This summer I supported the organization of Genuine Connect, a thought‑leadership conference held alongside the Genuine World Cup. While the tournament raises visibility for athletes with intellectual disabilities, the conference provides a platform for decision‑makers from the public, private, and educational sectors to advance inclusion and opportunities. My role focused on strengthening the conference’s content and reach. I finalized the agenda, built and managed a comprehensive participant database, and personally reached out to hundreds of MBA students, faculty members, and professionals to encourage attendance. I also supported sponsor engagement and helped create partnerships with student associations and professional organizations. These efforts contributed directly to Genuine Connect’s mission of fostering dialogue, collaboration, and action among leaders who can drive social change.

My MBA coursework and extracurricular involvement were highly relevant. Concepts from my impact investing class helped me understand potential sponsors’ perspectives and frame the value proposition in terms that resonated. Insights from organizational change classes equipped me to articulate our mission as a catalyst for transformation, making the case for leaders to engage. I leveraged networks developed through programs like the Nonprofit Board Leadership Program, the Social Enterprise Club, Pangea Advisors, and the LEO Impact Fund to extend the conference’s reach.

One challenge was raising awareness and convincing students to attend a conference held midweek in Houston while many were engaged in summer internships. Neurodiversity remains under‑discussed, making it harder to capture immediate interest compared with other impact topics. To overcome these obstacles, we refined our messaging to highlight the conference’s relevance and unique value. We emphasized high‑profile speakers such as Dani Bowman, a well‑known advocate, and leveraged the connection to the world cup. We framed sport as an engaging entry point and underscored how the conference turns excitement into actionable inclusion. These strategies helped increase visibility and build momentum.

The experience reinforced the importance of persistence, creativity, and storytelling in driving awareness around social causes. Mobilizing people requires more than presenting a mission; it requires tailoring the message to the audience, highlighting relevance, and finding resonant entry points. I also gained insight into the power of cross‑sector collaboration; working with stakeholders across education, business, and government demonstrated how partnerships can create momentum for systemic change. Personally, I am motivated to continue a career at the intersection of impact and strategy, building initiatives that inspire and create practical avenues for action.