University of Pittsburgh · Her Rising Initiative
Girls Who
Lead.
A chapter for women at Pitt who want to build real leadership skills, connect with peers and professionals, and take action on the issues that matter to them.
About
What is Girls Who Lead?
A Pitt student organization founded Spring 2026, affiliated with the national nonprofit Her Rising Initiative.
Girls Who Lead @ Pitt (GWL) exists to close the opportunity gap for women in leadership. We bring together students who are interested in policy, law, business, technology, and advocacy, and we give them the spaces, skills, and connections to actually do something with those interests.
We are a campus chapter of Her Rising Initiative, a national nonprofit that supports women's leadership development at colleges and universities across the country. That means our programming, values, and community are part of something bigger than a single campus.
GWL is in its founding year, which means there is real room to shape what this organization becomes. Members who join early help define the culture, the events, and the direction.
Open to all Pitt students
Any currently enrolled student can join. No dues, no GPA requirement, no application.
National affiliate
Part of the Her Rising Initiative network, a national nonprofit advancing women's leadership on campuses.
Founded Spring 2026
A founding-year chapter. You would be among the first members to help build this community.
SOOS Affiliate
Recognized by Pitt's Student Office of Sustainability for our commitment to social and environmental equity.
What we stand for
Our Values
Everything we do is grounded in these, from how we run meetings to what events we host.
Accessibility
No barriers to participation. No dues, no gatekeeping, no prerequisites.
Equity
We care about who gets access to opportunity, and we build programming with that in mind.
Action
We move from conversation to doing. GWL is a space to act, not just discuss.
Sisterhood
Real community, the kind where you actually know and support each other.
Honest
We say what we mean and trust each other enough to be direct.
Sustainable
We build an organization that does not burn people out: equitable workloads, real rest.
Programming
What we do
Events are designed to connect members with knowledge, people, and opportunities they would not otherwise have.
Speaker Series
Women in Law, Policy & Tech
Conversations with professionals working across law, government, business, and technology. Real people, real paths, real advice.
Workshops
Policy & Business Skills
Practical skill-building sessions covering how policy gets made, how to pitch, how to navigate institutions. Led by members and external experts.
Networking
Professional Connections
Structured events to meet professionals, alumni, and peers in your areas of interest. No awkward cold-emailing required.
Civic Programming
Know Your Rights & Community Events
Co-hosted civic education events with Pittsburgh community organizations. Open to all students, not just GWL members.
Community
Bonding & Culture
Monthly low-key hangouts, seasonal events, and an end-of-year formal dinner. GWL is a community first, a résumé line second.
Leadership Development
Committee Roles
Once membership grows, members can apply for committee leadership roles in Programming or Outreach. A real path to lead, not just attend.
Membership
Join us
Joining is simple. We are actively building our founding member cohort right now. Fall 2026 is when things kick off.
What membership looks like
✓
Open to any currently enrolled Pitt student, any year, any major
✓
No dues. No GPA requirement. No application to fill out.
✓
General meetings are biweekly. Attend at least 75% to stay in good standing.
✓
Members in good standing can vote in elections and apply for leadership roles
✓
Events are supplemental. Attend what interests you, skip what does not.
Girls Who Lead @ Pitt
Meet the
Board.
The founding officer team building GWL at Pitt from the ground up, Spring 2026.
GWL is led by five founding officers elected for the May 2026 to April 2027 term. Each officer holds one role and no officer may hold more than one position simultaneously. Officers meet weekly and are the primary point of contact for chapter operations. Want to get involved or reach the board? Email us at girlswholeadpitt@gmail.com
Journey Darby
Chapter President
Bio coming soon.
Responsibilities
Leads all weekly officer meetings and sets chapter direction
Primary liaison to Her Rising Initiative national team
Manages SORC registration and institutional compliance
Leads Involvement Fair tabling and chapter launch
Oversees overall chapter health and officer accountability
Sahiti Kulkarni
Vice President
Bio coming soon.
Responsibilities
Sources and coordinates speakers for the speaker series
Leads programming planning and event logistics
Supports the President and covers in her absence
Manages committee workshops and skill-building sessions
Zahara Morris
Business Manager
Bio coming soon.
