Shifting Focus from Money to Soul, with Annelise Bauer

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Annelise Bauer. What if a rubber band ball that sold for 25 cents could hold more meaning than any other quarter you’ve ever seen? Annelise shares how her family of origin’s creative approach to frugality and giving shaped her journey from lawyer to nonprofit CEO.

Annelise Bauer is the CEO of SHE-CAN, which stands for Supporting Her Education Changes A Nation – a non profit organization that supports young women from post-conflict countries in accessing U.S. college education, mentorship, and leadership training so they can return home to transform their communities.

A passionate advocate for education and women’s leadership, Annelise practiced law for 21 years—18 of those at the Myers-Briggs Company—before moving into nonprofit leadership and education governance. She is the Founder and former Executive Director of Children for Change, where she led the organization for 10 years and now serves on its board. She also serves on the boards of The Bay School and Women for Womenin Sierra Leone, is a member of the Leadership Council atRise Up, and is a member of and co-chair of the Community Committee of the International Women’s Forum. Additionally, Annelise served as an elected member of the Ross Valley School Board for 10 years, shaping educational policy and championing public education in her community.

Born on the Navajo Reservation in Gallup, New Mexico, Annelise grew up with a deep sense of service before earning degrees in sociology and education from Princeton University and a law degree from Boston University. Her career—spanning law, education, and nonprofits—reflects her unwavering belief that when young people and women are given the right tools and support, they can change the world.