No Girl Left Behind empowers women and girls, fostering leadership, confidence, and lasting growth.
The Journey of Empowerment: No Girl Left Behind’s Mission to Build Leaders Across Generations
Marissa Cherepanov’s life has been shaped by resilience and self-discovery. Growing up, she faced challenges that tested her sense of self. Instead of retreating into the background, she channeled these experiences into a mission that would evolve into a significant movement for empowerment. Now, as the CEOof No Girl Left Behind (NGLB) in the United States, Marissa has turned her personal story into an initiative that aims to uplift women and girls, helping them rise above challenges, build confidence, and embrace leadership.
No Girl Left Behind offers a distinctive approach to leadership development. Central to its work is the organization’s focus on supporting both girls (ages 9–15) and women (ages 16+) simultaneously. This dual-track model fosters multi-generational connections and promotes empowerment across all stages of life, ensuring that both groups are equipped to face life’s challenges with strength and resilience.
A Vision Born from Lived Experience
The roots of No Girl Left Behind are deeply personal for Cherepanov. Her own journey of overcoming adversity inspired her to address the barriers young girls face in building confidence. This struggle often continues into adulthood, where many women silently carry their burdens without the proper support to develop resilience or leadership skills.
The mission of NGLB is to ensure that no woman or girl feels invisible or unsupported. By starting empowerment at an early age, NGLB works to prevent self-doubt from taking root in young girls, while also providing women with the tools they need to regain confidence, build resilience, and strengthen leadership abilities.
Speakers Joining the NGLB 2026 Lineup
No Girl Left Behind is proud to announce the lineup of incredible speakers for 2026:
- Alethea Crimmins: A recording artist, author, and motivational speaker known for her powerful storytelling and heart-led message of resilience, self-belief, and purpose.
- Ally Stone: A speaker, advocate, and founder of The Inspired Leader, empowering women to lead with confidence, clarity, and authenticity through every season of change.
- Lacey Odum: The founder of Live Fit ATL and a dynamic speaker who inspires women to step into confidence, wellness, and unapologetic leadership.
- Tanesha Williams: A life coach, speaker, and founder of Ignite the I AM, helping women release limiting beliefs, set healthy boundaries, and take aligned action toward growth.
- Heleen Red Bird: An Indigenous leader, speaker, and founder of Fitting In Shouldn’t Hurt (FISH), centering her work on healing, identity, and empowered belonging.
- Jazmin Hayworth: A high-energy motivational speaker and the founder of Build Your Hype, known for her magnetic presence and real talk. She empowers women to own their voice, build confidence, and take bold action.
The Dual-Track Model: Empowerment for All Ages
At the heart of NGLB’s work is its Dual-Track Model, which divides participants into age-appropriate groups during events. This allows NGLB to provide tailored programming, focusing on confidence, identity, leadership, and personal boundaries for girls (ages 9–15) and offering workshops on growth, mindset, and real-world strategies for success to women (ages 16+).
By structuring events in this way, NGLB creates a space where participants can come together for shared experiences, while also engaging in separate sessions that meet their specific developmental needs. The model ensures that everyone, regardless of age, receives the guidance and resources necessary to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
The Power of Continued Support
NGLB understands that true empowerment isn’t achieved in a single session. While many organizations focus on one-time events, NGLB places a strong emphasis on long-term support. After each event, participants receive ongoing communication, mentorship, and access to curated resources that help them continue their journey of personal growth.
For Marissa Cherepanov, this commitment to continued support is critical to creating lasting change. “Empowerment is an ongoing process,” she says. “We’re here to ensure that every participant, whether a girl or a woman, has the resources and guidance they need to keep growing long after an event concludes.”
What Makes No Girl Left Behind Different?
No Girl Left Behind stands apart from other initiatives through its holistic approach to empowerment. The organization meets the unique needs of both girls and women, ensuring that empowerment begins early and continues throughout life. Key aspects of the organization’s work include:
- Starting Early:By offering programming beginning at age 9, NGLB helps girls develop critical skills such as leadership and self-worth before self-doubt can take hold.
- Inclusive of All Women (16+):NGLB’s doors are open to all women, regardless of their stage in life. Whether women are thriving, rebuilding, or seeking growth, the organization offers a supportive environment where everyone is welcome.
- Dual-Track Model:NGLB’s dual-track approach allows for tailored sessions that address the specific needs of each age group, ensuring that both girls and women receive relevant and actionable content.
- Ongoing Support:Empowerment doesn’t stop after an event. NGLB’s mentorship program and continuous communication pathways ensure that participants are equipped to continue growing long after they leave the event.
The Heart Behind the U.S. Movement
At the forefront of NGLB in the United States is Marissa Cherepanov, whose leadership and personal story of overcoming adversity have shaped the ethos of the organization. Her work has earned her recognition as a leader in women’s empowerment, and her expertise extends beyond NGLB through her roles as a columnist for Brainz Magazine and an expert contributor for Expert Profile Magazine. Marissa’s credibility is also reflected in her co-authorship of a book alongside a TV host and a Netflix producer, further cementing her impact as an advocate for women’s leadership.
Marissa’s leadership has been instrumental in expanding NGLB’s reach in the U.S., collaborating with community partners like The Salvation Army and venues such as the Salvation Army Kroc Center, creating accessible spaces for women and girls to come together and grow. While Marissa leads the U.S. version of NGLB, the Canadian version of the organization is also thriving with a separate leadership team to support women and girls across Canada.
A Movement That Keeps Growing
The impact of No Girl Left Behind continues to expand across North America, reaching communities from coast to coast. The organization’s approach to empowerment is not just about inspiring individuals, it’s about providing them with the tools they need to face real-world challenges and build lasting change. Whether you are a young girl learning to develop confidence or a woman reclaiming her leadership, NGLB offers a community and resources to help you succeed.
Join the Movement: Empowerment That Lasts
Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Whether for yourself, your daughter, or a community you care about, No Girl Left Behind is here to help you rise. Visit No Girl Left Behindto learn more about upcoming events, mentorship opportunities, and the resources available to help you grow. You can also follow them on social media for the latest updates and inspirational content:
You can also follow them on social media for the latest updates and inspirational content:
The next chapter in your empowerment journey starts now.
The next chapter in your empowerment journey starts now. By focusing on both girls and women, No Girl Left Behind has created a unique and effective model that ensures no one is left behind on their path to personal growth and leadership. With a strong commitment to continuous support and multi-generational transformation, NGLB is redefining what it means to empower women and girls—together.
