During Women’s History Month, Empowered Flower Girl is proud to spotlight a young changemaker who isn’t waiting for permission to lead. At 16 years old, Karishma Sharma is making her mark as a visionary social impact leader committed to closing the gender confidence gap for girls.
Karishma is the founder of BoldHER Future, an initiative designed to help young girls build confidence, find their voice and step boldly into leadership. What makes her work especially powerful is that it is deeply personal. After recognizing her own struggles with self-doubt and hesitation in the classroom, Karishma turned her experience into action. Instead of shrinking, she chose to study the issue, exploring the neuropsychological and social factors that contribute to declining confidence among adolescent girls.
“I recall not raising my hand in class sometimes even though I had something important to say and I learned over time that many young girls were experiencing the same lack of confidence in comparison to boys. I learned that confidence is something that you are not born with but that it is built,” Karishma said.
Through BoldHER Future, Karishma is translating research into real-world impact. She hosts free workshops and events that equip girls with tools to speak confidently and embrace who they are. One standout moment included a “Speaking with Confidence” workshop where participants courageously introduced themselves and shared what they were most proud of. She has also convened powerful conversations like “The First to Be HER,” featuring influential women leaders across government, media and healthcare. Her recently launched mentorship program, pairing “LeadHERs” with “DreamHERs,” further extends her impact by fostering meaningful, confidence-building relationships.
Karishma’s bold leadership has not gone unnoticed. Her work has earned media recognition, including coverage by WTOP News, highlighting her commitment to empowering the next generation of girls.
Looking ahead, Karishma aspires to study entrepreneurship and business, with plans to grow BoldHER Future into a global movement. Her vision is clear: a world where girls are confident, heard and unapologetically themselves.
Follow Karishma and BoldHER Future
Instagram: @boldher.future
TikTok: @boldher.future
LinkedIn: Karishma Sharma
Empowered Flower Girl 