Responsibilities
Opens and manages the chapter's SGB bank account
Tracks all chapter income and expenses
Submits SGB funding requests and budget reports
Coordinates any dues, fundraising, or sponsorship activity
Jayla Blakey
VP of Communications
Bio coming soon.
Responsibilities
Manages all GWL social media, including Instagram
Creates and distributes event promotional materials
Sends GroupMe and email announcements to members
Maintains GWL visual identity using Canva templates
Documents events with photos and written recaps
Nadya Weaver
VP of Community & Culture
Bio coming soon.
Responsibilities
Spearheads one community event per semester, open to non-members, focused on community service or social impact
Plans and runs monthly bonding and community events for members
Coordinates SOOS First Thursday representative attendance
Leads onboarding for new members each semester
Tracks member good-standing status and attendance
Plans the end-of-year formal dinner
Girls Who Lead @ Pitt
The GWL
Symposium.
Our signature end-of-year showcase. Every member proposes a community solution and presents it. Every major is welcome. Every background belongs.
The Symposium is GWL's capstone event, held at the end of each academic year. Members choose a Community Solution (a project, proposal, or initiative that addresses a real problem) and present it to an audience of professors, policymakers, community leaders, and peers. You can work individually or in a group. The format is yours to choose. All majors are welcome and encouraged. We structure the year so this never becomes a burden.
Your Year at a Glance
Three phases, spread across both semesters, with support built in at every step.
Fall Semester
Introduction & Brainstorm
We introduce the Symposium at our first general meeting. You spend the fall exploring ideas, attending workshops, and getting feedback from the board. No deliverables yet. Just thinking and talking.
Spring Semester
Build & Develop
You submit your project idea early spring for Her Rising approval. Then you develop it with structured check-ins, peer support, and board guidance along the way. We help you stay on track without adding pressure.
End of Year
Present at the Symposium
Present your work at the formal year-end event. Guests include professors, city council members, community leaders, and public figures. Your format is up to you: TED-talk, poster, pitch, demo, or panel.
Every Project Answers Five Questions
Your Community Solution, whatever form it takes, must address these.
01
What problem are you addressing and who does it impact?
03
What solution did you create?
04
What was the impact of the solution?
What Could Your Project Look Like?
These are examples. Your idea doesn't have to fit any of them.
🎙️
Podcast or video series highlighting stories of Pittsburgh women leaders
📊
Research on gender disparities in a field, with actionable recommendations
💻
App or website focused on accessibility, education, or wellness
📝
Policy proposal on an issue affecting women or underrepresented communities
🤝
Mentorship program connecting Pitt students with women in their field
🌿
Financial literacy, health, or sustainability workshop series for the community
We've got you. The Symposium is designed to fit into your life, not take it over. The board provides structured support all year, project ideas are submitted and approved early so you're never scrambling, and you can always work in a group. This is about building something real, at whatever scale makes sense for you.
Girls Who Lead @ Pitt
Announcements
& Updates.
Chapter news, event reminders, and opportunities. Check here or join the GroupMe to stay current.
General
June 2026
GWL @ Pitt is officially launching this Fall
We are building our founding member cohort right now over the summer. If you are interested in joining, the best thing you can do is get into the GroupMe today so you do not miss anything before Fall 2026 kickoff. No application, no dues, just show up.
Event
Coming Up: August 24, 2026
Find us at the Involvement Fair
GWL will be tabling at Pitt's Fall 2026 Involvement Fair on August 24. Come find our table to meet the founding board, learn about the chapter, and officially sign up as a member. This is the official launch of GWL at Pitt.
General
More announcements coming soon
As the chapter gets going, this page will have event reminders, meeting recaps, speaker announcements, and opportunities. Join the GroupMe to get updates in real time.
Girls Who Lead @ Pitt
GWL
In Action.
Her Rising Initiative chapters in action. Our Pitt chapter photos will live here starting Fall 2026.
GWL in action across the Her Rising Initiative network. These are your future: the speaker stages, symposium panels, and community moments you will be part of at Pitt.
Symposium Presentation · Her Rising
GWL Community · Her Rising
Panel Discussion · Her Rising
Speaker Event at Rotary · Her Rising
Community Engagement · Her Rising
📷
GWL @ Pitt · Fall 2026
Our chapter's moments go here when the year begins.
Join our GroupMe
