Giant Steps Goes to Kenya: Supporting the Next Generation of Women Leaders
“Kidogo kidogo hujaza kibaba.” (A little by little fills the measure) – This Swahili proverb is a common saying in Kenya and it captures something we deeply believe at Giant Steps: that real, lasting change happens one bold step at a time.
Giant Steps is heading to Nairobi, Kenya for an extraordinary milestone. Our founder and CEO, Leilani Brown, has been invited to speak at the inaugural I Learn From Her Conference, hosted by One Girl Can, from September 12–14, 2025.
The three-day event will bring together 148 graduates from One Girl Can’s programs — young women who have worked tirelessly to rise above challenges of poverty and inequality and are now preparing to step boldly into their futures. It’s a powerful gathering of leadership, inspiration, and community, and we’re honored to be part of it.
Inside the I Learn From Her Conference?
The I Learn From Her Conference is One Girl Can’s largest leadership and empowerment event to date. Over the course of three days, graduates from the organization’s programs will participate in workshops, mentorship sessions, and presentations led by accomplished women from a wide range of industries.
The focus is on building skills, boosting confidence, and expanding professional networks. The conference is designed to help these young women prepare for meaningful careers and leadership roles in their communities and beyond.
Meet One Girl Can
Founded in 2008, One Girl Can works to break the cycle of poverty and advance gender equality through education and mentorship. The organization began in Kenya by renovating and building girls’ schools. Since then, they’ve completed more than 130 infrastructure projects and launched a scholarship program that has supported over 1,000 girls through high school and university.
One Girl Can also provides leadership workshops, job readiness training, and mentorship programs to help girls prepare for life after graduation. Today, more than 11,000 girls participate in their programs each year. This holistic approach is known as the Cycle of Empowerment.
Leilani’s Session: Your Next Giant Steps
Leilani will lead a featured session titled: “Your Next Giant Steps.” Drawing from her work as host of Your First Job Podcast and author of Your Next Giant Steps: 25 Practical Tips for Job Search Success, she will provide practical advice on navigating the job market — from preparing for interviews to building long-term career resilience.
“Being part of this inaugural conference is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Leilani. “These young women are the leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow. I’m committed to equipping them with the tools, insights, and encouragement they need to step boldly into their futures.”
Why This Matters to Us
At Giant Steps, our mission has always been about helping individuals and organizations move boldly toward their greatest ambitions. We believe that when individuals rise, entire communities rise with them.
Partnering with One Girl Can and supporting this group of driven young women reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing leadership, education, and career development—both locally and globally. From coaching professionals in transition to advising organizations on culture and strategy, to now investing in the next generation of global leaders, Giant Steps is proud to walk alongside and support those who are ready to take bold steps forward.
Join Us and Follow Along
We’ll be sharing updates, reflections, and photos from the conference on our LinkedIn page and here on the Giant Steps Blog. Stay tuned for highlights from Leilani’s session, stories from the inspiring young women we meet, and key takeaways we’ll bring back to share with our community.
This trip is an opportunity to contribute to a movement that believes in the power of education, opportunity, and resilience to change lives.
As they say in Kenya: Twende! (Let’s go!)
Kenya, here we come.