Founder & President
Mackenzie Goldsteen
Founder and President
I am a 17 year old from Bethesda, Maryland and the middle sister of three sisters. Ever since I was little, I have had Celiac disease. It taught me how to be an advocate for myself and for others. It sparked my passion for speaking up, asking questions and for helping others in my community. When I was younger, I tried to join the wrestling team and was told “girls were not allowed” and there would be no separate girls team. This ignited my passion to fight for equity and gender inequality.
I have always been fascinated by the real world STEM fields especially the infrastructure world (architecture, construction and engineering or ACE) as it is not only a big part of the economy but when I think about sustainability and the environment, this industry has the power to have the biggest impact on generations to come and yet today it has fewer than 10% female representation and just under 2% female leadership. Why? How do we change that? What can we do? I wondered how I can change this – after all, good ideas require diversity.
I also realized that so many young females do not have the positive role models, resources, or opportunities other students in some areas have available. I noticed a lack of programs geared towards real world STEM careers and I decided to do something about it and I founded our program (www.buildgirls.org). We help young, talented, curious women get more involved in real world STEM fields. Through workshops, speakers, and interviews members can participate and learn about STEM RW careers and experience it first hand.
I have always believed that we have a responsibility to contribute to our community and improve the community – to help make things better for everyone, to be a voice for what you believe in and also to be a voice for those that do not have one – that really is what Buildgirls is about – its a pay it forward idea. I believe in taking action in my community to help others – those I know and those I don’t. I truly believe you just feel good by doing good.
Emerson Goldsteen
Founder & CEO
Emerson “Emmie” Goldsteen is a social entrepreneur, youth leader, and nationally recognized advocate for equality and opportunity in real-world STEM. She is the founder of BuildGirls.org, a fast-growing, youth-led nonprofit focused on introducing middle and high school girls to careers that form the backbone of America’s infrastructure—architecture, construction, and engineering (ACE). Seeing that these critical fields shape not only our economy but also our environment and future sustainability, Emmie built BuildGirls to connect girls with hands-on experiences, industry mentors, and real projects that make STEM tangible, relevant, and impactful. Under her leadership, BuildGirls has reached more than 1,200 girls across 45 U.S. states and eight countries.
Emmie is known for leading with integrity, accountability, and authenticity—turning vision into action and challenges into growth. She has built national partnerships and innovative programs, including GirlsBuild with Habitat for Humanity, giving girls under 18 access to real construction and community projects that combine technical skills with social and environmental responsibility. Beyond BuildGirls, Emmie is deeply engaged in her school and community through entrepreneurship, athletics, and long-term volunteer work supporting affordable housing and rare cancer research. An avid fitness enthusiast and devoted dog lover, she brings energy, optimism, and purpose to everything she does—challenging audiences to rethink who belongs in the industries that design, build, and sustain our world.