The Women in Business Conference, organized by UNH Women in Business (WIB), is one of Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics' signature events. The conference creates a space for connection, mentorship, and insightful conversations.
A Conference Run by Students
The Women in Business Conference is entirely student-run, with the WIB executive board handling planning, logistics, and speaker recruitment. As soon as one conference ends, the newly elected board begins preparations for the next.
Ella Longacre ’26, manager of the 2024 conference “Lift as You Lead”, describes it as one of the most rewarding experiences of her time at UNH Paul College.
“It was a lot of work, but it was meaningful work,” Longacre says. “It was my first real experience reaching out to professionals, building connections, and finding the right speakers for our panels. Hearing positive feedback and knowing we created something valuable made all the effort worth it."
Sheila El-Azem ’24, former marketing director for UNH Women in Business, says organizing the panels was particularly rewarding.
“Putting together a powerful panel of women from diverse backgrounds is an amazing experience,” El-Azem says. “Planning the event taught me how to develop professionalism while staying true to myself. I had the opportunity to connect with influential people who were passionate about supporting and uplifting other women.”
A Space for Conversations About Progress and Challenges
While the Women in Business Conference introduces a new theme and panels each year, its core message remains highlighting shared experiences, supporting one
another, and navigating successes and obstacles.
"In 2024 we hosted a Women in Tech panel. It shed light on an industry where many people don’t fully understand what it means to be a woman in tech,” says Megan Charron, president of UNH WIB. “The panel’s impact sparked a larger conversation about representation in male-dominated industries. Over the years, these discussions have been so valuable in highlighting where more progress is needed that we decided to expand the focus. This year, the entire conference is centered around women in male-dominated industries.”
For Maddie Vangellow ’25, hearing Amy Pocsik, CEO and founder of Bold Moves Consulting, speak at the conference was a defining moment.
“She emphasized that you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone,” Vangellow says. “Especially as a woman in a male-dominated field, learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable is crucial. Being bold can open doors, whether taking on a leadership role, applying for a job you might not feel 100% ready for, or pushing yourself to take on a challenging project. That mindset has really shaped how I’m approached my job search."
Career Inspiration and ‘Full-Circle’ Moments
At the 2024 conference, Audrey Buckenmaier ’25 connected with Ileana Ille, a young professional and financial advisor from Morgan Stanley, who offered her advice on finding an internship and answered career questions. After the conference, Buckenmaier got her email address and connected with her on LinkedIn.
Buckenmaier says that connection led to a “full-circle” moment as discussions for the 2025 conference started.
"When we were planning panels and themes for this year’s conference, we created ‘Her Path Forward: Guiding the Next Generation of Women Leaders’, and I immediately thought of Ileana because of the incredible career advice she gave me—helping me understand what to value when choosing a job and shaping my approach to my career search,” Buckenmaier says. “I reached out to her, and we’re excited to have her back.”
Meaningful Networking in a Comfortable Setting
The Women in Business Conference allows connections to form naturally. Vangellow says her 2024 experience stood out because the networking felt effortless.
“Our table was the fun table—we were loud, taking selfies, and just genuinely enjoying the chance to connect,” Vangellow says. “The professionals were really interested in what we had to say as students. We had people from real estate, supply chain, and banking, and I got to know these women throughout the day.”
Charron says watching attendees form lasting professional relationships is one of her favorite parts of the event.
"I remember introducing two panelists who had never met. I watched them shake hands for the first time, and throughout the day, they sat together at sessions, had lunch, and kept the conversation going,” Charron says. “Even recently, I’ve seen them supporting each other on LinkedIn—commenting on each other’s posts, attending different conferences together, and staying connected. All because they met at our conference.”
Diverse Viewpoints and Expanding the Network
The Women in Business Conference features a wide range of keynote speakers and panelists, including professionals beyond UNH alumni.
This year’s keynote speaker is Lauren Kane, president and CFO of BioOne, a nonprofit publisher. Past speakers and panelists have included:
- Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz (U.S. Coast Guard)
- Catherine A. Saunders (Head of Corporate Sustainability, Putnam Investments)
- Todd Boucher, Founder/CEO of Leading Edge Design Group, who spoke about setting boundaries.
- Elisa Steele (Former executive at Skype, Microsoft, and Yahoo!)
- Joe Keefe, President of Impax Asset Management LLC, who discussed leadership.
And while the conference is focused on women, Charron says the group enjoys seeing men in attendance, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in these conversations.
Matt Guidebeck ’27, an accounting and finance student planning to attend the 2025 conference, sees it as an opportunity to expand his understanding of workplace dynamics and become a stronger ally.
“I want to hear firsthand experiences from successful women and learn ways to promote inclusivity in the workplace. I think sometimes, especially for men in the business world, it’s easy to only see things from our own perspective—both in entering the workforce and working within it,” Guidebeck says. “I hope to learn about the challenges others have faced in the past and what I can do to help ensure history doesn’t repeat itself. The world is constantly evolving, and I want to be part of that progress.”
