Launch event for GDST LEAD programme, inspiring female entrepreneurs

Last week, over 140 students from across the GDST family came together online to hear from entrepreneurs, philanthropists, business leaders and actors to inspire and mentor them as they embark on the GDST LEAD Programme in partnership with LSE Generate, powered by Oak North.

LSE Generate’s Mentorpreneurship programme is a key feature of LEAD, enabling our young women to learn about key elements of mentorship and entrepreneurship, whilst developing their own leadership skills. With this in mind, during the launch bootcamp event, each of the 16 participating teams from across the GDST family of schools met their mentors for the first time, and took part in a business challenge.

The event also involved sessions on ‘how to pitch’ with Imperial College Business School entrepreneurship coach Lisa Marakova, ‘gaining confidence in public speaking’ with actor Josephine Rattigan and ‘pivoting between careers’ with civil servant turned food start-up founder, Chardee Ezadkhasty. 

Philanthropist Milan Khosla, co-founder of the Rishi and Milan Khosla Foundation, also attended the event and explained why she and her husband Rishi are motivated to support the LEAD initiative: 

‘My husband, Rishi and I, believe in supporting original and ground-breaking ideas that have the potential to create long-term impact on human lives and society. Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship are a key part of this, helping to generate new ideas and opportunities to tackle some of the world’s most complex challenges. That is why we are delighted to be supporting future entrepreneurs through our philanthropic work, the Mentorpreneurship Programme with LSE Generate and GDST Lead. ’

Her husband Rishi Khosla, CEO of Oak North added:

‘As parents to two daughters, we are dedicated to empowering women and girls through education and entrepreneurship, so that they have the financial and social freedom to make a positive difference in society.’

How GDST supports girls to succeed in their future  

At GDST schools, we provide a variety of opportunities for girls to take leadership over their education and future career. GDST values throughout our independent schools include the belief that girls should learn without limits. We support them in their future development into becoming successful women by exposing them to different career paths and possibilities. These include apprenticeships, university applications and entrepreneurship.