Written by Charis Raya
“Thrive was always meant to grow through local women who understand their communities best.”
— Priscilla Perry Heffelfinger
For their work running Thrive, Priscilla and Gina have been named to Inc. Magazine’s 2026 Female Founders 500 list, which places them among some of the most visionary women transforming industries and communities today — women whose ideas have reshaped technology, health, consumer goods, and social impact.
Affirmation of Thrive’s Mission
To be included on this list of trailblazers is a remarkable milestone for Thrive’s founders, and a powerful affirmation of the global importance of Thrive’s mission. The magazine particularly vaunts Thrive’s success in delivering “free meals to school children in Bangladesh even during political disruptions” and its innovative “hiring of local mothers.”
Women-Led Movement
When Priscilla and Gina started Thrive in 2012, Bangladesh faced one of the highest child malnutrition rates in the world. Since then, Thrive has grown into a women‑led and -operated movement feeding over 3,500 children every day in Bangladesh and the Philippines. Thrive’s dramatic expansion was made possible by the efforts of a dedicated cadre of local women who stepped up to raise funds and help extend the organization. According to Priscilla, “We knew we couldn’t do this alone. Thrive was always meant to grow through local women who understand their communities best.”
Women Taking Care of Their Communities
Furthering the impact of local women, Thrive is pioneering a program in the Philippines in which village mothers are paid to prepare meals in the schools, helping women take care of their families and communities. “I never imagined I could help provide for my family while also helping other children grow strong,” said Mercy, a mother working in the Katutubo Village school.
From founders Gina and Priscilla, to the local women leaders who sustain Thrive, to the mothers who cook the food, Thrive’s success stands as a powerful reminder of what happens when women lead with conviction, compassion, and a belief that every child deserves the chance to grow and learn. Happy Women’s Month, everyone!
