Investing in Futures: How Apollo Opportunity Foundation’s Volunteers, Mentors, and Leaders Are Transforming Student Possibilities

The partnership between the Apollo Opportunity Foundation (AOF) and Student Leadership Network equips students with the exposure and skills needed for success by leveraging the talents of dedicated volunteers. With AOF’s support, we serve nearly 40,000 students across 50 schools nationwide. This school year, Apollo team members have engaged with our programs and directly with students 192 times—a fantastic increase in participation and employee engagement that we are delighted to celebrate!

Equally important, the partnership between the two organizations creates spaces for strategizing and exchanging ideas, strengthening our impact, and increasing access to educational and leadership opportunities. Thank you to everyone from Apollo who made these connections possible.

  • A group of people sit around a conference table while four women speak at the front; two screens display Apollo Opportunity Foundation and Student Leadership Network TYWLS at the Workplace, March 18, 2026.
    Student Leadership at the Workplace Career Awareness series
  • Three people in business attire greet each other with a handshake, representing an Apollo Opportunity Foundation meeting
    Students practice networking with Apollo team members
  • A woman in a gray blazer sits at a table, speaking and gesturing with her hand, while others listen in a classroom setting.
    Cool Careers, Professional Paths volunteer event
  • Several people stand in pairs, conversing and holding papers in a modern conference room during an Apollo Opportunity Foundation event.
    College Internship Sneak Peak
  • A group of thirteen people poses indoors in front of bleachers; three hold signs that read Student Leadership Network, CollegeBound Initiative, Apollo.
    Volunteers from Apollo at TYWLS Manhattan
  • A large group of women, gathered for an Apollo Opportunity Foundation event, posed together on and around a modern white staircase inside a spacious, well-lit building
    TYWLS at the Workplace at Apollo’s NYC Headquarters
  • Four people stand beside a sign that reads Welcome to GALA at the Workplace in a conference room setting
    Visiting Apollo’s Los Angeles office

Creating Spaces for Leadership and Investment in Our Shared Communities

Partnering with Apollo has enabled Student Leadership Network to co-create spaces for ideation, connect with and exchange best practices among fellow AOF grantee partners, and celebrate our collective impact. Witnessing leaders in different sectors take time to share insights and resources has a lasting impact on our students, teachers, and school leaders alike—and Apollo’s team has done just that.

Student Leadership Network was proud to honor Apollo Opportunity Foundation at the 2025 (Em)Power Breakfast for its outstanding commitment to advancing our mission and expanding possibilities for our students.

Watch: Lauren Coape-Arnold and Stephanie Drescher from Apollo speak about the partnership with Student Leadership Network

Lauren Coape-Arnold, Executive Director of AOF and Global Head of Citizenship at Apollo, and Stephanie Drescher, Apollo’s Chief Client & Product Development Officer and Student Leadership Network Board Member, accepted the recognition and commended the 100+ Apollo employees who volunteered with Student Leadership over the prior year.

That spirit of engagement also extended to the 2026 Girls’+ School Leaders Summit. Christine Moy, an Apollo Partner leading Digital Assets, Data & AI Strategy, joined Yolonda Marshall, CEO of Student Leadership Network, for a timely conversation about the evolving role of AI in the financial sector and in the workplace. The discussion resonated deeply with the educators present who are navigating AI in schools and its implications for the career paths of future high school and college graduates. 

Two women sit and talk in front of a screen displaying the text CONVERSATION with Yolonda Marshall and Christine Moy
Christine Moy with Yolonda Marshall at the Girls’+ School Leaders Summit

Volunteer Opportunities Spark Imaginations and Increase Financial Awareness for Students

Research reported in The Hechinger Report shows that two-thirds of high school graduates wished for more career exploration during middle and high school. The partnership between Apollo and Student Leadership Network helps address this need.

Infographic of a person climbing stairs with text below of a statistic on 2/3 of high school graduates wanting more career exploration
Source: The Hechinger Report

Apollo team members once again generously volunteered their time at our Cool Careers, Potential Paths career awareness events hosted at The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) across New York City. Apollo also hosted office visits for TYWLS students to experience a workday at the firm’s headquarters in New York, and for students from Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA), our affiliate school, to visit the firm’s Los Angeles office.

Through this partnership, we scaled financial literacy initiatives across our six TYWLS locations, expanding programming to 464 students—a 9.5% increase since last year! Additionally, Women in Finance Mentorship Day has become an event our students look forward to attending at Apollo. High school juniors connect with Apollo employees for dedicated resume support, to learn about various finance roles, and practice networking skills through one-on-one mentoring conversations.

