Women of Isenberg 2025: Alumni Speakers Empower Next Generation of Leaders

The 12th annual Women of Isenberg Conference was held Feb. 15, 2025, in the Campus Center at UMass Amherst. This premier event, organized by students, brought together approximately 400 students, alumni, and industry leaders for a day of networking, professional development, and inspiring discussions. Thirty students from the Five-College Consortium also attended.

Themed “Embracing Authenticity,” this year’s sold-out conference featured a distinguished lineup of alumni speakers, panel discussions, and interactive workshops aimed at empowering women in business. Attendees gained insights into leadership, career advancement, and industry trends while connecting with accomplished alumni and other professionals across various fields.

“The Women of Isenberg Conference provides a unique platform for students to engage with successful women in business, fostering mentorship and meaningful conversations that prepare them for future careers,” said Anna Wagner, co-president of this year’s conference planning committee, and a senior operations and information management major. “We are committed to equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills and connections they need to thrive.”

Keynote speaker Kendra Porter, an award-winning image consultant and wardrobe stylist, and founder of Honor You, returned to her alma mater to share words of inspiration. She earned her master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management in 2005 and an undergraduate degree in promotional management marketing in 2000 via UMass Amherst’s Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC) program.

Through her creativity, initiative, and entrepreneurial spirit, Porter built her own curriculum for the job she wanted to have after she graduated. She advised the student attendees to embrace all the opportunities UMass has to offer that are relevant to their future careers.

“It’s really about leveraging all that UMass Amherst and the Five Colleges have to offer. You can do anything you want,” said the TedX speaker, who produces events for luxury retailers, facilitates trainings on personal branding and style, and teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She also dresses on-air talent for NBC Sports and the Olympics. “For me, it was creating my own dream.”

ALUMNI SHARE ADVICE AND INSIGHTS

The panel “Financial Wellness and Independence” explored the unique financial challenges women face. The panelists shared practical advice and real-world insights to making their financial goals a reality.

Panelist Samari Ijezie, a 2018 UMass Amherst graduate who majored in economics and political science, realized while she was still an undergraduate that her finances were important.

“Growing up, I was raised in a very poor family. So, coming into UMass, I knew I wanted to pick a major that I could make the most money in,” Ijezie said. “UMass has so many opportunities for internships, and while at UMass, I interned for State Street. That was my first experience working in finance.”

After relocating to New York City, she built a career in finance while also pursuing acting, appearing in several films. Today, she is founder of Vinity, a sustainable beverage company focused on creating natural, health-conscious drinks that support eco-friendly practices and regenerative agriculture.

“It’s very important to save and find other ways of investing,” Ijezie said. “Pretty much everything I couldn’t afford physically—like a Tesla car—I bought shares of. While at UMass, I saved every penny, and I saved for a rainy day. That was my first step toward financial independence.”

Another panel addressed a topic covered in many influencer-authored self-help books and social media reels: “imposter syndrome.” Several alumni panelists gave advice on how to overcome self-doubt and gain confidence in the workplace. Attendees learned practical ways to overcome insecurities, assert their value, and develop resilience at work.

“You’re at that table for a reason,” said panelist and 1996 Isenberg sport management graduate alumna Erin McDermott, director of athletics at Harvard University. “You have a voice, and you should use your voice. Just say it. Put it out there.

“You are enough. You have value. Never doubt your ability,” she continued. “You’re not going to know everything, but you do need to get experience—enough to move forward in your career and to set yourself up for success. A sport management professor at Isenberg once told me: ‘Be true to yourself.’”

Courtney Edson, a 2015 accounting alumna, offered the following technique: “Fake it until you make it. If you’re questioning everything, you’ll never accomplish anything. You’re not expected to know everything. You need to ask questions and learn every day.”

Paige Guzik, a 2018 accounting alumna, noticed that many women tend to avoid applying for jobs if their qualifications don’t exactly match a job description.

“Many women tell themselves, ‘I shouldn’t apply for this role; I’m not qualified for it.’ Often, it’s a fallacy, and you’re getting in your own way,” Guzik said. “You don’t want to be the person getting in your own way. You are your biggest advocate.

“We have done hard things before, and we will do hard things again,” she added. “Don’t get in your own way.”

The panelists emphasized the importance of having a mentor to help overcome feelings of “imposter syndrome.”

“Be your best champion but also have champions in your life to support you,” McDermott added. “We need to show up for other women as they’re coming up in their careers.”

Guzik added: “Mentorship helped propel my career, but it also made me want to mentor as well, and to lift other women up. It’s helpful to have that other woman’s voice for feedback, as a sounding board.”

CONFERENCE INSPIRES STUDENTS

The conference was created in 2014 to connect current UMass Amherst students with alumni, faculty, and corporate sponsors in a full-day professional development event. It creates a welcoming community for attendees from diverse backgrounds and industries to share experiences, foster confidence, and discuss the challenges faced by women in the classroom as well as in the workplace. Its goal is to inspire students to build relationships, gain advice from professionals, and to provide an opportunity for alumni to become more involved with UMass Amherst.

“The Women of Isenberg Conference is one of the big moments of every year when we—administrators, faculty, and staff at Isenberg—are reminded of the amazing talents that our students possess,” Isenberg Dean Anne Massey said in her address to the audience. “I’m so proud of not only all the wonderful achievements that come out of our community but also the relationships and support systems that groups like Women of Isenberg work so hard to foster and nurture. At Isenberg, we seek to inspire impact in and outside our walls. We seek to do special things and demonstrate leadership.” She noted that the students attending the conference exemplify the school’s mission.

“Alumni: Your willingness to share your wisdom, strategies, and connections to support our students is a key component in our efforts to develop graduates who are confident and capable,” Dean Massey added. “Graduates, who, like you, are ready to have an impact and lead positive change.”

Wagner and her fellow Conference Committee co-president Megha Parikh shared in an interview their biggest takeaways from the conference.

“I went to a panel called ‘Getting Your Foot in the Door,’ where I learned that every conversation and interaction is important,” said Parikh, a senior majoring in marketing and economics. “You never know what impression you will leave with someone, and how that impression can end up benefiting you in the future.”

Wagner said the conference reminded her about the power of community.

“Having a support system, especially of other strong and driven women, is so important for so many things both personal and professional,” she said. “Even just being on the planning committee for this event with 10 other talented women has taught me so much. Seeing this year's conference come to life, and hearing the comments made by speakers and students about how much this event meant to them, I realized just how strong our Women of Isenberg community is.”

• View the Women of Isenberg 2025 photo gallery.
• Read a Q-and-A interview with the co-presidents of the 2025 Women of Isenberg Conference.

Photos are by Sophia Trischitta, a senior marketing major in the Isenberg School of Management.