The InfluencHer Leadership Summit is a free, one-day program designed exclusively for middle-school-aged girls in Washington County, Ohio. It's a unique gathering that assembles enthusiastic young minds, passionate mentors, and engaging activities, all aimed at equipping tweens with essential leadership skills. Throughout the day, participants, known as "influencHers," embark on an immersive journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and hands-on mentorship.

Discover the Experience

Transformative Workshops

Workshops offer diverse activities tailored for middle-school-aged girls, providing a mix of community service, leadership, and communication training through games, and mindfulness sessions. These activities foster personal and professional growth, guiding participants on a journey of self-discovery to uncover their strengths and passions.

Build Bonds and Boost Confidence

At the InfluencHer Leadership Summit, participants will have ample opportunities to forge meaningful connections. Accomplished female mentors from diverse backgrounds accompany these young influencHers, engaging with them in workshops designed to unleash their creativity, broaden their horizons, and cultivate a foundation for self-confidence and resilience.

Connect, Create, and Thrive

At InfluencHer, every individual finds their place to shine. In addition to enriching workshops, the Summit includes plenty of downtime for the girls to relax, socialize, and make new friends. This blend of structured mentorship and casual interaction fosters a supportive community where influencHers can build lasting relationships and a strong network of peers and role models.

FAQs

What is InfluencHer?

The InfluencHer Leadership Summit is a transformative day of growth, empowerment, and exploration. This free program aims to equip young girls with essential leadership skills through a series of engaging workshops, mentorship opportunities, and interactive activities.

Who can attend?

The Summit is exclusively tailored for 10 to 12-year-old girls residing in Washington County, Ohio. Participants are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to register as soon as possible. Due to the program’s popularity and structure, we do not allow girls to participate more than once at this time.

Who is organizing the event?

The Summit is dually presented by Building Bridges to Careers and Marietta Community Foundation. These organizations work together to transform lives and strengthen Washington County, Ohio.

What can participants expect?

Participants, known as "influencHers," will engage in a variety of workshops and activities that promote self-discovery, personal growth, creativity, and leadership skills. They will be mentored by accomplished female professionals from diverse backgrounds, allowing them to gain insights and inspiration from real-world experiences.

How much does it cost?

InfluencHer is a free program thanks to the generous contributions of local donors. Meals and snacks will be provided to ensure all participants stay energized and focused. Additionally, a t-shirt will also be provided to foster a sense of unity and belonging.

How do I register my daughter?

First, simply complete this online registration form. A follow-up email will be sent in July. You must respond to confirm your child's spot by the deadline given in the email. Failure to do so will result in their spot going to a girl on the waitlist.

When and where is the next Summit?

The next InfluencHer Leadership Summit will take place on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Washington State College of Ohio. Drop off is 8:30-9:00 a.m. Pick-up is 3:30-4:00 p.m.

Can I get involved as a mentor?

We welcome enthusiastic mentors and volunteers who are passionate about empowering young girls. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out this interest form.

Who can I contact for more information?

For questions about registration or participants, please contact Building Bridges to Careers at 740-370-6399 or hmiller@bb2careers.org.

For questions about mentoring or donating, please contact Marietta Community Foundation at 740-373-3286 or laney@mcfohio.org

The 2nd Summit took place on August 2, 2024.

It was a blast!

Read About It

Origin Story

In the mid-2010s, an inspired community member envisioned a leadership camp exclusively for middle school girls. Recognizing the immense potential of this idea, they shared it with Marietta Community Foundation, hoping to see it brought to life.

The Foundation knew that partnering with an experienced organization was essential to create a truly impactful program. In the spring of 2023, Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C) emerged as the perfect collaborator.

Together, they transformed this vision into a comprehensive program for tween girls in Washington County. They named it "InfluencHer," highlighting its focus on empowering young female leaders and acknowledging the impactful role of influencers in today's world.

The inaugural InfluencHer Leadership Summit took place on August 4, 2023, offering a day filled with empowerment, exploration, and growth. Participants engaged in hands-on workshops, team-building challenges, empowering classes, a service activity, one-on-one mentoring, and more—all designed to inspire and develop leadership skills.

The summit's success was clear as parents reported increased confidence and a willingness to try new things in their daughters. Building on this achievement, the 2024 summit aims to welcome a larger group of enthusiastic young minds, passionate mentors, and engaging activities.

Workshops are designed to be challenging yet fun and rewarding, nurturing leadership potential from multiple angles. Participants reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement, assess their mindset, and build self-confidence and resilience. They discover their inherent capabilities through group community service activities and empowering exercises. Finally, they put their skills to the test by working within a team to accomplish goals.

Participants leave with a comprehensive toolbox of leadership skills, a copy of "The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Messing Up, & Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self" to continue their leadership journey, new friendships, a commemorative t-shirt, and a water bottle.

InfluencHer is made possible through generous donations of time, talent, and treasure. Mentors take personal time off work to provide guidance and support, while local experts volunteer to facilitate character and skill-building workshops. Monetary donations cover expenses, ensuring the program is offered free of charge to young leaders throughout the community.

Today, the InfluencHer Leadership Summit is poised to grow into a cornerstone of our community, fostering leadership skills and resilience in young girls for years to come. With each summit, we aim to deepen our impact, empowering more girls to embrace their potential and lead with confidence, ensuring a brighter future for all.