Girls Rule Foundation Cofounder & Program Creator |
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.
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. Today in 2024 we are rebuilding post-Covid and excited about our programs.
For over 25 years, I’ve been on a mission to empower people to embrace their gifts and their greatness to create positive change in their lives and communities. As a keynote speaker and bestselling author, I’ve had the privilege of inspiring audiences worldwide, sharing my expertise on leadership, the greatness mindset, and purpose-driven living. My work has been featured on CNN, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Business Journal, and other media outlets.
As the cofounder and CEO of the Girls Rule Foundation, I am proud that we have transformed the lives of thousands of girls across the country. Our programs focus on leadership, confidence, and financial literacy, helping young women discover their potential and create a path to success. Girls Rule offers workshops, summer camps, and afterschool programs designed to inspire girls to become leaders in their communities and beyond.
Since 2001, I’ve owned my own coaching and training company, working with top executives and entrepreneurs to help them scale their businesses and lead with purpose. But at age 27, after experiencing a minor stroke, I had a pivotal moment where I realized my own purpose. That realization led me to create the Greatness Mindset™, a framework that has empowered countless individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve extraordinary results by stepping into their full potential.
Through my work and speaking, I’m dedicated to helping people understand their worth, unleash their greatness, and create lasting impact in their businesses, families, and communities, AND to remember just how powerful they truly are.
Committees & Volunteers |
We rely on our committees and volunteers. Be part of our team learn more here.
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. 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.