Too often, organizations treat transformation as the work of a single department or leader. At LeadersUp, we see it differently. Transformation is a discipline that we practice both internally with our team and externally in our role as an intermediary across the state of California.

At LeadersUp, Shared Power begins with the young people we serve and our broader community; it’s about expanding economic opportunities and voices to people who have historically been left behind. For young people, Shared Power means having the power to shape their future, access equal opportunities, and create a life embodying their purpose and potential. This outside-in lens informs how we design our culture and how we show up every day. 

During a recent interview, a young Angeleno was asked what economic empowerment meant to her. She said, “For me, it’s being able to imagine a future where I don’t have to choose between paying rent and going to school.” Her words are a stark reminder that data points alone cannot capture the lived experiences and the urgency of the challenges young people face today.