PresentedBy: APRIL 17, 2026
EMPOWHER THEME SONG
Chorus:
E M P O W H E R (spell out)
The only limit is the stars
E M P O W H E R (spell out)
We got the power to go far
We get further together than apart
Verse:
I got all I need in me
I can achieve as far as I can see
I know that I’m not alone
All my girls got my back (got my back)
Even when I fall off track
I'm never on my own
(Repeat Chorus)
Written & Performed by Siaira Harris Producer: Awesome Music
Recorded and mixed by: Mars Today
DAWN
L. BROWN PRESIDENT/CEO
Welcome to the 2026 EmpowHer Girls to Greatness Teen Summit, presented by Edison International!
Today is a day of empowerment, education, and celebration! I am honored to serve you throughout the year and to be here with you today. Today is all about YOU! Your voice matters to us. We listened to your feedback and worked intentionally to bring as many of your ideas to life as possible in this year’s program.
This year’s theme—The Power of Sisterhood—celebrates the strength we find in one another. It is a reminder that we are stronger together, that we rise by lifting each other, and that community is one of our greatest sources of power. In a time when the world can feel uncertain, sisterhood calls us to show up for one another with courage, compassion, and unity.
Throughout today’s summit, we will uplift one another, celebrate your achievements, and equip you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to forge your own path to greatness. We will learn together, grow together, and most importantly, stand together.
So have fun today, connect with one another, and remember you are part of something powerful. Together, we rise.
Dawn
PROGRAM
ÁNIMOJAMESB.TAYLORMIDDLESCHOOLCHEERTEAM
SAMMORA,President&PeytonMeeks|YouthAdvisoryBoard Welcome
JIANELLABECERRIL&ANGELALOPEZ|YouthAdvisoryBoard Introduction
NONOSINAPOLYNESIA DancePerformance
DAWNL.BROWN|President/CEO,EmpowHerInstitute WelcomeRemarks
TESSHOLLIDAY|Model.Founder.BestsellingAuthor KeynoteSpeaker
Transition15Minutes|WorkshopSession#1 Transition10Minutes|WorkshopSession#2
Lunch
SKYLERJADE|Magician
ANNIEGONZALEZ|Actress Emcee
COCOGRANDERSON|Founder&CEO,YesDay RisingStarAwardHonoree
SJSTEMStudentCompetition-MiddleSchool
KatherineJohnsonSTEMAcademy AnimoLegacyCharterMiddleSchool
ANIMOComptonCharterMiddleSchool HonorableMention
KatherineJohnsonSTEMAcademy MentoringExperience
SJSTEMStudentCompetition-MiddleSchool
AllianceCindy&BillSimonTechnologyHighSchool AnimoComptonCharterSchool AnimoVeniceCharterSchool
AllianceCindy&BillSimonTechnologyHighSchool
SHANNONFRANCHEALL,HEATHERDAUGHTERY,MARSHAYJOHNSON Membersof:AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Incorporated StepPerformance
DAWNL.BROWN,ANNIEGONZALEZ,KEYONNAKEITH
SJSTEMStudentCompetitionAnnouncement StudentProjectWinnerAnnounced
ClosingRemarks PROGRAMENDS
KEYNOTE
T E S S H O L L I D A Y
MODEL. FOUNDER. BESTSELLING AUTHOR
As one of the world’s most famous plus-size models and the first of her size to ever be signed to a major agency, Tess Holliday has been a pioneer in the body positivity movement since 2010, breaking boundaries with her Cosmo UK cover and first-ever Self digital cover. She was named one of the most influential people on the internet by Time magazine and one of the top six plus-size models globally by Vogue Italia. She recently released a book titled Take Up Space, Y’all which landed on USA Today’s Best Selling Booklist. With over 2.5 million followers, Tess has cultivated a fiercely loyal community that looks to her not just for fashion, but for truth, empowerment, and transformation.
