| Girls Rule Foundation Cofounder & Program Creator |
Dena Patton, Cofounder & Program Creator
The teen years are challenging for any teen, but with the right people and the right tools she can overcome anything. Girls are ready to lead and this organization helps them to learn the skills to build her confidence, manage her money and achieve her dreams. The skills we teach are often taught to women in our 20’s and 30’s and that is WAY too late. I truly want each girl to know the crucial skills to thrive! I love working with teen girls and my hope is that we can help girls to become the next generation of leaders, strong women, inventors, teachers, entrepreneurs, moms, women, CEO’s and world changers. I have been a business owner for 27 years, my first business was a marketing agency in NYC that I sold in 2001. I then started Dena Patton Coaching and Training working in 2001 where I work with incredible CEO’s helping them to build great companies. My faith and family are priority and I’m blessed to work in my purpose everyday to empower and advance girls and women in the world.
| Girls Rule Foundation 2024 Executive Director |
Laurie Sliva, Executive Director
Laurie is an experienced facilitator, program coordinator, and content developer with over two decades of experience partnering with diverse populations of students, educators, and parents in Arizona and across the country, including as a Founder and Director of a summer camp for girls. She has a passion for positive youth development and her purpose is to create cultures of empathy in families, schools, businesses, and communities.
| Co-Founders |
About the founders:
The four founders originally met in 2005 when their mutual interests to empower girl’s leadership skills found them involved at another Arizona-based girl’s charity. In 2008 they took their inspiration, experience and determination to create The Girls Rule Foundation as a workshop company that focused on empowerment and leadership skills for girls. In 2009 we tragically lost Laura Anderson to complication of Lupus.
A few words from our founders:
Laura Anderson (deceased) – As a high school student I was blessed with so many amazing opportunities and mentors and I saw a shift in focus and resources going to disciplinary programs instead of leadership and self-development. This was just not “ok” with me and I made a commitment to create experiences that would give teens a strong belief in themselves and their ability to fulfill their dreams. The Girls Rule! Foundation is a fulfillment of my dream and I hope it gives young women the knowingness and skills to experience their unique power and grace. Donate to the Laura Anderson Scholarship Fund here.
Dena Patton – I believe that with the right people and the right tools girls can overcome anything and she has the power to create a bright future. This organization represents what I think most teens want: to better know herself, to know her worth, know her power, know her valuable place in the world, and to learn the skills to achieve her dreams. I truly want each girl to know she is brilliant, beautiful and bold just how she is! I love working with teen girls and my hope is that the Girls Rule Foundation helps girls to become the next generation of leaders, strong women, inventors, teachers, entrepreneurs, CEO’s and world changers.
Stephanie Millner – The Foundation to me is a stepping stone in the journey of life. I believe a dream is reality that hasn’t yet met the right tools. My hope for the Foundation is to provide the right tools for girls to love themselves, enjoy life and live their dreams. As a teen, I was fortunate enough to have mentors that encouraged me. I want to offer this same support so that any young woman willing to believe in themselves will have the same opportunities for self-discovery and achievement as I was given.
Jenn Kaye – Being a self-confident, powerful person in the world means knowing what you want and having the confidence in yourself to go after it. In addition to inspiring young women to be leaders of their own lives, the Foundation is important because it will provide practical experiences that they can apply immediately. Building a strong community of mentors, teen leaders and experts with real-world knowledge is a foundation that I am passionate about and believe will benefit young women for the rest of their lives.
