Inspiring girls,
launching changemakers.
What is the Institute for Impact?
We are a catalyst community that fosters and cultivates a new generation of future leaders and changemakers who are:
Innovative
Empathic
Leaders
Problem-solvers
Bold
Creative
Motivated
Institute for Impact equips students with the knowledge and skills to make valuable change in their respective communities. It emphasizes that when making change, collaboration with impacted individuals is essential – and recognizes their needs as the core driving force.
By using a design thinking process, conducting interviews, and progressive reiteration, students complete the course with a self-created, prototype solution for a pressing issue facing their community. The prototype solution can serve as a launching pad for actionable change that transcends beyond this course. Students will also interact with peers from around the world and build a meaningful and lasting network of highly driven young women changemakers.
Join us for the next session
Institute for Impact is a five-month program with weekly or bi-weekly virtual meetings and independent project-based work time.
Who:
Girls worldwide entering grades 9-12 for the 2025-2026 academic year
Dates:
September 21, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Virtual Meeting Times:
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. ET
Cost:
Standard Cost: $75
Supported Cost: $30
September 21 – November 16, 2025: Weekly virtual meetings on Sundays
November 17 – December 6, 2025: No virtual meetings, some independent project work
December 7 – 14, 2025: Weekly virtual meetings on Sundays
December 15, 2025 – January 10, 2026: No virtual meetings, independent project work
January 11 – February 14, 2026: Bi-weekly virtual meetings on Sundays
February 15, 2026: Final project presentations with stakeholders and families invited
Don't just take our word for it, listen to what these Institute for Impact students had to say about their experience.
Are you a teacher or school administrator?
Porter’s Center for Global Leadership offers a variety of partnership opportunities to bring the Institute for Impact to your students.
About the Course
We connect girls from all over the world to engage in critical discussions about real issues happening in their communities and how to initiate change.
Introduction to Changemaking
Introduction to Changemaking
Selecting Your UN SDG
Selecting Your UN SDG
Taking Action
Taking Action
Meet the Facilitators
Leah Glaspey MPS'24
Leah is an MPS Ancient originally from Farmington, CT and a rising sophomore at Tufts University. During her time at Porter’s, PCGL programs shaped the way she thought about the world and ultimately encouraged her to pursue an interdisciplinary, globally-focused degree program after graduating. During her first semester of university, Leah lived in a rural community in Peru, working with Indigenous women artisans involved in the local tourism industry. Through this experience, she was able to witness the importance of intentional and sustainable economic infrastructure, especially in locations living with the impacts of imperialism. She is excited to be able to help participants explore relevant topics and collaborative work to develop the skills needed to create a more impactful future!
Evana Jang MPS'26
Evana is a rising senior at Miss Porter’s School from Hong Kong. She is passionate about community-driven changemaking, especially among teenagers, because she believes the younger generation holds immense potential to create meaningful, positive change in society. Evana participated in this course's first iteration during her freshman and sophomore years, and that experience motivated her to shape the course in a way that better aligns with the unique interests and needs of high school students. Evana brings prior experience volunteering and working with kindergarten and primary school students in classroom settings to her role as a facilitator. She is dedicated to helping fellow students build confidence, leadership, and the skills needed to take meaningful action in their communities.
The Certificate
Our certificate program provides opportunities for passionate high school girls to gain the knowledge and skills to drive a new era of changemaking.
The road ahead requires a new kind of leader, and the Institute for Impact is designed to produce them. Participants who complete the course receive a certificate in changemaking that exemplifies their passion and dedication to becoming an effective, driven leader.
You'll gain hands-on experience in:
📢 Leading change from the ground up.
🔎 Identifying real-world problems that need solutions.
💡 Mastering the design thinking process.
📝 Building proposals and delivering presentations that get noticed.
👩🏾🤝👩🏼 Expanding your network and reaching beyond your immediate circle.
Hear it from changemakers just like you!
Take the first step to becoming a changemaker!
Inquire to be the first to know when applications are open!
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