Igniting Potential, Illuminating the World with IgniteHer Conference by Dr. Nooshin Valizadeh
- Dr. Nooshin Valizadeh
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 28
The IgniteHer Conference, created by Dr. Nooshin Valizadeh, is more than just an event—it’s a movement to empower girls from kindergarten through college. Through authentic, age-appropriate, and hands-on experiences, participants are guided to turn their ideas into action.
The goals are simple yet powerful:
Empower the next generation through connection and real-world tools
Help girls see themselves as capable, powerful leaders
Provide tangible takeaways they can build on for a lifetime
Because when we ignite their potential, they illuminate the world.
“I feel like can really make my dreams come true. I feel so inspired!” —7th-grade participant, IgniteHer Washington
When dreams meet action: A day that changes everything
Imagine being 13 years old and walking away with your own business plan, a five-year vision, and the courage to say your dreams out loud. Imagine feeling so energized about your future that you voluntarily stay 30 minutes past dismissal—because you can’t stop talking about what’s next.
That’s exactly what happened on a warm Spring day in May 2025 at Washington’s first IgniteHer Conference.
One hundred 7th-grade girls walked in unsure of what to expect—and walked out with:
Business blueprints and creative product ideas
Vision boards that turned dreams into concrete goals
Unshakable confidence and strong speaking skills
Natural skincare education and product samples tied to entrepreneurship
Supportive new best friends from different schools
Strangers became teammates. Quiet dreamers became confident speakers. And a single day sparked lifelong change.
The experience reshaped how these young women saw themselves and their futures.
Created by Dr. Nooshin in partnership with the University of Washington’s GEAR UP team, the IgniteHer Conference brought together girls from across districts to discover not just who they are—but who they’re meant to become.
“This was one of the best days of my life.” —7th-grade participant, IgniteHer Washington
Learn how IgniteHer can serve your community. Email nooshinv3@gmail.com.
The 4 Pillars of an IgniteHer Conference
What makes IgniteHer different? Four core elements drive real connection and lasting growth:
Age-appropriate “realness”: Students are met where they are – music, memes, and all – while challenging them to grow.
Inclusive excellence: Creative, interactive formats engage diverse learners, including students with disabilities and gifted.
Sustainable impact: Each session ends with a personalized plan to keep the momentum going after the conference ends.
Authentic representation: Facilitators reflect the girls’ diverse backgrounds so success feels relatable and real.
Workshop Highlights
Every IgniteHer Conference is thoughtfully curated to match your specific community and goals.
With over 50 possible workshops, Dr. Nooshin works with you to select the perfect experiences that resonate with your participants' demographics and interests.
For the Washington event, Dr. Nooshin recommended these four impactful workshops:
Glow Up & Boss Up: Self-care meets CEO confidence was led by Jamie Dent, the co-founder of Sláinte Sea Moss, a skincare brand that harnesses the natural power of Irish sea moss to promote holistic well-being.
This workshop combined natural beauty education with entrepreneurship fundamentals.
Takeaway: Product samples, a business blueprint, and a concrete understanding that their interests could become their income.
Step Into Your Power: Embracing authenticity, self-awareness, and creativity in daily life was cofacilitated by Ravina Wadhwani, a bestselling author, licensed therapist, and spoken word poet.
In this workshop, the girls learned how to combine confidence, authentic kindness, and undivided attention to cultivate charisma.
Takeaway: A personalized list of positive affirmations for different areas of life—and practical tools for stepping into power without stepping on others.
Vision Board Lab: Actionable goal setting was led by Dr. Nooshin Valizadeh, Trauma-informed EDI Strategist, Educator, Artivist.
The girls were taught how to picture their goal so clearly that the brain starts spotting ways to make it real.
Takeaway: Colorful Vision Boards that actually work towards short and long-term goals.
Building Connections, led by the Gear Up staff, was a crucial element for IgniteHer. The girls creating friendships that transcend typical school cliques, and it’s integrated throughout the entire workshop.
Takeaway: New friends and confidence in cheering for others, even if they beat you in a competition.
Open Mic was led by Dr. Nooshin Valizadeh and Ravina Wadhwani, members of the poetry group NeverSpeak.
Ravina and Dr. V opened the open Mic together with a performance and then gave the girls the opportunity to publicly share about their dreams and newly discovered strengths. They performed poetry, shared business ideas, read their creative writing, and expressed their key takeaways from the day.
The Portfolio Effect: Taking it home.
In addition to their Gear Up Swag Bag and natural skincare samples, every participant received a professional portfolio folder containing all their workshop materials, business ideas, creative writing, and action plans.
IgniteHer events are designed for long-term transformation, and participants are provided with the tools and materials to ensure a lasting impact.
Discuss the possibilities of your IgniteHer Conference. Email nooshinv3@gmail.com.
Flexible options for every organization
IgniteHer knows that every organization has unique goals, populations, and resources. Conferences are designed to flex and adapt accordingly.
From intimate single-school experiences to large-scale district collaborations, IgniteHer works within your existing structures and funding sources to create transformative experiences that fit your community's specific needs.
The impact of IgniteHer
The most powerful moment of the recent conference wasn't in any workshop or presentation – it was:
Watching a group of girls light up as they connected with successful women who understood their journey.
Seeing special education students confidently share their creative work to thunderous applause.
Hearing a participant realize that her YouTube dreams were achievable, but first, she needed to practice connecting with people in her own classroom.
These aren't just feel-good moments. They're foundation-building experiences that change how young people see themselves and their possibilities.
IgniteHer conferences don't just inspire, IgniteHer provides roadmaps.
Ready to ignite transformation in your community?
Every young person deserves to feel truly seen, authentically empowered, and equipped with practical tools to turn dreams into reality.
Whether you're a school administrator, district coordinator, or community organization leader, IgniteHer is ready to partner with you to create transformative experiences that participants will carry with them for years to come.
Ignite their potential so they illuminate the world.
Explore how an IgniteHer Conference can serve your community. Every young person deserves to discover not just who they are, but who they're meant to become. Email NooshinV3@gmail.com to learn more.
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