Danielle Craddock
Danielle is an author and speaker with 20 years of nonprofit experience in the areas of youth programming and mentoring. She founded and directed the nonprofit Girls Inspired & Ready to Lead, Inc. (GIRL) for 12 years and won several awards for her leadership. She also co-founded the award-winning FOCUS STEM camp at George Mason University. Through GIRL, Danielle exposed middle and high school girls to career opportunities with workshops, career conferences, STEAM camps, and company visits which have included Microsoft, Exxon Mobile, HP Enterprises, The Aerospace Corporation and PBS.
Today, she uses her experience to teach youth how to explore their passions and create a pathway to the career of their dreams. Danielle’s new book, Launchpad to Success, provides a roadmap for teens to begin pursuing their interests and developing skills to successfully complete high school. The tips are based on events GIRL curated to mentor and empower teen girls. Also, included are twenty- five stories by former GIRL participants who describe how GIRL impacted them throughout their journey of preparing for college and pursuing their career passions, developing their leadership abilities, and gaining confidence.
Danielle received her BA in Communication from Old Dominion University, MA in Higher Education-Student Services from George Mason University, and a Certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits from Cornell University. Prior to founding GIRL, she worked for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program at the United Negro College Fund and the National Society of Black Engineers.
Awards Received:
2021 GMU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Alumni Service Award
2020 Nonprofit Leader Award Honoree
2019 George Mason University Black Alumni Chapter Forty under 40 Honoree
2017 and 2018 Volunteer Gold Star Award from Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) for GIRL's partnership with the NCS Cross Regional Technology Programs
2016 Women Impact Now, Inc. The Celebration of Women Who Impact Our Community Honoree
2016 National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Incorporated Community Service Award
2015 Leadership Arlington's 40 Under 40
2014 Fairfax County NAACP Community Service Award
2014 Northern Virginia Magazine's Northern Virginians of the Year
2013 The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Northern Virginia Chapter Excellence in Mentoring Award
2013 MLK, Jr. Cultural Foundation, Inc. Outstanding Educator Award
