Chelsey has spent the last two decades advocating for women’s voices to be heard and valued.
She started as an academic tutor and also volunteered her time to mentor girls from underserved communities. Working with hundreds of girls from diverse backgrounds, teenage girls invited Chelsey into a rare space of trust, sharing all of the things they wish they could communicate to the world at large.
Becoming a translator and microphone for girls’ voices, Chelsey shares:
“I’ve learned that the world fears teenage girls. And fear is used to silence them. Our society treats teenage girls as something to fix rather than value – and that needs to change.”








Chelsey’s Bio
Chelsey Goodan is the author of the USA Today bestselling book Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls, which reveals how the wisdom of teenage girls can create positive change for society at large. After 16 years working as an academic tutor and mentoring girls from underserved communities, Goodan uncovered universal truths from teenage girls’ struggles with self-doubt, authenticity, confidence, leadership, connection, and power. These realizations inspired her to write a book that ignites collective growth.
Underestimated was named “Best Nonfiction” by Amazon’s Editorial Director and garnered acclaim from Oprah’s Book Club, Oprah Daily, TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, Hello Sunshine, NBC News Daily, TIME Magazine, and public figures like Academy Award-winning actress Laura Dern who commented, “Chelsey changes the lives of teenage girls for the better by deepening connections and helping everyone feel more heard and understood.”
Goodan has emerged as a leading voice for reshaping school, home, and work environments to empower women and girls’ voices. As a keynote speaker, Goodan helps women heal their inner teenage girl and coaches parents on how to better understand and connect with their teenager. She also conducts women & girls’ empowerment workshops, and in 2024, she partnered with Hello Sunshine and Invisalign to create and lead their Empowerment Day for girls. On worldwide stages, Goodan teaches communication strategies that create emotional and psychological safety. Her optimistic energy and practical tools have captivated diverse audiences ranging from Naval officers, to NYU Alumni, to tech innovators convening on Richard Branson’s private island.
With a clear focus on social impact, Goodan supports nonprofits advocating for gender justice. Volunteering her time as the Mentorship Director of the nonprofit DemocraShe, Chelsey supports and guides girls from underrepresented communities into leadership positions. She also serves on the board of A Call to Men, a national gender-based violence prevention nonprofit that educates men and boys on healthy masculinity. From 2016-2020, she founded The Activist Cartel where she led an influential, nationwide subscriber base to take action for gender and racial justice. She has collaborated with organizations such as The Representation Project, Step Up Women’s Network, Shero's Rise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, OneKid OneWorld, Glasswing International, V-Day, The Meteor, and The Center for the Advancement of Women.
Additionally working in the entertainment industry since 2003, Chelsey has promoted healthy masculinity narratives in the media, leading initiatives at United Talent Agency (UTA), the Writers Guild of America (WGA), film production companies, Time’s Up, and the Television Academy. As a Tisch graduate from NYU, Chelsey has written and optioned screenplays for over a decade, working directly for the producer of films ranging from Judd Apatow’s Superbad to Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain. Living in Los Angeles, Chelsey has become a trusted resource for many influential figures, advising them on their philanthropic engagement and cultural messaging.
Chelsey’s passion to explore humanity’s potential for authenticity, liberation, and empowerment, permeates all of her work.