What inspired your journey as a founder and leader in this space?

My leadership journey began in undergrad, deeply influenced by my own struggles to secure college funding. Growing up in Brooklyn, I navigated the complex college process with little guidance until a Girl Scout troop leader introduced me to scholarship opportunities. This experience, coupled with my observations of global and local inequities, sparked my passion to give back. The inception of Seeds of Fortune was marked by a small but impactful start, where we helped three girls in securing $80,000 in scholarships and grants. This success story validated our approach and highlighted the pressing need to bridge the gap in accessing affordable college education.

As a woman, what does leadership mean to you? How would you describe your leadership style and approach?

I describe my leadership style as ‘autocratic democracy’, where the voices of those we serve shape our direction – seeds building Seeds. Seeds of Fortune evolved through the input and feedback of our participants, affectionately known as ‘seeds’. What began as a scholarship resource has now transformed into a community-driven network offering comprehensive support. Our leadership is about adaptability, listening, and incorporating the insights of those experiencing the issues we aim to solve. This approach ensures our mission remains aligned with the real needs and aspirations of our young women.

What piece of advice would you give to women and girls aspiring to leadership roles?

Believe in yourself and the uniqueness of your idea. Even when faced with doubt or criticism, trust in the value of your vision. I encountered this when building a tech platform to connect girls to the resources they needed. Many doubted this approach, suggesting teens wouldn't engage online in meaningful ways for learning. But I truly believed in this idea, having understood the behaviors and patterns of the young women we serviced. This belief was put to the test when, shortly after we developed the platform in 2019, the pandemic hit, and the entire world shifted online. It proved that we can indeed learn and access resources online. Your experiences and insights are invaluable and having conviction can lead to innovative solutions.

Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to achieve through your work with your organization?

Our goal is to make exceptional opportunities more accessible, bringing them within arm's reach of exceptional young women who dream of achieving great things but face systemic barriers. Seeds of Fortune strives to provide a pathway to these opportunities, offering programs like the Yale Women Economics program and innovation research partnerships with corporations. As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, we hope to expand our reach and envision a future where our alumni return to mentor the next generation and continue the cycle of empowerment and inspiration.