Courage Builder is an award-winning startup committed to empowering kindergarteners through CEOs through a unique portfolio of leadership, workforce and education programs, services and products.
Our work focuses on emerging industries, including tech, ocean (blue) tech, life sciences and entrepreneurship.
Join us to build the skills of today and tomorrow.
We believe all people have courage—
sometimes they just need the tools and support to reconnect with or unlock it.
After a successful pilot in 2019, we officially established in 2020 and have since impacted thousands of students and professionals through our engaging, interactive and proven programs and events.
We are a proven pipeline to expand and develop the workforce in high growth sectors, particularly in the areas of ocean technology, life sciences, high tech and general business and entrepreneurship.
Our cohort-based externship, internship and mid-career programs have proven to advance career opportunities, strengthen community and are highly endorsed by our participants.
Our annual Innovation & Impact Conference has brought together 350+ leaders to focus on how to build stronger cultures, products and teams.
Our annual Early Career Conference has connected 500+ students to leading regional tech, financial services, healthcare and ocean-focused organizations.
We have collaborated with some of the biggest companies in the world, including Fidelity Investments, Amazon, Dell Technologies, Wayfair and IGT and more, to connect talent and empower leadership teams.
We have innovative programs and partnerships with schools and universities in the New England region to develop the next generation of talent.
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Emerging Industries - Ocean (Blue) Tech & Life Sciences
K-12 and college programs focused on experiential learning, connection with industry partners, real-world projects, externships and internships.
Blue Tech Partnerships and collaborations: RI Commerce, UMass Dartmouth SMAST, Jaia Robotics, Fleet Robotics, Inspire Environmental, New Bedford Ocean Cluster, Deep Blue Composites, TCP Learning
Life Sciences partnerships and collaborations: RI Life Science Hub, Veranex, Epivax, Univ. of Rhode Island College of Engineering, Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI, The Bubbler VR -
Keynotes & Workshops
Tailored programs, workshops, speeches and presentations to develop key business and leadership skills. Signature Topics: Personal Brand, Mentorship, Strategic Networking, Level Up Your Career, Be Your Career CEO, Negotiations, Channel Your Kid Courage, Creating a Culture of Innovation.
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Industry Conferences
Innovation & Impact Conference: Annual conference that brings together 200+ leaders and innovators from across tech, startups, corporate, non-profit and higher education. Event features dynamic keynotes, industry panels and Expo showcase. Upcoming conference: June 4, 2026 in Providence, RI. Sponsorship opportunities available.
Early Career Conference: Annual conference that brings together 200+ college students and early career professionals with a focus on teah and ocean related careers. Event includes keynote speakers, engaging panels and intimate networking with leading companies. Upcoming conference: October 1, 2025 at UMass Dartmouth. Sponsorship opportunities available. -
Courage Kids Books
The original Courage Kids books teach students in 2nd-5th grade the importance of collaboration, the exciting opportunities in STEM and feature exciting adventures led by a group of lovable and smart students.
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Facilitation & Coaching
Hire Courage Builder to facilitate your talent or innovation programs, MC your next event or provide you effective coaching to navigate your student, professional or leadership journey.
Nishita Roy-Pope is an award-winning leader, former corporate leader at a Fortune 50 global tech company, founder, speaker, and author. As Founder & CEO of Courage Builder, Nishita has impacted thousands of students and professionals and connected them with opportunities at leading companies, such as Nike, Amazon, Fidelity, IGT and more. She facilitates professional development and leadership training for early and mid-career professionals, managers and Executive leaders and creates access and exposure programs for K-12 and college populations in high growth and emerging fields, including tech, entrepreneurship and the blue economy. Nishita is also the visionary and founder of Rhode Island's annual Innovation & Impact Conference, which has brought together 350+ leaders and professionals from across startups, corporate, non-profit and higher education. Nishita is currently a Board Member of Rhode Island organizations Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) and Times2 Academy and on the Technology Advisory Board for the Boston-based UP Education Network.
Nishita Roy-Pope
Founder & CEO, Courage Builder
Testimonials
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“Overall, the Courage Kids book succeeded in holding my interest throughout the entire story. I can honestly say I know many students that would surely enjoy this! As a teacher, and mom, I know this is something I would very much be interested in reading and incorporating into the classroom setting and household. ”
— Julie K., K-6 Educator & Mom, Rhode Island
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“We have engaged the services and programs for the past five years and we can see the measurable difference to our diverse students. They have created an unprecedented level of training, exposure and access. We have hundreds of success stories that we can attribute to the impact of this company and to the visionary leadership of its founder, Nishita Roy-Pope”
— Peggy D., Senior Director of IT, UMass Dartmouth
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"I found it valuable to be a part of a life sciences focused program because it helped expose me to different career paths, companies, and people in general who I would not otherwise have the opportunity to discover. Life sciences and STEM is a very popular field of study for a lot of college students, including myself, but I don't often have the opportunity to do much with it outside of the classroom and this externship helped a lot with that".
- Life Sciences Externship, College Participant
Let’s work together.
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