Celebrating 6 Years of Empowering Young Women in STEM: A Milestone of Purpose and Impact
I am thrilled to reflect on an incredible milestone—the 6th Annual Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum. Each year, this event grows in significance, purpose, and impact, and I am so proud to be part of a movement that empowers and encourages the next generation of women entrepreneurs and C-suite executives.
This year was truly?epic—a testament to the unwavering dedication of our mentors, sponsors, panelists, and volunteers. And while every year has been remarkable, this milestone feels especially significant as we continue to create a lasting impact for young women across the country.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners
I want to start by extending a huge thank you to?AllianceBernstein, our Title Sponsor, for your incredible support over the years. Your continued investment in the future of these young women plays a pivotal role in making this event, and our mission, possible.
To Pinnacle Financial Partners, Skanska and all our corporate sponsors—your generosity and belief in this cause help create real change. Year after year, you make it possible for us to support and inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Mentorship: Shaping the Future of Women in STEM
The true heart of this forum lies in the mentorship these young women receive. It’s not just about providing knowledge—it’s about empowering them to believe that they can be anything they set their minds to. This is?purposeful work—work that encourages young women to see their full potential and realize that they belong in every room, every industry, and every field.
As our Moderator, Brittany Cole, Founder and CEO of Career Thrivers shared:?“When we mentor the next generation, our communities and our businesses thrive.”?
I couldn’t agree more. The impact of mentoring reaches far beyond these young women—it shapes the future of our communities and industries.
A Special Thank You to Our Inspirational Leaders
I am incredibly grateful to Monica Smiley, Founder & President of the Enterprising Women Foundation, for her visionary leadership and commitment to empowering women across the nation. It’s because of her, and others like her, that this event continues to grow and flourish each year.
I also want to extend my gratitude to?Jacqueline Hayes, MBA, PCM?, CEO of Crayons & Marketers, for her outstanding leadership as co-chair. Her dedication has helped bring this event to life, year after year. Together, we are creating a powerful platform for these young women to learn, grow, and thrive.
One of the most moving moments of the forum came when Christiane Buggs (Frazier) , CEO of the Pencil Foundation speaking to the young women in attendance:?“You are whole, and you are more than enough. You also, simultaneously, need to keep growing.” These words encapsulate the essence of our mission: to help young women embrace their full potential while continuing to grow and learn.
The Power of Financial Literacy
One of the standout elements of the day was the?financial literacy?sessions. As one of our students shared,?“I’ve learned things I didn’t even know about, like compound interest and mutual funds.”?These sessions are transformational, not only for the students but for the women of all generations who engage in the discussions. To have powerful women from their 30s to their 70s sitting together, sharing financial wisdom, creates an environment where we all grow.
This shared learning experience underscores the importance of?financial decision-making as a key to long-term success, both personally and professionally.
A Vision for the Future
Looking forward, our mission continues to evolve. With each passing year, we are able to reach more students and expand our impact. Monica Smiley?shared, this?year we reached?over 3,000 young women?across the U.S., from?Brooklyn, New York to San Diego, California, with Nashville remaining our flagship program. This event was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from?Sharon Reynolds?and the entire?Young Enterprising Women?team, and I am deeply proud of what we’ve built together.
As Nicole Dunigan,?Vice President & Financial Advisor at Pinnacle Financial Partners,?shared:?“Had I had this opportunity when I was their age, I cannot imagine how much different my life would have been.”?It’s these stories of transformation that remind us why this work is so important.
Thank You to Our Incredible Volunteers and Mentors
Finally, I want to thank the?YEW Committee, mentors, panelists, and all the volunteers who made this year’s forum a resounding success. Your support, passion, and commitment to the next generation of leaders are what make this event so impactful.
As one of our participants shared:?“It’s amazing to see how these women have overcome obstacles and achieved success. They are the inspiration we need to keep pushing forward.”
A Call to Action
As we continue this journey, I encourage anyone who hasn’t yet been involved with the?Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum?to join us next year.?Take the opportunity?to mentor, sponsor, or contribute in any way that you can. Together, we are building the future of women in STEM, leadership, and business.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. With your help, we will continue to?empower, inspire, and change lives—one young woman at a time.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Sharon W. Reynolds
Chair, Nashville Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum
LaVonda Brown Michelle Gaskin Brown Nicole Dunigan Erica S Gilmore Brynn Plummer Christiane Buggs (Frazier) Mendy C. Mazzo Deborah Ward Kendra Deas Brenda Gadd, J. D. Joan Fleming Dr. Emerald Mitchell Patricia Malone Smith, MSA, CBA Marjorie Solomon Urban League of Middle Tennessee, Televergence, Enterprising Women Foundation, Virsys12, U.S. Bank, Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC, HBCU News, MOJO Marketing + PR