A N N A G O N Z A L E Z
ACTRESS, SINGER, DANCER
Annie Gonzalez is a proud Chicana actress, singer, dancer and East Los Angeles native For over a decade, Gonzalez has brought her charisma, beauty, comedic timing and strong dramatic performances to projects that continue to cement her as one of Hollywood's new leading talents. Growing up in East Los Angeles, Gonzalez began her career in entertainment at age 10 when she became one of the original dancers on JammX Kids for Warner Brothers, and she hasn't stopped since. Gonzalez has landed roles in popular television series such as Showtime's "Shameless," FX's "American Gonzalez is an outspoken advocate for civil rights and Latinx culture. True to her roots, she currently resides in East Los Angeles.
THE AWARDS
misconceptions and redefining expectations for girls everywhere.
HONOREE
C O C O G R A N D E R S O N
FOUNDER & CEO, YES DAY
Coco Granderson is a Gen Zalpha entrepreneur and founder of Yes Day™, a teen-focused skincare brand created specifically for tweens and teens At just 13 years old, she launched the brand after recognizing a gap in the market for products that were gentle, effective, and designed for young skin.
Inspired by a family tradition centered on joy and self-care, Coco built Yes Day™ to help young people feel confident and supported in their skincare journeys. In partnership with award-winning cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, she developed clean, clinically tested products that promote healthy routines and positive self-expression.
ENTERTAINMENT
MIDI RIPERTON DJ
NONOSINA POLYNESIA
Ánimo James B. Taylor Middle School Cheer Team
HEATHER DAUGHTERY
SHANNON FRANCHEALL
MARSHAY JOHNSON
Members of: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
WORKSHOP LEADERS
DevonCunningham
nquez nager Bank
LaFernCusack Dr Phil
EswinD. Cheerleader
SoniaFigueroa Attorney SSFLLaw
MilanFoston
NicoleEspada AquaticFuturesFoundation
LoganEvans AquaticFuturesFoundation
MiyanaEvans
Ozzy Gonzalez EmpowHer Alumni
Karina G Cheerleader LA Rams
Iliana Gordillo Vice President Manager City National Bank
LeahJones LosAngelesChargers
WORKSHOP LEADERS
AlyssaGutierrez AVP CityNationalBank
ClaudiaKong CommunityLending CityNationalBank
JoeHanks Owner,BrickCityBoxing
DenverHendricks EmpowHerAlumi
AnaHernandez CommunityReinvestment Act(CRA)Officer CityNationalBank
JillianLyles AquaticFuturesFoundation
ShafonneMyers PodcastHost,Founder AisleSociety
JessicaMikayla Actress,Founder That’sSoJess EntertaibmentINc.
KoryLambert CEO AquaticFuturesFoundation
Cambreisha Montgomery,MSW Choreographer,Dancer,and Director
GabrielaNavarro EmpowHerAlumni
AmyNguyen DirectorofEmpowerment Programs CastLA
ColleenLota GlobalEducator&Brand Ambassador PixiBeauty
LupeLlerenas AwardWinningJournalist, ContentCreator
LorenaMartinez Actor,Producer,Host
LeslieNguyen AquaticFuturesFoundation
EmmaMorata VPBranchManager CityNationalBank
SeniorIntensiveCase Manager CastLA
MiriamOchoa
WORKSHOP LEADERS
TiaP Rapper,Singer,Actress
MariaPazos AVPCommunityLending CityNationalBank
MadelineQuinteros EmpowHerProgramAssistant andAlumi
AnabellRamos VPREalEstateAdmin. CityNationalBank
AmyRussell Co-Founder StitchSpaceLA/StitchStop LA
GuillermoSanchez Manager,Preparedness& Resiliency
PilaarTerry ManagingPartner&COO POVAgency
VagelisPapalexakis ProfessorandRossFamilyChairin ComputerScience
Dr.VedaRamsay-Stamps RegionalDevelopment Director UNCF
Donyà Saunders Dir. of Leadership/Training Programs
AudreyThompson FounderandExecutive Director,Engineering Factory
JulietUdeochu VPCommunityManager JPMorganChase
AlexisPutney AquaticFuturesFoundation
Rosangela RodriguezWatkins Cast LA
EmpowHerAlumni
HairStylist
AVPCommumityLending CityNationalBank
6x Entertainment
AlexisQuintana CastLA
AdelaRuiz
NinaSimone
EsmirnaUrias
C Von Founder
Dr. Paul Wallace Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist Wallace Skin & Body Institute
WORKSHOP LEADERS
Dr.NiedhaWelch, LMFT,PsyD
ToshaWhitten CEO/PRStrategist FrontPageFirmPR
CoachMoWilliams BrickCityBoxing
Thank you to our Workshop Leaders, Mentors, and additional Volunteers for sharing your time, stories, insights, and encouragement with our EmpowHer youth.
