Empowering Future Leaders: Young Women Enterprising Forum

Supporting Education

The Gatsby Showcase Foundation is committed to empowering young women through mentorship, education, and leadership development recognizing that early access to guidance and opportunity is essential to long-term academic and economic success.

In December 2024, the Foundation supported the Young Women Enterprising Forum in collaboration with Bell’s Multicultural Institute in Washington, DC. The initiative was designed to inspire and equip young women with the tools needed to pursue leadership and entrepreneurial pathways.

Mentorship as a Pathway to Opportunity

On December 5, 2024, Laura Fote, Co-Founder of the Gatsby Showcase Foundation, served as a mentor during the forum, engaging with students and young adults eager to learn about entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience. The event created a dynamic, interactive environment where participants gained real-world insights from experienced professionals and peer leaders.

During her session, Fote shared her professional journey from healthcare to entrepreneurship highlighting the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership. Through open dialogue and storytelling, participants were encouraged to envision futures in which they lead businesses, organizations, and community initiatives.

Building Confidence, Leadership, and Economic Potential

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), the forum emphasized mentorship as a critical tool for expanding access to opportunity for young women from historically underserved communities.

By introducing participants to entrepreneurial thinking and leadership models at an early stage, the initiative supported the development of confidence, agency, and ambition—key drivers of long-term economic mobility and civic engagement.

Investing in the Next Generation

The Gatsby Showcase Foundation views mentorship as a strategic investment in future leaders who will shape their communities and economies. Through partnerships with educational institutions such as Bell’s Multicultural Institute, the Foundation continues to strengthen pathways that connect education, entrepreneurship, and purpose.

UN SDG Alignment

  • SDG 4 – Quality Education: Expanding access to mentorship and leadership development opportunities that support academic and professional growth for young women.

  • SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Empowering young women through education, confidence-building, and exposure to leadership and entrepreneurial pathways.

  • SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Encouraging early entrepreneurial thinking and workforce readiness to support future economic participation.

  • SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Reducing barriers to opportunity for students from historically marginalized communities through targeted mentorship and guidance.

  • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Advancing youth empowerment through collaboration with educational institutions such as Bell’s Multicultural Institute.

Mentorship as a Pathway to Opportunity

On December 5, 2024, Laura Fote, Co-Founder of the Gatsby Showcase Foundation, served as a mentor during the forum, engaging with students and young adults eager to learn about entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience. The event created a dynamic, interactive environment where participants gained real-world insights from experienced professionals and peer leaders.

During her session, Fote shared her professional journey from healthcare to entrepreneurship highlighting the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership. Through open dialogue and storytelling, participants were encouraged to envision futures in which they lead businesses, organizations, and community initiatives.

Building Confidence, Leadership, and Economic Potential

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), the forum emphasized mentorship as a critical tool for expanding access to opportunity for young women from historically underserved communities.

By introducing participants to entrepreneurial thinking and leadership models at an early stage, the initiative supported the development of confidence, agency, and ambition—key drivers of long-term economic mobility and civic engagement.

Investing in the Next Generation

The Gatsby Showcase Foundation views mentorship as a strategic investment in future leaders who will shape their communities and economies. Through partnerships with educational institutions such as Bell’s Multicultural Institute, the Foundation continues to strengthen pathways that connect education, entrepreneurship, and purpose.

UN SDG Alignment

  • SDG 4 – Quality Education: Expanding access to mentorship and leadership development opportunities that support academic and professional growth for young women.

  • SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Empowering young women through education, confidence-building, and exposure to leadership and entrepreneurial pathways.

  • SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Encouraging early entrepreneurial thinking and workforce readiness to support future economic participation.

  • SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Reducing barriers to opportunity for students from historically marginalized communities through targeted mentorship and guidance.

  • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Advancing youth empowerment through collaboration with educational institutions such as Bell’s Multicultural Institute.

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