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. I realized there are three core skill sets that equip girls to succeed — confidence skills, financial literacy skills, and leadership skills.

 In 2013, I co-founded the Girls Rule Foundation with three like-minded women who shared my passion for advancing the next generation of female leaders. With the belief that leadership starts young, Girls Rule equips girls with essential skills in self-esteem, leadership, and financial literacy.

Through impactful workshops, summer camps, and afterschool programs, the foundation provides girls with the tools to thrive in life and step confidently into their potential as tomorrow’s leaders. Whether I’m coaching top executives or inspiring teenage girls, I am dedicated to helping individuals embrace their greatness, unlock their potential, and create a ripple effect of leadership and empowerment in their communities and beyond.

Since 2001, I have been an award-winning leadership coach who has worked with CEOs and entrepreneurs worldwide through my company, Dena Patton Coaching and Training. I specialize in helping small businesses build stronger leadership, streamline systems, and boost sales, enabling my clients to thrive with purpose and impact.

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.