Lean In Girls Curriculum | Leadership Program for Girls
Teach girls to step into their power
Lean In Girls is a free program for girls ages 11–15 that builds confidence and leadership skills. Through honest conversations and hands-on activities, girls learn to challenge stereotypes and step into their strengths.
Redefine leadership and boost self esteem — so every girl can see herself as a leader.
Develop resilience
Reframe setbacks as part of learning, set bold goals, and take healthy risks.
Challenge unfair expectations
Learn to recognize and push back against stereotypes that limit girls.
Foster strong friendships
Empower girls to speak up for themselves and others.
Everything you need to run an effective program
Free materials
Ready-to-use session guides designed to spark participation and learning.
Flexible format
Useful for enrichment sessions, lunch groups, or after-school programs.
Expert-informed content
Grounded in research and developed in partnership with teens and educators.
Proven results
Used by 350+ organizations, with 95% of facilitators reporting positive outcomes.
What girls say about the program
“
I used to be afraid to speak in class, but after the Finding Your Voice session, I volunteered to lead my group for the first time.
Amara, 15
“
I love how [Lean In Girls] made me feel more confident in who I am and I love how we always support each other.
Demi, 8th grader
“
I’ve learned that leadership can come in many forms. There are many ways to be a leader and anyone can be a leader.
Adriana, Girl Scout
“
Before today I classified being a leader as someone who always knew what to do in every situation. Now I think leaders are people who try their best and make decisions that positively benefit the people they lead.
Student, Seattle
“
Lean In Girls taught me that no one is too young to make an impact.
Fatima, 15
“
Lean In Girls utterly transformed me! I went from whispering in corners to thundering on classroom stages.
Student, Year 8
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72%
of attendees said they would take on an official leadership role
85%
of facilitators saw an increase in participants’ resilience
90%
of facilitators saw an increase in participants’ initiative and leadership
A closer look at the lesson plan
Goals
Agendas
Expertise
Activities
Clear goals and takeaways
Set intentions and guide group discussions and activities.
Help girls recognize the many ways they already lead.
Celebrating strengths
Identify personal values and unique leadership strengths.
Challenging unfair expectations
Learn to recognize and push back against stereotypes that limit girls.
Overcoming bias and barriers
Build practical skills to counter self-doubt, bias, and setbacks.
Building belonging and connection
Strengthen relationships and practice standing up for fairness.
Frequently asked questions about the Lean In Girls curriculum
The program includes a flexible curriculum focused on building confidence, leadership skills, and resilience. Each session includes guided discussions, activities, and real-world applications. Groups can start with as few as four sessions or run the full program.
Each session is designed to run about 60 minutes. Most groups meet weekly, but you can adjust the timing and schedule to fit your needs.
Lean In Girls can be run in many settings, including classrooms, afterschool programs, clubs, and community organizations. The flexible format makes it easy to integrate into existing schedules or run as a standalone leadership program.
No special experience is required to run Lean In Girls. The program includes step-by-step guides, a facilitator handbook, and optional training to help you get started with confidence.
Yes. You can download a sample session here to see how the program works. The full curriculum and materials are available for free when you register your program.
The curriculum is grounded in research on leadership, confidence, and gender bias. It was created in partnership with experts in education and child development and shaped by feedback from girls and teens.
Girls build confidence and learn to challenge perfectionism, use their voice, and support one another. The program focuses on real-world skills like goal setting, resilience, and speaking up.
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