the dc influence.
The DMV’s content creator community
the dc influence.
The DMV’s content creator community
about the dc influence.
our objective.
our objective.
our objective.
the dc influence's primary objective is to serve the community where individuals from diverse creative backgrounds can convene, network, collaborate, and amplify their collective impact. We recognize the power and influence of digital content in shaping narratives, driving conversations, and effecting change.
our plan.
our objective.
our objective.
We will be planning curated monthly events, as well as have an online community where we encourage knowledge-sharing, events, and idea exchange among our members. We aim to be a vibrant community where creativity flourishes, connections are forged, and collaborations come to life.
our community.
our objective.
our community.
By bringing together a diverse array of creators, we aim to create a supportive ecosystem that nurtures creativity, fosters collaboration, and cultivates meaningful connections. Whether you're a seasoned influencer, an aspiring content creator, or simply someone passionate about digital media, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey of inspiration, innovation, and impact!
MEET THE TEAM
Meg Maffey Founder
Nicolette Kysucanova Social Media Co-Lead
Gavriella Kaufmann Social Media Co-Lead
Coming Soon!
Gavriella Kaufmann Social Media Co-Lead
Nicolette Kysucanova Social Media Co-Lead
Gavriella Kaufmann Social Media Co-Lead
Meet Gavriella Kaufmann—a content creator, social media strategist, and digital storyteller with a passion for all things girly and glamorous. With years of experience in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content, she’s built a brand that blends authenticity with a touch of sparkle. Whether she’s styling a thrifted outfit, enjoying a quiet
Meet Gavriella Kaufmann—a content creator, social media strategist, and digital storyteller with a passion for all things girly and glamorous. With years of experience in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content, she’s built a brand that blends authenticity with a touch of sparkle. Whether she’s styling a thrifted outfit, enjoying a quiet moment in her favorite coffee shop, or adding shine with her bedazzling business, Gavriella is all about making life a little more fabulous—one post at a time. And when Halloween rolls around, she becomes the ultimate Halloween queen, bringing her annual Gavoween series to life. Follow her on @mybeautycoma for inspiration, trends, and daily fun.
Nicolette Kysucanova Social Media Co-Lead
Nicolette Kysucanova Social Media Co-Lead
Nicolette Kysucanova Social Media Co-Lead
Nicolette Kysucanova is a social media and content strategist with a passion for storytelling and creative connection. Whether she’s crafting engaging content strategies or helping brands build their online presence, she brings a fresh and dynamic approach to digital marketing. A true explorer at heart, she loves traveling to both big ci
Nicolette Kysucanova is a social media and content strategist with a passion for storytelling and creative connection. Whether she’s crafting engaging content strategies or helping brands build their online presence, she brings a fresh and dynamic approach to digital marketing. A true explorer at heart, she loves traveling to both big cities and hidden gems, documenting every adventure along the way. When she’s not strategizing or creating, Nicolette is taking on new side quests and DIY projects—anything from Cricut crafts to full-scale home renovations. With her creative energy and hands-on approach, she’s always looking for new ways to bring ideas to life. For more of Nicolette you can find her on socials at @nxespn
Kelly Dobroski Travel Lead
Nicolette Kysucanova Social Media Co-Lead
Nicolette Kysucanova Social Media Co-Lead
Kelly is a travel and lifestyle creator based in Old Town Alexandria. After a decade in the ocean conservation and science communication space, she turned her passion for protecting our coastlines into encouraging people to visit waterfront destinations, because we love what we experience and we protect what we love. She fell in love wit
Kelly is a travel and lifestyle creator based in Old Town Alexandria. After a decade in the ocean conservation and science communication space, she turned her passion for protecting our coastlines into encouraging people to visit waterfront destinations, because we love what we experience and we protect what we love. She fell in love with the Chesapeake Bay region as a Washington College ('16) student and is excited to highlight more travel opportunities for the DC community. You can find her personal coastal tourism recommendations at @coastalwithkelly across platforms, the Coastal with Kelly Podcast, or her blog www.coastalwithkelly.com. You'll love her Capital to Coast series, where she highlights weekend getaways from the DC metro region. A coastal grandmother at heart, she also shares recommendations for better coastal living. When she's not traveling, you'll find her playing tennis or running, or crafting a new cocktail to enjoy with oysters and a beach read.
Amanda Wake Fitness Lead
Morgan Fykes Community Liaison Lead
Amanda Wake Fitness Lead
Amanda Wake is a passionate fitness advocate, education coach, and strength-training enthusiast dedicated to empowering women to find their strength, both physically and mentally. With a focus on lifestyle balance and consistency, Amanda believes that true fitness is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about building confidence, resili
Amanda Wake is a passionate fitness advocate, education coach, and strength-training enthusiast dedicated to empowering women to find their strength, both physically and mentally. With a focus on lifestyle balance and consistency, Amanda believes that true fitness is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about building confidence, resilience, and sustainable habits that support long-term well-being.
