Kaina Lisibach wants to shatter the glass ceiling and pave the way for young women. The 17-year-old from Miami, Florida currently attends John A. Ferguson Senior High School but she’s well on her way with her nonprofit One Page Closer.  A winner of 1,000 Dreams Fund’s Mentor Me Challenge, she’s eager to receive a $200 grant and mentoring session from our Board of Directors. Here’s how she balances college prep and running her own nonprofit.

What is your professional dream?

I want to pursue a career in business and communications. I hope to graduate from college and then get a Masters degree (perhaps even an MBA) and get a job in book publishing or corporate America that will allow me to travel a lot. I dream of becoming someone who is unwaveringly confident in the validity of my own beliefs, someone who can rip down gender stereotypes in a male-dominated business field— and who can shatter glass ceilings and pave the way for others.

Awesome! How will you use the 1,000 Dreams Fund grant?

I will be using the 1,000 Dreams Fund grant for my nonprofit organization, One Page Closer, which helps build bookcases for kids and teens in low-income communities. The funds will be going towards buying materials, such as novels and bookcases.

My ultimate dream and aspiration is to launch the Books for Her campaign, which would target girls’ education in developing countries.

What advice do you have for other young women looking to go for their dreams?

There will always be others who attempt to dissuade you. Don’t limit your ambitions. Dream big and aspire harder. Do not box yourself in or permit others to do so. The world is yours for the taking—so take it!

​Any setbacks? How did you get around them?

Starting a nonprofit from scratch, especially as a teenager, naturally has its challenges. I experienced discouragement from many who would tell me that it would be easier to work for another organization than to start my own. I had to learn to trust my own opinion—to be confident in my own beliefs. I knew what my vision was and what I wanted to do so I kept going and created One Page Closer.

What’s next for you? What is your next goal?

My biggest goal is to get into college. My life is 85% anxiety and 15% excitement right now! I hope to end up somewhere (preferably out of state) that will challenge me and allow me to reach my full potential. I also want to expand One Page Closer and launch the Books for Her campaign by November 2017.