About The SOFEI Group
SOFEI means Starting Over for Economic Independence. Since 1996, The SOFEI Group has created pathways to economic independence for women experiencing situational poverty through education, workforce development, career advancement, financial empowerment, and supportive resources.
Our Mission
Creating pathways to economic independence for women experiencing situational poverty through education, workforce development, career advancement, and supportive resources.
Our Philosophy
We believe every woman deserves the opportunity to achieve and maintain economic independence. Our work helps women build skills, increase earning potential, build confidence, and access the resources needed to create sustainable futures.
Who We Serve
We support women navigating economic and career transitions who are ready to build greater stability, opportunity, and independence.
Women Starting Over
Women rebuilding after unexpected life or economic transitions.
Working & Single Mothers
Women balancing family responsibilities with career and income goals.
Career Changers
Women re-entering, transitioning, or advancing in the workforce.
Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Women developing ideas, income-generating ventures, and businesses.
How We Empower Women to Emerge
Our programs connect learning, earning opportunities, financial capability, mentoring, and community support.
Education & Workforce Development
Professional development, workforce training, certifications, and career-focused learning through SOFEIOnline and other education resources.
Career Advancement
Career resources, employment opportunities, mentoring, networking, and professional development that help women move forward.
Financial Empowerment
Financial education, wellness resources, and access to community-based support that strengthen economic decision-making and independence.
Mentoring & Community
Connections with mentors, peers, professionals, and community resources that provide guidance, encouragement, and opportunity.
Grants & Giving
Community-based grantmaking and giving initiatives that help women invest in education, ideas, ventures, and income-generating opportunities.
Employer & Community Partnerships
Partnerships that expand access to training, workforce resources, career opportunities, and supportive environments for women.
The SOFEI360 Empowerment Model
Our holistic SOFEI360 Model guides women through a progression of self-discovery, preparation, skill-building, opportunity, and transformation.
1. IntrospectionDefine your vision and understand the experiences that shaped your path.
2. Needs AssessmentIdentify needs, priorities, and appropriate SOFEI or community resources.
3. DesignCreate a personalized development, career, or economic-independence plan.
4. EducationBuild knowledge, marketable skills, and relevant credentials.
5. GrowthStrengthen confidence, leadership, resilience, and professional capability.
6. EquipAccess the tools and resources needed to compete and succeed.
7. NavigateMove strategically through career, business, and life transitions.
8. DedicateCommit to consistent action toward your personal and professional goals.
9. EarnSecure employment, advance professionally, or generate sustainable income.
10. NetworkBuild relationships with mentors, employers, peers, and opportunity networks.
11. TransformBuild lasting economic independence, stability, and opportunity.
Our Story
Built on a belief in women’s economic potential, The SOFEI Group has evolved with the changing needs of the women we serve.
1996 — Where We Began
The SOFEI Group was founded in 1996 to help women build the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to improve their economic futures. From the beginning, our work has centered on a simple belief: when women have access to the right resources and opportunities, they can create meaningful change for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Our Evolution
As the workforce and economy changed, so did the needs of the women we serve. The SOFEI Group expanded beyond traditional education and training to address the interconnected factors that influence economic mobility—including career advancement, financial capability, professional networks, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and access to opportunity.
Where We’re Going
Today, we are building an increasingly connected ecosystem where women can learn, develop marketable skills, discover career opportunities, strengthen their financial lives, build professional relationships, and pursue new sources of income. Our vision extends beyond helping women recover from economic disruption. We want women to have the knowledge, resources, earning power, and agency to shape what comes next.
Leadership Grounded in Purpose
Deborah M. Avens
Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer
Deborah M. Avens founded The SOFEI Group in 1996 to expand economic opportunity for women through education, workforce development, and access to resources that support greater independence.
Her professional background spans workforce development, corporate learning and training, technology, education, and nonprofit leadership. That experience informs SOFEI's practical approach to empowerment—connecting learning with earning, career mobility, financial capability, and long-term economic opportunity.
As Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer, Deborah leads the organization's strategy, partnerships, program development, and continued evolution while remaining focused on the outcome that has guided SOFEI from the beginning: helping women build the capacity and opportunities to become economically independent.
Help Women Learn. Earn. Emerge.
Explore our programs, discover career opportunities, or support our work to create pathways to economic independence.
Career Opportunities Explore SOFEIOnline Support Our Work