Corlia Spears’ Post

It’s incredibly inspiring to hear from these young future leaders, sharing their stories of how they’ve realized their potential and begun making an impact. The Goals for Girls program is designed to build up strong, confident young women by providing them with the tools, mentorship, and support that many of us wish we had access to at their age. By empowering these future leaders, we’re helping shape the next generation of change-makers. What advice would you give to your younger self? How would you encourage her to recognize and embrace her full potential?

Today, we have Tricia Stephens-Adams, Director, Enterprise Applications & Development at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, sharing how being part of WLDA has impacted her life and career in 2024. WLDA is built on a simple but powerful premise: creating a fair digital future. It is a movement to ensure women have an equal role in shaping our AI-driven future. We are designed for smart ambitious female technology executive leaders who already have a seat at the table, and who are leveraging our platform to increase their ability to create a ripple effect in their organizations. What We Do: A community of senior tech executives from Fortune 1000 companies Provide thought leadership, events and educational programs Match mentors with emerging women leaders. Together, we’re sparking positive change that will benefit future generations.

At Alliance for Girls, we’re reimagining leadership and building the kind of organization we all deserve. We’re leaning into shared power and creating a model of leadership rooted in humanity, trust, and care. It’s not always easy, but it’s absolutely necessary. Recent events remind us why this work is more urgent than ever. In moments of uncertainty, our values become our compass—they guide us to lead transparently, prioritize people over systems, and create spaces where everyone feels heard, connected, and impactful. This is about more than building a thriving organization; it’s about fueling a movement rooted in collective care and joy. Sovereign spaces for girls and gender-expansive youth are essential for ensuring their voices, their dreams, and their leadership shape the future. And those spaces start with how we cultivate the ones closest to us. Anything less isn’t an option. Co-leadership isn’t just about dividing responsibilities - it’s about building something bigger together. Don’t miss our upcoming editorial on how we’re redefining what it means to lead. Below are the co-leadership values that guide Chantal Hildebrand and myself as we build our imagined community. What guides you? Subscribe to our newsletter at www.alliance4girls.org Thank you to Njoki Gitahi for the beautiful visual Thank you to Viveka Chen our co-leadership coach for guiding us here

Today, we have Ashley Abid and Thandiwe-Kesi R., Co-founders at Skininterest, sharing how being part of WLDA Ventures - powered by Women Leaders In Data & AI (WLDA) and how it has impacted their lives and careers in 2024. WLDA is built on a simple but powerful premise: creating a fair digital future. It is a movement to ensure women have an equal role in shaping our AI-driven future. We are designed for smart ambitious female technology executive leaders who already have a seat at the table, and who are leveraging our platform to increase their ability to create a ripple effect in their organizations. What We Do: A community of senior tech executives from Fortune 1000 companies Provide thought leadership, events and educational programs Match mentors with emerging women leaders. Together, we’re sparking positive change that will benefit future generations.

In the spring of 2021 we held pilot meetings in the Northeastern region of Minnesota. Soon after, in the summer of 2021 through the spring of 2022, we traveled (virtually) across rural Minnesota region by region. Then, in early fall we held meetings in the metro counties and areas. These convenings created connections with women, strategies to better support each other, explored existing formal and informal networks, and identified barriers and opportunities to overcome. Two topics that were especially discussed were woman leadership and the importance of mentorship. Additionally, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we discussed the challenges of COVID and what positives we can take forward. Our goal was to ignite action in community, leadership, civic engagement, and rural entrepreneurship, while simultaneously identifying opportunities and connecting women with each other. Check out our 100 in 100 project - https://lnkd.in/eBFz52nb

Today, we have Veena Nayak, VP of Data Strategy and Solutions and head of Data Products at the University of Phoenix, sharing her experience of being a part of WLDA and how it impacted her life and career in 2024. Women Leaders In Data & AI (WLDA) is built on a simple but powerful premise: creating a fair digital future. It is a movement to ensure women have an equal role in shaping our AI-driven future. We are designed for smart ambitious female technology executive leaders who already have a seat at the table, and who are leveraging our platform to increase their ability to create a ripple effect in their organizations. What We Do: - A community of senior tech executives from Fortune 1000 companies - Provide thought leadership, events and educational programs - Match mentors with emerging women leaders. Together, we’re sparking positive change that will benefit future generations.

Our 2024 Girls’ Aspirations Survey revealed that 9 out of 10 girls wanted more chances to connect with and learn from female role models. Here’s where girls want to connect with more incredible women leading the way: STEM Business/Entrepreneurship Healthcare/Medicine Arts/Creative Fields Social Work/Non-Profit Education Law How are we making sure this happens? ⬇️ ✅ We recruit thousands of ordinary women globally to volunteer as role models across all sectors. ✅ We partner with a wide range of progressive organisations to inspire girls through events, from speed networking sessions to leadership workshops. ✅ We run global social media campaigns, like #ThisLittleGirlIsMe, where thousands of women share the advice they’d give their younger selves. We’re so proud of the progress we have made so far. But we’ve still got a way to go! Follow us on our journey to connect over a million girls with female role models by 2026 💛

Corporate boards are under pressure to diversify, driven by initiatives like NASDAQ's Board Diversity Rule, but progress remains slow, with only a small percentage of BIPOC women holding corporate board seats. ⁠ ⁠ The lack of diversity stems from systemic issues, including limited opportunities and connections for Black and brown women in senior positions, starting from early in their careers. ⁠ ⁠ To address this, efforts must begin early, fostering confidence, leadership skills, and connections for BIPOC girls from middle school onwards, while mentorship and sponsorship from successful BIPOC adults are crucial for paving the way to diverse corporate leadership in the future.

Today, we have Zhenni Wu, Co-founder at Puppygraph, sharing how being part of WLDA Ventures- powered by Women Leaders In Data & AI (WLDA) and one of this year's cohorts has impacted her life and career in 2024. WLDA is built on a simple but powerful premise: creating a fair digital future. It is a movement to ensure women have an equal role in shaping our AI-driven future. We are designed for smart, ambitious female technology executive leaders who already have a seat at the table and are leveraging our platform to increase their ability to create a ripple effect in their organizations. What We Do: A community of senior tech executives from Fortune 1000 companies Provide thought leadership, events, and educational programs Match mentors with emerging women leaders. Together, we’re sparking positive change that will benefit future generations.

*Key Takeaways from Honorable Prosecutor General Loyce Matanda Moyo:* 1. Stay determined and persevere; great opportunities will arise for professional women. 2. Remember your purpose: it’s about paving the way for future generations. 3. Build networks for mentorship, participate in professional groups, and engage in leadership training. 4. Cultivate confidence, create a portfolio, and believe in yourself despite challenges. 5. Support each other; more women in leadership creates greater opportunities. 6. Document any workplace backlash or abuse for future redress. 7. Seek professional help and understand your rights. 8. Reject racial discrimination; do not let it define you. 9. Stay grounded by establishing your values: humility, kindness, composure, and determination. To get updates on our monthly Women's Conversations, join our Channel: https://lnkd.in/dpF4E7Wz