Announcing Être's New Êxecutive Board: Why These Epic Board Members Think Mentors Matter Early

It’s time we had a grown-up Board, I told myself in the mirror as Être neared its seventh anniversary. Seriously, it's time.

When do we know we need a Board?

When, as founders, do we decide we need more than smart family members and friends, more than monthly meetings with unofficial advisors, and more than annual meetings with legends who graciously lend their time?

When game changing growth is imminent and you realize that all you don’t know is staring back at your reflection.

Launched in 2016 as a free mentorship platform for girls, I loved that Être’s Advisory Board was made up entirely of middle school and high school-age girls. I still love that. As we grew, the college set entered the mix to lend insight and intern hours. But seven years in we have more than hit our stride – we are in a flat-out run. We need coaches who have raced this path before.

I never thought we’d hit seven years much less win six awards. I couldn’t have imagined clubs in five countries or four profiles in Forbes. Three seasons of TED-Ed or two best-selling books? No way. One Nasdaq bell rung and greeting Gloria Steinem at the door? Impossible.

And the pace isn’t slowing. Which is why -- gratefully and joyfully -- I am thrilled to introduce what has been on my mind for years: The Être Êxecutive Board.

Keyed off the eleven verticals of our website, each of these leaders - hailing from the US, Germany, Turkey and the UK - brings with her epic experience, an attachment to Être already in place, and a deep connection to girls' mentorship.

I could not be prouder to introduce:

Be Smart: Alena Analeigh McQuarter

Youngest person of color ever to be accepted to medical school in the US (at 13) and youngest intern to work at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the LEGO Group; CEO of The Brown STEM Girl ™ Foundation


Mentorship matters to me because I would not be where I am without amazing mentors. Even when I didn’t always see what I wanted to be, I became determined to be what I wanted other girls to see. I want girls to see representation. I want them to see opportunities. I want them to see other girls rooting for them to win. I always tell girls who say they want to be like me: Don’t be like me. Be better than me.
— Alena Analeigh McQuarter

Be Wi$e: Kristina Ayanian

Client Experience Lead at NASDAQ and Executive Producer and Host of Live at MarketSite

Nasdaq is honored to be celebrating today’s Closing Bell with Être girls and we hope to have you back for many more events, and I’m waiting for all of you girls to come ring the Nasdaq Opening or Closing Bell as CEOs of your own companies.
— Kristina Ayanian

Be Innovative: Audrey Sherman

Division Scientist at 3M and holder of 150+ patents at 3M; the first woman to hold over 100 patents at 3M

Mentorship matters to me because the world today is swamped with images of what we all should be, but rarely do we see images of what we all could be and providing that image in a fun and friendly way spurs relevance in young people’s lives to pause and think about what they are interested in for their future.
— Audrey Sherman

Be Strong: Atoya Burleson

Entrepreneur, Athlete, Influencer, and Host of insideLINES podcast

A mentor is a guiding light that you can always depend on through life’s many unexpected circumstances who will offer support and guidance when needed. I am honored to be a mentor and part of a board that empowers and celebrates women.
— Atoya Burleson

Be Brave: Melanie Curtis

Coach, Speaker, Author, and Pro Skydiver

Mentoring others creates ripples of positive impact we could never fully measure and gives us a depth of fulfillment we cannot access any other way.
— Melanie Curtis

Be Happy: Claudia Chan

Inspirational Keynote Speaker, NY Times Celebrated Author of This Is How We Rise, Creator of Whole-Self Power Coaching Framework for Women and S.H.E. Summit 

The journey of life is how the journey grows you and builds your wisdom. This wisdom is meant to be passed on, not hoarded so each generation can thrive more wholly than the generation prior. But one should be intentional about how and to whom they mentor.
— Claudia Chan

Be Informed: Elizabeth O’Connell

Former Executive Producer at NBC News and Editor In Chief of Strategy at UBS; Executive Producer and Chief of Content Strategy at Être

A mentor is…an ear, a nod, a prod, a spark.
A mentor cheers you on to see, to believe, to be.
— Elizabeth O’Connell

Be Charitable: Selin Ozünaldim

National Gender Youth Activist for UN Women; youngest representative of UN Women's HeForShe in Istanbul, Turkey at 19

Mentorship matters to me so much because it holds the power to inspire, empower and guide girls, helping them to unlock and reach their full potential.
— Selin Ozünaldim

Be Balanced: Dr. Katie Hurley

Senior Clinical Advisor for The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to teen and young adult mental health and suicide prevention; Adjunct Faculty at Simmons University; Author of five books, including the award winning No More Mean Girls

I love the idea of mentorship because it’s learning and emotional support at the same time. All too often, kids are given the list of things they need to achieve to reach a goal, but relational safety and support almost never make that list. That’s where mentors come in.
— Dr. Katie Hurley

Be Well-Read: Mireille Harper

Editorial Director at Pan Macmillan, UK,  Freelance Writer, Sensitivity Reader, and Communications Consultant

Mentors, to me, are the teachers who guide you through an ever-changing world, helping you to expand your knowledge, develop your confidence and become more aligned with your purpose.
— Mireille Harper

Be Connected: Gaby Wasensteiner

Senior Brand Manager and Career Expert at LinkedIn

Mentorship means supporting and encouraging others, sharing your knowledge, but also learning from the other person. It’s a process that enriches both parties and feels truly purposeful.
— Gaby Wasensteiner

It seems appropriate to close the list with LinkedIn as we announce the Board here, as the heart of Être is connection. From the start, my goal has been to bring girls eyeing the workforce face to face with female leaders. Where better to do so than on a platform whose mission is to connect the world’s professionals?

We are growing with our girls. And as we take our next steps, evaluating new options and discovering novel paths to run down, I know that alongside the footsteps of these eleven remarkable leaders Être will see next what it is truly possible to be.

Looking forward,

Illana

ÊXTRAS: For more on the importance of boards, don't miss wisdom from The Fourth Floor (soon to be The Fourth Effect), the latest research on why we need women on boards, and the latest advancements from nonprofit 50/50 Women on Boards.

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