June 29, 2026 - July 17, 2026
July 20, 2026 - July 31, 2026
Deadline April 18, 2026
O R K S H O P S
WBECOMEAREAL-LIFESAVER:CPRTRAINING
PRESENTEDBY:GuillermoSanchez,AmericanRedCross,WesternLosAngeles, DanielaAlvarezCampos,LindseyHernandez,MelanieCastillejos,EmpowHer YouthTrainers
Learnlife-savingskillsthatwillhelpyouduringanemergency.CertifiedCPR TrainerswhoareEmpowHerhighschoolgirlswillteachyouessentialstepsof hands-onlyCPR.Youwillunderstandthesciencebehindtheseactionsandfeel confidentapplyingtheminacriticalsituation.
BUILDINGACAREERINMAKEUP
PRESENTEDBY:ColleenLota,GlobalEducator&BrandAmbassador PixiBeauty
Therearemanydifferentcareerpathsyoucantakewithinthefieldofmakeup artistry,andeachonehasitsownuniquesetofbenefits.Hearfromexpertsabout careeropportunitiesinproductresearchanddevelopment,sales,management, marketing,andofcoursemakeupartistry.
CHEERLIKEAPRO
PRESENTEDBY:KiraG.andEswinnD.,LosAngelesRamsCheerleaders JoinNFLCheerleadersfromtheLARAMSastheytakeyoubehindthescenesof thehigh-energy,high-impactworldofprofessionalcheerleading.Inthis empoweringworkshop,discoverhowthelessonslearnedonthesidelines— teamwork,perseverance,self-confidence,andleadership—caninspireyoutosoar tothetopofthepyramid.
DIVEINTOMARINEBIOLOGY:EXPLORINGLIFEUNDERTHESEA
PRESENTEDBY:AquaticFuturesFoundation-KoryLamberts,Foumder,Aquatic FuturesFoundationMilanFoston,NicoleEspada,LeslieNguyen,JillianLyles, LoganEvans,AlexisPutney
Exploremarinelifefromthebeautyofthecoralreefstoswimmingwithsharks, learnhowclimatechangeandconservationshapeourseas,anddiscovercareers inmarinescience.Throughhands-ondemosandoceansampleanalysis,uncover howyoucanmakearealimpactonprotectingourplanet.Adventureawaits!
EXPLORETHEBUSINESSOFART
PRESENTEDBY:Jhericoco,CreativeDirector,CostumeDesigner,Jhericoco LearnfromJheriCavittofKicksxJhericoco,aninnovativecustomshoeartist, costumedesigner,andvisualdesignerwithabackgroundinArchitecture,howto turnyourtalentasavisualartistintoalucrativecareer,whilepaintingyourown customdesignedaccessories.
FEELINGICE(D)OUT:KNOWYOURRIGHTS
PRESENTEDBY:SoniaFigueroa,SSFLLaw
Intoday’sclimate,understandingyourrightsisessential.Ledbyanimmigration attorney,thisworkshopwillexplainwhattodoifyouorsomeoneinyour communityencountersICE.Participantswilllearnaboutbasiclegalrights, commonmisconceptions,andpracticalstepstostaysafe.Thisconversation recognizesthemanycommunitiesimpactedbyICE—includingHaitian,Mexican, Jamaican,Filipino,African,andmore.
FROMAPPLICATIONTOGRADUATION:INSIDERTIPSFORCOLLEGESUCCESS
PRESENTEDBY: Dr.VedaRamsay-Stamps,UNCF,KathiBarber,UNCF,EIAlumni: GabrielaNavarro,DenverHendricks,OzzyGonzalez,MadelineQuinteros,Adela RuizAlumni
DiscoverwhatittakestogetintocollegeANDsuccessfullygraduate!Join inspiringEmpowHerAlumniastheyshareunfilteredadviceontheapplication process,campuslife,choosingamajor,andtacklingchallenges.Plus,explorea collegeassessmenttooltofindschoolsthatmatchyouruniquegoalsand personality.Walkawaywithtipstomakeyourcollegejourneyasuccessfrom starttofinish!
