"Leaders don't force people to follow, they invite them on a journey." - Charles S. Lauer

The Females' Center of Excellence and Leadership, Inc. (Xcel, Inc.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of women and girls of all backgrounds through mentoring, education, networking, scholarship and community service.

Founded as a student organization at Northeastern University by Tricia Brunton in 2002, The Females' Center of Excellence and Leadership prepared female college students for the 'real world'. As a student organization Xcel provided developmental programs and events, such as the On The Road to Xcellence Women's Conference, which supported Xcel members and the Northeastern University community.

In December 2005, Tricia Brunton and then co-Directors, Makeda Keegan, Neakai Lewis, Olympia Valentine and Allison Appel incorporated The Females' Center of Excellence and Leadership in Massachusetts. In 2007, Xcel, Inc. received tax exempt 501 (c) (3) status.

Since its incorporation, Xcel, Inc. has offered programs and services, including myRetreat™, LinkHer™, The Women’s Networking Event, and myWorld™, that support the personal, educational and professional development of women and girls throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

Help Us Reach Our Goal

Reaching our goal helps us continue to offer our programs and services at little or no cost to women and girls throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. Our 2015 Campaign aims to raise $50,000.