Last month, our 11th Crocker Emerging Business Leaders event brought more than 100 students and dozens of alumni together for a special opportunity to hear from and learn alongside seasoned professionals.
Victoria Venturi, founder and CEO of Paper Epiphanies®, joined NIU alumni Elois Sprolls-Joseph, MBA ’15, chief compliance officer at Penserra, and Monica Wallace, ’02, partner at McDermott Will & Emery in Chicago, as they shared their career successes and lessons learned. This discussion was moderated by alumna and program sponsor, retired real estate executive Cindy Crocker, ’80, whose endowed NIU scholarships and programs have touched the lives of over hundreds of students over more than a decade in our College of Business.
Mya King is a first-year business administration student who attended the program at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel.
“As a young businesswoman, hearing from experienced individuals — especially woman — is a reminder that anything can be accomplished, and that the women before me have been through so much to give me the opportunity to do what they wish they could,” King said. “For example, at the Crocker event, hearing about how women were treated in the 1980s and early 2000s compared to now made me reflect on how times have changed, and while I will likely still have challenges in the workplace, there has been progress.”
Elois Sprolls-Joseph returned to serve current students after earning her MBA at NIU 10 years ago. As part of the panel, she talked about the balancing act women face when juggling a career with family life.
“Mentoring business students is important to me because when young people see someone with a relatable story succeed, it helps them believe they can, too. That’s the true power of mentorship,” she said. “Speaking at this event reminded me that my ability to inspire others lives within me, not within any one organization. I left feeling reenergized and excited to build new spaces where young people can learn, grow and thrive.”
Venturi was inspired by her interaction with our students, knowing that so many Huskies are first-generation students.
“The grit and fortitude required to chart a new path, often for the first, is something necessary in business and as an entrepreneur,” she said. “These impressive students are already demonstrating this essential skill.”
NIU College of Business Dean Joan Phillips-Hernandez was pleased to attend her first Crocker event.
“It was so uplifting to see our women business students come together, support one another and learn from established businesswomen who were so gracious to share their time and experiences,” she said. “I am so proud of these future leaders, and I know they will do incredible things in their careers.”