FROMFLIRTINGTOTHEFIRSTDATE:SETTINGBOUNDARIES,BUILDING HEALTHYRELATIONSHIPS
PRESENTEDBY:CambreishaMontgomery,MSW
Areyoudatingsomeoneyoucareabout,butsomethingjustfeels...off?Ormaybe there’ssomeoneyoulike,butyou’reunsurehowtomakeyourmove?Let’stalk aboutit!Thisinteractiveworkshopdivesintotheunspokenrulesandchallenges ofdating.You’llexplorehowtosetboundaries,identifydealbreakers,andcreate avisionforyouridealrelationship.Plus,you’llgainpracticaltipsforflirting, startingconversations,survivingthoseawkwardfirstdates,andbuildingthe confidencetomakeinformeddecisions.
GRIEFISREAL:LET’STALKABOUTIT
PRESENTEDBY:Dr.WendyTalley,TheleseConsultingGroup,LLC Wildfires.Deportations.Death. Losingsomeoneorsomethingyoulovesucks.Life hasbeenheavythesepast18months.Ifyou’vefeltoverwhelmed,angry,numb, anxious,orjust“off,”you’renotalone—andyou’renotweird.Thisworkshop createsajudgment-freespacetounpackwhatwe’velostandwhyyourreactions (nomatterwhattheyare)arenormal(evenwhenlifefeelsanythingbutnormal). Explorehealthywaystoprocesswhatyou’recarrying.Comeconnect,reflect,and learntoolstobuildemotionalresilience—becausehealingstartswhenwestop pretendingwe’refine.
HEALTHYHAIRCARE
PRESENTEDBY:NinaSimone,HairStylist
Washing,styling,andcaringforyourhaircanbeahealingexperience.Didyou knowusingtoomuchproduct,suchasedgecontrolcancausestresstoyourhair, leadingtoeverythingfromdrynesstobreakageandbaldness?Discovereffective practicesthatkeepyourcrownhealthyandbeautiful.Youwillalsolearnhowto startacareerinthehaircareindustry.
W O R K S H O P S
R K S H O P S
HOWTOSPOTSEXTRAFFICKING
PRESENTEDBYCastLA:AmyNguyen,AlexisQuintana,MiriamOchoa,Rosangela Rodriguez-Watkins
Everdatedsomeonethatwascharming,butfelt“off?”Youcouldn’texplainit,but youknewsomethingjustdidn’tfeelright?Practicetrustingyourinstinctsand bravelyusingyourvoiceinthishonestworkshop.Learntoidentifykeysignsof sextrafficking.Understandwhatsextraffickingis,groomingtactics,redflags, indicators,andresources.Practicescenariostohelpyousay“no”andprotect yourselfinschool,online,andinromanticrelationships.Wehopeattheendof thisworkshopyouwillnotonlybeinformedbutalsoempowered!
KNOWTHESIGNS,KNOWTHETRUTH:DRUGS,ALCOHOL&OPIOIDS
PRESENTEDBY:Dr.NiedhaWelch,LMFT,PsyD
Understandtherealrisksofdrugs,alcohol,andopioids.Thisinteractive workshopbreaksdownthefactsaboutsubstanceusedisorder,opioidmisuse, andaddiction—withoutjudgment.You’lllearnhowtorecognizewarningsignsin yourselforothers,understandhowaddictionreallyworks,anddiscoverhowto makeinformed,healthychoices.
LEVELUPWITHAI:CREATE,PROTECT,DOMINATE
PRESENTEDBY:UniversityofCaliforniaRiverside-JaiChen,AssociateProfessor ofTeachingElectrical&ComputerEngineering,VagelisPapalexakis,Professorand RossFamilyChairinComputerScience
W
AIiseverywhere—fromhomeworkhelptosocialmedia—butit’snotallgood.In thisworkshop,we’llbreakdowntherealriskslikedeepfakes,misinformation, bias,cheating,andprivacyissues.You’lllearnhowtospotthedangersanduseAI therightway—forresearch,creativity,andfuturecareers—withoutlosingyour voiceorintegrity.Stayinformed.Staysmart.UseAI,don’tletituseyou.
