanced life, and make a difference in her client’s lives. With a partner by her side, Vickie’s vision is now a reality!

“I know how much I value my time spent with family and friends doing what I love. My goal in starting Girl Friday was to give that same gift of time to my clients, so they can enjoy everything that is important to them. Girl Friday Assistant’s mission is to positively impact each person we encounter, give them the very best service and to ultimately make their family feel like a part of our Girl Friday family. I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to do that.”


Amy Pasnak

Partner and Manager of Operations

Amy brings more than two decades of experience in healthcare management to Girl Friday Assistants. Her roles in senior management developed exceptional organizational skills and a rapport with patients of all ages. Joining Girl Friday Assistants has allowed her to focus on her favorite passion, helping people. Amy’s superpower? Unparalleled organizational skills. She has a knack for detail that will wow you!

Outside of work, she enjoys home improvement and design projects, spending time down the shore with her family, or going for walks with her canine friend, Cooper. You will always find Amy lending a helping hand to those she cares most about. From making floral arrangements for a family party, to running errands for a sick friend, Amy is the girl everyone can count on!  

She believes in giving back and has served as a volunteer for a number of schools and organizations in her community.  Her current philanthropic focus is with an organization that creates employment and social opportunities for people with disabilities.   

“As a kid, I preferred sitting with my Mom-Mom and her sisters on the beach, learning to play Scrabble and listening to their stories. My connection with older people is a gift and it is part of my mission to make sure our seniors are respected and well cared for in our busy world. Through Girl Friday Assistants, I hope to use my talents and expertise to help make everyone’s day a little easier.”


Meet Our Assistants

  • Julia

    Julia has been her friends’ and family’s go-to pet sitter for as long as she can remember. Her family adopted their dog, Roxxie, in 2017 and their lives have been changed for the better. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for her girl Roxxie, and she is confident there is nothing she wouldn’t do for your animals as well!

    In her free time she loves creating anything art related. Crochet, painting, drawing, mosaic, jewelry making, sewing, she’s done it all! She also loves gardening, and is a crazy house plant lady!

    Julia has handled all kinds of animal behaviors, ranging from puppies who constantly need love and attention that love to jump, bark, and lick, to senior cats who just need someone to feed them and give them space. She loves any time she gets to spend with dogs and cats, but will gladly take on any amphibians, reptiles, rodents, etc. If you think your animal is “too much” for her, challenge accepted! Julia can’t wait to meet your four-legged friends.

  • Margaret

    Retired from a distinguished 35-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, Margaret has dedicated decades to advancing healthcare and innovation. Beyond professional achievements, she is a proud parent of four children, balancing a busy career with a rich family life. Passionate about community and youth development, Margaret coaches youth volleyball and basketball, inspiring young athletes to build confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship. 

    Margaret also enjoys agility training with Winnie, a lively Sheltie, combining fitness with fun and companionship. A lifelong learner at heart, Margaret treasures time spent with older generations, drawing wisdom and life lessons from their rich experiences. This blend of professional expertise, family dedication, community involvement, and personal growth defines Margaret’s fulfilling and multifaceted life journey.

  • Sue

    Sue is a compassionate, kind hearted person who values family and friendship.  A proud mom of 3 college aged children who all attended the Rose Tree Media School District and furthered their education at West Virginia, Penn State and Bloomsburg Universities.  Together they enjoy their silly pets, Quinn their 8-year old cat with attitude, and Johnny, their 1 year old Golden mix with lots of personality.

    Sue and her husband Keith have been married for nearly 30 years and are both the youngest of six with a very large extended family of many nieces and nephews.  Holidays can be a real challenge but always worth every moment spending time together.

    After working in administration for 18 years, she worked part time while raising her children and caring for ailing parents, specifically dealing with Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases.  During this time she juggled many different positions that allowed her the flexibility to focus on her family.  Most recently, she enjoyed combining her love for animals and compassion with people by working as a dog walker and a client relations specialist at a local emergency veterinarian hospital.

    She is family-oriented, dependable and always willing to lend a hand.  She brings compassion and care to all that she does.  In her spare time she enjoys trail walks, nature and wildlife, gardening and visits to her family's beach house in Cape May.

  • Amy E.

