Meet Jennifer Openshaw | CEO, Girls With Impact

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Openshaw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My own daughter, 11, recently asked me: Why are all the CEOs men?

I told her, “That’s why we started Girls With Impact — to change the numbers and get more women to the top.”

It’s amazing that today, just 7% of the large company CEOs are women. One reason is that women and girls don’t have role models; they also face a huge drop in confidence that can impact their future. This really needs to change.

Everyone’s worried about a strong economy, jobs, and having skilled talent. Women are really the answer to this. And that’s what Girls With Impact is doing — training them earlier so they have the mindset to achieve anything they want. We are changing the narrative and proving that more women can be a CEO or own their own company. But it all starts with giving them the confidence, skills and tools to reach their potential today…not when their in their 30s or 40s.

What should our readers know about your business?
So many of us, myself included, wished we were better prepared for the real world.

Girls With Impact is changing futures for women 14-24. We’re seeing some powerful results: 93% say their confidence increased. That has a huge impact on the decisions she’ll make about her future.

They’re building critical skills that will help them be impactful in a job – from public speaking (91% improvement) to tech skills (73%).

And, because they finish the program with a real business plan for their impact project, they now have powerful material for their resume, college applications and job interviews.

One graduate recently told me, “When I interviewed for my job at the community college I was about to attend, my future boss asked about my Girls WIth Impact project.”

“That’s pretty impressive for someone your age,” the future boss responded.

By the end of the interview, Kellie had landed both a job and college – tuition-free!

That’s the power of this program, and why every young women should enroll. This is training for life; training that will help her get to wherever she needs to go.

What makes Girls With Impact unique – aside from focusing just on women — is our live, online delivery. Our classes are delivered from the comfort of home. Students are taught by MBA instructors with real business experience who can guide them in bringing their idea to life. That’s why this is normally a $995 program — but, as a result of our sponsors, this program is made FREE to those from low to moderate income families.

We’ve also added a special “kicker” for this summer only — all students who complete the program will receive a $50 grocery card.

Of course, we are very outcomes-driven meaning, we make sure our students leave with improved skills and confidence. For example, 85% feel more ready to be a leader, 71% feel more able to set themselves apart, and 93% feel more college ready. Plus, our graduates are securing college scholarship as high as a $200,000 full ride. That’s why we think this is one of the most important programs for young women.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a fan of the Kimpton Hotel downtown. It’s small, the people are super helpful, and there’s a great Italian restaurant connected to it. Here are some of our faves:

Stanley Marketplace – food, shopping, fun outdoor events like yoga on the lawn and outdoor movies

Rino Arts District – Cool art galleries and be sure to check out Denver Central Market for great food/drinks in an open market atmosphere

Snowl – a Japanese dessert shop next to Katsu Ramen for great ramen and sushi

A quick 30 min drive to Boulder for hiking and tacos at T/aco restaurant

Drive through the Wildlife Refuge Arsenal to see bison, antelope, and deer

Happy Camper pizza in the Highlands neighborhood – fun atmosphere and excellent pizza

Kayaking on the Aurora reservoir

Hiking in Estes park – grab late lunch at “You need Pie” restaurant in the village near iconic Stanley hotel Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
U.S. Bank and Trimble, both dedicated to helping us turn Denver’s women and girls into tomorrow’s leaders.

Website: www.girlswithimpact.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlswithimpact/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenopenshaw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsWithImpact/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHjz0DgV0s0R6haQUXYTPiA

Image Credits
Girls With Impact