1. What is SuitUp?
SuitUp is a 501c3 education non-profit that increases career readiness for all students through innovative business simulations. Through SuitUp, students (10-18 years old) experience solving a realistic corporate challenge, such as designing a new product for Nike. They have the opportunity to interact with corporate volunteers who coach them on marketing, design, financing, and strategy, before helping them pitch to judges for a cash prize. By the end of the experience, students can see the corporate world as part of “their world” and know that job titles, such as CEO, are now in their grasp. Since its inception, SuitUp has worked with over 18,000 students and engaged over 12,000 corporate coaches from companies like Airbnb, Amazon, Coach, Estee Lauder, Forbes, Goldman Sachs, Meta, Nasdaq, Salesforce, Santander Bank, TJX, Visa, and more.
2. Why did you decide to start this charity?
I started my career teaching 9th and 12th grade in the South Bronx and then 7th grade in Harlem. It became clear that it wasn't that my students didn't know WHAT they wanted to be when they grew up; it was that they had no idea what they COULD be. They were a 20-minute subway ride to midtown Manhattan, where almost every Fortune500 company across every industry has an office, yet my students never left their 10-block radius. Working with the co-founders, Zach Graumann and Casey Miller, SuitUp emerged as a conduit to immerse students from underserved communities in experiences that transcended the ordinary career day, and instead offered a firsthand glimpse into the realms of possibility and leadership. The mission was to "open doors and reimagine pathways," enabling children as early as 10 years old to envision themselves not just as students but as future CEOs and industry leaders.
3. What schools in Manhattan do you work with? What type of schools?
SuitUp works with over 60 different schools across all five boroughs of New York. We partner specifically with Title I schools or schools that don't have strong college and career readiness programming or staff due to budget constraints.
4. Who are you, Lauren, and what is your background?
Lauren Reilly is a founder and the Executive Director of SuitUp, a national non-profit organization. Her previous experience includes being a founding Board Member and Chief Learning Officer for PRACTICE and a Teach for America alum, having taught both middle and high school in the Bronx and Harlem. She has received fellowships from the Goldman Sachs 10KSB Program, SOCAP Entrepreneurs Residency, the Miller Center’s GSBI Program, Gratitude Network, and NYU Senior Leaders Program. Lauren has also been recognized by the Obama administration as a White House Champion for Change and, most recently, was a semi-finalist for the NYC Imagine Awards in the Leadership Excellence and Rising Star Categories. Lauren is a Governing Board Member at both Stepping Stones Montessori and The Gratitude Network and has been featured in Philanthropy.com, K12Drive.com, Chronicles of Philanthropy, New Jersey Herald, News 12, BronxNet, and New York1. She graduated with a Master's degree in Education from Fordham University and a Bachelor's degree in History from Vassar College. Lauren is a cancer survivor, a mother of three and an avid soccer player.
6. Give me your best example of the way you've seen your organization's work make a difference.
One powerful illustration of the impact of SuitUp's work is the transformation of students' outlook on their future career trajectories. We witness the profound difference our organization makes by instilling excitement in the students.
7. Success story…go!
James, a 7th grader from KIPP Network, initially unsure about his future, participated in a SuitUp competition at Felix Gray, a Soho eyeglasses startup. Guided by Felix Gray employees, he and his peers created innovative glasses addressing societal needs. Despite his lack of prior knowledge about SuitUp, James embraced the experience.
During the four-hour competition, James had a transformative "lightbulb" moment. He contributed ideas, provided feedback, and worked closely with the co-founder on business aspects. Despite not winning, James gained a profound lesson in "grit." Post-competition, he expressed interest in business administration, guided by a coach's recommendation to explore Baruch's business school.
This single event at James's school showcased SuitUp's impact—100% of students learned something new, 92% envisioned careers using competition skills, and all acknowledged the impact of Felix Gray's volunteers on their college aspirations.
To get involved, feel free to use the following link https://www.volunteersuitup.com/contact-us-today or reach out to me directly at lauren@volunteersuitup.org.