Girls Who Plan Ahead, or simply GWPA.
A woman who has gone through various stages, from moving to a new country to studying a new language, and who, with a lot of effort and dedication, achieved professional stability, was the one who envisioned Girls Who Plan Ahead.
This set of words, “Girls who plan their future,” says a lot about the purpose of the initiative created by Paula Araujo. What started as a simple WhatsApp group, a place of support for women who felt lonely during the process of immigration and professional stability, has turned into something much bigger.
The community, which in 2024 celebrates its second year, has grown tremendously, now reaching over 700 women. It is a place of support, information, and interaction. Many women daily ask each other for opinions, share information, and offer encouragement on a wide range of topics.
In the pillars envisioned by Paula, there is room for weekly business-focused English classes, invitations for runs or other physical activities, and sharing of job opportunities and courses. Every day a new idea emerges, a new workshop, a piece of information about visas that quickly spreads. Not long ago, I remember reading: “This is the best group for information that exists.”
I, besides being a content writer and Learning & Development Manager at GWPAHub, am a participant in this community and someone who has been greatly helped by this “place,” so this text will not be impartial.
But going back, rather than writing about Girls, I believe I can ask the person who created it. So, right now, I am on a video call with Paulinha, and we are chatting about life, as we usually do when we interact.
Yes, this interview is happening live, and in the spirit of an amateur interviewer, I ask how she is and the best way to start this conversation. We decided: shall we start from the beginning?
1. Have you always wanted to help people throughout your life or create something with that purpose?
Yes, helping people has always been a present desire in my life. I strongly believe in the power of the collective, that when we help each other, we can build something greater and more meaningful. This intensified even more with my work at Girls Who Plan Ahead, where I can see the positive impact that creating a space for support and development has on the lives of women. Additionally, I felt very lonely during my professional journey, and I realised that I needed to take action and bring about change. That’s why I began supporting other women who might be going through the same situation. By seeing them in this development process, I feel as if I am embracing my past self, providing the support that I needed back then, but in this case, offering it to them.
2. Great! So, tell me, what is your dream or current goal for GWPA today?
My main goal with GWPA today is to provide a safe and inspiring space where women at different career stages can connect, learn, and grow together. We want them to feel supported, gain confidence, and find collaboration opportunities that help them achieve their professional and personal dreams.
3. When we talk about goals, I automatically think of mission and values. Do you want to tell me about this, in the sense of what culture Girls is tied to?
The culture of Girls Who Plan Ahead is deeply rooted in collaboration, empathy, and continuous growth. Our mission is to offer women a space where they can develop their skills, connect with other professionals, and feel supported in their journeys. Our values revolve around creating a welcoming and encouraging environment, where all members feel they can share their experiences and challenges without judgement.
4. That’s wonderful! And how has the process of building all this been? Do you have people helping you in this process?
The building process has been an incredible and collaborative journey. I have wonderful volunteers who drive me forward and collaborate to make the community a more valuable space each day. Additionally, I also have the support of a team and partners who believe in the purpose of GWPA. The active participation of our members is crucial, many of them contribute with ideas, workshops, and valuable feedback, which makes the growth of the community a true co-creation.
5. Thinking about the future of Girls, I won’t talk about something too far ahead to keep it easy to visualise, but for 2025, is there anything in mind that you want for the project in this short term?
For 2025, our goal is to establish the GWPAHub community as a reference point for supporting women’s professional development. We want to increase the number of events, courses, and partnerships that provide more opportunities for our members. Furthermore, we are planning to launch a series of new resources on our platform to further facilitate the exchange of experiences and professional growth.
6. How can companies or people who want to connect with the project help?
Companies and individuals interested can connect with us in various ways. Whether through strategic partnerships, sharing their knowledge in workshops and events, or offering mentorship and support to our members. We are also open to collaborations on specific projects that can benefit the community as a whole.
7. Perfect! Look, I thank you for these answers and everything you’ve provided for me to write this first content. Would you like to leave a final message?
My final message is that GWPAHub is much more than a community; it is a movement to empower women in their careers, regardless of where they are in their journeys. I am very excited about what’s to come and invite all women to join us on this path of growth, learning, and mutual support!
Well, you heard Paula, visit the website www.gwpahub.com and Instagram @gwpahub, where there’s already content, but very soon, we’ll have much more!
Best wishes,
Gabrielli Figueiredo
Volunteer Learning & Development Manager & Content Writer at GWPAHub