MAKEYOURMONEYGROW:UNDERSTANDINGBUDGETINGANDSAVING
PRESENTEDBY:JPMorganChase-JulietteUdeochu Learnhowtosavemoneyandmakeitmultiplyinyoursleep.Yup,that'sright.This workshopwillteachyouthedifferencebetweenabasicsavingsaccountanda highinterestsavingsaccountsuchasaCDand/orMoneyMarketaccount.You'll alsogetexposedtohowstockswork.Makeyourmoneygrownowsoyouare preparedtopayforcollegeorstartabusinessinthefuture.
MAKEYOURMONEYGROW:UNDERSTANDINGSAVINGANDINVESTING PRESENTEDBY:CityNationalBank-GloriaDominquez,V.P.BranchManagerIII AnaHernandezRoblesVicePresident,CRADataManager,EmmaMorataV.P. BranchManager,IllianaGordilloV.P.BranchManager,EsmirnaUriasAVP CommunityLending,ClaudiaKongCommunityLending,FatimaCastroPersonal RelationshipManager,AlyssaGutierrezAVP,MariaPazosAVPCommunity Lending,AnabellRamosV.P.RealEstateAdmin. Thisworkshopisdesignedtoempowerstudentswithessentialknowledgeabout savingsandinvestingfundamentals.Participantswillgainpracticalinsightsinto budgetingsavingsstrategiesandintroductoryconceptsininvestingtohelpthem makeinformedfinancialdecisionsfortheirfuture
OWNTHEMIC:PODCASTLIKEAPRO
PRESENTEDBY:PilarTerry,ManagingPartner&COO,ShafonneMyers,Podcast Host&Founder,AisleSociety,LorenaMartinez,Actor,ProducerandHost LupeLlerenas,FreelanceAwardWinningBilingualJournalistandContentCreator Everwonderedhowtostartyourownpodcastorbeanewsanchoror weatherpersoninfrontofagreenscreen?Inthishands-onworkshop,you’lllearn howtoresearch,report,andsharepowerfulstoriesthatmattertoyouandyour community.Exploretheartofpodcastingandnewscasting,fromconducting interviewsandproducingengagingepisodestoreadingateleprompter.
PASSTHEMIC:ABEGINNER'SGUIDETOBEINGAVOICEOVERACTOR
PRESENTEDBY:JessicaMikayla,Actress,VoiceOver,Founder,That'sSoJess EntertainmentInc.,TecheaAdams
Didyouknowsomeofyourfavoriteactorsmakemostoftheirmoneyactingin showswhereyouneverseetheirface?Voiceoveractingisalucrativeandfunway toexpressyourselfthroughdifferentcharactersforanimatedshowsandmore! Learnhowtouseyourvoiceforfilm,Television,andRadiointhisworkshop taughtbyaworkingactor!
SECRETSTOHEALTHYSKIN
PRESENTEDBY:Dr.PaulWallace,WallaceSkin&BodyInstitute Healthyskinismorethanjustaglow—it’sscience!Inthishands-onworkshop, you’lllearnhowtocarefordifferentskintypes,preventcommonissues,and explorecareersindermatology,fromclinicaldermatologiststoskincare specialistsandcosmeticresearchers.
SEWINGBASICS&CREATIVEDESIGN
PRESENTEDBY:StitchSpaceLAandStitchStopLA- SamanthaBloom,CoFounder,AmyRussell,Co-Founder
Thishands-onsewingworkshopintroducesyoutothebasicsofsewingand creativedesigninafun,supportiveenvironment.Participantswilllearn foundationalskillssuchasthreadingamachine,stitchingtechniques,andsimple constructionwhileexploringhowsewingcanbeaformofself-expressionand empowerment.
