What's Happening?
Rodan + Fields has announced a $350,000 partnership with Girls Inc., a leading girls' leadership organization in the U.S. and Canada, to support the next generation of female founders and STEM innovators. The investment includes $100,000 for the Rodan + Fields Future
Founders Scholarship and a $250,000 commitment to Girls Inc.’s college and career readiness program, Project Accelerate. This initiative marks the beginning of a year-long commitment that will feature scholarship announcements, mentorship milestones, and participant stories throughout 2026 and beyond. The partnership aims to provide funding, mentorship, and real-world opportunities for young women pursuing STEM-driven entrepreneurship.
Why It's Important?
This investment is crucial for addressing the gender gap in STEM fields and entrepreneurship within the U.S. It provides tangible support for young women, offering them pathways to education, mentorship, and career development that might otherwise be inaccessible. For Rodan + Fields, a company founded by women who leveraged science for independence, this partnership reinforces its brand values and commitment to empowering women. For Girls Inc., the funding will deepen the reach of Project Accelerate, which has already supported over 5,900 young women, and help achieve its goal of placing approximately 1,000 participants directly into the workforce by 2030. This initiative can inspire other corporations to invest in similar programs, fostering a more diverse and inclusive future workforce in STEM.
What's Next?
Over the next year, the partnership will unfold with scholarship announcements and mentorship milestones. Rodan + Fields will also open its doors to Project Accelerate participants through exclusive 'From Lab to Leadership' experiences. In November and February, girls from local Girls Inc. affiliates will visit the company’s Berkeley innovation lab, gaining behind-the-scenes access to the science and business of beauty entrepreneurship. They will meet scientists, innovators, and leaders, learning how products move from concept to commercialization and exploring career paths in STEM, product development, and entrepreneurship. These experiences aim to make STEM careers more tangible and inspiring for young women, directly connecting them with female role models.
Beyond the Headlines
This partnership goes beyond financial aid, addressing systemic barriers that often deter young women from pursuing STEM careers. By providing direct exposure to industry leaders and real-world applications of science, Rodan + Fields is helping to demystify STEM fields and build confidence in aspiring female innovators. It highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility in fostering educational equity and economic empowerment. The initiative also challenges the stereotype of STEM as a male-dominated field, promoting a vision where women are central to scientific and entrepreneurial advancements. The long-term impact could be a significant increase in the number of women in leadership roles within STEM, leading to more diverse perspectives and innovative solutions for future challenges.
