Mizuho Americas today announced it has awarded an inaugural FutureReady Education Grant to longtime partner Girls Inc., a national nonprofit dedicated to equipping girls to reach their full potential. The FutureReady Education Grant is a three-year grant from the Mizuho USA Foundation, the charitable foundation of Mizuho Americas, to provide high-impact STEM and technology educational programming to middle and high school students. The grant builds on Mizuho Americas’ deep partnership with Girls Inc., which includes the annual DrivHER Summit at the Mizuho Americas Open on May 5, and the Mizuho Americas Scholarship program with Girls Inc. of New York City.
“We are proud to deepen our partnership with Girls Inc. through the FutureReady Education Grant, and celebrate with the annual DrivHER Summit,” said Lesley Palmer, Head of Community Relations and President of the Mizuho USA Foundation. “Research from Girls Inc. identified the importance of early exposure to STEM for young women, and this grant will help Girls Inc. meaningfully expand its impact in this space. We are excited to be able to increase our support of Girls Inc. alongside our annual event and our announcement of the scholarship recipients.”
The annual DrivHER Summit on May 5, 2026 was hosted by Mizuho during the Mizuho Americas Open at Mountain Ridge Country Club. The day-long program included panel discussions featuring Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) players, along with hands-on leadership training, team-building, and professional development activities. During the Summit, the recipients of the 2026 Mizuho Americas Scholarship were announced: Karen Don and Menorah Hawkins, both members of Girls Inc. of New York City. Each will receive $5,000 toward their college tuition to further their commitment to self-growth and academic achievement.
“We’re thrilled that our partnership with Mizuho continues to open new doors for our participants, through both our expanded STEM initiatives and the DrivHER Summit,” said Dr. Stephanie J. Hull, President and CEO of Girls Inc. “Together, we are helping girls build technical skills, gain confidence, and dream bigger about their futures, while also providing unforgettable experiences like meeting LPGA and AJGA golfers ahead of the Mizuho Americas Open. We are grateful for Mizuho’s continued support: Partnerships like these have a powerful, positive effect on girls’ lives.”
As the signature STEM Partner of Girls Inc., the Mizuho USA Foundation advances Girls Inc.’s strategic vision to engage girls in STEM through age-appropriate curricula that encourage exploration, inquiry, persistence, and problem-solving. With the help of the FutureReady Education Grant, Girls Inc. will strategically expand its STEM programs:
- SPARK: Create a new STEM curriculum for girls ages 9 to 11.
- IGNITE: Develop additional components for this STEM program designed for girls ages 12 to 14.
- Generation Giga Girls: Expand and enhance a data analytics program designed to prepare high school girls for careers in this field.
Girls Inc. is the official charitable partner of the Mizuho Americas Open.
About Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. is a network of local organizations that works with schools and in communities across the United States and Canada. Through direct service and advocacy, Girls Inc. equips girls with the knowledge and skills to effect positive changes in their lives and to become leaders who will change the world. Professionally trained staff and volunteers provide mentorship, supportive spaces, and research-informed programming that address the challenges girls face and are proven to help them succeed. Together with partners and supporters, Girls Inc. is building the new generation of leaders. Join us at girlsinc.org.
About Mizuho
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. is one of the largest financial institutions in the world as measured by total assets of ~$2 trillion as of December 31, 2025. Mizuho’s 65,000 employees worldwide offer comprehensive financial services to clients in 36 countries and 850 offices throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia.
Mizuho Americas is a leading Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB) that provides a full spectrum of client-driven solutions across strategic advisory, capital markets, corporate banking, and fixed income and equities sales & trading to corporate, government, and institutional clients in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Through its acquisition of Greenhill, Mizuho enhanced its M&A, restructuring, and private capital advisory capabilities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Mizuho Americas employs approximately 4,000 professionals. For more information visit www.mizuhoamericas.com.
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