TAKEFLIGHTWITHDRONES
PRESENTEDBY:AudreyThompson,FounderandExecutiveDirector, Engineering Factory
Explorethethrillingworldofdrones,frompilotingtechniquestocutting-edge careeropportunitiesinengineering,aviation,anddataanalysis.Getreal-time flightexperiencewithTellodrones,guidedbyanexpert.Whetheryou'recurious aboutdronetechnologyordreamingofafutureinthefield,thissessionwillgive youtheskills,confidence,andinspirationtosoar!
W O R K S H O P S
O R K S H O P S
WTAKE OVER THE STAGE
PRESENTED BY: Tosha Whitten CEO/PR Strategist,FrontPage Firm PR, C. Manager, Founder 6x Entertainment, Tia P, Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Pilaar Terry, Managing Partner & COO, Daysah Britt-Wills Experiential Producer
Ever wonder what it takes to make stars shine or bring a story to life on screen? This workshop gives you an insider’s look at careers behind the entertainment industry’s biggest moments. Meet industry professionals including managers, agents, casting directors, and publicists who will share their journeys, day-today work, and tips for breaking into the business
TRAIN LIKE A FIGHTER
PRESENTED BY: Brick City Boxing - Joe Hanks, Heavyweight Champion, Founder, Coach Mo Williams, Boxing Coach
Boxing is one of the best cardio and strength building workouts Plus, it is fun, helps to reduce stress, increases confidence, and is a great way to learn selfdefense skills. If life has you feeling overwhelmed, come punch it out in a safe and supportive environment.
VOICES IN ACTION: LEAD. ADVOCATE. CREATE CHANGE.
PRESENTED BY: Women’s Foundation CA - Miyana Evans, Program Manager, Youth Leadership & Training, Donyà Saunders Director of Leadership and Training Programs
Your voice matters and has power. Learn how to speak up with confidence, organize around issues you care about, engage in civic action, and influence change from school policies to social justice movements You’ll leave with the tools, strategy, and courage to move from awareness to action
WOMEN IN SPORTS
SPONSORED BY: NFL FOUNDATION,Antoinette Brown, Sports Management Executive, LaFern Cusack, Producer, Dr Phil Podcast, Former ESPN Radio Host, Leah Jones, Los Angeles Chargers
Calling all sports enthusiasts, trailblazers, and future champions! Are you driven by a passion for athletics and excited to see more women leading the way in sports? Dive into the journeys of trailblazing women coaches, athletes, and executives who are shattering glass ceilings and redefining the sports landscape! I
ZEN VIBES ONLY: A NEW APPROACH TO MEDITATION
PRESENTED BY: Devon Cunningham, Founder, Sacred Sounds by Devon
Want to experience a new way to meditate? Join us for a restorative sound bath to promote healing, and overall well-being while relaxing and managing stress.
Claudia Alcazar Senior Recruiter Vaco
Casey Africano Sr. Mgr., Football Affairs LA Rams
Velonne Atkins News Business Manager KCBS/KCAL
CarolynAnderson ConsultantCityofLA RAP
CynthiaAnderson SeniorAssociate EVgo
LauraAronso FormerNewsAnchor
Fallon Baden Mergers & Acquisitions Director Senior Care Action Network
LyNeaBell CEO GotOneTV
Valerie Beltran Community Advocates Positive Result Center
WendyAvalos ProjectManagerDeluxe Entertainment
Angelique Bates Actress, Co-Founder Melting Pot Mgmt & PR
Priya Bhambri LARams
ClaudiaBotero Journalist-TVAnchor/ Reporter
CarolineCarlson CreativeDirectorofA&R Brill Building
FrankieBlair Founder&CEO, |Producer| ActressWhitneySt. Productions
RoshanBryan ProductionCoordinator
Fatima Castro Personal Relationship Manager
Vilma Castro PsyD Program Manager Mount Saint Mary's Univ., Los Angeles
Autumn Charles Singer, Songwriter, Actress
Carley Dryden Founder Carley Dryden Coaching and Consulting
Jordan Davis Live Content Correspondent Production Coordinator NFL Media
Tia Delaney-Stewart, MSN, PHN, RN, Director Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alzheimer's Association
Kim Dillinger "Wardrobe Stylist, Costumer,Media Personality,"
KatieDurko Co-Founder EditMediaGroup
Louisa Frahm Freelance AI & News SEO Strategist
BrendaGarcia Stunt-Actress PATHMAKERAwardHonoree
