Impact
Women remain underrepresented in business leadership, entrepreneurship, and MBA programs.
Those who do break through often face pay gaps and funding disparities. At Next Girl Up, we’re working to change that.
By equipping high school girls with real-world business skills, mentorship, and confidence, we’re not just preparing them for college or their first job, we’re building the next generation of leaders who will close these gaps for good.
11%
Women run only 11% of Fortune 500 companies.
7%
Women of color hold only 7% of C-suite positions.
2%
Women receive less than 2% of venture capital funding.
Hear From Students
Sarah Herrera
4-year attendee + Volunteer
Quinnipiac University
3+1 Accelerated MBA, International Business
“My experience at Next Girl Up has prepared me for many courses I would encounter at college, with already having the marketing knowledge that is part of the curriculum. The multiple programs and volunteer sessions I had impacted me to pursue a degree within the business field and set long-term goals of hopefully opening a business of my own!”
“Next Girl Up equipped me with business pitching skills and marketing terminology and helped me secure my first internship. I attribute a great deal of my career development to my start at Next Girl Up. Thanks to this program, I have the confidence to actively mentor others and understand how essential it is for another person’s journey. I’ve applied the financial strategies, managerial skills, and supportive attitude in every space I enter.”
Namyanzi Edwards
3-year attendee + Volunteer
Columbia University
Co-founder of GAAP
Lilly Geddes
2-year attendee
Founder of Coconuts & Crystals
University of New Haven
“I still use what I learned to this day! I had started a small Etsy shop, but I had gotten almost no sales and didn’t know how to improve. After Next Girl Up, I rebranded and started selling something new, and now I have over 200 sales!”
From the Parents’ Perspective
“My daughter loved the environment and the opportunity to work in cooperative, diverse groups! She has also shared great information on marketing with her siblings.”
“Next Girl Up was very informative for my daughter as she hopes to open her own bakery one day! I can’t wait to see how she merges all her skills and develops her own professional network like all of the mentors!”