This coming Monday's speaker will be our own Dougal Nelson, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of the Heartland.

Last Monday's presentation was by Hannah Howard, Executive Director of Lead(h)er. She is a Muscatine native and has spent the past decade working in the nonprofit realm. Hannah joined Lead(h)er in September of 2023 and is thrilled to lead an organization that fuels career and community engagement for women in the Quad Cities.

Their Mission: Lead(h)er is the mentorship program fueling career and community engagement for women in the workforce.

Vision: To become an impactful, inclusive, and sustainable community change agent for women.

How does Lead(h)er meet those needs?

• 1:1 Mentoring: The Strike a Match mentoring program's foundation is built on individualized mentorship. Matches are hand-picked for best results.
• Group Mentoring: Lead(h)er hosts several events each year that are free to attend including four networking Huddles and a Strike a Match networking night. Every event is an opportunity for matches to grow their circles and develop their professional skills.

The top economic benefits of Lead(h)er in our community were described by Ms. Howard:  

• One Received a promotion
• Two successfully found new employment
• Three transitioned into a new role
• Four started a business
• Five completed new training or skilled up

How is Lead(h)er Funded?

Grants: Lead(h)er receives awards from the following grantors: The Rock Island Community Foundation, The Moline Foundation, Iowa Women's Foundation, The Quad Cities Community Foundation, and Regional Development Authority

Major Donors and Found(h)ers: Found(h)ers are a group of elite givers who believe in the long-term impact of mentorship

Corporate Sponsorships: Area organizations have the option to sponsor their employees' participation in the Strike a Match mentoring program

Fundraising Events: The Strike a Match program has two major fundraising events, The Annual Golf Outing, and the Birthday Party/Girl on Fire Awards