WISE Miami University Students Attend 8th Annual Future Leaders Symposium
WISE Miami University Students Attend 8th Annual Future Leaders Symposium
Four Miami University students recently traveled to Bentonville, Arkansas, to represent the Women Impacting Supply chain Excellence chapter at Miami University at the 8th Annual WISE Future Leaders Symposium, joining students from universities across the country for a experience focused on leadership, professional development, and the future of supply chain.
This year's symposium, themed “The Future is WISE: Grow Boldly, Impact Widely,” brought together students from 36 universities, representing more than 15 WISE chapters nationally and five WISE Beyond chapters. More than 100 students had the opportunity to connect with industry mentors and executives, building relationships and gaining valuable insights to carry into their classrooms and future careers.
Representing Miami University were Caroline Kelleher, Gabrielle Brand, Eloise Wagner, and Molly Shiverdecker, who had the opportunity to learn from industry professionals, connect with fellow students, and explore career opportunities within the supply chain industry.
Learning from Industry Leaders
The experience started with a tour of Walmart's home campus in Bentonville, where students learned about the company's history, community impact, workplace culture, and career opportunities. Visiting offered a firsthand look at the growth of one of the world's largest retailers and its significant role in the global supply chain industry.
Throughout the conference, students participated in several spotlight sessions featuring industry leaders from companies including Toyota Motor Corporation, The Clorox Company, Echo Global Logistics, Uber Freight, Ulta Beauty, Arrive Logistics, The Hershey Company, and H-E-B . These sessions covered a variety of topics, including confidence, professional challenges, AI and design thinking, taking risks early in a career, and navigating recruitment.
One session, led by Kathryn Lowell, focused on building confidence and developing an authentic leadership presence. Other panels encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and build meaningful relationships.
For Miami student Caroline Kelleher, Lowell's discussion about first impressions and her lasting impact on professional relationships was a particular highlight. Students shared that hearing women discuss their career journeys enforced the importance of remaining open to opportunities and understanding that everyone's career path looks different.
Building Connections and Looking Ahead
Beyond the educational sessions, one of the most meaningful aspects of the symposium was the opportunity to connect with women from universities across the country who share an interest in supply chain and operations management.
Eloise Wagner mentioned meeting students with similar academic interests and backgrounds was especially impactful. Being surrounded by driven and supportive women left her feeling even more motivated and excited about her future in the industry.
Gabrielle Brand also reflected on how the experience broadened her perspective, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful connections, embracing new opportunities, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.
The students returned to Miami with industry insights, professional connections, and a sense of confidence as they prepare for their future careers.
Supporting the Next Generation of Supply Chain Leaders
Opportunities like the WISE Future Leaders Symposium reflect Miami University's commitment to providing students with experiences beyond the classroom. Through WISE - Miami University and the Farmer School of Business, students can connect with industry professionals, explore career paths, develop leadership skills, and build relationships with other emerging supply chain professionals.
A special thank you to Dr. Monique Murfield for encouraging and supporting the students throughout the process and helping to make this opportunity possible. We also extended our appreciation to Stephanie Thomas and WISE Connections for organizing such a meaningful event and bringing together students and industry leaders from across the country.
Experiences like this continue to demonstrate the value of WISE in empowering the next generation of women in supply chain excellence. We are proud of Caroline, Gabrielle, Eloise, and Molly for representing Miami University and look forward to seeing how they put their experiences and connections into action.