Four incredible speakers, Dolores Fernandez Alonso CC ’89, Maryam Banikarim BC ’89, BUS ’93, SIPA ’93, Joyce Chang CC ’86, and Stefanie Tsen Ward CC ’02, shared wisdom worth remembering. It was more than connecting with incredible women from our university, it was a reminder to take advantage of all this school has to offer. 

Before this semester began, I made a goal for myself: go to more events on campus. Whether it was speakers, coffees or any other panel that potentially would involve free food and learning something–I would try and be there. And try I did. 

I made the first move when I sat in the back Diana Center Theater to hear the words of Isabella Rosselini. I knew about psychology and animals as much as the next person, but I had no idea what Rossellini knew about it. Turns out, she knows more than I had ever imagined. And she was also nominated for an Oscar. Let’s just say I walked away more informed about the dog’s mind and Rosselini’s research–my mind completely opened anew. 

This past Thursday, I walked into the Faculty House behind Columbia University’s main campus unaware of what I was really in for. I of course had read the signature details of the event: that it was aimed at young women and alumni connecting them together to hear from powerful leaders on being at the top. Little did I know that I was going to walk away with a wealth of knowledge and new friendships just from encouraging myself to network on a gorgeous Thursday evening. Sometimes it really does benefit to stay indoors. 

Tucked away on the third floor, I picked up my swag bag and wandered around the room. I placed my nametag and proceeded to pick up a complimentary drink and do a lap around the room. All of a sudden I was deep in conversation with one of the committee members, discussing being a student in 2025 and hearing her stories about the history classes she took while an undergrad. We munched on little sandwiches and bonded over Soulcycle and the love of the Upper West Side. My preliminary thoughts of doubt were immediately gone. The alumni were not scary and in no way were they there to be intimidating. In fact, they wanted to know how we liked it, jealous of the fact we were on campus at their most treasured place. They wanted to participate in our mutual love for this amazing university. 

After the cocktail hour, the rows were filled with eager women (and a few men) as the panel began. President of Columbia College Women, Nancy Pak CC ’90 welcomed us to our seats and made a call for the generous time the panelists had given to impart wisdom on us. She was filled with enthusiasm and praise for our panelists as well as opening the doors for students to get even more involved with Columbia College Women than just attending events. She introduced our moderator, Stacie Hoffmeister CC ’96, and the microphone was handed over to her. 

From my seventh-row position, I looked up at the row of women in front of me in awe. Never before did I feel more seen and heard as well as inspired. These women, seemingly breaking glass ceilings left and right, speaking from positions of power, all had sat in my seat one day. They may be CEOs and great leaders now, but they were once a student–confused, worried about the future, and trying to get through each semester with a smile. While they are no longer sitting in a classroom, each of the panelists are still finding ways to grow each and every day. For the sake of this article, I’m telling myself we are more similar than not.

While I would love nothing more than to impart every single tidbit of knowledge from their mouths into that post, I fear my editor would not let me post this article. Instead, I am going to do my best to tell you the things that resonated with me. The parts that I walked away feeling deep in my core I know I needed to embrace. 

Dolores Fernández Alonso, current President and CEO of South Florida PBS, spoke on the power of her network. She repeated various times the immense importance it is to surround yourself with people who challenge you, but also with people that you maintain a mutual respect for and can form a relationship with. 

Maryam Banikarim, Emmy-Award Winning Producer and Co-Founder of NYCNext | Longest Table + MaryamB, spoke to knowing your value and knowing your worth. When recounting a story in which she was asked how much she was worth a day for consulting, she told us she would not sell herself short. She knew her skills and she knew her value, and in no way was she going to be regarded as a person who was underappreciated. She made the decision and she set her rate. Done and dusted.

Joyce Chang, Chair of Global Research at J.P. Morgan, spoke to listeners about turning a disadvantage into an advantage. She reminded us that no matter how people view you from the outside, you are going to have to be the one to flip the narrative. She took the initiative of not just standing up for herself, but allowing her identity to be something that powered her to the front. 

Finally, amidst a time of transition, Stefanie Tsen Ward, Former Chief Integrated Retail and Customer Officer at Neiman Marcus, reminded us our paths are not linear. While she initially began in finance, she quickly realized this was not the place for her. Switching into merchandise and developing her skills within a new business industry not only allowed her to grow as a person, but reminded her that not every single thing has to be on a clear cut timeline. You can change. You can pause. You will still do great things. 

I ended the panel with a deep feeling of satisfaction. Not that the past three hours had gone by fast, but that the past three hours had made me feel seen and made me feel inspired. There was so much more to the panel than just hearing from the speakers, but it was the fact that we were all sharing our knowledge and experiences with each other in the meantime. There was a mutual sense of respect and the copious amount of nods after sentiments from the speakers only further showed how we were all really listening. 

While I may have walked back to campus still not knowing what my summer is going to entail, I do know that I can never waste time learning how to be a better version of myself from those at this university. I can only nod, listen and continue to push myself to take things away–new connections, new friendships, and most importantly, new lessons. 

My conclusion: You will definitely see me at more panels. I can be sure of that. 

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