After 17 years of extraordinary leadership, Simone Marean will be stepping down as Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Girls Leadership at the beginning of July.
For more than two decades, Simone has helped shape and grow Girls Leadership into a nationally recognized organization dedicated to supporting girls to exercise the power of their voice and become inspired to lead. Alongside Co-Founder Rachel Simmons, Simone helped build the foundation of an organization that has always listened deeply to girls and evolved in response to what they needed most. Under her leadership, Girls Leadership has impacted over 950,000 girls, 60,000 parents and caregivers, created over 20 curriculum and trainings, partnered with over 10,000 educators and coaches, ultimately leaving a lasting impact.
Throughout her leadership, Simone has championed a vision of leadership rooted in authentic communication, courageous growth, equity, and play. She shepherded two groundbreaking national research studies centering the experiences and leadership of girls of color (Ready to Lead and Why We Lead) expanding conversations across schools, organizations, and communities nationwide. Her work has helped countless adults better understand how to create environments where all girls thrive.
Since 2020, Simone and Co-CEO, Takai Tyler have led Girls Leadership through a powerful evolution — expanding the organization’s reach and impact from direct service programming to training, curriculum, and partnerships with schools, sports teams, and youth-serving organizations across the country. Under their leadership, Girls Leadership has reached nearly one million girls whose identities reflect the diversity, strength, and brilliance of our communities.
“I am incredibly proud of how the work of Girls Leadership evolved over the years, always by listening to the girls,” says Simone, “Girls Leadership is the bridge between the girls and the adults who support them. It is a privilege to be entrusted with girls’ knowledge and insights.”
As Girls Leadership transitions to a sole CEO model, Takai Tyler will continue as CEO through her planned retirement in late 2027; supporting the organization through its next chapter and leadership transition. The Board of Directors is launching a national search for a new CEO who will build on the incredible foundation Simone and Takai have created and continue advancing the mission forward.
This moment is both a celebration and a moment of deep appreciation. Simone leaves behind a profound legacy — one grounded in the belief that every girl deserves to grow up with a strong sense of self, deep connection to community, and the opportunity to become the fullest and most powerful version of herself. Simone’s leadership, vision, and heart will continue to shape Girls Leadership for years to come.
We wholeheartedly thank Simone for her unwavering commitment, steadfast leadership, and for always keeping the mission of Girls Leadership at the center of all that we do.
With gratitude,
Devon McAllister Rothwell and Sheela Krothapalli
Board of Director Co-Chairs
Girls Leadership
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