Rita Elder
Irene Gongora Lozano Sr. Manager Enrollment Operations
Nicole Gonzalez Partner PwC
Gloria Dominquez VP, Branch Manager City National Bank
KarrenFink TBD
KristaFoye RegionalVP EnterpriseMobility
Cicely Gibson ClinicalProgramDirector DaVita
NicoleGoldberg TaxDirector PWC
Iliana Gordillo Vice President Manager City National Bank
DeborahGray Pastor FlamingFireMiracle CenterInternational
Magaly Gomez VicePresident VacobyHighspring
AmberGrayhorse Executive CreativeArtistsAgency
MENTORS
Terrell M Green Program Analyst State Bar of California
EllieGreenberg Coordinator CommunityImpact& Engagement LARams
AlyssaGutierrez AVP CityNationalBank
KalimaH Founder,Muz Marketing
Afifeh Hadizadeh Director CGI
AnaHernandez CommunityReinvestment Act(CRA)Officer CityNationalBank
VickyHerrera Director,Partnerships &Experiential OurOwn
RobertaHoffman Volunteer CityofManhattan Beach
Angel James Horacek Attorney Law Offices of Angel J. Horacek, PC
Mika Khan Executive Director Chandramohan Family Foundation
Amy Johnson Anchor CBS LA
AmberJones Founder RootednEmber
IrisHosea SeniorAdvisor SouthernCalifornia Edison
Raynah Hudson Miss California Teen USA
ArianaKatz SociobehavioralPublic HealthResearcher RTIInternational
Cheryl Kisob VP, Sr. Corp. Social Responsibility Regional Officer BMO
JamieKoblinski HeadofGlobalTalent Acquisition Telesign
NatalieKopyan Actress/Dancer/Singer
Jo Kelly Coordinator, PartnershipMgmt LARams
ClaudiaKong CommunityLending CityNationalBank
Lauren Lance Area Manager Enterprise Mobility
CriceaLewis VicePresidentAcademy Manager BankofAmerica
Annalise Luna Ownership Zone Manager Ford Motor Company
DominiqueLyons AVP;FinancialCenter Manager BankofAmerica
KarenLocquet RetiredAssist Auditor Controller/CIO|LACounty
Lupe Llerenas Freelance Award Winning Bilingual Journalist and Content Creator
TonyaRenee Meisenbach FounderBurnedBeauty Foundation
Kiara Mendez-Recinos Mentor EmpowHer Institute
McKenzieNeely-Wright
ClaireNguyen DirectorofConsulting Delivery CGI
LorenaMartinez Actor,Producerand Host
SandraMilosavljevic VicePresident ConsultingExpert CGI
CeciliaNunez SGVComm.Investmentand EngagementOfficer CaliforniaCommunity Foundation
NikhitaMansukhani Kogar
EmmaMorata VP BranchManager CityNationalBank
RebeccaNunez Founder,CEOTheMRN Agency
AlexisMarion Trustee/ProgramOfficer FriedaC.FoxFamily Foundation
ShafonneMyers AisleSociety
AngelaOfori MissN/A-Studentat CSULA
NoelleLewis
WendyO’Kelly ChiefFinanceand OperationsExecutive WestBasinMunicipal WaterDistrict
Seffrah Orlando Director, External Relations & Communications SCAN
MariaPazos AVPCommunityLending CityNationalBank
Cathie Perez Assistant Controller Consultant
Leesa Rockhold Manager, Football Affairs LA Rams
Dianne Shorte President The LOVE Awards
Janette Roderick Facilities Specialist Enterprise Mobility
CeciliaOwens ChiefFinanceand OperationsExecutive Grandview
TiaP Rapper,Singer,Actress
TaraPak ProgramManager UniHealthFoundation
Ayla Rae Actress / Singer
AnabellRamos VPREalEstateAdmin CityNationalBank
Izzy Singer Assoc.Mgr,Partnership Development&Strategy LARams
ShanterialRozier LifeCoach PurposefulPlanit
Sabrina(Bre)Sadler Sr.ExecutiveAssistant SCAN
MarytzaReyes PartnerSanchez& AmadorLLP
EdenSkySicam Singer/Dancer/Model
ReynaSoriano CivilEngineer LACountyPublicWorks
Ashley Sandoval TV Dir & Assoc Dir Fox Sports, NBC Sports
Soto POV Agency
Celeste
Spiegel Independent Consultant
Thompson CSEC Advocate Supervisor Savings Innocence
TaxSeniorManager PWC
DirectorConsultingExpert CGI
Partner PwC
LindsayWagner FormerCIO UnitedTalentAgency
Trina White Vice President Human Resource Ispire
Workneh Chief Content Officer PushBlack
EsmirnaUrias AVP CommunityLend CityNationalBa Charlie Townsend Actress ReaganVirgilJohnson HealthcareProject Management Healthcare aquerano ng Manager Ferry
LeadProducer ELAVision
ExecutiveDirector AfrikanBlackCoalition
Williams Supervisor in Healthcare County
TelebahWoods SVP,BusinessStrategy& Initiatives BankofAmerica
Actress Linda Wright Community Health Prg. Supv. LatinoCare Management Services Co.