    Amy has worked many different jobs in her life. She’s been an office manager, bookkeeper, caterer, event director, and a manager at a printing business. Once she became a mom 25 years ago, she realized she couldn’t possibly go back to work. She decided to work any jobs that would allow her to be at home with her kids while her husband was working. Then she started working in the catering industry. First as a server, then managing staff, and now directing events. She has also been doing bookkeeping for two companies for over 15 years.

    Family has always been the most important part of her life. She loves going to the Poconos and enjoy going with them when they go fishing. She just goes to enjoy the peace and quiet and take in the gorgeous views. Thrifting is another hobby of hers that she does with her daughter, she loves finding great things and giving them a second life. Three years ago she opened up a thrift shop at her church in Broomall, which benefits the church. A lot of her spare time is dedicated to keep that going.

    She can’t wait to meet new clients and help out in ways that she’s needed and to make life easier for them!

  • Samantha

    Samantha is a mother of three who began her career in the travel industry. After years of living on the go, she returned to her roots in Pennsylvania and embraced mom life—joining the PTO, leading a Girl Scout troop for 12 years, and coaching competitive cheerleading for the past 20 years.

    Samantha thrives on organization, believing that amazing things happen when you focus on the details! She finds joy in planning events and any opportunity that allows her creativity to shine. Professionally, she has partnered with her father for over 25 years in a marketing company specializing in apparel and promotional products. In her free time, Samantha is an avid reader, gardener, and traveler who also loves spending time with her dog and koi pond—but her greatest passion is her children.

  • Caitlin

    Caitlin graduated with a degree in Special Education from West Chester University. She spent time working in local districts but decided  to pivot to working privately with families in the Chester County area for the last 15 years. She's filled various roles such as household manager, nanny, private educator, companion and personal assistant. She enjoys being an integral and essential part of helping keep their household running smoothly!

    Caitlin is married to her husband Keith and they share two young daughters, Emory and Wren. They live on a beautiful horse farm in Coatesville with their golden retriever Rosie. Caitlin is an avid veggie gardener, frequent traveler, and loves all things interior design.

  • Kathie

    Hailing from Media, Pennsylvania, Kathie’s a friendly face with a diverse background. Growing up in Media and going through the Rose Tree Media School District, she’s rooted in the community. With experience as a nanny and cleaner, she’s got an eye for detail and a knack for multitasking that makes her a perfect fit for our Girl Friday Assistants family.

     After spending five amazing years in Ireland, she’s back in Media, but her heart still holds a special place for the Emerald Isle, where her parents and sister still reside. This love for different cultures adds a unique twist to her perspective, which she brings along in her new role, helping clients tackle their daily lives with ease. 

    When she’s not working, you can find her strumming her guitar—she’s been playing since she was just five years old! She’s also a big fan of reading and writing, always eager to dive into a good book or jot down her thoughts. She's super excited to join the team and can't wait to get started!

  • Courtney

    After more than 20 years as a writer and editor for news and travel websites, Courtney took the leap into solopreneurship as an online business coach for female entrepreneurs. She helps female business owners clarify their messaging, build an online presence, and elevate their marketing in order to call in their ideal clients. 

    In addition to her online coaching business, Courtney also has been pet sitting and dog walking for more than a decade. Dogs are her speciality, senior dogs have her heart, and cats tend to tolerate her presence. But all of Courtney’s animal clients quickly become her BFF and stay with her for years. 

    Courtney lives in Media, loves to travel and is studying to become certified in Human Design (if you’ve never heard of it, ask her about it!). Laundry and organizing are chores she’s never minded. Her brother actually paid her in high school to do his laundry and she felt like she was winning in the deal. Courtney loves a good conversation and people tend to share their life story with her, which she loves!

  • Lauren

    Lauren is a proud culinary school grad (Class of 2011) who’s been cooking,baking, and decorating her way through life ever since. Her home is festive year-round—especially in the Fall, her favorite season. As the youngest of five, Lauren knows how to keep things fun and full of heart, whether she’s whipping up cookies or planning the next family vacation.

    Her greatest joy? Her three amazing kids. 

    Lauren spent the last seven years as a stay-at-home mom, volunteering at the kids' schools and being the go helper with her nieces and nephews. She currently lives in Springfield with her husband of 5 years and all 3 children.

    Now, Lauren’s ready to take all that love, energy, and experience into a part-time career where she can help others and make a difference.

