Student-Founded Nonprofit Expands to 40 Global Chapters

Two high school seniors from Union County, North Carolina, have expanded a student-led nonprofit to a worldwide operation.

Ria Vaishnav and Eleri Pratiknjo established Girls With Power in May 2025 while attending Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw. The group now reports more than 40 chapters operating across the globe. This growth occurred within eighteen months of the organization's founding.

The founders identified a gap in local mentorship opportunities for young girls. Pratiknjo noted that many students struggled to find role models in business and leadership roles. "We just saw some gaps in our community where girls were kind of struggling to find leadership or find role models that they could see in careers, in leadership, in business," Pratiknjo said.

The organization hosts interactive workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students. Activities include creating vision boards and listening to guest speakers from entrepreneurial fields. Vaishnav emphasized the value of in-person interaction during these sessions. "It’s really great that we’re able to actually meet with them and connect with them face to face and help them see their potential," Vaishnav said.

Girls With Power also provides financial support to students. The group offers $500 Future Leaders Scholarships to young women pursuing higher education or leadership positions. An ambassador program currently includes over 200 participants from various countries who focus on mentorship.

The founders stated that the initial goal was to boost confidence among girls who lacked external belief in their abilities. "Our mission was really to get more girls involved in leadership where they didn’t have people who maybe believed in them or confidence in themselves," Vaishnav said. The organization is currently seeking new student volunteers and participants for upcoming workshops.