Kayli Joy C. ‘22 was selected by Prudential Financial for its inaugural class of Prudential Emerging Visionaries—25 young people from across the country with an inspiring commitment to improving the lives of others.
This work includes addressing needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, combating economic inequality, advocating for inclusion and closing the digital divide. This inaugural group of young leaders was selected based on four main criteria: their solution is innovative; it can create meaningful impact in the future and can scale to a wider community; it demonstrates a deep understanding of the issue; and it inspires the visionary to lead or take action and motivates others to do the same.
Kayli Joy is the creator of “Girl Well”, a nonprofit that aims to make self-care accessible for teenage girls facing displacement, transition, or homelessness by curating self-care kits that emphasize physical, emotional and mental wellness.
Girl Well is one of several nonprofit organizations partnering with the Wildwood Institute for Social Leadership (WISL), part of Wildwood's Institute Model. Open to Wildwood upper school students, WISL is a collaborative consultancy whose mission is to address social issues by conducting community investigations and field research, resulting in both deep understanding and concrete plans to actively create positive change.
“I started Girl Well because I saw an equity gap and knew it needed to be filled,” says Kayli Joy, who joined WISL's Senior Seminar called Social Problems in America her senior year at Wildwood. “I know there can be change in the world and it starts with me.”
As a Prudential Emerging Visionary, Kayli Joy will receive $5,000 in funding to continue her work.
Kayli Joy was also recently selected to be part of the landmark 15th year of Disney Dreamers Academy Program, an educational mentorship program created and hosted by Walt Disney World Resort. In March, she will join the 100 students selected for the annual program for a week of workshops and sessions at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., on leadership skills, effective communication techniques and networking strategies.
Kayli Joy recently spoke with FOX LA about Girl Well and being named a Prudential Emerging Visionary. Click here to watch the interview.
- winter 2021
