Rising Leaders Board
Leadership isn't just something we prepare young women for. It's something we invite them into.
The Nerdy Girl Success Rising Leaders Board gives college students and early-career women the opportunity to contribute to the work of NGS, develop their leadership skills, and bring their perspectives into our organization.
Contribute. Lead. Grow. Connect.
Applications for the 2027 Term Rising Leaders Board are open through 10/20/26.
From Participation to Leadership
At Nerdy Girl Success, we believe young women should have opportunities to see leadership, develop leadership skills and practice leadership themselves.
The Rising Leaders Board creates a pathway for young women as they move from high school through college and into their careers.
NGS Student → NGS Alumna → Rising Leader → Committee & Community Leadership → Board & Organizational Leadership
While this board is open to all, NGS alumni receive first consideration, allowing young women who once participated in our programs to return not simply as alumni, but as contributors, mentors, advisors, and emerging leaders.
No two young women will follow the same path. What matters is that the next opportunity is there when she’s ready for it.
Who Are Rising Leaders?
The Rising Leaders Board is a working leadership and professional development experience for young women who have recently graduated high school to age 25.
College, tech and trades schools, early stages of your career? If you are looking for growth and experience, this could be for you.
Attending meetings is just the start. Rising Leaders contribute their skills, ideas, and perspectives to real NGS projects while gaining hands-on experience that can help them build their careers.
Members work in skill-aligned roles, collaborate with NGS leadership, take part in mentorship and professional development, and have opportunities to lead or co-lead meaningful projects.
And because Rising Leaders are closer in age and experience to many of the young women we serve, they provide something equally important: their voice.
Their perspectives help NGS stay connected to what young women are experiencing, what they need, and what opportunities will matter to them.
The Rising Leaders Experience
CONTRIBUTE
Put your skills and ideas to work on real projects that advance the Nerdy Girl Success mission.
LEAD
Take ownership, contribute your perspective, and gain experience turning ideas into action.
GROW
Develop professional skills through hands-on experience, mentorship, feedback, and professional development.
CONNECT
Cultivate relationships with other Rising Leaders, NGS Board members, professionals in the NGS network, and the young women coming up behind you.
Find Your Place
These are the places we have the strongest needs, but if your interests and skills lend themselves in other places, we can explore other roles.
Marketing - Social
Help shape how NGS shows up on social media through content ideas, storytelling, graphics, copy, campaigns, and other creative projects.
Great for someone interested in: social media, marketing, graphic design, Canva, content creation, copywriting, digital storytelling
Marketing - Web + Email
Help translate the NGS mission into clear, engaging digital communications through website content, email campaigns, newsletters, and digital storytelling.
Great for someone interested in: communications, marketing, writing, content strategy, email marketing, UX, digital engagement, digital storytelling
Fundraising - Campaigns
Develop professional skills through hands-on experience, mentorship, feedback, and professional development.Help bring NGS fundraising efforts to life through creative campaigns and engagement opportunities, whether digital, virtual, or in person.
Great for someone interested in: fundraising, marketing, event planning, communications, campaign strategy, community engagement
Fundraising - Development + Stewardship
Help strengthen the relationships and resources that make NGS programs possible through development, grant support, donor stewardship, and research.
Great for someone interested in: nonprofit development, grant writing, corporate partnerships, donor relations, research, communications, nonprofit leadership
Programs - Ideas + Execution
Help bring NGS experiences to life through program ideas, activities, event planning, logistics, and on-the-ground support in Houston or Chicago.
Program-focused Rising Leaders may also have opportunities to serve as liaisons and mentors to the NGS Teen Advisory Board.
Great for someone interested in: program development, event planning, project management, community engagement, mentoring, education
More Than Something to Put on Your Resume
We want Rising Leaders to leave the experience with more than a title.
During a one-year term, members have opportunities to:
- Gain hands-on experience connected to their interests and career goals
- Lead or co-lead a meaningful NGS project
- Create tangible work they can discuss in interviews or include in a professional portfolio
- Develop leadership, communication, collaboration, and project management skills
- Receive mentorship, feedback, and professional development
- Connect with NGS Board members and professionals within the NGS network
- Learn more about nonprofit leadership and operations
- Build relationships with other college students and early-career women
- Impact how NGS serves and engages the next generation of young women
What to Expect
Rising Leaders serve a one-year term and typically contribute approximately 5–8 hours per month.
The experience includes:
- Monthly Rising Leaders meetings
- Skill-aligned project work
- Quarterly connections with NGS Board leadership
- Mentorship and professional development opportunities
- Collaborative work with other Rising Leaders
- Opportunities to lead or co-lead projects
- Occasional NGS events, presentations, or other leadership opportunities
Rising Leaders are non-voting and do not hold the fiduciary responsibilities of the Nerdy Girl Success Board of Directors.
Building Community Through Relationships
Become part of a community of college students and early-career women who are navigating many of the same questions about careers, leadership, confidence, and what comes next.
You also have opportunities to connect with NGS Board members, volunteers, mentors, and professionals from across the NGS network.
And for some, Rising Leaders may be the beginning of an even longer relationship with Nerdy Girl Success as mentors, committee leaders, volunteers, community leaders, or future Board members.
Your Perspective Belongs Here
We’re looking for young women who are curious, dependable, willing to contribute, open to learning, and excited about helping create opportunities for other young women.
Ready to Be a Rising Leader?
Whether you once participated in an NGS program or are discovering Nerdy Girl Success for the first time, we’d love to learn more about you.
Come ready to contribute, learn, follow through, and grow.
The application is brief and is designed to help us learn about your interests, goals, and where you might best fit within the Rising Leaders Board.
NGS alumni receive first consideration for available positions.
Applications for the 2027 Term Rising Leaders Board are open through 10/20/26.
Have Questions?
No. NGS alumni receive first consideration for available positions, but other college students and early-career women are welcome to apply.
No. Rising Leaders is designed to help young women develop leadership experience. We're more interested in your willingness to learn, contribute, communicate, and follow through.
Not necessarily. Some experience can be helpful, but we're also interested in what you want to learn and develop.
Members should expect to contribute approximately 5–8 hours per month, including meetings, project work, mentorship, and occasional NGS activities.This is an average and can vary month to month.
Rising Leaders serve a one-year term, with the possibility of renewing based on participation, interest, organizational needs, and role availability.
No. Rising Leaders are non-voting and do not hold fiduciary responsibilities. The Rising Leaders Board is designed as a hands-on leadership and professional development experience.
Rising Leaders may participate virtually, with program-focused roles requiring the ability to participate in occasional in-person activities in the Houston or Chicago areas.
Selected applicants may be invited to a brief conversation with NGS leadership so we can learn more about your interests and goals and determine where your skills may best align.