Donor Spotlight: Lauren and Gwen

Our mission to train girls to be leaders through soccer would not be possible without the support of our community. Meet two of our supporters and read why they chose to give to GLG.

Lauren Dunagan

I am a mom of three young kids living in San Francisco. Team sports were a big part of my life growing up. I played soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and basketball (though not all at the same time!).

I first gave to GLG because I was so grateful for the impact the organization had on our family during the pandemic, and I wanted to pay it forward. My oldest daughter joined GLG as a first grader in the middle of school shutdowns, when she hadn't had any in-person interaction with peers for almost a year. Seeing her out there with other kids her age, laughing and learning and thrilled to be running laps at Kezar Stadium, was such a wonderful moment for our family. 

I was immediately impressed by how well-run Girls Leading Girls is as an organization, and by the kindness and competence of the coaches and staff who keep the girls safe while inspiring them to do their best. 

I love GLG's mission of teaching girls leadership through soccer, and I think the way the leadership and advocacy training is intertwined with practice works really well. I love that my daughter has all-women coaches and feels empowered as a female athlete! 

While we don't personally care if she chooses to continue playing soccer in the years to come or pursues a different sport or activity, we will always be grateful for the confidence GLG has given her on and off the field. When she comes home from practice, she glows.

Gwendolyn Guerra

I live in San Francisco, and I am the Director of Operations for Paragon Legal, an alternative legal services provider. My 13-year-old daughter has been involved with GLG since 2016, and I have been on the Parent Advisory Council since 2020. 

I was drawn to the organization because it is female-founded, female-run, and with all female coaches. It’s rare to find a soccer club with a large number of female coaches let alone for women to hold leadership positions at every level of the club. It is important that girls from an early age see women in positions of leadership. As the saying goes, if you can see it, you can achieve it.

I first gave to the organization because I believed in and wanted to support the mission of training girls to be leaders through soccer. My daughter has had numerous opportunities through GLG both on and off the pitch to develop her leadership skills and put them into practice. I have also been impressed with how the Founder and CEO has led the growth of the organization. She has been thoughtful and intentional with her plans and continues to build on what is learned year after year.
I continue to expect GLGto provide a variety of opportunities for girls to grow and develop as soccer players and leaders so they can approach life with confidence in themselves and their abilities to achieve their goals.