Breaking boundaries: Bridgit Mendler

Bridgit Mendler was born in 1992 in Washington DC. From a young age, she began to pursue an acting career. She got her ‘big break’ in 2009 starring on the hit show ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ on Disney Channel. Unlike many of us, Bridgit Mendler's childhood was a little unconventional, to say the least. At 17, Mendler starred in the Disney series ‘Good Luck Charlie’, which might ring a bell to some Disney fanatics. However, fourteen years on from her stardom at Disney, Brigit Mendler is now making waves in the corporate world. 

The 31-year-old has come a long way from her days of entertainment and is spearheading a new path in space satellite technology. Her recent initiative is to build a new start-up company ‘Northwood Space’, which she co-founded alongside her husband Griffin Cleverly and Shaurya Luthra. 

Northwood Space aims to bridge the technological gap between Earth and space to create enhanced connections. The idea for the company came to her during the Covid-19 pandemic while in lockdown. 

She told the BBC that "While everybody else was making their sourdough starters, we were building antennas out of random crap we could find at Home Depot. For me, why the ground-side matters is because it is about bringing the impacts of space home to people”.

This statement indicates her get-up-and-go attitude: the unprecedented nature of the pandemic could not curb her innovative tendencies as she built the groundwork for this new company which she announced in early 2024. She liked to keep busy – inspiring others to do the same.

In an interview for CNBC, Mendler said: “The vision is a data highway between Earth and Space”. In a world that is becoming increasingly attuned to technology potential, Mendler's new start-up emphasises the importance of expanding on that knowledge. By creating these communication lines between Earth and Space, the unknown capabilities are indescribable. Having resilient, intelligent young women at the helm of this operation is an inspirational feat for both women and men. 

According to the Business Reporter in March 2023, the tech industry continues to be male-dominated with 27% of female graduates considering a tech career, a noticeably lower figure to that of 61% of male graduates. But women like Bridgit Mendler champion the possibilities for women in a tech career.

Bridgit Mendler has an impressive educational background. Her CV would make anyone jealous - I strongly recommend following her on LinkedIn to see her achievements for yourself. Her third-level studies began at the University of South Carolina at the age of 23, where she pursued a degree in Anthropology. Following on from this, she completed a Master’s degree at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But her education journey didn’t end there. 

​​Alongside one another, she is currently pursuing two doctoral degrees, one from MIT and one from Harvard Law. Her doctorate in Philosophy from MIT is an ongoing project that is yet to be completed. However, her doctorate of Law was obtained in 2024. In an interview with People Magazine, Mendler noted that the status of her doctorate at MIT remained hazy. She continued “I'll still fight for it, but how it gets completed is up to the administration and my principal investigator and what they think is appropriate."

As a source of progression, her educational background serves as a launchpad to break down barriers, foster personal development, and empower meaningful change. Bridgit Mendler encapsulates the idea that education can propel one forward. Her story will inspire women and young girls across the world to be a part of something you are truly passionate about. The cliché saying ‘Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’ takes centre stage for Mendler's future pursuits. 

During her time at MIT, she was a research and director’s fellow within the MIT Media Lab. Her master’s thesis entitled ‘Our Story: Dispute System Design Technology for Stakeholder Inclusion’ highlights her innate interest in the possibilities of technology and the engagement businesses and individuals can have with this new phenomenon. Her visionary pursuits are a symbol of inspiration for others across the world. 

Her PhD studies with MIT Media Lab focused on ‘technologies that support inclusive and collaborative governance and citizen engagement’. Her years of acquiring knowledge on technological breakthroughs and how the public can engage with them act as the cornerstone for the new business. Her new business venture speaks clearly to her educational interests she admitted to People magazine “We have a lot of work ahead of us but that’s the fun part". 

Her determination paired with her acceptance of the challenges that lie ahead confirms that she has the mindset of a successful CEO. Her story acts as an encouraging example for women who are committed to an innovative, long-lasting, and successful career. Mendler exemplifies the true meaning of believing in yourself and striving to achieve the goals that you are interested in conquering. 

A reminder to all women that your expertise can make a difference only if you dare to go out and prove to the world that you can and you will! 

Her motivating story pioneers the way forward for women in the education, technology, and corporate worlds. She empowers women to empower themselves. Watch this space.