Closing the Leadership Gap — One Woman at a Time
Project Rise w/DrH Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing women into leadership through project management skills, mentorship, and sponsorship.
Women earn 57% of college degrees yet remain underrepresented in leadership — especially women of color. We believe project management is a proven launchpad into leadership, and through Project Rise, women gain the certification, practicum, and advocacy to thrive in executive roles.
Why We Exist
Women earn 57% of college degrees, yet remain underrepresented in leadership roles across every industry.
White women hold fewer than 30% of leadership positions. Those who do break through often face systemic barriers and slower promotion into senior roles.
➡ Progress is happening, but the ceiling remains low, and many struggle to thrive when there.
For women of color, the gap is starker: Black women 2.8%, Asian women 2.5%, Latinas 1.4%, Multiracial 0.4%, and Indigenous women less than 0.1%.
➡ Sadly, these women remain the most overlooked and underrepresented voices in leadership.
In 2025, 350,000+ Black women lost their jobs due to federal job cuts, layoffs, and the rollback of DEI programs. This displacement threatens hard-won progress.
➡ The leadership pipeline is shrinking when it should be growing.
Meanwhile, organizations lose trillions each year to failed projects due to poor planning, weak communication, and lack of inclusive leadership.
➡ Equipping women with project management and leadership skills is a business imperative.
The gap is real. Women are qualified, capable, and ambitious — but without tools, sponsorship, and networks, too many remain sidelined.
We believe these two crises are connected. Companies struggle when projects fail. Women struggle when opportunities stall.
The solution?
Project management as a launchpad to leadership.
Many of today’s most effective executives — including our founder — built their leadership careers on project management training and certification. Project Rise w/DrH was created to give more women access to that same foundation, equipping them not only to manage projects but to lead organizations.
Our Solution
We believe project management is a launchpad to closing the leadership gap.
Project management is an industry-agnostic, globally recognized discipline that blends execution and leadership. From healthcare to tech to finance, it prepares women for roles like Director, VP, and COO — while also helping organizations reduce costly project failures.
We don’t just prepare women for exams — we prepare them for leadership.
Project Rise w/DH equips ambitious women with:
👉PMP® certification as a launchpad to leadership
👉Real-world practicum & portfolio that employers can trust
👉Hand-holding & mentorship from day one — application support, resume/LinkedIn refresh, interview prep, and more
👉Sponsorship & advocacy — recruiter/network introductions, job placement, and ongoing career support
👉Community for life — 12+ months of guided mentorship plus a lifelong network of women leaders
👉Personalized Pathways — Tailored to each woman’s unique story (no cookie-cutter approach).
Through this blend of skills and advocacy, women don’t just get promoted — they stay and thrive.
Leadership competencies our participants master include:
👉Strategic thinking
👉Decision-making under pressure
👉Stakeholder management
👉Communication & influence without authority
👉Risk and change leadership
👉Financial accountability
Running projects is like running organizations. That’s why we use project management as a leadership pipeline — building the skills that help women rise into senior roles across industries.
Who We Serve
Project Rise is designed for ambitious women who are ready to rise — whether they are:
🎓 Early-career graduates: within 3 years of finishing school, seeking clarity and a path into leadership.
⏳ Overlooked professionals: 10+ years in the same role without promotion, eager to break through.
🏠 Returning caregivers: re-entering the workforce after time away for family or caregiving.
⚖️ Mid-career professionals: aiming for Director, VP, or senior leadership roles but facing systemic barriers.
🌍 Women facing bias: Black, Latina, Asian, Indigenous, and multicultural women who remain most underrepresented in leadership.
Our community reflects all women. In fact, 40% of our current participants are white women — demonstrating that Project Rise is inclusive while staying intentional about elevating women of color.
Our Vision
By 2030, Project Rise will help raise Black women’s representation in leadership from 2.8% → 5% (120 women). At the same time, we will expand opportunities for women of all backgrounds — ensuring that leadership tables reflect the diversity of the workforce.
We believe advancing women is not only about equity, but also about business outcomes. Strong, diverse leaders drive stronger projects, more resilient organizations, and higher returns.
Whether you are a woman ready to rise or a leader ready to invest, there’s a place for you at Project Rise:
👉 Women ready to rise: Step into leadership: applications for our next cohort are open.
👇Executives & organizations:
Sponsor a woman, hire from our pipeline, or partner with us to strengthen your leadership bench.
👉Supporters & allies: Contribute to our scholarships or mentor the next generation of women leaders.
📩 Apply today.
Rise tomorrow.
Our Impact
Project Rise delivers measurable results:
100% PMP® application acceptance (first-time submissions)
100% PMP® pass rate (to date)
Alumni advancing into six-figure leadership roles across industries
Employers gaining women leaders with proven project and leadership skills
What makes us different?
Sponsorship + mentorship are not optional add-ons — they’re at the core of everything we do.
We don’t just train; we advocate — making calls, connecting with recruiters, and supporting participants through real career transitions.
What women are saying:
“Having Dr. Helen’s mentorship changed everything. I developed sharper skills, gained confidence, and learned how to thrive in leadership. She didn’t just teach me — she helped shape the kind of manager I’ve become.”
Join as a Participant
Build confidence.
Get PMP® certified within 6 weeks of program end
Build real-world artifacts
PMI Application Support
Get job placement support
12+ months of mentorship
Sponsor a Woman
Turn potential into leadership.
Fund full or partial scholarships
Fund books, or exam fees
Help women pivot and lead
Change a career for life, forever
Hire a Project Manager
Get talent — with no finder’s fee.
PMP® practicum-tested talent
Ready for US-based roles
Remote, Contract, Full Time
No Recruiter Fees
Next Cohorts - Live Virtual Sessions
Track A
Full PMP® + Practicum (14 weeks):
Dates: Oct 29 – Feb 16, 2025 (Mon/Wed)
For Non-Certified Professionals
Track B
Fast‑Track PMP® (8–10 weeks):
Dates: TBD
Optional Extra: Practicum (4-6 weeks)
Track C
Practicum Only (4–6 weeks):
Dates: TBD
Ideal for PMP Certified Professionals
All Tracks include a 12-month on-the-job mentorship
PMP Tracks include PMI Application Support, Books, and Simulation Tests
Job Placement - We hold your hand through your job search and connect you with our corporate partners
Flexible Payment Plans and Limited Need-Based Scholarships
From Project Doer to Project Leader in Just 6 Weeks
“Dr. Helen is a powerhouse. Her candid feedback, flexibility, and mentorship pushed me to grow both personally and professionally.
I’m proud to be part of the Project Rise community.”
Lauren, PM (CAPM-PMP Bridge Track), July 2025