March 27, 2025

Susquehanna University marked the 10^th anniversary of the Women’s Leadership Initiative with a two-day symposium in New York City that formed business connections between students and alumnae who hold leadership positions in top companies.

This year’s event took nearly 40 students to New York’s Chelsea neighborhood where they participated in panel discussions on topics including breaking into competitive industries and navigating early career challenges faced by women, and attended alumnae-led site visits to publisher Penguin Random House, marketing communications agency Taylor and global public relations and communications firm Burson.

“Being surrounded by such inspiring, strong and accomplished alumnae was a meaningful experience for me as I continue in my professional journey,” said Kimberly Nagengast ’26, a luxury brand marketing & management major from Seaford, New York. “The Women’s Leadership Symposium serves as a reminder of why I am so passionate about women leaving their mark on the world.”

The Women’s Leadership Initiative is supported by the Signe S. Gates ’71 and Dawn G. Mueller ’68 Women’s Leadership Fund, which was endowed in 2019 and connects students with alumnae who inspire them to pursue leadership positions within their chosen fields. Gates and Mueller, chair and vice chair respectively of Susquehanna’s Board of Trustees, say the inspiration for their challenge was a 2015 pledge from Janet Fowler Grey ’68, who created the Grey Women’s Leadership Fund to support experiential opportunities for women studying in the Sigmund Weis School of Business.

Today, The Women’s Leadership Initiative offers women in all majors the chance to attend professional conferences and gain hands-on experience through summer research, internships or other experiential learning programs. Since the program’s inception, hundreds of students have attended panel discussions on topics ranging from career advice and adapting to change to embracing risk and self-advocacy, and have traveled to major U.S. cities to learn from and network with alumnae at American Express, Comcast, JPMorgan, the National Institutes of Health, Urban and more.

“The visionary philanthropy of Signe and Dawn has been the driving force behind the university’s Women’s Leadership Initiative,” said Melissa Komora, vice president for advancement. “Their unwavering commitment to fostering leadership development and mentorship opportunities has created a lasting impact that will continue to shape future generations of women at Susquehanna.”

The annual Women’s Leadership Symposium is a selective event. Students first must apply, and then, upon acceptance, complete one of two preparatory sessions before the symposium takes place. This year’s event was the most selective yet, with more than 70 students applying for 40 openings. Approximately 50 alumnae participated in the event.

“Celebrating 10 years of Susquehanna’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and Symposium fills us with pride. The program’s growing interest highlights its lasting impact and the importance of empowering women as leaders,” Gates said. “This milestone honors past achievements while inspiring continued progress, ensuring that meaningful conversations and leadership development thrive for years to come.”

“We are deeply grateful to the generous donors whose support has made the Women’s Leadership Initiative a transformative experience for so many students over the past decade,” Mueller said. “We look forward to building on the success of this program and seeing its impact on future leaders at Susquehanna as they make a difference on campus and beyond.”

Laela Falana ’25, a luxury brand marketing & management major and entrepreneurship & corporate innovation minor from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, has participated in the Women’s Leadership Initiative for four years, this year as an intern helping to organize the symposium.

“Every interaction, whether with new faces or familiar ones, reminded me just how special and empowering the Susquehanna University network truly is,” Falana said. “The opportunities and connections I’ve gained throughout my journey have shaped me in ways I never could have imagined, preparing me for my next steps post-graduation.”