Your support helps someone believe in what’s possible.
LEAD Futures focuses on individuals and communities who may not have historically had consistent access to mentorship, leadership development, or strong professional networks.
Who We Serve
Our Vision
Communities where individuals are supported early, mentored consistently, and empowered to lead with purpose.
Confidence begins the journey - Leadership carries it forward.
LEAD Pillars
LearnBuilding knowledge that opens doors
We help people discover their strengths, build skills, and access real pathways to opportunity.
EmpowerConfidence begins with access
Through mentorship and belonging, individuals gain the confidence to believe in themselves and their future.
DevelopGrowing skills that last a lifetime
Development happens when people are given the tools to grow with confidence and independence. We focus on building life skills that support long term success.
ActTurning potential into momentum
We create opportunities for people to apply what they’ve learned through education, athletics, career exploration, leadership experiences, and community involvement.
The Legacy Behind LEAD
Our values in action:
Belonging • Access • Integrity • Community • Leadership Forward
LEAD Futures Foundation was created in memory of three extraordinary individuals whose lives and leadership left a lasting mark on the technology community. Each of them believed deeply in opportunity, mentorship, and helping others. Especially women in building meaningful futures in tech.
Though they are no longer with us, although their values have become the foundation of LEAD and continue to guide everything we do.
Kathleen Mitto
This scholarship honors Kathleen Mito, a tenacious, kind, and deeply generous woman who immigrated from Egypt and embraced every opportunity before her without ever letting go of her heritage.
John Oliver
This scholarship honors the life of Jonathan Oliver, whose integrity, generosity & commitment to community left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. Jonathan’s belief in opening doors for others lives on by supporting young women pursuing careers in the technology field.
Kevin Buckley
This scholarship honors the life and legacy of Kevin Buckley, whose charisma, humor, and authenticity left a lasting impression on everyone he worked with and inspired many throughout the technology sales community.
These scholarships are the foundation of LEAD Futures Foundation and the beginning of a broader commitment to advancing women in technology.
〰️
10,000 Individuals Supported
〰️
150 Women in Tech Scholarships
〰️
300 Mentorship Relationships
〰️
250 Life Skills and Financial Literacy Participants
〰️
2,500 Leaders Giving Forward
〰️ 10,000 Individuals Supported 〰️ 150 Women in Tech Scholarships 〰️ 300 Mentorship Relationships 〰️ 250 Life Skills and Financial Literacy Participants 〰️ 2,500 Leaders Giving Forward
Meet our founders
I have spent my career building spaces where people feel seen.
Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, I learned early the power of belonging — and later, through mentors and professors who believed in me, I learned how confidence and leadership are built through encouragement, trust, and opportunity.
Those relationships changed my life. They became the bridge between who I was and who I was becoming.
When I moved to California, I saw how leadership, community, and intention could create real impact. I learned that people don’t just want programs or services — they want to feel known, valued, and supported, especially during seasons when confidence is fragile.
That belief is why I stepped into the Executive Director role at LEAD Futures.
Throughout my career, I’ve seen that when people are supported early and consistently, they rise — and when they rise, they lift others with them.
LEAD Futures is my way of giving forward what was once given to me: access to mentors, opportunities, and communities where people can find their voice, trust their strength, and grow into leaders who give back.
— Monica Challingsworth, Executive Director, LEAD Futures Foundation
I have always believed that leadership comes with responsibility.
My parents came to the U.S. from Colombia and Nicaragua at 18, navigating a new country with limited resources. Nothing was handed to us. What we had came from hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance.
Growing up, books opened my world. They taught me to dream beyond my surroundings and showed me that where you start does not have to define where you end. That belief still guides me today.
As I grew older, I learned the power of financial literacy, not as a measure of status, but as a source of freedom, choice, and security.
That is why I am passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation. When young people learn how to earn, manage, and invest, they gain confidence and control over their path.
In my career in technology and sales, I saw firsthand how opportunity is not evenly distributed. Becoming a father made that reality personal. It deepened my commitment to access, representation, and responsibility.
I believe businesses should invest in their communities. I believe leaders should open doors, not guard them. And I believe mentorship, education, and belief can change lives.
— Cesar Enciso, Creator of LEAD Futures Foundation
Get Involved
Become a MentorOffer guidance, encouragement, and real-world perspective.
Become a MenteeJoin the ecosystem and grow forward.
Sponsor or ParticipateSupport events and programs that build leadership.
Our Partners
We partner with organizations, schools, athletic programs, and community leaders who share a commitment to confidence, access, and leadership development.
