Empowering Youth to Lead, Advocate + Influence
Our Approach
The Leadership Pipeline Project helps organizations unlock the full potential of youth as board members and decision-makers. Too often, organizations lose touch with young leaders once they age out of programs, missing opportunities for fresh perspectives, innovation, and future governance. We change that.
We prepare youth, especially youth of color and LGBTQ+ leaders, with the tools, training, and mentorship to step confidently into board service and advocacy roles. At the same time, we partner with organizations to redesign board systems and culture so that youth are not token voices, but valued contributors.
The result is a sustainable leadership pipeline, stronger alumni engagement, and intergenerational governance that keeps organizations relevant, equitable, and built to last.
Our Services
The Youth Advocacy Lab builds the skills youth need to lead change. Through customizable workshops in storytelling, civic engagement, and advocacy, youth gain tools to elevate their voices while connecting with their peers. Organizations benefit from a ready-to-implement program that strengthens youth leadership, builds alumni pipelines, and demonstrates a true commitment
to equity.
Youth Advocacy Lab
The Gen Z Board Builder helps organizations turn engaged youth and program alumni into confident board leaders. Through governance training, mentorship, and board readiness planning, we create sustainable pipelines that keep youth connected, diversify perspectives, and strengthen organizational leadership for long-term impact
The Gen Z Board Builder
Bring youth engagement expertise to your next event. From keynotes to workshops and professional development, Lauren delivers inspiring and actionable sessions on youth leadership, advocacy, and equity-centered program design, tailored to your organization’s goals and conference theme.
The Leadership Pipeline Live
I’m Lauren Cikara, founder of The Leadership Pipeline Project, where I help organizations unlock the power of youth as advocates, leaders, and board members. For 20+ years, I have built programs that reach millions of youth and young adults, with a focus on equity, advocacy, and leadership development.
Too often, organizations don’t have the capacity to provide the advocacy skills and leadership development, and youth age out of programs without clear pathways to influence decision-making. I partner with organizations to create pipelines that prepare youth to serve meaningfully on boards while helping boards build the culture, policies, and systems to support them.
The result? Youth-driven leadership that strengthens organizations, boards, and keeps alumni connected, and ensures organizations grow alongside the communities they serve.