Philadelphia, PA (June 15, 2020) In response to social distancing requirements imposed to slow the spread of COIVD-19, Girls Inc. canceled the in-person Strong, Smart, and Bold Breakfast event originally scheduled for June 3rd at the Lowes Philadelphia Hotel. The organization responded swiftly and creatively, building an event microsite featuring video messages from program participants, honorees, staff and board members.
The event microsite officially launched at 8am on June 3rd and staff, board members and corporate partners acted as virtual table hosts, leading their originally intended table guests, colleagues, and family members through the microsite content over video conference calls. Throughout the day, over 1,000 people virtually attended the 18th annual Strong, Smart and Bold Virtual Breakfast, raising over $135,000 to support Girls Inc.’s capacity to deliver programs remotely.
The event honored Lisa Detwiler, Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of FS Investment Solutions; Sheila Gallucci-Davis, Vice President and General Counsel of Corporate Responsibility and Philanthropy for Subaru; and Dalila Wilson-Scott, Senior Vice President of Community Impact for Comcast Corporation and as President of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. The women were honored for their professional success and contributions as mentors to girls and young women in the region. The three honorees participated in a panel discussion hosted by Girls Inc. Ambassador Club leader, Dejah, discussing their careers, involvement with Girls Inc. and their experiences navigating the coronavirus crisis.
Girls Inc. also honored Deloitte with the Corporate Champion for Girls award for the company’s longstanding relationship with Girls Inc. participants and staff and for their significant financial and volunteer contributions. Louis Pichini, Managing Director of Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, accepted the award on Deloitte’s behalf.
Mr. Pichini was introduced by Girls Inc. participant, Wisdom, who spoke to her experience attending Deloitte Academy. Deloitte Academy is Deloitte’s three-day, signature mentoring program that utilizes active learning techniques to fast-track relationship development and introduce students to critical life skills that map to college and career readiness. Wisdom said of her experience, ““Joining Girls Inc. has proven time and again to be a monumentally beautiful decision. I am honored to be a part of a movement that encourages girls to be unapologetically strong, smart and bold. I am so proud to say that it all started with Deloitte Academy.”
The event microsite featured testimony from over one dozen Girls Inc. girls and young women relaying the meaningful impact that Girls Inc. has had on their lives. Executive Director, Dena Herrin, commented, “The success of this event and support of the community of funders, donors and volunteers makes all of our work possible creating the promising narratives of the girls we heard – future doctors, writers, CFOs, actors and engineers.” With hundreds of Philadelphia’s corporate, nonprofit and government leaders joining the event virtually, the organization had an important opportunity to tell the Girls Inc. story to a wider audience. Ms. Herrin added, “I spent most of yesterday responding to emails from breakfast attendees wanting to know how they can support the mission through mentoring, career exploration and investment.”
Girls Inc.’s mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold. In partnership with schools, juvenile justice organizations, corporations and other community partners, Girls Inc. programs focus on the development of the whole girl. A combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment and research-based curriculum equips girls to lead fulfilling and productive lives and become role models in their communities. Over 3,000 girls participate in Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey programs each year, focusing on healthy decision making, academic enrichment and life skills instruction.
To learn more about Girls Inc. and how you can help the girls of the Greater Philadelphia region acquire the tools, self-confidence and role models they need to envision and achieve a bright future, contact Dena Herrin at DHerrin@Girlsincpa-nj.org or visit their website at www.girlsincpa-nj.org.