JanessaThrasher
SheryTing
Gardenia
Talya
Donna Tiocao
DaniWieczorek
Natasha
Lilly
YiZhou
Ma'RondaX
EmpowHer Social Justice S.T.E.A.M Student Project Competition
SpecialThankstoOurJudges
KameronGreene
Radio Personality
KJLH Radio
SAMANTHAMORA
President Youth Advisory Board
XeniaZolona
Syracuse University Class of 2025
International Relations Major a Political Science Minor
EmpowHer Alumni
Our eighth and ninth grade classes have been challenged to identify a social justice issue important to them and develop a project proposal outlining how a S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) technique can be used to address the problem. The challenge is designed to foster innovation, engage in social justice, and develop 21st Century Skills – critical thinking, communication and collaboration. In completing the challenge, students must: (1) identify and learn about a pressing issue that impacts their community; (2) use creativity and innovation; (3) communicate with group members to complete assignments; (4) conduct research and develop a project proposal presentation. The top three teams in each grade level have been pre-selected to present their project proposal to a panel of judges during the Girls to Greatness Teen Summit. Judges will award first ($1000), second ($500), and third ($250) prizes to the winners in each grade level. Youth in the audience may vote for fan favorite, who will receive an additional ($100) prize.
Thank you to our Staff and Volunteer Boards for your hard work and dedication to our mission
Board of Directors
DAWN L. BROWN
PRESIDENT / CEO
ANGEL JAMES HORACEK Chair
CECE CHIKHALE
Treasurer
Emeritus Board Chair
CECILIA OWENS
Secretary
GLORIADOMINQUEZ Director
EBONYE.MCCUE Director
PEYTONMEEKS Director
SAMANTHAMORA Director
Staff
DAWN L. BROWN
KENDRA BURKS
ADREE DE LUNA
DR. DIJANNA FIGUEROA
ABIGAIL GALVEZ-AGUIRRE
BLANCA HUEGEL
KEYONNA KEITH
JESSICA OCAMPO
MADELINE QUINTEROS
JAZMIN ROMERO
EmpowHer Youth Advisory Board
IXCHEL CAMPOS
Parliamentarian
SAM MORA President
PEYTON MEEKS Vice President
ANGELA LOPEZ Treasurer
JIANELLA BECERRIL Secretary
PRAISE ADEBANJO Director
Advisory Board Members
ROSA CARRILLO
MARTHA DANIEL
NIKKOLE
DENSON-RANDOLPH
JULIA EVANS
LORI HEFFELFINGER
INAMARIE JOHNSON
TENIEL JONES
HELEN NORRIS
RENE’ NOURSE
JASON PARK
MARY SADEGHI, MD
MAHLAUN CHANEY Director
SAMANTHA GODOY Director
JA'LAH GUY Director
EVELYN MANCILLA Director
KAYALAH MOORE Director
SEMAJ RHYNES Director
LIZBETH SANTILLANO Director
MARQUIS SPONSOR PRESENTING SPONSOR
GOLDSPONSOR
SILVERSPONSOR
BRONZESPONSOR
EVENTSUPPORTER
IN-KINDSPONSOR
