Donor Highlight: Lila Cantor of Airtable

Lila Cantor

Lila Cantor has been an ambassador for Girls Leading Girls for over five years as a coach, mentor, and volunteer. This past June 2021, Lila’s company, Airtable, donated $5,000 to our scholarship and free programs fund. Thanks to Lila’s stewardship and employer’s generous donation, we will be able to provide free programming to one group of 20 girls in our free after-school program this fall. Read more about Lila below.

Share your background and bio in 2-3 sentences.

I am a young professional working in tech who grew up in the bay area playing soccer and other sports. I am also involved in the Jewish community here in San Francisco. Personally, I am passionate about wellness and personal development and creating opportunities for mentorship and coaching.

Why did you first give to our organization?

Since becoming a coach with Girls Leading Girls a few years ago, I recognized how special this organization is. Seeing the impact, first hand, how soccer and leadership practices had on these young women and girls was inspiring and really rewarding. I was never able to always give my full time and effort to become a competitive coach, but I was able to create a mentorship program, where I was able to create opportunities for high schoolers to connect with young professionals and mentors who they may have never connected with otherwise.

What interests you most about our organization? Why? What is less interesting to you? Why?

What is most interesting about Girls Leading Girls is the incredible blend of soccer and personal development and leadership development that these young women get to experience. They become great soccer players but they also become great human beings. With each practice, there are opportunities to learn on and off the field, and the games offer an opportunity to be competitive and show the potential of each girl. I actually find the soccer technical coaching aspect less interesting. I have less experience in it, and I would rather work with the girls on a conditioning/athletic level or mentorship/leadership development.

How have you been involved with our organization and for how long? How would you like to continue to be involved? Would you be interested in joining our board of directors?

I started as an assistant coach in 2018, have substitute coached, and also created the Mentorship Program in 2019. I would continue to give my time if GLG needed support on the athletic conditioning front or on the leadership/mentorship front. I would be interested in joining the Board after learning more about the commitment!

Why do you give to our organization? How would you describe our mission? What does it mean to you?

I give to Girls Leading Girls because I know what soccer and amazing coaches have given to me, and I want to ensure that girls who cannot financially afford the opportunity will continue to do so, no matter their situation but because of the hearts of individuals who are more fortunate in that respect. I would describe the GLG mission as inspiring. I have always wanted to be a leader and I think I could have grown up as a stronger leader with the right coaches with me! So I think it's important that soccer is still a focal point but personal development is always happening. To me, this mission is personal. Playing soccer in college as a walk-on was one of my most challenging experiences in life thus far - pushing my body and mind in ways I could never expect - but I am so proud of what I was able to achieve. I was even Varsity Captain my senior year because the young women around me looked up to me and I led by example.

What are the most critical results you expect our organization to produce?

I would love to keep learning how many young women are able to play on scholarships and are given a chance to play!

What do you tell others about us? How do you describe this organization to others?

I tell others that Girls Leading Girls is an incredible and unique organization that gives young women the opportunity to learn how to be leaders and play soccer at the same time! All female coaches who are role models to these individuals!

What are you most passionate about? Why?

I am passionate about the next generation of leaders, but also continuing to coach and inspire my peers to be the best versions of themselves.

What do you believe would most transform girls sports and women coaches?

I think we need to continue normalizing women in powerful positions. I will never forget Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm growing up - they were my celebrities that I would idolize. I want young women to continue idolizing strong female athletes, but also females in leadership and other roles that will have an impact on society. Women coaches need to continue realizing the impact that they have on these young girls by seeing success stories of folks that have graduated from GLG and know that the work that they do now will carry on for years and years.