In this inspiring episode of the She Lift Project podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Ali Hogan, founder of Rung for Women, a transformative St. Louis nonprofit. Ali created a holistic program that bridges the critical gap between crisis intervention and sustainable independence by providing women with career training, mental health support, financial coaching, physical wellness resources, and community—all under one roof. The conversation explores how Rung for Women empowers over 500 women through cohort-based programs in advanced manufacturing and IT, helping them move from survival mode to thriving careers earning $60K-$70K+ annually while building confidence, skills, and lasting sisterhood.
This episode is for anyone passionate about women’s empowerment, nonprofit leaders seeking collaborative models, employers looking to diversify their workforce, and individuals wanting to understand how comprehensive support systems create lasting change. Listeners will learn about the power of addressing the “whole woman” rather than just job placement, the importance of community and coaching in transformation, and how Rung for Women’s partnerships with healthcare providers, therapists, and employers create a unique ecosystem of support. After listening, you’ll understand how to get involved with Rung for Women as a volunteer, donor, employer partner, or applicant, and you’ll be inspired to think differently about what it takes to create generational change in your own community.