New York – September 28, 2026 -- Rodan + Fields, the skincare brand founded by dermatologists Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, has committed $350,000 to Girls Inc. to fund scholarships and career-readiness programming for young women pursuing STEM entrepreneurship.
The investment splits into a $100,000 Rodan + Fields Futures Scholarship and a $250,000 contribution to Girls Inc.'s Project Accelerate, a college and career readiness program. The commitment marks the start of a year-long partnership running through 2026, with scholarship announcements and mentorship milestones to follow.
Only 28% of startups include a female founder, per data cited by the company
Rodan + Fields said just 1% of leading skincare brands are founded by female dermatologists, the category the company says it helped define since its founding by Rodan and Fields. The $350,000 investment targets that gap by funding both direct scholarships and structured career pathways for young women in STEM.
Project Accelerate serves more than 5,900 young women across 76 affiliate networks
Launched by Girls Inc. in 2021, Project Accelerate provides mentorship, internship placements, college application support and career development starting in high school. The program targets placing approximately 1,000 participants directly into the workforce by 2030, and the Rodan + Fields funding is intended to deepen program reach across the affiliate network.
Participants gain lab access through 'From Lab to Leadership' visits in November and February
Beyond financial support, Rodan + Fields will host Project Accelerate participants at its Berkeley innovation lab for direct exposure to product development, commercialization and entrepreneurship roles. Girls from local Girls Inc. affiliates will meet company scientists and business leaders during the visits.
"Rodan + Fields was built by women who believed that science could be a vehicle for independence, confidence, and opportunity," said Dimitri Haloulos, Chief Executive Officer of Rodan + Fields, describing the partnership as a mechanism for tangible funding and access for emerging female founders.
Dr. Stephanie J. Hull, President and CEO of Girls Inc., said the partnership extends beyond funding into mentorship and career exploration access. Rodan + Fields has contributed more than $18 million to youth-focused programs to date, according to the company.