Founder and CEO

Elleanor Jean Hendley is an Emmy Award-winning former network affiliate television news journalist, public school teacher, and youth advocate.

As a New Jersey educator, Hendley created an after school charm club that evolved into an award-winning dance program. Previously, Hendley worked at the CBS affiliate in Philadelphia, PA. where she held several positions during more than twenty years. She was the Eyewitness News education reporter, producer/host of a news interview program, director of public affairs, and producer/host of City Lights, an award-winning primetime magazine show broadcast for ten years.

While working fulltime in television news, Hendley founded Teenshop, Inc.® in 1985, a nationally- recognized nonprofit weekend volunteer organization for 'girls with goals®'. Teenshop has three Philadelphia chapters and one in Los Angeles, California. All Teenshop graduates attend college or professional schools and while enrolled in the program, no girl drops out of school or becomes a teen parent. Teenshop celebrated twenty-five years of service in June, 2010 with a Cotillion-style gala attended by more than five hundred guests.

In 2005 Hendley created Girls Achieve, a school day program to empower adolescent girls, at the request of a Philadelphia District principal who was looking for a program to help ensure a successful year for her eighth grade students. The Girls Achieve program soon expanded to other Philadelphia schools, and its innovative curriculum-support activities have helped hundreds of girls stay focused on achieving their goals. Currently, Girls Achieve is included in the Promise Academies, which are six Philadelphia District schools under the direct management of the office of Superintendent Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman.

Hendley has received many awards and recognition from local governments and community organizations for excellence in broadcasting and outstanding community service. Her Teenshop recognition includes the coveted 'Take the Lead Award' from the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and a Resolution from the City Council of Philadelphia.

Active in community and civic groups, Hendley is a member of the Forum of Executive Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and The Links. She is also a co-founder of the Pennsylvania Coalition of 100 Black Women, and a charter member of the National Association of University Women, Suburban Philadelphia