Asked to picture a member of Generation Z, you might imagine a young adult with earbuds and their face glued to the screen of an iPhone. Or you might picture someone rallying behind a meaningful cause or posting on Snapchat about a new movement. All of these, and more, are accurate depictions.

Gen Z — generally defined as anyone born after 1996 — is often referred to as the “philanthroteen” generation due to their propensity for activism and support of social causes. Born in an era dominated by the war on terror and raised during the Great Recession, Gen Z has inhabited a vastly different world than the one familiar to millennials. As a result, they've developed a very specific viewpoint on how to help the world. In fact, a 2018 study from Girl Up found that: 70 percent of Gen Z believes their lives need to make a difference in the world, and 65 percent feel it's important for companies to take a stand on social issues.

Giving can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people — you can give your time, your money, a gift or a hug, or even give someone a good idea or sound advice. There are countless ways to give, but what remains true across all forms of giving is the immense value people who give can bring to our world.

Here, we will learn from four leading women who are quite familiar with the power of giving and know the importance of giving back — be it through their jobs, expertise or personal passions.