  • Diann

    After more than 25 years in corporate marketing, where she managed print services across multiple countries, Diann took a leap toward her true passion—holistic wellness. She returned to school to become a Holistic Wellness Practitioner and has since made health and well-being a personal mission for herself, her friends, and her family.

    In reimagining her path, Diann also launched Balanced, a boutique, all-natural skincare brand rooted in the belief that effective skincare should be both simple and intentional. Her approach is all about clean, effective formulations that deliver visible results—without toxins and without compromise. Because to Diann, healthy skin should never be complicated.

    As a lifelong artist, Diann expresses her creativity through a variety of mediums. She’s also an avid gardener, a furniture refinishing enthusiast, and a proud pet parent to Beau—a senior cockapoo with plenty of personality and charm.

  • Kellie

    Kellie has spent most of her professional career in the insurance industry, but her passion is organization and home projects. She loves to be creative and to be pushed outside her comfort zone to create a usable space. A flexible work schedule is important to her so she can balance life with her four kids, her husband, and her dog, Max!

    In her free time you will find Kellie at her kids sporting events, reading and planning her next home project. She loves to spend time with her family, especially watching a movie or playing a game!

  • Garry

    Garry is a dedicated veteran, retired scientist and community volunteer. Drawing on his experience as an Army Officer and a 36 year career as a scientist in the chemical industry, he combines discipline, analytical thinking, and a steady commitment to doing what is right. As a long time resident of the Media, PA community, he has given back to the community as a volunteer coach with the Media Little League and as a scout leader with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, helping boys build confidence, character, and teamwork skills through sports and outdoor experiences.

    He also values time with his family, especially trips to the shore and exploring and traveling with his wonderful wife. Recently, he joined a local hiking group where he enjoys the camaraderie, time with nature and the motivation that comes from exploring the outdoors with others.

  • Michaela

    Michaela lives in Media and teaches social studies in Drexel Hill. 

    Currently she’s taking classes part time to get her Master’s degree in Transformative Education and Social Change at West Chester University. 

    In her free time she loves theater, listening to podcasts, and reading.

  • Kaitlin

    Kaitlin love dogs! She loves playing fetch and going for long walks with dogs and snapping all kinds of pictures of them!  She treats each dog as if they were my own. You can go on vacation without any worry or hesitation knowing your best friend is home safe and having a good time. 

    When she’s not watching dogs, she is traveling the world. The winter is full of ski trips and the rest of the time Kaitlin is getting her passport stamped. She’s visited 29 countries and her goal is to visit 35 when I’m 35. She loves hiking and visiting national parks across the USA as well.

  • Mary Kate

    Mary Kate (MK) is a first time mom, born and raised in Delaware County where she still lives with her husband and eight month old daughter. 

    She has spent the majority of her professional career working as a Project Manager in the Pharmaceutical Technology industry which allows her to utilize her organizational and time management skills daily. Outside of work she loves basketball and coaches the 7th and 8th grade girls basketball team at St Dorothy’s where she is also a member of the CYO board. 

    In her free time she’s an avid book collector, lover and reader. She loves junk journaling, stationary, shopping, iced coffee and Diet Coke breaks!

  • Joanna

    Joanna lives in Broomall with her pug Charlie!
    She works as a Business Process Architect at home. She is currently all but defending her dissertation for her Doctor of Business Administration at University of Pittsburgh, May 2026.
    In her spare time, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with friends and family. She also loves animals and helping people!

  • Kim

    Kim is blessed to be the mom of three amazing young women. She was a homeroom mom for her girls for years. She planned many class parties, recognitions and school dances. One of Kim’s favorite experiences was when her children were in elementary school.  For many years, she was not only a chocolatier but also ran the kitchen for the Rose Tree Strawberry Festival. A huge undertaking! 

    Kim has a passion for entertaining. She loves to cook for friends and family and she is her friends’ go-to assistant for their parties. Kim loves animals and has always had dogs and cats. After the passing of her dog Bruno, she is still heartbroken and unable to get another. She fills that void by watching her friends' dogs in her own home when they are on vacation. Kim just loves helping people, and can’t wait to help you too.

  • Caleb

    Caleb is a rising senior at The Haverford School. He is involved in multiple programs such as the mock trial team, the environmental club, and is a faculty-selected tour guide captain (where he tours important prospective parents).

    Outside of school, Caleb enjoys baseball, going fishing, playing golf, and spending time with his 10 year old pitbull, Spike.