Women Who Open Doors, Ignite Possibilities
Women’s History Month honors those who expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and help shape a more equitable future. NFTE women are consistently leading, teaching, mentoring, and supporting our young entrepreneurs worldwide. They’re represented on our team and in board rooms, classrooms, and volunteer networks. They embody leadership that opens doors and expands opportunity. Because of their work, girls and young women everywhere see themselves as founders, leaders, innovators, and owners of their futures.
This year, the NFTE Women’s Affinity Group embraced the theme NFTE Women Driving the Mission. Throughout March, the employee group highlighted colleagues, educators, and partners whose leadership prepares the generation that follows in their footsteps, including the 44% of NFTE students who identify as female.
Here are just a few of the remarkable women of NFTE!
Wisdom from NFTE Educators
Yarelis Santiago, Mastery High School of Camden
Her words of wisdom:
Women are magical! We can literally do it all, even when we feel like we are hanging by a thread. I truly believe there is no limit to our power. As a mother to a beautiful 5-year-old girl, it is important for me to always highlight our powers because as women of all ages we are resilient, determined, natural go‑getters. We are nonstop and the glue that keeps it all together. Oftentimes, we tend to forget that. When we do, we need to remember that even on the hardest days, us women, we are the unicorns of the world!
Tanya Delgado, Randall Middle School
Her words of wisdom:
As a female middle school entrepreneurship teacher, I hope future generations of young women see from my example that leadership begins with believing in yourself and being willing to try. I want them to know their ideas are worth sharing, their voices matter, and they don’t need to wait for permission to lead. If they walk away with the confidence to take risks, learn from mistakes, and stay true to who they are, then I know I’ve helped shape the kind of women who will lead with courage and purpose.
Precious Ojeda, Jewish Renaissance Foundation
Her words of wisdom:
Stay rooted in your purpose and never underestimate the impact you have on your students’ lives. The work we do goes far beyond teaching entrepreneurship we are building confidence, shaping mindsets, and helping young people see possibilities for their future. Lead with passion, be patient with the process, and create spaces where students feel safe to take risks, grow, and find their voice. Even on the challenging days, remember that the seeds you plant today will grow in ways you may not immediately see, but your influence can create lasting change for generations to come.
Wisdom from NFTE Team Members
Lea Bruder, Annual Fund Manager
Lea is energized by students, colleagues, and supporters alike. As NFTE’s first Annual Fund Manager, she’s helping build strategies that strengthen national fundraising and broaden the community of donors committed to the mission.
Her superpower, empathy combined with resilience, helps her create meaningful, trust-filled relationships. A standout experience for Lea was attending the EY Strategic Growth Forum alongside NFTE student Solonia Allen, a connection that grew into an ongoing mentorship.
Her advice to women:
Build intentional community with other women, and don’t let imposter syndrome convince you that you don’t belong. If you’re in the room, you’ve earned your seat.
Ruhifa Chalati, Recruiting and Administrative Associate
Ruhifa strengthens NFTE from the inside, helping build a mission-driven team through thoughtful hiring and a job candidate-centered approach. Through her organization and genuine care, she works to ensure every person she interacts with feels supported.
She’s motivated by the ripple effect of her work. She knows each new hire at NFTE broadens opportunities for young people discovering entrepreneurship.
Her advice to women:
One step at a time is still progress. I like this reminder because growth, both personally and professionally, often happens gradually. Every step forward matters!
Kristina Wallace, Director of Institutional Giving
Kristina brings heart, discipline, and unwavering commitment to securing resources for NFTE’s students. She finds deep joy in collaborating with a dynamic team and knowing her efforts translate directly into opportunities for young people.
Her organizational strength helps her navigate the fast-paced world of institutional giving, but her core motivation is students. They motivate her, whether she’s watching them pitch ideas or working alongside them to be certain they have the necessary tools to succeed.
