We are on a mission to empower and inspire girls to stand up and start up. We want to show them role models to encourage them to think outside the gap of gender norms and explore the world of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Today, there are many influential women making an impact in a world dominated by their male counterparts. Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, is passionate about closing the gender gap in the workforce and seeing women achieve not only success, but confidence in their talents and leadership abilities as well.
Ranked seventh by Forbes on their “World’s Most Powerful Women” list of 2016, Sandberg is determined to make her mark and set an example for women everywhere. Over the years, she has paved a course of success and influence as a strong and self-confident woman. With a background in government, Sheryl has worked her way up to the top of two major tech companies, solidifying her status as one of the most successful women in business today.
Graduating summa cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Sheryl continued her education and received her M.B.A from Harvard Business School. Several years later, her former thesis advisor from Harvard became the Secretary of the Treasury during the Clinton administration, and he chose Sandberg to serve as his chief of staff. 
When her time in government came to a close in 2001, she pursued a position with Google, eventually gaining professional success as their Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations. It would not take Sheryl long to earn a well-deserved reputation as one of the top executives in the country.
In March 2008, Sheryl joined the team at Facebook as the company’s Chief Operating Officer, and she became the first woman to ever serve on their board of directors. She proceeded full force ahead, implementing her first initiative to make the social network site profitable. Within a short span of two years, she managed to achieve this feat. She has also specifically helped Facebook with its successful global expansion. In 2014, she became a billionaire, with a current net worth of approximately $1.27 billion.
Sheryl is now more determined than ever to see women making it to the top in the world of business. She has seen firsthand the issues facing women in professions dominated by men and wants to change the mindset standing in the way of women achieving success. She says,
“As a country and as a world, we are not comfortable with women in leadership roles. We call little girls bossy. We never really call little boys bossy, because a boy is expected to lead so it doesn't surprise or offend."
She is changing the narrative of this common mentality with her bestselling book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, which has sold over a million copies. This book recounts some of her own personal work experiences and also provides advice for women who want to pursue top positions in their field. As a result of this book, Sandberg was inspired to start a foundation called Lean In, which aims to support women in their efforts to achieve their dreams.
At VentureLab, we believe it’s time to change the way women and girls perceive themselves, and strong female role models like Sheryl offer insight and motivation to a world of possibilities. We are excited to be at the forefront of creating the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs through curriculum, inspiration, and mentorship. We encourage girls to take risks and to boldly pursue their goals because we believe their futures are limitless.
