Dr. Lisa Hinkelman is a counselor, educator, researcher and the visionary founder and CEO of Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX), the nation's leading evidence-based nonprofit organization focused on girls' development. Recognized as a Smart Business CEO of the Year, Lisa has guided ROX to become the premier authority on girls' education and empowerment, with programming in nearly 600 schools across 44 states that has transformed the lives of over 50,000 girls. Under her leadership, ROX has also been honored as the Social Ventures Social Enterprise of the Year.

At the core of ROX's impact is Lisa's commitment to data-driven solutions anchored by The Girls' Index – the groundbreaking national research study of more than 17,500 girls. The Girls' Index is the definitive resource on girls' development, confidence, relationships, leadership and career aspirations. This comprehensive research informs ROX's evidence-based programming, creating a data-driven process where rigorous research directly shapes effective interventions.

Lisa's work and insights have been featured in major media outlets including NBC News, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Parents, Huffington Post, Education Week and USA Today. Her expertise has taken her to prestigious platforms – most recently the United Nations General Assembly – where she spoke on teen girls' mental health. She's also the author of the Corwin Press best-selling book "Girls Without Limits: Helping Girls Succeed in Relationships, Academics, Careers and Life."

Dr. Hinkelman earned her undergraduate degrees from Chatham College before completing both her Master's and Ph.D. in Counselor Education from The Ohio State University. She further enhanced her leadership expertise through the prestigious Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program at Harvard Business School.

Before dedicating herself full-time to ROX, Lisa was a professor of Counselor Education at The Ohio State University, where she trained school counselors and mental health professionals. Lisa brings a comprehensive understanding of the school ecosystem that resonates with counselors, administrators, educators, staff and parents alike. Her evidence-based approaches, practical strategies for creating supportive learning environments and deep understanding of the challenges facing today's students have made her a sought-after expert in education and youth development

When she's not traveling the country championing girls' potential, Lisa lives with her family in Columbus, Ohio. She's the proud mom of a spirited 5-year-old daughter who has already mastered the art of negotiation and boundary-setting (skills Lisa both teaches and sometimes finds herself on the receiving end of!). A former collegiate softball and ice hockey player, Lisa brings warmth, authenticity and passion to her work, making complex topics accessible and empowering others to create meaningful change for the girls in their lives.