Her advice to women:
Throw imposter syndrome out the window. I remember being younger and in incredibly homogenous professional spaces, I often felt like I should not be there, and I was often sidelined or even demeaned. I learned too late that my background and experience were just as valid, and that mine was often a missing perspective in those spaces. The world needs more of you. Take up space!
Jeannine Schloss, Chief Growth Officer
Jeannine is especially proud of the culture her team has built. It is grounded in trust, shared ownership, and a commitment to thinking bigger. She has a talent for seeing connections where others see separate pieces, and she can bring people and opportunities together to turn ideas into action.
She’s most inspired by watching students begin to believe in themselves and embrace their roles as innovators. Jeannine also understands that growth rarely feels comfortable and believes that the way we speak to ourselves can determine whether we move forward.
Her advice to women:
Don’t wait until you feel completely ready to step into bigger opportunities. Most growth happens while you’re in the process of figuring things out. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. Stay curious and trust that your perspective has value. Leadership isn’t about having every answer. It’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.
Ashley Hemmy, Chief of Staff
Ashley is drawn to how NFTE uses entrepreneurship to connect learning, innovation, and opportunity. She loves being part of work that helps students see themselves as creators and problem solvers while also contributing to meaningful shifts across the education landscape.
Her superpower is connecting dots—across people, strategies, and systems—to bring clarity to complexity. Ashley often returns to a line by Emily Dickinson: “I dwell in possibility.” For her, possibility is a mindset she brings into every aspect of leadership.
Her advice to women:
Don’t wait to feel “ready” before raising your hand. Growth often comes from stepping into complexity, learning as you go, and letting experience shape you. Find people who challenge your thinking, and remember that your voice matters—especially in rooms where it may be underrepresented.
Mary Radford, Chief Financial & Admin Officer
Mary uses her rich expertise and talents to guide NFTE’s fiscal sustainability and good stewardship. Her financial leadership is thoughtful and wise, and she provides teams with the structure, clarity, and stability they need to carry out their work effectively.
Mary is driven by the knowledge that supporting the people and programs at NFTE ultimately serves students and communities.
Her advice to women:
Take every opportunity you can. Never give up a chance to grow. Bite off more than you can chew. Challenge yourself. Be uncomfortable. But in all cases, never be anyone but yourself.
Christine Ryan, Senior Curriculum Development Manager
Christine plays a vital role in connecting curriculum to real classroom experiences. She uses teacher and student feedback to refine programs and create learning experiences that truly resonate.
Her ability to manage multiple projects allows her to see the big picture while ensuring every detail supports student success. She loves witnessing “lightbulb moments” when understanding clicks and confidence shines, especially as students pitch ideas they’ve created.
Her advice to women:
As you’re working hard, you’re not alone. Find your people, your support network. And while doing so, remember to support and lift up those supporters! Be the leader you’d want to work for. Having a positive outlook and being open‑minded can make work easier and more enjoyable, as can having happy, appreciated people working alongside you.
Darlene Lacey, Senior Director, Product Strategy & Innovation
For Darlene, meaningful work begins with people. She’s proud to collaborate with a team that shows up every day with energy, curiosity, and dedication.
She brings a steady determination to her work, improving even the smallest details because she knows they matter. NFTE alumni inspire her most, reminding her that the impact of this work stretches far into the future.
Her message to women:
There is greatness inside every one of us. Be bold, take chances, and use that greatness to make the world a better place.
Jennifer Lunt, Program Director, NFTE South
For Jenn, meaningful work starts with connection. Over the past three years at NFTE, she’s built strong, trusted relationships with educators, becoming someone they can lean on for support, collaboration, and fresh ideas.
She brings a people-first approach to everything she does, creating spaces where students, teachers, and partners feel seen, welcomed, and valued. What drives her most is the “lightbulb moment”—when a student realizes their ideas matter and their future isn’t defined by their circumstances.
Her message to women:
Soft skills are your superpower. The way you connect with people, lead with empathy, and make others feel welcome—that’s what sets you apart. Own your seat at the table, and don’t forget to bring someone with you when you get there.
