Founder Alyson Casagrande turns years of personal pain into a mission to protect girls and women from the trauma of bullying and relational aggression.
From Personal Struggles to Powerful Change
Alyson Casagrande knows firsthand the emotional scars left by bullying. As a young girl, she found herself trapped in a cycle of relational aggression: excluded, mocked, and betrayed by girls she considered friends. Rather than succumbing to the pain, Alyson channeled her suffering into a mission to protect others. Today, she leads End Mean Girl Culture Movement Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to ending bullying and its lasting impacts on girls and women.
Her story begins in Yonkers, New York, where she was born. Raised by her mother after her father passed away from lung cancer, Alyson’s childhood was shaped by loss. Her mother, a strong and compassionate woman, taught her to be sensitive and empathetic toward others.
Alyson attended Sacred Heart Parish for all her sacraments and graduated from The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, NY, in 2000. She later went on to attend Pace University in Pleasantville from 2001-2005.
After college, Alyson worked for prestigious companies like Ameriprise Financial and IBM, where she built a strong corporate background. However, after relocating to Sarasota, Florida, she had to shift her career path as the area, a popular tourist destination, offered fewer corporate opportunities. She adjusted her focus to customer service-driven roles, which ultimately set the stage for her new mission.
The Harsh Reality of Bullying: A Life Shaped by Pain
Alyson’s battle with bullying began early. At just 12 years old, she found herself the target of girls she thought were friends. They humiliated her in public spaces, even going as far as egging her car outside her home. These painful experiences shaped much of her teenage years, leaving her vulnerable and anxious. Little did she know, these moments would one day fuel a powerful movement.
As high school unfolded, the bullying intensified. A girl from the Bronx, with a group of friends, relentlessly targeted her. Constant stares, cruel comments, and social exclusion became the norm. The cafeteria, once a place of comfort, became a battleground.
“Every day felt like I was walking around with a target on my back,” she recalls. “The hardest part was not knowing how to defend myself.”
Finding Purpose in Pain
Despite the pain, Alyson found strength in her struggle. After moving to Sarasota in 2015, she hoped for a fresh start. But even in this new environment, bullying continued. The ongoing cycle of exclusion deeply affected Alyson’s mental health and self-worth.
The bullying didn’t stop in high school. Even in adulthood, Alyson encountered similar behavior. While working as a makeup artist for a major department store, she was isolated by her colleagues. The sabotage continued in 2019 when, as an esthetician student, all of her classmates shunned her after a new woman joined the group, spreading rumors about her. The class held study groups in secret, and Alyson later discovered she was the only one not invited.
Even a female manager treated her differently from the other makeup artists, neglecting her needs to succeed in her role while nurturing other employees.
Finally, in 2024, Alyson made a bold decision to change her path. She took a cashier job at a grocery store, seeking peace and space from the toxic environments that had consumed her for years. However, her new role didn’t shield her from cruel behavior. Older female coworkers who could have been her mentors made demeaning comments about her appearance and created nicknames to humiliate her. This was the breaking point.
“I reached a point where I couldn’t take it anymore,” she says. “I had to stand up for myself, but more importantly, I had to stand up for others who were going through the same thing.”
Alyson realized she could no longer let bullying define her or anyone else’s life. She decided to take a stand and no longer remain silent. That decision led her to build her nonprofit organization, End Mean Girl Culture Movement Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to ending the toxic cycle of bullying for girls, teens, and women.
“Alyson is one of the best people I know. She has been through so much in her life, but she continues to rise above it all, and now she’s using her experiences to help others. Her strength and resilience inspire everyone around her.” — Close friend or colleague.
Alyson with her first cousin Julianne
Building a Movement for Change
End Mean Girl Culture Movement Inc. was born from Alyson’s desire to empower and protect those who had experienced the same pain she did. It’s also an attempt to end it once and for all! Her movement focuses on creating a cultural shift that empowers leaders to intervene when bullying arises, whether in schools, workplaces, or communities.
Alyson’s work is especially remarkable because she is handling the organization’s creation, development, and marketing by herself. Despite limited resources, she is committed to bringing about change, using her own lived experiences to fuel this vital mission.
One of the standout features of the movement is the Incident Reporting System. This proprietary tool, which Alyson built using her experience at IBM, allows victims to confidentially report instances of bullying and relational aggression. It gives them a voice in a system that often silences them. The system tracks patterns of harmful behavior and helps organizations address recurring issues, ensuring that victims are heard and supported.
The Incident Reporting System is a computer-based tool tailored to each specific organization. Alyson consults with each organization, installing the system and training staff on its use. This allows anyone, anonymously or not, to report an incident they witnessed or heard about, including detailed information about the location and involved parties. The system is available for schools, youth groups, churches, workplaces, or any other organization that wishes to have it.
When an incident is reported, it’s uploaded to the tracker, with notifications sent to the head of the organization and to Alyson herself to ensure proper follow-up. The tracker is restricted to those who sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect the privacy and safety of victims.
Alyson’s technology is a much-needed advancement in the ongoing battle against bullying, which has been an epidemic for decades. This system empowers organizations to create supportive environments and address bullying at its root.
Testimonials:
“ I’ve been friends with Aly for 20 years now and from day one until now she has shown that she is one of the most genuine and caring people you could ever hope to know.” – Matt Simpson
“ I met Aly just the other night when she was bartending. All that shines through is her kindness and beautiful soul. Me and my friend ventured out to other bars that evening and immediately returned to where she was working. Nobody else can compare to her.” – Georgia Cocca
The Crisis of Bullying: A National Epidemic
Bullying is not just a schoolyard issue, it’s a national epidemic that affects girls and women at every stage of life. Studies show that women are more likely to bully other women in the workplace, using tactics such as sabotage, gaslighting, and spreading rumors, all of which have a devastating impact on emotional well-being.
In fact, a 2024 study found that 18% of bullying incidents involve woman-on-woman aggression. Other research suggests that up to 70% of women report being bullied by other women in the workplace. The emotional and professional toll is profound, leading to decreased morale, increased turnover, and mental health setbacks.
End Mean Girl Culture Movement Inc. aims to combat this by raising awareness of the devastating effects of bullying. Alyson is dedicated to changing the narrative, from one of exclusion to one of inclusion and support. Each year, we lose far too many young girls and women to the effects of relentless bullying. The movement honors their lives by standing up, speaking out, and ensuring no one feels like they are fighting this battle alone.
End Mean Girl Culture Movement Inc.’s Services
The organization offers tiered partnership opportunities for schools, organizations, and donors.
- Keynote Speaking and Events for schools, workplaces, and parents.
- Mental health impact and education.
- Programs for Any Institution.
- Anti-bullying programs and curriculums.
- Corporate Training.
- Conflict resolution on female professional dynamics.
- Bullying prevention.
- Consulting for Organizations.
- Merchandise:
- T-shirts, tank tops, hooded sweatshirts, and baseball caps for girls, teens, and women.
How to Contact Alyson
Alyson is passionate about helping others, offering support, and spreading awareness on this critical issue.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to her for guidance.
Phone: (941) 444-0361
Email: en*******************@****on.me
Supporters and allies are invited to learn more, donate, or follow along. You can connect with the movement here:
Fundraiser: GiveButter – End Mean Girl Culture Movement
