top of page
Sydney Background final final.png

FOUNDER. SPEAKER. CHANGEMAKER

Stronger When

We Ask.

Building support. Expanding opportunity.

I help students and leaders go further than they think by asking for help, building support and creating pathways to economic mobility.

FOUNDER & CEO

BARRIER BREAKERS®

A national nonprofit advancing economic mobility for first-generation and low-income students.

7,000+

students supported across the U.S.

200,000+

views on my TEDx Talk

100+

colleges, schools and organizations reached

1 Mission

To expand economic mobility through support.

IMG_1112.jpg

HI, I'M SYDNEY 

I turned lived experience into
life-changing impact 

I’m an attorney, social entrepreneur, and national keynote speaker who believes talent can open a door—but support is what helps you walk through it, stay in the room, and keep moving forward.


As the first lawyer in my family, the first graduate of my high school to attend Princeton, and a lower-income, first-generation student who later graduated from Harvard Law School, I know what it means to pursue big goals without an inherited roadmap. I also know that success is rarely the result of individual effort alone.


That belief has shaped everything I’ve built. As the Founder and Executive Director of Barrier Breakers®, I have helped more than 7,000 students and families navigate higher education and build pathways into meaningful, high-impact careers.


As a TEDx and international keynote speaker, I help students and emerging professionals identify the support systems their goals require, build meaningful networks and mentorship relationships, advocate for the resources they need, and define success on their own terms. I help people learn how to succeed by redefining resilience and avoiding burnout. My work explores asking for help, mentorship, networking, economic mobility, chronic illness, invisible disability, burnout, and what it really takes to build a sustainable life and career.


Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Obama USA Leaders, Camelback Ventures, and One Young World, my work centers on one message: you can go further than you think possible—but you should not have to get there alone.

obama logo.png
image.png
camelback ventures.png
image.png

SIGNATURE SPEAKING TOPICS

Asking for Help & Building Support Systems

Resilience, Burnout & Mental Wellness

Networking & Mentorship That Change Lives

Thriving with Chronic Illness & Invisible Disabilities

Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

Building and Scaling Social Entrepreneurship

AS SEEN AND HEARD IN

image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

FOUNDER. VISIONARY. ADVOCATE.

Creating pathways. Changing futures.

Through Barrier Breakers®, we reimagine what's possible for first-generation and low-income students—because their success strengthens us all.

0C933DA7-EA09-4373-B928-58956EEBB37F_1_105_c.jpg

Barrier Breakers® provides:

College and graduate school access

Wellness checks and persistence support

Career pathways & professional development

A community that believes in them

WHAT STUDENTS SAY

"All of the students no matter the background or grade all experienced a positive impact from your speech and your dinner afterwards." - Princeton E-Club

"I learnt that even though I am physically blind, I can still break those barrier. Go Sydney!" - Matthew, Marymount University.

"She's such an amazing leader, very inspirational, very wise, mature and I was so thankful to experience her" - Hannah

READY TO INSPIRE YOUR AUDIENCE?

Let's create an unforgettable experience together.

Perfect for colleges, high schools, conferences, youth programs, leadership events, church, faith-based youth programming and more.

KEYNOTES

Powerful stories that move minds and motivate action.

WORKSHOPS

Interactive sessions that build real skills & confidence.

PANELS & TALKS

Engaging conversations on the issues that matter most.

VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON

Flexible formats to meet your audience where they are.

bottom of page