Amanda has been active her whole life and has prioritized strength training for 8 years. She is entirely self-taught when it comes to lifting form, progressive overload, and building muscle. Through years of research, dedication, and firsthand experience, she’s learned how to train effectively, see real results, and inspire others do the same. She loves exploring different fitness modalities and trying new gyms while connecting with others that have similar passions. This has helped her build strong connections in the industry and secure brand partnerships with companies like Madabolic and SweatHouz.
As the Fitness Lead for DC Influence, Amanda is committed to supporting a community where women can challenge themselves, embrace their power, and prioritize movement in a way that fits their lives
Ashley Jean Foodie Lead
Morgan Fykes Community Liaison Lead
Amanda Wake Fitness Lead
Ashley Jean is the CEO and Lead Photographer of Ashley Jean Creative, a full-service content agency specializing in photography, videography, content creation, and Photo Booth services. With 9 years of experience, Ashley has worked with clients featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and more, helping brands and entrepreneurs elevate the
Ashley Jean is the CEO and Lead Photographer of Ashley Jean Creative, a full-service content agency specializing in photography, videography, content creation, and Photo Booth services. With 9 years of experience, Ashley has worked with clients featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and more, helping brands and entrepreneurs elevate their visual presence through strategic and compelling content. She is currently pursuing her MBA with a focus in Brand Management and Marketing at George Washington University's School of Business to further enhance her skills and bring even more value and expertise to her clients. When she’s not behind the camera, she’s exploring DC’s best food spots and local activities—which is why she proudly holds the title of Foodie Lead.
Gigi Gupte Community Lead
Morgan Fykes Community Liaison Lead
Morgan Fykes Community Liaison Lead
Hi, I’m Gigi and I am thrilled to be the Community Lead for The DC Influence! I grew up in the DC area, and I love everything our city has to offer from the food to nature to workout classes; not only is it fun, but I’ve been able to meet so many cool people and I truly believe that we have a strong community! By profession, I am a therap
Hi, I’m Gigi and I am thrilled to be the Community Lead for The DC Influence! I grew up in the DC area, and I love everything our city has to offer from the food to nature to workout classes; not only is it fun, but I’ve been able to meet so many cool people and I truly believe that we have a strong community! By profession, I am a therapist, health/wellness coach, content creator, and event organizer, and I love to empower and support others in exciting ways that help them grow. In my free time, I love to bake, play tennis, read, and host!
Morgan Fykes Community Liaison Lead
Morgan Fykes Community Liaison Lead
Morgan Fykes Community Liaison Lead
Morgan Fykes is a Jill of many trades! She is a storyteller, experience creator, connector, yogi, visual artist, teacher and impact investor. A native Washingtonian with a love for people, places and sometimes things, Morgan believes that we can all win, be great and make the world better. She is a strategist & coach whose work sits at
Morgan Fykes is a Jill of many trades! She is a storyteller, experience creator, connector, yogi, visual artist, teacher and impact investor. A native Washingtonian with a love for people, places and sometimes things, Morgan believes that we can all win, be great and make the world better. She is a strategist & coach whose work sits at the intersection of people, experiences, storytelling, events, branding and business to help people develop their dreams and turn them into reality! Morgan has been giving talks for over 20 years through opportunities both domestic and abroad. She has a love for education that leads her to continue to add new skills to her toolbox regularly. Morgan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and has over 15 years of experience consulting and helping people live their best life which has created an impressive network of contacts across industries. She practices collaboration over competition because there is room for everyone to succeed.
Erin Myers Event Co-Lead
Sara Hoenes Event Co-Lead
Sara Hoenes Event Co-Lead
Erin has the best dog and is both a martini and pastry connoisseur. She is passionate about deli containers reading, and her newest hobby, pottery. Erin loves any planned activity and will challenge anyone to split the G any time a Guinness is ordered. Erin’s professional background includes corporate event planning and travel.
Sara Hoenes Event Co-Lead
Sara Hoenes Event Co-Lead
Sara Hoenes Event Co-Lead
Sara Hoenes (@Sara.Hoenes) is an entrepreneur, community builder, and fitness expert with over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. With a background as a professional dancer and certifications in Pilates and yoga, she brings precision, creativity, and energy to every class.
As the founder of Alchemy DC (@alchemy.dc), she leads
Sara Hoenes (@Sara.Hoenes) is an entrepreneur, community builder, and fitness expert with over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. With a background as a professional dancer and certifications in Pilates and yoga, she brings precision, creativity, and energy to every class.
As the founder of Alchemy DC (@alchemy.dc), she leads musically driven workouts that connect body, mind, and spirit, helping people feel strong, supported, and challenged. Known as the ultimate “fitness bestie,” her approach is warm, kind, and encouraging—while always pushing her clients to their limits.
Through Alchemy DC, she curates transformative fitness retreats and dynamic wellness events, blending movement, mindfulness, and adventure. From local experiences in Washington, DC, to international retreats in breathtaking destinations, she creates opportunities for people to come together, challenge themselves, and build lasting connections.
Based in Washington, DC, she brings the same precision, dedication and artistry that once made her a Radio City Rockette into every class, retreat, and event.
Sara is thrilled to be joining The DC Influence and excited to bring her passion for events and wellness to the team.
