Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Maniscalco.
Hi Natalie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We (Natalie & Irene) met over nine years ago in Nyack at the gym, and we instantly became friends. From the beginning, we shared a passion for bringing women together and creating meaningful opportunities. Together, we led a professional women’s networking group, where the original idea was simple: host a workshop and offer a scholarship for high school girls.
And then… the pandemic hit.
Like so many things, that idea was put on the shelf—but only for a moment. When our time with the women’s network came to an end, we couldn’t shake the feeling that we were meant to build something just for girls. The vision kept evolving, growing stronger with every conversation.
By December 2020, still in the midst of uncertainty, we decided to take a leap. We launched a fundraising campaign—and in just one month, we raised $10,000. The very next month, we hosted our first volunteer day with about 20 girls.
That was our moment: okay… we’re onto something here!
The girls connected with us. They showed up. They believed in it. So we kept building. We even created a focus group to make sure our hot pink logo resonated—and got the ultimate stamp of approval. And then came the name. Irene’s youngest daughter, who was just 13 at the time, shared something that stuck with us: while most people think of “Wonder” like Wonder Woman, she said that as a teenager, she’s always wondering what the future will be.
And just like that—Wonder Girls was born.
Fast forward to today – 5 years, and what started as an idea has grown into something far beyond what we imagined. We are now in 25 schools across New York and New Jersey, with plans to expand. We’ve reached over 3,000 girls, granted over $75,000 college scholarships, created a network of 200 female mentors, published our first book, received a national award from US Homeland Security for our community service work, took our first ambassador trip to Florida and so much more!
So many people believe in our mission: giving every girl the opportunity to thrive as a leader in her own life. We always tell our girls, “Be the CEO of your own life,” so they begin to take ownership of their choices, their voice, and their future. We want every girl in this program to believe in her unlimited potential. Because the only way we build a stronger next generation is by showing them what many of us were never taught.
And that’s the magic of Wonder Girls.
Every time a mentor shows up, every time someone pours into these girls, it sends a powerful message: you matter, you are seen, and you are capable of more than you know.
And that’s why we do this.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every year, we evolve—whether it’s refining our curriculum, reimagining events, or improving logistics. Our team stays open to new ideas, always willing to change what isn’t working and strengthen what is. We listen closely to the girls—their feedback, what excites them, what falls flat—and shape everything we do around their needs. It’s all rooted in education, but delivered in a way that’s engaging, fun, and interactive.
We’re incredibly grateful for the women who truly understand and embrace our mission—those who want to be part of something bigger than themselves. And when challenges arise, we learn from them. Sometimes that means making tough decisions or adjusting how we operate, but we grow through it all.
At our core, we are always learning—learning from our mistakes, striving to do things better, smarter, and more effectively each time. We often say, “step into Wonder Girls magic,” because over the past five years, it really has felt like magic. Things come together in ways we can’t always explain.
It’s not perfect—but what makes it special is our team. A group of strong, dedicated women who adapt, support one another, and rise to every challenge with resilience and heart.
As you know, we’re big fans of WONDER GIRLS USA. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Here’s a strong, polished response you can use for an interview or feature:
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Wonder Girls is an empowerment program designed to help middle and high school girls build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of self. At its core, our mission is simple: to give every girl the tools and support she needs to thrive as the CEO of her own life.
What makes us unique is how we deliver that mission. We’re not just a curriculum-based program—we create an experience. Through workshops, mentorship, volunteerism, and community-driven events, we meet girls where they are and give them real-life skills they can actually use. Everything we do is intentionally designed to be interactive, relatable, and fun, because we know that’s how girls truly engage and grow.
We specialize in creating safe, empowering spaces where girls feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether we’re talking about confidence, social media, leadership, or giving back, our approach is always rooted in authenticity. We listen to the girls and evolve based on what they need, which keeps our program fresh, relevant, and impactful.
What truly sets Wonder Girls apart is our community. We bring together an incredible network of mentors and role models who pour into these girls, showing them what’s possible. It’s not just about what we teach—it’s about what they experience and who they become because of it.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of the culture we’ve built. Wonder Girls has become more than just a program—it’s a movement. From our signature events and campaigns to our recognizable energy and “Wonder Girls magic,” there’s a feeling people associate with being part of it. It’s empowering, uplifting, and real.
We’ve now reached over 3,000 girls, partnered with 25 schools across New York and New Jersey, and awarded nearly $75,000 in scholarships. But beyond the numbers, what matters most are the stories—the girls who find their voice, step into leadership, and start believing in their unlimited potential.
At the end of the day, we want people to know that Wonder Girls is about impact. It’s about showing the next generation what they’re capable of, giving them opportunities many of us didn’t have, and building a community that supports them every step of the way.
And we’re just getting started.
What does success mean to you?
We define success at Wonder Girls in the moments you can’t measure on paper.
It’s seeing, with our own eyes, the shift in a girl who walks in unsure of herself and, over time, begins to speak up, take initiative, and carry herself with confidence. It’s the growth we witness in real time—the way they interact, the way they lead, the way they start to believe in themselves.
Success is also in their voices. The testimonials, the conversations, the little things they say that reflect a bigger change—when a girl tells us she feels more confident, more comfortable being herself, or more excited about her future.
We hear it from the adults around them too. Teachers notice increased participation, stronger leadership, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones. Parents share that their daughters are more confident at home, more communicative, and more self-assured.
At the end of the day, it all comes back to the girls—how they feel, how they show up, and how they grow. That’s our true measure of success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wondergirlusa.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wondergirlsusaorg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WONDERGIRLSUSA
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/wonder-girls/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVaVBZb1jtDOagjDhtYxoLw/videos
