Meet Merrill Keating | Author/STEMinist/Change Maker/Adventurer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Merrill Keating and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Merrill, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by my passion for youth leadership, civic activities, and creating opportunities to inspire and advocate for education, health, gender equality, and other issues. As a young person, I faced challenges in my friendships with girls, and I wanted to create an environment where girls could use their voices to relate to one another positively while building self-confidence, and this would reduce interest in harming one another to gain the superficial illusion of competitive advantage.

Through research, I found the United Nations Foundation initiative, Girl Up, and started a local chapter to create and nurture a proactive community of girl leaders who would then hone public speaking, fundraising, and event-planning skills for impact. This evolved into my decision to launch Girls Ignited, which features young girls and women who are global changemakers, and The Power of 100 Girls, a “by and for girls” giving circle to help fund passion projects, businesses, and initiatives.

In a nutshell, my thought process was to lift while I climb and empower leaders to create more leaders.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I take pride in my work’s ability to uplift and celebrate others. Empowering and paving the way for our future and advocating for those whose voices need amplifying invigorate me the most. I recognize that legitimizing youth-led movements can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. I believe that one is never too young to make a difference, and there are many resources and organizations available for young people to develop their skills in advocacy, public speaking, fundraising, and event planning to raise their voices.

The path to my current professional position hasn’t been easy, but it has been rewarding and an opportunity for profound growth. Overcoming challenges has been achieved by extending grace to myself and conquering one moment at a time. Trusted champions, self-care, and persistent focus on enlightened and collective self-interest are key.

My brand and story aim to inspire and galvanize not only youth but also adults to work toward a peaceful, inclusive, and equitable society. I believe in lighting the way for the future, always striving for social change, economic growth, and technological innovation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them on a diverse journey. We could explore the iconic Pike Place Market, hit some of Seattle’s restaurants, food trucks, tea or coffee shops. We might also catch a concert at the historic Paramount Theatre or visit a museum, like the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, Museum of History, and Industry (MOHAI), or the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Ride the ferry to Bainbridge Island and visit the area. We’d also spend some time on the waterfront, perhaps people-watching or taking a stroll. Anything has the potential to be fun, interesting, or exciting with the right mindset. As an adventurer and introvert, I like to keep an open mind. I also like people with whom I can have comfortable silences, so even those moments can be enriching instead of thinking we always have to be doing something.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will always lead with my parents, Doña and Charles Keating. They have been an unending source of support, leading and loving by example, and encouraging me in everything I choose to experience or pursue. Others include Lynn Brunelle, Warren Read, Wendy Kozina, Enrique Chee, Dr. Joseph Williams, Paul Meehan, Tim Harris, Hilary Franz, David Shurtleff, Liz Le Dorze, Jeff Rulffes, Kevin Hawkins. There are others who have left their imprint in the sand. I’m fortunate to have a growing list.

Website: http://merrillkeating.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girls.ignited/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrill-keating/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/girlignited

Other: http://girlsignited.org/ https://www.powerof100girls.org/ https://www.instagram.com/powerof100girls/ https://www.facebook.com/thepowerof100girls