EmpowHerX

About Us

What is EmpowHerX?

EmpowHerX, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is an organization dedicated to educating and equipping high school girls with tools that will empower them throughout their professional and personal lives. EmpowHerX brings girls from around the greater Phoenix area together to learn from female leaders and each other in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Founded in 2020, high schoolers Alexandra ('21) and Claira ('23) recognized a need for a safe place where girls could learn valuable and essential life and leadership skills while having fun and developing friendships. Alexandra, a student of martial arts for twelve years, considered starting a club that taught girls self defense skills. As she researched solutions, she discovered that gaps existed in her community for girls--not only in self defense--in life skills and leadership. She enlisted the help of Claira, a close friend since pre-K, and together they started EmpowHerX to encourage personal development, to develop new friendships, and to help girls develop confidence and competence.

Founders

Alexandra Scott ('21)

Alexandra is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and attends Xavier College Preparatory. A quiet girl growing up, her parents enrolled her in Shotokan Karate at the age of five to instill confidence, perseverance, and resilience. Along with obtaining her black belt, she acquired mental strength, especially when sparring against men far taller and stronger than herself. Rather than outmuscle them, Alexandra utilized her female strengths: agility, balance, and intellect to outmaneuver them. Through EmpowHerX, Alexandra hopes to inspire her peers to embrace their female strength and to take control of their future.

Claira Chong ('23)

Claira grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and is on Xavier's Varsity Swim and Dive team as well as Phoenix Dive Club. Along with dive, Claira is an active member of Key Club, Student Ambassadors, and National Charity League. Outside of school Claira enjoys baking and spending time with family and friends. Using EmpowHerX as a platform, Claira hopes to offer a space where all can learn and grow in confidence to shape their own futures.

Mentorship

Jill Goldsmith

After more than 25 years as a national trial lawyer on behalf of national and international companies, Jill repurposed her life and her work by helping adults and teens develop confidence and competence to be effective in their roles within a business, an organization, a community, or a school. Particularly passionate about developing successful women and girls, Jill Goldsmith is excited and honored to serve as moderator and mentor for EmpowHerX.

In her current consulting roles, she helps leaders strengthen communication effectiveness, strategic and analytical skills, organizational development and role clarity, and time management. She helps teens identify and lean into their passions, get involved on campus and in the community, explore majors and careers, and prepare for their next steps toward college.

Jill graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and from Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Jill returned to Arizona State University in 2012 to earn her Master of Counseling degree. She is a licensed associate counselor (LAC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is also certified in an emotional intelligence assessment, EQ i-2.0 through Multi-Health Systems and other psychometric assessments.

Jill has served as managing partner of the Phoenix office of a national law firm and served in other leadership roles. Jill also has been active in the Phoenix area philanthropy community and has served in leadership roles in several nonprofit organizations.