“If I had had Femergy growing up, there would have been so many things I would have done differently. But programs like this didn’t exist. I didn’t even know what a mentor was. The only folks I had ever been around were my immediate family and my peers at school. I never saw women in top leadership positions. I never once thought that I would be an entrepreneur, or that I would lead an organization, or run for office. All I thought about was survival. Never about abundance. Never about impact.

In 2011, Maylin and I began bringing women together who were at the early stages of their careers, simply wanting to support them as they explored their leadership potential. At the time, we had no idea we were laying the foundation for an entire organization. It was just something we felt called to do. By 2014, we made the decision to take Femergy from an idea to something real and intentional. What started as a simple effort to gather and support women has grown into a movement. Now, 12 years later, Femergy is supporting women and girls at different stages of their journeys, helping them grow, lead, and step fully into their potential. 

There’s a misconception that the type of support we provide is only needed by girls and women from certain communities. But the reality is that the need exists everywhere. Some of the girls we work with come from difficult circumstances, while others attend private schools or come from more economically affluent backgrounds and are still navigating trauma, pressure, and personal challenges. Support is something we all need, and it can look different depending on where someone is in their journey.

Certainly, we can have every aspiration to train them, provide resources, and prepare them for the workforce. But if they are not mentally and physically in a place to receive that information, if they are struggling or overwhelmed, then those goals are not truly sustainable. Sometimes we need someone to remind us who we are or help us see what’s possible. While this work includes workforce development, it is also about social emotional support and leadership development helping women and girls recognize their strengths, their voice, and their true potential.

From my perspective as a Millennial leader, we’ve grown up in a rapidly changing world that has reshaped how we define success, impact, and our overall outlook on adulthood. Because of that, many of us view achievement and fulfillment through a different lens. We’ve learned that it’s possible to work hard, pursue creativity, explore new paths, and still be figuring things out along the way.

For some, when it’s feasible and approached with intention, life is no longer just about earning a paycheck. It’s about building something meaningful and living with purpose. That’s why the call for systemic change, nimble leadership, and rooted support systems is more critical now than ever, as multiple generations are navigating rapid shifts and increasing demands in how we live, work, and lead. 

The need to support girls and women in our communities has never been greater, yet the resources to do this work are becoming more limited. I am deeply grateful for the partners who have remained rooted in this mission, understanding that real, sustainable impact takes time and cannot always be measured by immediate ROI.

In today’s climate, serving girls and women is often labeled as DEI work, and some partners who once supported this work have stepped away. That means we are being asked to do more with less at a time when the need continues to grow.

But we at Femergy refuse to sacrifice the quality of this work. Supporting girls and women requires depth, intention, and commitment. Changing the trajectory of a life is not something that can be rushed or reduced to a simple return on investment.” 

–  Christina Vera is the Co-Founder & Associate Executive Director of Femergy, an organization dedicated to providing additional access and support in helping bridge the gap of women in leadership and decision-making positions.