Soaring Together Women’s Summit
A fireside chat with Jackie Joyner-Kersee, open to all, was the centerpiece of an inspiring weekend of meaningful events and networking with Lehigh alumnae.
Soaring Together, Lehigh’s celebration of 50 years of undergraduate coeducation, has invigorated our community of alumnae across the country. The Soaring Together Women’s Summit (April 28-29), designed for Lehigh alumnae of all identities, continued the momentum with a series of compelling events designed to motivate, inspire, and move you forward.
Summit Recap
Here's What Happened
Chatting With a Champion
Sue Troyan ’91G ’16P ’20P ’21P, deputy director of athletics, talked with six-time Olympic medalist and Soaring Together Women’s Summit keynote speaker Jackie Joyner-Kersee about leading with courage, integrity, and accountability.
Summit Impact
Members of the Lehigh alumnae community who invested their time and energy in the Soaring Together Women's Summit share the ways the day-long event created meaning and impact.
Lunch with an Olympian
As part of the Soaring Together Women’s Summit, keynote speaker and track and field Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee shared lunch and advice with Lehigh students.
Breakout Session Overview
Jill Triani ’94 ’24P ’26P, Former Trustee, Lehigh University Board of Trustees
Sandra Denton ’83, Vice President, Channels and Alliances, Pipefy, Inc.
Karen LaRochelle ’88, Chief Business Officer and Board Director
Kerri Neary ’05, Country Manager USA, X-Elio
Chris Seymour ’89 ’21P ’25P, Senior Director, Global CMC, Pfizer, Inc.
Brenda Harvey ’87, General Manager, IBM Public Sector and Federal Government (USA)
Patricia Stephenson, MD ’78 ’08P, Retired Medical Officer, Cigna Healthcare
Raven Gaddy ’15, Administrative Officer, United States Department of Justice
Ginelle Julien ’94, Vice President, Global Services Service Excellence, and Experience, Johnson & Johnson
Suneeta Prasad ’90G, Former Managing Director, GE and GE Capital
Lynne Davis, ’87 ’17P ’23P, MD Global Head Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery, Jefferies LLC
Amy Sobotkin Gare ’97, Managing Partner, Gare Law, LLC
Nishika Vidanage-Lulejian ’07, Public Health Professional, CDC
Annie Wu Henry ’18, Political Communications, Digital, and Social Media Specialist
Alissa Marushak ‘02, Executive Director, Individual and Family Plans Product, Aetna, a CVS Health Company
Ellen Stone ’87, Executive Vice President, Cable Marketing, NBCU
Jessica Scott ’15, Associate Partner, Global Sustainable Supply Chain Executive, IBM Corp.
Jennifer Gentile Long ’93, CEO and Founder, AEquitas
What's Next
Soaring Together Across the Country
See where Lehigh women have been gathering across the country to expand their networks during Soaring Together, a celebration of 50 years of coeducation. Click the pins below for more information and photo galleries from past events. No locations near you? Host your own event by contacting Morgan Nelson '19G!
Red Pins – Soaring Together Conference Series
Brown Pins – Soaring Together Dinner for 12 Event
Be part of the movement
Summit Highlights
Be Inspired
On Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET, the Lehigh community gathered for a keynote address by track and field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee, named the world’s greatest female athlete of the 20th century.
Reconnect
Alumnae gathered from across the country at Friday's dinners with alumnae from their decade, an early morning run or walk through campus, and other chances to socialize throughout the weekend.
Advance Your Career
Attendees chose from a selection of breakout sessions led by accomplished Lehigh women on topics such as navigating challenges in the workplace, creating a culture of success for women, and learning how to lead with authority.
Expand Your Network
This unprecedented gathering of accomplished Lehigh women offered opportunities for networking and camaraderie with those who share interests and ambitions.
In This Image: Michelle Beckner ’09 speaking with another alumna at the Soaring Together Women's Conference in Denver
In This Image: Maria Theresa Mejia ’14 ’15G smiling at the Soaring Together Women's Conference in Seattle
In This Image: Three young alumnae, Jessica Scott ’15, Kelsey Yevak ’15, and Alex Stephanou ’15 at the Soaring Together Women's Conference in Boston
In This Image: Danielle Williams ’17 at the Soaring Together Women's Conference in Central New Jersey
In This Image: Emma Fernandez ’22 at the Soaring Together Women's Conference in New York City
In This Image: Sandy Denton ’83 speaking with another alumna at the Soaring Together Women's Conference in New York City
More Ways to Engage
Since 2021, Lehigh University as a whole has been marking a half-century of undergraduate coeducation with a university-wide celebration of the impact of Lehigh women — how they changed the university and how they are changing our world. Join us as, together, we continue to soar into the future.
As Lehigh celebrates 50 years of coeducation and its impact, the university is taking action to ensure all talented Lehigh students have every opportunity to achieve their goals. Learn more about the innovative Soaring Together Scholarships, a full-tuition program that includes mentorship and experiential learning opportunities, and other ways you can invest in the success of Lehigh people.
Lehigh inspires and strengthens powerful networks for all of its alumni. Now, in honor of 50 years of coeducation and the impact of Lehigh women, we offer tools, tactics, regional event opportunities, and resources alumnae can use to connect, communicate, and build community.