Run The World - Appalachia

10/11/2025

🏆 I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been selected as a recipient of the inspiring Human and Organization Learning EdD Founders’ Fellowship Award! My application was reviewed by the program faculty and found to embody the ideas and spirit of this prestigious award. I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition—it’s a testament to the importance of my research and its potential impact.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along this journey. I’m excited to continue this important work and contribute to the field!✨

GW's Graduate School of Education & Human Development

09/26/2025

🌟 Big News! 🌟
Run The World - Appalachia is officially a 2025–26 Knapp Fellowship for Entrepreneurial Service-Learning awardee through The George Washington University! 🏆✨

This prestigious fellowship will help us expand our mission to empower young women leaders in rural Appalachia through mentorship, leadership development, and community connection. 💪🌄

A huge thank you to the GW Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service for their incredible support. Thanks to my incredible Board! Your belief in this work gives it wings. 🪽

We can’t wait to make an even greater impact for the future of West Virginia! 💛

07/31/2025

Met with Alys Smith, First Lady of Marshall University, Founder of Women Warriors Summit, and Co-founder of Wing 2 Wing Foundation. Gaining support and partnerships for Run The World -Appalachia!

05/03/2025

We did it! This award isn’t just a win for me—it’s a win for the women of Appalachia. It affirms that investing in first-generation, college-bound women matters 🎓✨. I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition, and even more excited to keep building Run the World – Appalachia to empower the next generation of resilient, brilliant leaders 💪🏽🌄. This is just the beginning. Thanks to my incredible Board, GW Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (CFEE), The George Washington University, GW's Graduate School of Education & Human Development

03/21/2025

BIG NEWS! 🎉 Run The World - Appalachia is a FINALIST in the 2025 New Venture Competition! Out of 224 teams, we’ve made it to the top 5 in the Social Innovation track!

This is a huge milestone for our mission to empower Appalachian women in leadership. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey—your belief in our vision fuels our momentum.

On to Round 3! Let’s keep making an impact! 💪 GW Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship The George Washington University School of Business GW's Graduate School of Education & Human Development Rebecca Ann Mestemacher Burns Yancey William Burns

03/12/2025

🎉 Run The World – Appalachia is a Semifinalist in the GW New Venture Competition!

This brings us one step closer to expanding leadership opportunities for young women in West Virginia. Thank you to our dynamite Board and everyone who supports our mission—we’re just getting started!

Keep cheering us on! GW Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

03/02/2025

I’m honored to serve as the Co-Chair of the Elevate Girls and Young Women Stream at the International Leadership Association’s 7th Women and Leadership Conference: Embrace and Elevate – Systems of Change: Transformative Thinking on Women and Leadership.

This conference is about sparking innovation, transforming thinking, and inspiring action to drive real change in women’s leadership. Through the Elevate Girls and Young Women stream, we’ll explore how to empower future leaders, break down barriers, and create inclusive systems that support their growth.

Looking forward to engaging with brilliant minds and shaping impactful conversations! Let’s elevate together.

02/25/2025