“Girls Inc. taught me how to be Strong, Smart & Bold, helped me find my voice, and exposed me to so many different things that I never knew existed.”

Isa first came to Girls Inc. in middle school and continued through high school. Her best friend Yessie was the one who first introduced her to Girls Inc. and ultimately convinced her to join. Isa participated in many Girls Inc. programs, from peer leadership to mentoring to the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition. Her favorite memory from Girls Inc. is hanging out with her friends in the teen room in the basement of the building.

“I always say I am the end product of Girls Inc. programming,” she says. “Girls Inc. taught me how to be Strong, Smart & Bold, helped me find my voice, and exposed me to so many different things that I never knew existed.” She has previously worked for Macy’s as the VP of merchandising and became an entrepreneur- she opened a Beauty Bar in Boston, but sold it during the pandemic. She teaches marketing & retailing at Bentley University and owns her own consulting firm, Plush Consulting. Girls Inc. taught Isa how to be strong, smart, and bold, and gave her the confidence to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams.

The trust, comfort, and safe space of Girls Inc.’s pro-girl environment allowed Isa to learn with other girls and discover her potential. She had a safe space to be creative and people to help and guide her as she grew into womanhood.

When asked what Strong, Smart, and Bold means to her, Isa answered: “Having the confidence to make your own decisions and knowing how to find the tools to navigate any system. Being able to use your voice and stand up for yourself.“