When Rick Rendon founded Empower Peace, he knew one thing for sure: young people have the power to change the world. What began as a response to global unrest in the wake of 9/11 has grown into a worldwide movement to amplify young women’s voices. Through the Women2Women International Leadership Program, Rick and his team have helped thousands of emerging female leaders build the skills, confidence, and global network they need to drive change in their communities. We sat down with Rick to learn more about the story behind Empower Peace, the impact of Women2Women, and why now, more than ever, we need to invest in the next generation of leaders.
PowerToFly: Thank you so much, Rick, for taking the time out of your day to chat with us. To kick things off, could you please share what the mission of Empower Peace is and why it's more important now than ever?
Rick: At Empower Peace, our mission is really all about building cultural bridges; bringing young people together from around the world and giving them the skills and network they need to lead in their own communities and beyond. One of the ways we do that is through our flagship initiative, the Women2Women America International Leadership Program.
It is designed specifically to equip emerging female leaders with the educational experiences they need to learn, network, and develop leadership skills that will enable them to make a positive impact. Through the program, we offer world-class training in things like communications, leadership, negotiation, networking, and action plan development. It’s hands-on, it’s intensive, and it’s incredibly empowering.
We host the program every year in Boston, and it’s really our answer to the growing threats we’re seeing globally when it comes to gender equality. Unfortunately, those inequities exist across cultures, regions, and industries, so now more than ever, we believe it’s critical to put equity, inclusion, and opportunity front and center, especially for young women who are finding their voices and defining their futures.
Here’s the thing: when women are empowered, everything changes. Communities become stronger, businesses thrive, kids are healthier and better educated, and entire economies benefit. That’s why we say Women2Women isn’t just a program, it’s a movement. We’re building a global network of bold, capable, and compassionate leaders who are ready to step up and create real change in a rapidly shifting world.
PowerToFly: That sounds like an amazing program that has real, tangible impact in the world! Could you share some of Empower Peace's most impactful programs or recent achievements?
Rick: We’re incredibly proud that this year marks the 19th gathering of our Women2Women America program. Since launching in 2006, we’ve had the privilege of educating, training, and empowering girls aged 15 to 19 from all over the world. Today, we have a global network of over 4,300 alumni representing 93 countries. Whether they’ve joined us in Boston, participated in a virtual program, or attended one of our in-country trainings, each one of them is part of a growing movement of young women stepping into leadership.
We’ve hosted programs everywhere from Bahrain to The Hague, Brussels to Cairo, and we’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact these young leaders can have when given the right support and training. We've also expanded our reach with virtual and country-specific programs in places like Pakistan, India, Peru, Bahrain, and Belgium, allowing us to connect even more deeply with the communities we serve.
What’s especially inspiring is what happens after the program. Our alumnae go on to create real change. They launch nonprofits, run for office, speak at the United Nations, and lead community initiatives rooted in the challenges they identified when they first applied to the program. Their action plans have touched tens of thousands of lives. That’s what leadership in action looks like, and it’s why we do this work.
PowerToFly: That is incredible. You’ll have to do something big next year for your 20th gathering! It’s really important to celebrate the success of programs like these, especially nowadays. In the face of shifting support for DEI initiatives, how is Empower Peace continuing to adapt and innovate to deliver on its mission of empowering women and building cross-cultural understanding?
Rick: Right now, we’re in a moment where equity and inclusion are really being tested. But even in the face of that, we’re staying firmly rooted in our mission to build cultural understanding and leadership skills among young women around the world. At Empower Peace, we truly believe that equity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding are non-negotiables for creating a more just and peaceful world.
The young women who come through our Women2Women program often face real social, political, economic, and cultural challenges. And yet, they show up ready to lead and learn. Our program gives them the tools, the platform, and the support to tap into their potential, find their voice, and take action on the issues they care about most. These young women flourish in our program and go on to thrive in their academic and professional lives.
We know from both research and experience that empowering women and girls can change the course of history. That’s why we’re not backing down. In fact, we’re doubling down by deepening our engagement, expanding our network, and investing in the next generation of leaders by building new partnerships, bringing in inspiring speakers, and connecting with mission-aligned donors. We’re already working hard to make sure that Women2Women 2025 is more powerful than ever. Because when we’re met with resistance, our response is even more resolve.
PowerToFly: Yes, I love that you’re doubling down on your mission in these times. It’ll be exciting to see the leaders that are formed from the lessons we’re learning today. I’d love to know what the most pressing needs or opportunities are for young women globally when it comes to leadership, peace building, and skill development?
Rick: There are so many challenges facing women around the world right now and we hear about them directly from the young women who apply to our program. In fact, we ask applicants to tell us what issues matter most to them. The answers range from access to education and healthcare, to safety, confidence, and self-esteem. And these aren’t just problems happening “somewhere else”, they’re real and present in nearly every country represented in our network, including here in the U.S.
Some of the women who come to us have never been told they can be leaders. They’re brilliant and passionate, but they have imposter syndrome because no one’s ever encouraged them to pursue big dreams or believe they can make an impact in their communities. That’s where we come in.
At Empower Peace, we know that when women lead — in government, in business, in education — entire communities thrive. So we give our participants the chance to connect with accomplished women leaders from around the world, and we equip them with the communications and advocacy skills they need to go out and make a difference. The path to true gender equality is a long one, but thanks to our Women2Women alumni, we’re seeing meaningful progress every single day.
PowerToFly: It sounds like Empower Peace is truly doing the work and making connections for the best impact. I know you’re actively searching to widen your network. What kinds of partnerships and support help Empower Peace thrive—and how can potential sponsors or allies get involved in advancing your global impact?
Rick: We’ve been really fortunate to have incredible supporters by our side over the years including faculty from Emerson College and Babson College, for example. Their involvement has helped us strengthen our curriculum year after year. We’re always looking to build new academic partnerships too, because we know that fresh ideas and collaboration make our programs even more impactful.
Beyond academia, we’re grateful for the support we receive from financial institutions, biotech companies, and individual donors who believe in our mission. And we’re always open to exploring new sponsorship opportunities with businesses, foundations, and allies, whether they’re based here in the U.S. or anywhere around the world.
If you’re someone who’s passionate about empowering the next generation of female leaders, we’d love to connect. Our doors are always open. Together, we can help more young women step into leadership not someday, but right now.
PowerToFly: Thank you, again, for your time.
Rick: It’s been my pleasure.
Women2Women International Leadership Program:
Empower Peace’s Women2Women International Leadership Program is dedicated
to equipping emerging female leaders with the educational experiences necessary to learn,
network, and develop leadership skills that will enable them to effect positive change in
their communities and nations. With over 18 years of history, Women2Women has expanded from its annual Boston-based program to include outstanding in-country leadership training and
virtual programs for young women worldwide, culminating in an alumnae network of over
4,300 women from 93 countries.
To learn more about Empower Peace, check out their website here or watch the video below.
Contact Info:
Molly Lomenzo, Senior Development Associate
mlomenzo@empowerpeace.org
