I was just fifteen when I first stepped into the room at Girl Up’s Leadership Summit in Washington DC, having travelled all the way from London. I remember being both nervous and in awe, surrounded by young people who, like me, were passionate about creating change. That experience lit a spark in me. I left not only inspired but determined to take action in my own community.
Back at school in London, I started a Girl Up club that grew to nearly 60 members. We fundraised, hosted events, and built a space where young people could learn, lead, and speak up about issues that mattered to them. That sense of community fuelled my confidence and taught me that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but about empowering others to rise with you.
Girl Up gave me more than opportunities, it gave me a lifelong belief that young people can and do change the world.
One of the defining moments of my journey was being part of the Disney Dream Big Princess campaign, where I had the chance to share stories that reached millions and raised funds to support girls’ globally. The following year, I joined Girl Up as a Teen Advisor, working alongside an inspiring group of young leaders from around the world. Together, we built friendships that have lasted far beyond the programme and showed me the true power of global sisterhood.
It was through Girl Up that I met one of my closest collaborators, with whom I later co-founded Cultivate Global Education, an organisation committed to advancing equitable access to education for girls in the UK and the US. What began as an idea between two young women in the movement has grown into an initiative impacting lives across borders.
As Girl Up expanded in the UK, I was proud to be part of that growth, supporting the development of Girl Up UK and later becoming its youngest trustee. Each step, from lobbying policymakers to mentoring new leaders, has been a chance to learn resilience, to refine my voice, and to see how small actions, when multiplied, create real change.
Now, as I embark on my professional career, I carry with me the lessons I first learned at fifteen: leadership rooted in community, courage built through resilience, and friendships that continue to remind me why this work matters. Girl Up gave me more than opportunities, it gave me a lifelong belief that young people can and do change the world.