“I enjoyed the speed networking activity the most,” shared one student participant. “I liked interacting with people from different fields, and it felt like talking to a sister or a best friend.”

Corporate and educational partnerships like this help expand students’ awareness of professional paths and help them learn about the experiences and skills they’ll need to reach their goals.

  • A large group of diverse people pose together indoors, dressed in business and casual attire, with a Welcome sign visible on the right, representing the spirit of the Apollo Opportunity Foundation.
    Students visit Apollo’s Los Angeles office
  • Three women seated indoors; two are shaking hands while another observes and holds papers, suggesting a discussion in a professional setting—possibly a meeting related to the Apollo Opportunity Foundation.
    Students practice self-introductions with Apollo volunteers

Evolving Programs to Meet the Professional Needs of College Students

With Apollo’s support, we piloted a new career-focused program for college students. The inaugural Internship Sneak Peek at Apollo invited a group of Student Leadership Network college students to explore the world of private equity and finance during their Spring break. Programs like this are part of our expansion of College Persistence support for students seeking help with internships and professional skills throughout their college years.

Apollo’s commitment to expanding access was evident in the way they welcomed our students into their space. Volunteers shared their varied paths into the field and offered practical advice on navigating internship applications. An office tour, lunch, and networking activities gave students the space to make meaningful connections and explore their career options.

Students found inspiration in hearing from Apollo volunteers who were first-generation college graduates, with varied backgrounds in finance, accounting, business, nursing, physical therapy, engineering, and beyond. The diversity of career paths on display made the experience both eye-opening and deeply relatable.

“I got to meet so many people you usually wouldn’t be able to meet as a college student,” said Mashiyat, who attends John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Michael, a student enrolled at Lehman College, added, “This experience gave me insight into careers across finance, HR, and product management, while helping me learn more about internship pathways. Excited to keep on learning and building!”

  • Four people stand indoors, smiling at the camera, each wearing business or casual attire with name tags. In the background, a screen and conference schedule from the Apollo Opportunity Foundation are visible.
    College students get advice about internships and practice networking skills
  • A group of people sit around a conference table listening to a presenter from the Apollo Opportunity Foundation in front of two large screens displaying program information slides.
    College students learn about the internship timeline at Apollo
  • Three women in business attire sit and shake hands in a conference room with a podium labeled APOLLO, showcasing a partnership event hosted by the Apollo Opportunity Foundation, with a large screen in the background.
    College students get advice about internships and practice networking skills

Increasing Organizational Capacity

Beyond the support of individual volunteers, this partnership has driven meaningful organizational growth. Through the Apollo ecosystem, Student Leadership Network has accessed leadership coaching for managerial staff, talent development learning opportunities, and pro bono services from FTI Consulting to assess the viability of expanding our CollegeBound Initiative model.

Jon Roure, Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Vice President of Student Leadership Network, reflected on the power of expanding strategic networks of supporters and peers: “Capacity-building doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Whether our teams are leveraging resources for day-to-day programmatic work or I’m trading ideas with other nonprofit leaders at the Social Innovation Summit, there’s a domino effect on our impact. Being part of the Apollo ecosystem strengthens how we show up for students, and I’m excited for what we’ll keep building together.”

Thank you to the entire Apollo Opportunity Foundation team for their continued partnership and support in equalizing educational opportunities and life outcomes for all students!

  • A group of 24 people, dressed in business attire, pose for a group photo in front of a step-and-repeat banner
  • Two women sit across from each other at a table in an office setting, engaged in conversation about the Apollo Opportunity Foundation. A smartphone rests on the table between them.
  • A panel of six speakers sits in front of a screen displaying Student Leadership Network GALA at the Workplace, March 11, 2026, while an audience listens and takes notes during the Apollo Opportunity Foundation event.
  • A man in a suit presents to a group seated around a conference table with “Apollo Overview” and the Apollo Opportunity Foundation displayed on two large screens behind him.
  • Six people pose indoors at a Student Leadership Network event, with three holding a sign that reads I ♥ APOLLO.
  • Seven women stand side by side, smiling at the camera, in front of a step-and-repeat backdrop
  • Four women sit and talk in a modern conference room with a screen and a podium labeled Apollo Opportunity Foundation in the background.
  • Four women standing and smiling in front of a screen displaying the word APOLLO and part of a Student Leadership sign, celebrating an Apollo Opportunity Foundation event.
  • A group of people pose for a photo at the end of a long conference table in a modern meeting room at the Apollo Opportunity Foundation.

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