Valley Teen Girls Gather for Empowering Summit

Annual Girls Change the World Summit provides leadership workshops, mentorship, and motivation for young women in Arizona.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:12am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than 130 girls ages 14 to 19 attended the annual Girls Change the World Summit in Tempe, Arizona, which featured workshops on financial literacy, mental health, and career development, as well as a fashion show and networking opportunities with local leaders and entrepreneurs. The event was organized by The Girls Rule Foundation with the goal of empowering young women and giving them the tools to make a difference in their futures.

Why it matters

The summit aims to address the need for more women in leadership roles and industries like construction by providing young women with the skills, confidence, and connections to become changemakers in their communities. Events like this help bridge the gender gap and empower the next generation of female leaders.

The details

The full-day summit at the Rio Salado College Conference Center included financial literacy workshops, a 'dressing for success' fashion show, free headshots, and meals. Attendees received a certificate of completion worth six hours of leadership credit for their college resumes. The event featured speakers from across the Phoenix metro area, including politicians, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who shared career advice and messages of self-belief.

  • The Girls Change the World Summit took place on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Dena Patton

CEO and co-founder of The Girls Rule Foundation, the organization that hosted the summit.

Nicandra Acosta

A sophomore at Tempe Prep who helped identify key topics for the summit, including financial literacy and mental health.

Isabella Merdick-Lopez

A senior at Crismon High School and student body president who said the summit deepened leadership skills she's been building for years.

Tracy Sanders

A professional in the construction industry who came to the summit to recruit more women and share a message about self-belief.

Doreen Garlid

The Tempe Vice Mayor who attended the summit and left feeling optimistic about the young women's potential to be changemakers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's all about empowering girls with skill sets that make a difference in their future.”

— Dena Patton, CEO and co-founder, The Girls Rule Foundation

“Financial literacy is a definite one that needs to be showcased. Same with mental health.”

— Nicandra Acosta, Sophomore, Tempe Prep

“Through being student body president, I've gotten to meet so many amazing people and network — it's been such a fun experience.”

— Isabella Merdick-Lopez, Senior, Crismon High School

“The construction industry has a workforce shortage and we're getting out in front of that by changing the narrative and making sure more women are aware of what the industry has to offer.”

— Tracy Sanders, Professional, Construction Industry

“She's already her — that woman she aspires to be. It's about remembering her, embracing her, and making every choice to show up as her.”

— Tracy Sanders, Professional, Construction Industry

What’s next

The Girls Rule Foundation plans to continue hosting the Girls Change the World Summit annually to empower more young women in the Valley.

The takeaway

Events like the Girls Change the World Summit are crucial in addressing the gender gap and providing young women with the skills, confidence, and connections they need to become the next generation of leaders and changemakers in their communities.