2026 SheRises - Our Inaugural Girls Summit

SheRises Summit 

On Saturday, April 18, Team Up Philly hosted its inaugural SheRises Girls Summit, bringing together nearly ~60 girls ages 9 - 14 and ~20 mentors, volunteers, and leaders for a day of connection, inspiration, and growth.

From the moment the girls walked in, the energy was palpable. The day was intentionally designed to expose them to new ideas, new role models, and new possibilities for their futures, and it delivered.

We were honored to hear from our keynote speaker, Nikki Johnson-Alfano, whose powerful and deeply personal story captivated the room and set the tone for the day. Her message of resilience, determination, and possibility resonated with girls and mentors alike.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a range of interactive sessions. The team from YES!, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit, led thoughtful conversations around empowerment and healthy decision-making. Open Door Abuse Awareness Prevention’s Coach V guided the girls through a session on brain health, helping them better understand how to care for both their minds and bodies. During the career panel, girls heard directly from women across a range of professions. 

We closed the day with a powerful and creative reflection activity. Each girl decorated a mirror with affirmations, statements like “I am strong,” “I am confident,” and “I am enough.” One by one, they shared their words aloud, filling the room with a sense of confidence, pride, and community. It was a moment that captured exactly what SheRises is meant to be.

The summit created a space where girls felt seen, supported, and inspired. SheRises was more than a single event. We are excited to continue building on this momentum and to make SheRises an annual opportunity to invest in the next generation of girls.

SheRises was made possible by an amazing group of sponsors:

Golub Capital Board Fellows - Wharton McNulty Leadership Program

Anne Marie & Terry Horner

Andy & Valarie Kind-Rubin