Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi & Company Leaders Call For Investing in Next Generation as they Launch Women’s History Month
Greenwich, CT – Nearly 300 leaders launched Women’s History Month at Girls With Impact’s 4th annual Gala at L’escale on Greenwich Harbor, celebrating Connecticut’s trailblazers and emerging leaders.
Among them were former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, named the 2024 Business Honoree. and Juanita James, a member of the state’s Board of Regents, named the 2024 Philanthropy Honoree – both of whom fought their way to the top.
Nooyi, when speaking about how to build our economy with GWI CEO Jennifer Openshaw, called on leaders to “focus on young people.”
“We have such a rich pool of potential CEOs,” said Nooyi. “Here’s the issue: We have to make sure we don’t put barriers in their way. We have an extraordinary talent base in women. They’re hungry and want to leave a mark on the world. But we still haven’t learned how to grease the skids for them. We still make it so hard for them to be anybody.”
“I know from experience that early education and encouragement can change the course of a young woman’s life,” she added. “That’s the power of Girls With Impact.”
Indra Nooyi, Former CEO of PepsiCo, in conversation with Jen Openshaw, CEO of Girls With Impact
Presented by Greenwich-based Eagle Point Credit – the celebration raised over $300,000 for the non-profit GWI, which operates the nation’s leading Business & Leadership education for young women, helping to ensure “they’re ready on Day 1” for the business world, said CEO Openshaw.
Juanita James, who broke ground in business at Time Inc. and then Pitney Bowes, and now serves as a member of Connecticut’s Board of Regents, was named the 2024 Advancing Equity in Philanthropy Honoree for her early support in securing GWI’s initial seed money.
“I didn’t have a GWI when I grew up,” said James, noting she had to “fight” for roles traditionally held by men.
“Girls With Impact provides the technical skills and confidence these young women need. The system can’t do it – they don’t have the budget or resources. That’s why this organization is so important.”
“These trailblazers demonstrate the power of investing early in young women to unleash their potential and benefit us all,” added Courtney Fandrick, Principal and Chief Compliance Officer of Eagle Point Credit, “Eagle Point is proud to partner with an organization that is deeply committed to creating equal opportunity for women in business like GWI.”
Fernanda Giron, 21, a GWI graduate and student at the Fashion Institute of Technology immigrated from El Salvador at 16 to pursue the “American Dream."
Fernanda Giron speaks about her learning experience from the Academy
“I wanted to start a business but when I asked my professor how to get started, he said 'create a business plan’,” she recalled. “I didn’t know how to create one, and then I found Girls With Impact. It changed my life: I got into F.I.T. and secured $10,000 in scholarships by leveraging my GWI experience – and I’m on my way in building my company, Tiali.”
Girls With Impact operates the nation’s only live, online business program for young women, 14-24 as a supplemental program or in-school class. Guided by business instructors, students bring real ideas to life and, along the way, learn business fundamentals – from problem solving and critical thinking to technology, finances and public speaking. Many graduates have gone on to receive large college scholarships.
From left to right: GWI Graduate Kellie Taylor, Jennifer Openshaw, Indra Nooyi, & GWI Graduate Fernanda Giron
A special thanks to the following for their generous support of GWI — Henkel, Lugano Diamonds, Strategic Value Partners, JP Morgan Chase, OakTree Capital, Deloitte, Philip Morris International, Mariner Wealth and Simon Pearce.
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About Girls With Impact
Girls With Impact, a 501c3, is the nation’s leading business and leadership program for young women 14-24. The 10-week “mini-MBA” moves women from ideation to a business plan and venture pitch, driving improvements in confidence, leadership, college and career readiness, and professional skills for success. Visit www.girlswithimpact.org. Watch our sizzle reel.
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Contact:
Emily Adji
emily.adji@girlswithimpact.org
(203) 314-4011