Linking Learning to "Real Life" Experiences

EmpowHer Institute (EHI) is a non-profit organization serving low and moderate-income females to reduce the dropout rates in high school and develop their entrepreneurial skills. We offer training and personal development to empower females to achieve economic freedom through entrepreneurship.

We believe that expanding the availability of youth Entrepreneurship Education resources should be a critical part of the dropout solution. These programs have a proven track record of keeping children in school, and providing them with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to start their own ventures, thus creating innovative entrepreneurs, managers, and employees.

While most dropouts blame themselves for failing to graduate, there are things they say schools can do to help them finish. Key among them is the request to improve teaching and curricula to make school more relevant and engaging and enhance the connection between school and work.

A diverse Board of Directors manages EmpowHer Institute from a real world perspective. They bring expertise in a wide range of business areas, business ownership, sales, marketing, business law, leadership development and more. The Board is 'hands on' and involved in all aspects of program decisions and delivery, as appropriate.

Board of Directors

Betty J. LaMarr,  Founder-Chief Executive Officer

Claudia Johnson, President

Dr. Vera P. Rhimes, Vice President

Lorraine L. Loder, Treasurer

Dr. Reri MacLean,  Board Secretary

Paula Gould, Board Director

Advisory Board

Sallie Blessitt, R.N., B.S.N., Health Educator-Professional Nursing, Los Angeles, CA

Patricia R. Bush, President, Bush-McAfee Consulting, Silver Spring, MD

Martha Daniel, CEO and President of Information Management Resources, Inc. (IMRI), Costa Mesa, CA

Deloria J. Jones, Multi-cultural Marketing

E.dali Pollard, Manager of Special Projects, Chicago Urban League
Chicago, IL

Maronya Scharf, J.D. - Senior Vice President-Information Management Resources, Inc., Washington, D.C.