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 three furry friends, Luca, Daisy and Buddy. 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 Eckels
Assistant
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.
Lesley Psaris
Assistant
Lesley comes to Girl Friday with a background in human resources with a focus in talent acquisition and staffing from the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine. Lesley worked toward, and obtained her Masters in Education focusing on Psychological Services from UPenn while working in human resources. This lady can multi-task! During her undergrad, she participated in Semester at Sea and explored impoverished, developing communities. Lesley maintains a deep respect for cultures and communities of all kinds.
Lesley has hands-on experience caring for and supporting populations of all ages afflicted with a variety of mental illnesses and behavior disorders, autism and/or physical limitations. She loves animals (furry, feathery & scaled) Additionally, Lesley has experience working and volunteering in fields such as catering and event planning, providing elderly companionship and care and creating floral bouquets/arrangements. She especially enjoys creating centerpieces for events.
Now that Lesley’s children are becoming young adults, she would love to help you (and your family) so you can focus on other life demands. She easily connects with people of all ages and backgrounds and has a knack for making uncomfortable and unfortunate situations manageable. She gets great enjoyment helping with projects both inside and outside the home.
In Lesley’s free time she cherishes spending time with her family and friends - enjoying the great outdoors in the Poconos. Lesley loves gardening, kayaking, paddle-boarding, hiking and baking! She also loves her work bench, tools and crafting! NO craft is too big!
Margaret Arndt
Assistant
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.
Valeri Riesenfeld
Assistant
For most of her professional career, Valeri has been working with the public. After college, she was an account coordinator in the cosmetic industry. She then chose a different career path and worked as a freelance court stenographer for 15 years.
Seeking more flexibility after the birth of her son, she co-owned two small businesses, selling costume jewelry and children’s clothing.
Valeri enjoys spending time with friends and family, yoga, walks with her husband and two dogs, Baxter and Bentley, art projects, home decorating and traveling with her husband and son.
She’s excited to be a part of Girl Friday Assistants and looks forward to helping in any way that she can.