Sycamore Middle School’s Claudia Berek Gains Leadership Experience Through Girls Lead Program

When Sycamore Middle School sixth grader Claudia Berek learned about the Girls Lead Program, it wasn’t just another extracurricular; it was a spark. Encouraged by strong women in her life, Claudia saw the program as a rare opportunity to grow into the kind of leader she’s long admired.

Launched by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in collaboration with the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, Girls Lead is a statewide initiative designed to empower young women through direct engagement with public service and government. The program offers participants the chance to shadow female leaders, fostering skills in leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, and consensus-building within a progressive working environment. Structured across different age groups, it provides tailored experiences–from spending a day with a member of the Illinois General Assembly for younger participants to engaging in policy research projects for high school students.

“I think a lot of different people inspired me to take part in the Girls Lead Program,” Berek said. “My elementary school principal, Ms. Waller, is the one who first told me about the Girls Lead Program and got me hooked on the idea of getting to shadow a female leader at the state level.”

Ms. Waller left an imprint on Berek by introducing her to Girls Lead and modeling the type of leadership that listens, includes, and uplifts. Claudia’s mother is equally influential, a powerhouse in her professional and personal life. 

“My mom has taught me a lot about leadership and what it means to be a good leader,” Berek said. “She has three kids, is the Dean of Health Sciences at Kishwaukee College, and she somehow always makes time to be at my school field trips and cross country meets.”

Now, partway through the program, Berek is actively engaging with some of the most powerful women in Illinois. Through virtual webinars, Girls Lead participants have had the chance to meet, learn from, and ask questions of high-ranking female officials. For Berek, experience has already been eye-opening.

“So far, we have been meeting virtually with female leaders within the government in webinars,” Berek explained. “Some of the women we have met so far include City Clerk of Chicago Anna Valencia, Illinois Supreme Court Judge Mary Kay O’Brien, and US Representative Nikki Budzinski. It has been very interesting to learn about how these women's jobs have an impact on lots of people.”

Central to Berek’s Girls Lead experience is her one-on-one mentorship with Dr. Tresa Dunbar, the Superintendent of Schools for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. With a history of innovative leadership in both the juvenile justice system and Chicago Public Schools, Dr. Dunbar is uniquely positioned to challenge and inspire the next generation.

“Having a female mentor is really inspiring for me,” Berek said. “Having someone who will introduce me to the many possibilities I could have as a future job is really exciting to me. I am super excited to learn more about leading and what makes a successful leader.”

Berek and Dr. Dunbar are planning in-person meetings between May and June, where Claudia will get a firsthand look at the various areas Dr. Dunbar oversees. In the meantime, they’ve been connecting online to discuss the real-world implications of her mentor’s work, which includes educating incarcerated youth and championing their rights.

Looking ahead, Berek isn’t just focused on her own path, she wants to light the way for others. Growing up in a small town hasn’t limited her view of leadership; instead, it’s shaped her into someone who sees personal connections as a strength.

“I hope to use the skills and knowledge I learn to help positively influence younger girls in this community,” she said. “I know that some people may think living in a small town doesn’t give you as many opportunities to lead as compared to people living in a bigger city. But, I think it gives you more chances to meet people and really get to know them. I hope my experiences in Girls Lead help me have the confidence to take on as much as I can to help others and make a difference.”