At its anniversary breakfast in New York City, the organization highlighted three decades of impact through the achievements of students, alumni, and the people who helped shape their journeys.

November 4, 2026 | New York City Hundreds of guests gathered Wednesday morning at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan for Student Leadership Network‘s 30th Anniversary (Em)POWER Breakfast. The grand ballroom welcomed philanthropists, business leaders, educators, students, and alumni for a celebration of educational opportunity, mentorship, and the achievements of young people from underserved communities.  The event featured student testimonials, alumni success stories, and reflections from the organization’s leadership.

Founded in 1996 by Ann R. Tisch with the opening of The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem, Student Leadership Network has since expanded its work across the country. Through its schools and college access programs, the organization provides academic guidance, college counseling, and mentorship to young people, many of whom come from low-income or immigrant families. In her opening remarks, CEO Yolonda B. Marshall reflected on the organization’s founding vision and the impact of three decades of expanding educational opportunities for underserved students. According to the organization, its programs have reached more than 100,000 students nationwide, with students earning college degrees at twice the rate of their peers nationally.

From Students to Professionals: Alumni Share Their Journeys

Among the most compelling moments of the morning were the stories of alumni whose educational experiences helped shape their professional paths. A recurring theme was the experience of first-generation college students and children of immigrants navigating opportunities that were often unfamiliar to their families.

Tyra Riedemonn, a graduate of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Manhattan and the first in her family to earn a college degree, now serves as Director of College Counseling at Student Leadership Network. After graduating from Gettysburg College, she returned to help students navigate the same educational journey she once experienced.

Another alumna, Dr. Nene Sy, has pursued a career in medicine and is now an Internal Medicine Resident at Montefiore Einstein, while Talia Scott, a graduate of The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem, went on to earn a JD/MBA from New York University. Scott, who previously worked in corporate law, founded the Legally BLK Fund to support Black women entering the legal profession and became the first alumna to serve on Student Leadership Network’s Board of Directors.

Philip Osei, a Bronx native and the son of Ghanaian immigrants, shared his journey from Bronx Early College Academy to a career in commercial real estate. Now a Senior Project Manager at CBRE, Osei spoke about the role of mentorship in his professional development, particularly the support he received from Stephen Siegel, Chairman of Global Brokerage at CBRE. His story reflected the importance of having access not only to education but also to professional networks and individuals willing to guide young people as they begin their careers.

The Next Generation: Ambition, STEM, and New Opportunities

Current students also took the stage to share their ambitions and experiences. Five members of an all-girls STEM team spoke about pursuing science and technology in traditionally male-dominated fields. Beyond developing their own skills, the students described efforts to share their knowledge with young people in other countries, including communities where girls face greater obstacles to accessing educational opportunities.

Other students represented a wide range of academic interests and career aspirations. Fernanda P., a 2026 graduate of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Manhattan and a QuestBridge Scholar at Haverford College, hopes to pursue a career in law and advocate for her community. Michelle A., a graduate of the Girls Academic Leadership Academy in Los Angeles and a student at the University of Pennsylvania, has completed research and development internships at The Estée Lauder Companies and plans to pursue plant evolutionary biology.

Younger students also participated in the program, including Leanna H. and Jazeera T. of The Young Women’s Leadership School of Staten Island, who aspire to careers in dentistry and pediatrics, respectively. Their participation provided a glimpse of the different futures students are already beginning to imagine for themselves.

Thirty Years of Vision, Leadership, and Support

Reflecting on the organization’s beginnings, founder and president Ann R. Tisch recalled growing up during the social and political upheavals of the 1960s, when movements for change shaped her belief that society could be transformed. Later, as a journalist at NBC News, she became convinced that access to education was among the most effective ways to address poverty, particularly for women and children. By the early 1990s, she had begun developing the idea of an all-girls public school, a proposal she recalled initially encountering considerable skepticism.

Thirty years later, Tisch emphasized that the work remains unfinished. “There is no exit strategy here,” she told the audience, urging continued commitment to future generations regardless of political divisions or institutional challenges. She also pointed to the millions of girls around the world who remain deprived of educational opportunities, reminding attendees that access to schooling is not something everyone can take for granted.

The anniversary also recognized the educators, board members, mentors, and philanthropists who have supported the organization over the years. CEO Yolonda B. Marshall acknowledged the collective contributions behind its growth, while Board Chair Brad Ruskin, a partner at Proskauer, thanked supporters and encouraged continued investment in the network’s programs. Corporate and philanthropic sponsors included The Estée Lauder Companies, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Tisch families. The involvement of professionals such as Stephen Siegel, whose mentorship of Philip Osei was highlighted during the event, offered another example of how the organization’s work extends beyond the classroom and into professional life.

Supporting the Next Chapter

The breakfast concluded with a call for continued financial support. During the fundraising appeal, Ruskin outlined how contributions could directly benefit students, including $10,000 to fund college discovery days at six schools and $3,000 to support a college trip for 55 students. After three decades of work, Student Leadership Network’s anniversary provided an opportunity to recognize its achievements while drawing attention to the students who will benefit from its programs in the years ahead. Those interested in supporting its work can learn more or make a donation through the organization’s website at studentleadershipnetwork.org.