My youngest daughter was getting her hair done when something remarkable happened. She looked up at her hairdresser, a woman in her sixties, and began sharing affirmations: 'You are beautiful. You are smart. You are intelligent.' "
The hairdresser was deeply moved by this unexpected moment of connection and encouragement from such a young child. But this touching scene wasn’t a random act of kindness. It was the ripple effect of She Elevates in action.
Jolean’s oldest daughter, Stacia, was a four-year participant in the She Elevates Academy summer program and had learned these affirmations during her time with She Elevates and passed them to her younger sisters.
Now, this simple but powerful practice of building others up has become a family tradition, touching lives far beyond their home.
This is the essence of She Elevates. We don’t just teach girls to believe in themselves. We encourage them to empower others and elevate everyone around them.
Our Mission
At She Elevates, our mission is to empower, inspire and motivate girls to become confident leaders, entrepreneurs and CEOs and help them make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.
Our Vision
Too many young girls struggle to develop confidence during the critical years when their self-belief is taking shape.
The skills they learn at a young age don’t just prepare them for future careers or shape their ability to advocate for themselves, take risks and dream boldly.
But when they are equipped with leadership, entrepreneurship and communication skills early, they develop the confidence to navigate challenges, make their voices heard, and see themselves as capable and powerful.
And that’s why She Elevates exists. By providing young girls with mentorship, real-world leadership experiences and entrepreneurial education, we empower them to see their worth beyond perceived societal expectations and dream boldly about their futures. We equip them with the tools and confidence to rise above the noise, believe in themselves and create the success they deserve.
Our belief at She Elevates is simple but profound: when you help a girl find her voice and believe in her potential, you change not just her future, but the future of her family, her community and generations to come.
Meet Our Founder
DeLores Pressley
DeLores Pressley is a world-class keynote speaker, published author and life coach with more than three decades of experience. She is the CEO of DeLores Pressley Worldwide and the Founder of She Elevates™, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping empower women and girl entrepreneurs.
As a former elementary school teacher and a pioneer of the plus size fashion and modeling industry, DeLores has inspired and helped thousands to leverage their leadership voice, be confident, live boldly and lead fearlessly.
DeLores has worked at various levels with numerous top-notch companies, including Coca-Cola, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Procter and Gamble (P&G), Union Pacific Railroad, Nationwide, American Heart Association, Timken, Kirby Vacuum and Bakersfield Women’s Conference.
She has received many awards and recognition for her work including Top Ten Business Owners by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Women’s Impact, and a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama.
Her story has been touted in Speaker, Glamour, Washington Post, Black Enterprise, Inside Business, Essence, Ebony and Marie Claire magazines. She is a frequent media guest and host of a new TV Show, A Purposeful Life.
She has appeared on the Bravo TV Network Show Married to Medicine and has been interviewed on every major network including Entertainment Tonight and OPRAH.
She is the author of “Clean Out the Closets of Your Life”. She has a new children’s book series called Deonna Dares and the first book in the series is entitled “Deonna Dares to Dance.”
"I see myself in every girl who walks through our doors. I see their uncertainty, their hesitation, but also their incredible potential. Every time I watch a shy girl find her voice or see a doubtful girl realize she can be a CEO, I'm reminded why this work matters so much."
DeLores Pressley, She Elevates Founder & Executive Director
OUR Executive [[Board]]
PRESIDENT
Adrienne Chavers
Retired, Executive Assistant, Crisis Intervention and Recovery Services
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DeLores Pressley
International Keynote Speaker
Author, Life Coach;
President,
DeLores Pressley Worldwide LLC
VICE PRESIDENT
Maurica Patterson
Elementary School Educator (Retired)
SECRETARY
Stacy Dabney
Principal & Chief Strategist,
Pastiche Brand Strategy & Development
Julie Abiecunas
Chief Executive Officer,
JRC
Jennifer Dyer
Vice President, Human Resources, Kenan Advantage Group, Inc. (KAG)
Ta Lisa Ellis
BSN, RN, Clinical Manager,
My Community Health Center
Jarvis Hall
Citizens Wealth Management
Advisory [[Council]]
Jess Bennett
Creative Director,
Jab Advertising
Kallen Boyer, Esq.
Attorney,
Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A.
Chandra Bryant
Chief Executive Officer,
Community Restoration Centers, Inc.
Renee Canfield
Senior Executive Director of Development and External Relations,
Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University
Daniel Dreiling
Principal,
North Point Portfolio Managers
Dr. Tameka Ellington
Founder/CEO,
Dr. Tameka Ellington Enterprises
Sherri Gesiotto
Trauma Informed
Mindset Coach
Vonnie Gross
Mentor
Vickie Hogan
Retired, Health and Wellness Representative
Tiffany Hunter, MAEd, LPCC
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
India Jenkins
Northeast Ohio & Eastern Michigan Float Pool Program Manager,
Fifth Third Bank
Jeanette Nelson
President,
Gossamer Marketing Group, LLC
Maleenie Sharma, MD
Family Physician
Aliecia Sims
Senior Injury Adjuster,
Progressive Insurance
Cheri Swisher
VP Financial Solutions Center Manager,
First Commonwealth Bank
Tanya Smith Jones
Operations Coordinator and Notary Public
Kayla Starta
Co-Founder & CMO,
Refresh Digital Strategy
Larry Tolson
Former Custom Exhibit Designer, retired
Kasie Travaglione
Senior IT Strategic Sourcing Analyst,
Progressive Insurance
Leonard Washington
Stark County FamesFatherhood Liaison,
Chrisma Community Connections
Tamsin Wilson
Owner,
Mamas and Misfits K9 Rescue and Rehabilitation
Lindsey Wyckoff
American Cancer Society
Lindsay Zimmerman
Founder,
Canton Culture Collective
Administrative [[Support]]
Christina Miner
Director, Volunteer Communications, She Elevates; Founder, Women's Positivity Conference
