High school girls and those who identify with girlhood
Who We Are
Success is subjective. No one destination fits all – so why would one path fit all?
At Step Up, we believe girls deserve to define and pursue success on their terms. By bringing girls together in inspired spaces – on and offline – we spark exploration and discussion of what’s possible. With structured support and access to a strong community, we guide girls towards their unique goals: first, by identifying those goals and then, building the roadmap to get there.
Whether there is college, an internship, a network, or simply confidence – we’re there for it and there for you.
Step Up Girls Are
Young women and those who identify with womanhood ages 18-23
Girls of color facing systemic barriers and/or first-generation students
Our Mission
Through structured programs, focused support, and inspiring connections, we help girls define and achieve their unique visions of success.
Step Up Ambassadors
![Ahja Howard]()
Ahja Howard
Next Step Up Ambassador
Lead Child Associate, Springfield Public Schools C2
![Dulce Lezama Rodriguez]()
Dulce Lezama Rodriguez
Next Step Up Ambassador
UC Riverside
![Elaine Dimabuyu]()
Elaine Dimabuyu
Next Step Up Ambassador
Ryerson University
![Emily Pena]()
Emily Pena
Next Step Up Ambassador
UC Merced
![Juliana Romero]()
Juliana Romero
Next Step Up Ambassador
UC Davis
![Karla Herrera-Guzman]()
Karla Herrera-Guzman
Next Step Up Ambassador
University of California, Los Angeles
![Keury Rodriguez]()
Keury Rodriguez
Next Step Up Ambassador
Freelancer, STEM + Technology
![Lindsey Perez]()
Lindsey Perez
Next Step Up Ambassador
UCLA
Maliha Khan
Next Step Up Ambassador
![Melanie Remkus]()
Melanie Remkus
Next Step Up Ambassador
Columbia College Chicago
![Nicolle Echeverria]()
Nicolle Echeverria
Next Step Up Ambassador
California State University Long Beach
![Priya Lakshman]()
Priya Lakshman
Next Step Up Ambassador
University of Kansas
![Warisha Shaheen]()
Warisha Shaheen
Next Step Up Ambassador
St. Francis College.
Wendy Ferguson
Next Step Up Ambassador
UC Riverside
![Ananya Chiluka]()
Ananya Chiluka
Teen Ambassador
Lebanon Trail High School, Plano TX
![Beata Knurowski]()
Beata Knurowski
Teen Ambassador
John F Kennedy High School, Chicago, IL
![Didi Okafor]()
Didi Okafor
Teen Ambassador
Wilson High School, Long Beach, CA
![Emily Lopez]()
Emily Lopez
Teen Ambassador
Alliance Leichtman Levine Environmental Science High School, Los Angeles, CA
![Erina Chowdhury]()
Erina Chowdhury
Teen Ambassador
The Young Women's Leadership School of the Bronx, Bronx, NY
![Gabriela Flores-Ayala]()
Gabriela Flores-Ayala
Teen Ambassador
Gertz-Ressler Alliance High School, Los Angeles, CS
![Hrilina Rakhs]()
Hrilina Rakhs
Teen Ambassador
Gretna, LA
![Janeal Edwards]()
Janeal Edwards
Teen Ambassador
The young women's leaderships school of astoria, Tobyhanna, PA
![Lourdes Saldana]()
Lourdes Saldana
Teen Ambassador
Alliance Collins Family College-Ready High School, Los Angeles, CA
![Rossy Plascencia]()
Rossy Plascencia
Teen Ambassador
John F Kennedy High School, Chicago, IL
![Saisree Kumar]()
Saisree Kumar
Teen Ambassador
Boulder High School, Boulder, CO
![Tiara Soto]()
Tiara Soto
Teen Ambassador
Young Women's Leadership School Of Astoria, Astoria, NY
I became an activist because I believe in myself. I know the experiences I’ve had with Step Up helped me gain the confidence and self-esteem to get to that place.
— Valeria, Step Up Ambassador
Our Leadership
Andrya R. Smith
Chair, National Board of Directors
Kaye Popofsky Kramer
Founder
Be a Corporate Partner
Partner with Step Up in our mission to help girls define and pursue their dreams of success. Step Up crafts activations that connect your brand with our community of women members and young women mentees, and provides your employees with mentoring and networking opportunities.