Foundation
Foundation
Forbes 30 Under 30
I moved from Pakistan to Palo Alto at age 7. While classmates had summer programs and family connections, I babysat. I started working at 12 because I had to.
By the time I entered college, I had six years of work experience and a network I'd built myself. I assumed everyone else did too. They didn't.
So I built Skillify to teach what my friends and I had to learn the hard way: your value is more than your GPA.
Our mission: help young people build meaningful lives by sparking career-curiosity and follow-through.
Skillify grew into a decade-long model — and the kids who need it most are right here in Nevada. That's why we built the Foundation.
— Shireen, Founder
For over a decade, we've watched this program change how kids see their future. They walk away with a mentor, the skills, and the confidence to build it. But it runs on school funding many Nevada schools don't have. We saw that gap, and we knew this works. So we built the Skillify Foundation so every Nevada kid can join, no matter what their school can afford. We connect them to the mentors, paths, and community that open real doors.
"Seeing students who don't always volunteer, who don't always see their own potential, lean into the Skillify program and connect was powerful. When students express that they feel seen, that they can envision a path after graduation — it makes all the hard work worth it. Most importantly, thank you for believing in our students."
"You can see and hear the students' improvements as their confidence grows while they speak. Skillify helps them understand that success isn't just about what's on paper. Shireen taught our students how to develop a professional presence and create a lasting impression. Thank you — this transformed our students."
"I have worked with Skillify since 2015 and have seen the impact on hundreds of my students — from university-bound to academically at-risk. Skillify's programs engage all of them through their emphasis on self-agency and meeting students where they are. I highly recommend Skillify for any school that wants post-secondary success for all students."
$500 sponsors a Nevada student for a full year — a mentor, a career path, and a community that keeps them connected to a future worth staying for.
Donate — Coming SoonReady to make a difference in just 15 minutes? One conversation. One student. A lifetime of impact. Join 215+ professionals opening doors for the next generation.
Learn MoreStudent stories, program updates, and first looks at what’s happening in Nevada classrooms.
Make your check payable to [Skillify Foundation legal name] and mail it to:
10845 Griffith Peak Dr Ste 200A, Las Vegas, NV 89135
Thinking about a larger gift? Grab a time with Shireen and we'll talk about what we could build together.
Mock of the booking page — no real meeting is scheduled.