Dena Patton, GRF Cofounder & Program Creator

I am a champion for girls, but I also know that the teen years can be especially challenging for girls. I believe they can achieve anything with the right tools on their tool belt. 

I believe that it is not enough to ‘hope’ girls will gain the skills needed for college, careers, or life. Empowering them to thrive requires intentionality. At GRF, we are committed to equipping girls with 3 critical skills they need— confidence skills, financial literacy skills, and leadership skills.

 In my own leadership journey over the last 30 years, I’ve learned that to truly advance women in business, communities, and the world, we must start with girls in their teenage years, not wait until they’re in their 30s. Girls are ready to lead now, but they need the right tools and skills. At Girls Rule Foundation, we are dedicated to helping girls become the next generation of successful leaders, innovators, mothers, educators, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and world-changers.

So, in 2008, I co-founded The Girls Rule Foundation (GRF) with three friends to create impactful change for girls. After assuming leadership of GRF in 2013, I developed more programs, advocacy, and curricula. In 2019, all 5 programs were thriving and we were blessed to win charity of the year by The Phoenix Business Journal. In 2020-2023, all of our programs were shut down due to the Pandemic. Now, in 2024, I am dedicated to revitalizing GRF and two of our signature programs: the dreamLAB leadership afterschool program and the Wings To Fly leadership summer camp. My passion lies in empowering girls to recognize their valuable place in the world and to equip them with the skills they need to succeed in college and in life. My book, ‘The Greatness Game’, contributes $1 from each sale to the Girls Rule Foundation. I am so grateful for every single volunteer, donor, mentor, advisor, board member and supporter that has helped GRF since 2013. I am now restarting GRF post Pandemic, version 2.10 and my vision is to help tens of thousands of girls nationwide with our tools, programs, advocacy. Please learn more and get involved.

• My journey has been focused on impact for the past 25 years:
• Founded Dena Patton Coaching and Training, impacting thousands of purpose-driven CEOs and leaders
• Co-founded Girls Rule Foundation, empowering 10,000 young women over 14 years
• Launched a powerful t-shirt line  “GIRLS CHANGE THE WORLD”
• Served as a spokesperson for 9/11 tragedy, helping individuals heal & share their stories nationwide/book/movie
• Catalyzed significant change in a global brand’s employee policy at the age of 22
• Wrote a best-selling book on greatness leadership with a percentage of proceeds going to GRF
• Fearlessly advocates for greatness and for girls in her speaking engagements nationwide
• Guides young girls in creating personalized shirts to champion their causes
• Lives by six core values: Courage, Accountability, Authenticity, Faith, Fun, and Integrity

We rely on our committees and volunteers. Be part of our team learn more here. 

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. After Laura’s passing, we carried on to build more programs and create the Laura Anderson Scholarship Fund for girls who can’t afford our programs we offer full and partial scholarships.

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.