Hi, I’m Elena. I joined the Rise and Thrive team over a year ago, and it has been such a fulfilling journey. What drew me to this work, and specifically to focus on women’s causes , was my grandmother. She was a widow who raised four children on her own, juggling multiple jobs to get by and had very little time left to spend with her children. Hearing stories about her hardships sparked a desire to want to support women in similar situations. That motivation led me to study social work and the social sciences, where I learned and witnessed how women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, often face limited access to opportunities that foster growth and self-reliance. Those experiences eventually brought me to Rise and Thrive. In my role, I make sure every Riser begins their journey with a strong foundation. I support them through onboarding, prepare them for mentorship, and follow their progress closely to ensure they make the most of the opportunities available to them. What I’m most proud of is witnessing the transformation in our Risers. It’s not just about building a business, it’s also about the confidence they gain and that moment when they realise, this is a pathway for independence I often think that a program like Rise and Thrive would have made a big difference for someone like my grandmother , not just by offering business skills, but by creating a path that empowers women to build something of their own, while still being able to prioritise their families.