Twenty-two SCH Entrepreneurs Learn from NYC Women Leaders

On April 28 and 29, a group of 22 SCH Upper School emerging female entrepreneurs traveled to New York City. Over 36 hours, the group engaged with women leaders at organizations including the New York Yankees, YouTube, Snapchat, and Fossil, pitching, presenting, and refining ideas alongside experts from a range of industries.

The trip was made possible through SCH’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership’s (CEL) partnership with GenHERation, a venture that connects the next generation of female leaders with mentors across more than 300 companies, including Fortune 500 firms, tech companies, retailers, government agencies, and sports organizations. GenHERation CEO Katlyn Grasso shared, “GenHERation Discovery Days NYC is a special opportunity for SCH students to see innovation in action and apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world business situations.” 

While previous cohorts of SCH students have benefited from GenHERation trips, CEL Director Ed Glassman highlighted a key difference in this year’s program: the depth and variety of student ventures. “The wide range of product-based ideas—including Fragrance Fan and the Razor Saver—featured real, physical prototypes,” he explained. “With support from product design and new media teacher Juliet Fajardo, students refined these products in ways that significantly elevated their presentations. The corporate executives at Fossil were genuinely impressed, reinforcing the power of our interdisciplinary model.”

SCH junior Penelope Rice, who co-founded the award-winning product Fragrance Fan with classmate Ryleigh Bakley, echoed Glassman’s perspective on the value of pitching to professional designers and retailers. She also found a team-building session at Chelsea Piers especially impactful, sharing that the experience prompted her to consider how “leadership develops through trial and error” and to recognize that “facing challenges is essential for strengthening and refining your leadership skills.”

Over the course of the trip, students engaged with more than 50 panelists, gaining insights on skill-building, networking, and career development. Reflecting on the experience, senior Ayana Banks shared, “Instead of hearing from just one person in a single field, we learned from professionals across industries—from media and law to consumer products and sports management.” Banks—founder of The Sweet Dream Project—added, “A key takeaway for me is that I don’t have to choose just one path. Being a leader or entrepreneur, and even choosing a major, does not define you for the rest of your life; you can grow and evolve over time. You are capable of achieving anything you dream of, as long as you take it one step at a time.”