GLAM Partners with Cisco to Equip Girls for Business and Leadership

CAMPBELL, Calif., June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GLAM (Girls Leadership Academy Meetup), the Silicon Valley-based nonprofit, today announced its partnership with Cisco in teaching girls aged 8-12 leadership and tech skills to help close the gender gap in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) sectors.

As part of its partnership, 42 Cisco executives contributed their time and expertise to delivering the award-winning curriculum that includes modules on leadership, strategy, teamwork, entrepreneurship, computer coding, business planning and public speaking. The goal of the program is to equip girls to dream big and aspire to senior leadership roles in STEAM fields.

The debut program was delivered online and included 93 girls, including 14 from underserved communities in the San Jose, California area. The other 79 participants were daughters of Cisco employees, who participated from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and India.

Pre- and post-event surveys revealed that GLAM participants' knowledge of STEAM and leadership subjects improved greatly through the program. The girls' answers revealed that their knowledge and confidence with entrepreneurship rose by 102%, public speaking increased by 18%, business planning surged by 157% and business idea pitching jumped by 144%. On average, an understanding of all seven subjects rose by 62%.

Monique Edmondson, Sr. Director of Workforce Experience at Cisco, noted, "It is great to see the pre- and post-event numbers indicating how much the girls learned. Everyone got so much out of it and just loved contributing."

GLAM Director of Operations Margaret Sanchez said, "GLAM helps equip girls for success in senior leadership and entrepreneurship in STEAM fields, where there is still a significant gender gap. Sponsors like Cisco that invest in tomorrow's leaders make a big difference in ensuring a better and more diverse future."

GLAM (Girls Leadership Academy Meetup) is a nonprofit founded in Silicon Valley, California in 2016 by iTalent Digital CEO & Founder Renée La Londe. It was born from a desire to give girls from all socioeconomic backgrounds the opportunity to be exposed to tech and inspired by successful role models from an early age. The immersive business and leadership program can be delivered in-person or online, and is always offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of partners and sponsors. To see how you can be involved in helping close the gender gap in STEAM fields, visit www.glam-readytolead.com.

Contact: Michele Foster [email protected], (408) 872 5227

SOURCE GLAM (Girls Leadership Academy Meetup)