KS WELI Changemakers Summit is an energizing, full-day experience celebrating innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Austin. Through keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions, UT Austin students will connect with inspiring speakers, founders, mentors, and ecosystem leaders. Students will walk away with practical frameworks, new connections, and real-world insight they can apply immediately; whether they’re launching a venture, testing an idea inside an organization, or sharpening the skills that set them apart in internships and future careers.
Check in, grab a coffee from Luna Espresso, and explore summit activations as the day gets underway. Settle in, make a few connections, and get ready for a full day of inspiration, ideas, and momentum.
Allison Ellsworth, Co-Founder of Poppi
Kick off the day with an inspiring keynote from Allison Ellsworth, founder of Poppi, as she shares insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a brand with impact. Start your summit experience with a conversation designed to spark fresh thinking and bold momentum.
ALLISON ELLSWORTH
Co-Founder, Poppi
Show Up, Stand Out: Building confidence and navigating imposter syndrome on your terms
A candid conversation on building confidence, quieting self-doubt, and showing up fully in the rooms that matter. Hear honest insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, trusting your perspective, and standing out with confidence.
Anita desai
Head of Industry, Tiktok
LIZ WILLIAMS
CEO, El Pollo Loco
Julie Ruehle
Family Office Principal, Ruehle Realty
pranitha patil
Co-Founder & CBO, Function
Choose a session that matches your interests and dive deeper into topics shaping today's entrepreneurial and leadership landscape. These conversations are designed to leave you with ideas you can carry forward. Round 1 features three sessions designed to meet students where they are: The Pivot Playbook, Making Money Moves, and The New Era of Marketing. Explore how founders adapt through change, how to start investing early, and how brands break through in today’s fast-moving digital world.
The Pivot Playbook: How Founders Take Smart Risks, Adapt Quickly, and Grow Through Change
Explore how founders make thoughtful moves, navigate uncertainty, and turn change into momentum. Hear insights on taking smart risks, staying adaptable, and growing through every pivot.
Kelly krause
Senior Director of Philanthropy, Kendra Scott
LEXI WIER
Co-Founder, BURLEBO
TREY WIER
CEO & Co-Founder, BURLEBO
Kathy Terry
Founder, P-Terry's Burger Stand
Making Money Moves: How to Start Investing While Still in College
Investing can feel intimidating when you are just getting started, but it does not have to be out of reach. This session is designed to break down the basics of investing for students, from foundational concepts and common mistakes to practical ways to begin with limited resources.
VARSHA SHASHIDHAR
KS WELI Programming Intern
MICHAELA LINDSAY
Founder, Savvy InvestHer Society
The New Era of Marketing: Grabbing Attention and Driving Real Connections
Marketing is evolving faster than ever, shaped by shifting consumer behavior, emerging technology, and a crowded digital landscape. In this session, industry leaders will discuss what is changing, what still matters, and how brands can balance creativity with performance.
Sarah Graves
Texas Women's Basketball
Krista Dalton
CMO & CDO, Tecovas
perry hector
CEO, Wonderkind
saebryn peel
Social Creative Strategist, Wonderkind
Take a break, recharge, and enjoy lunch while connecting with fellow attendees, speakers, and campus changemakers. This is your chance to refuel and keep the conversations going!
Round 2 features three sessions designed to help you grow as a leader, builder, and future industry insider: Leading From the Top, From Idea to Team, and Breaking into Venture Capital. Explore executive leadership, early team building, and what it takes to better understand and break into the world of VC.
Leading From the Top: How executive women navigate leadership, influence, and career climbs
Hear honest insights from executive women on leading with confidence, building influence, and navigating the path to senior leadership. Explore the lessons, challenges, and career moves that help shape leadership at the top.
Rebecca feferman
Founder, The FefCo
Christe Burke
Chief Solutions Officer, GreenEcko
NISH parekh
SVP & Chief Product Officer, Omnicell
leslie zamora-murguia
Founder, Executive Insight Partners
From Idea to Team: Making your first key hires to start up your business
Building a business is one challenge. Building the right team to grow it is another. In this founder session, entrepreneurs will share what surprised them most about team building, the early hiring decisions that mattered most, and the lessons they learned about culture, leadership, and scaling.
tiffany fernandez
Head of Ops and People, TaxTaker
MAKENZIE STOKEL
Co-Founder, EVA
Andrea Nucete-Elliott
Co-Founder and CEO, TIY Products
Breaking into Venture Capital: Demystifying your path into the industry
Venture capital can feel mysterious from the outside, but this session will pull back the curtain on what the field actually looks like. Investors will share what their day-to-day work involves, how they evaluate founders and markets, and what skills help candidates stand out when trying to break into the industry.
WHitney Mcelwain
Director, KS WELI
PRiti joshi
Operating Advisor & Board Member, Consumer Brands
rachel hirsch
General Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures
Paola retes
Investor, LiveOak Ventures
Spark Founders is KS WELI’s flagship program for committed student entrepreneurs who are ready to move from idea to company. Join your fellow UT Austin students as they take the stage to round out their time within the cohort this spring.
Hear From Student Founders Leading Innovation at UT Austin
See student founders take the stage to share their ventures, vision, and drive for impact. Celebrate bold ideas in action, and the creativity emerging across the UT entrepreneurial community.
RUTU RUPAREL
Oncera Health
Jason wang
Saja Drinks
ZAHRA SHAIKHALI
Praxis
Ivy FAN
Spice-A-Bowl
RAIMAH RAHMAN
SynapSense Technologies
End the day with a powerful closing keynote and final reflections to carry forward beyond the summit. Leave feeling inspired, supported, and ready to make your next move.
Wrap up the summit by meeting fellow students, founders, speakers, and supporters in a more relaxed setting. Build new connections, continue great conversations, and leave with your community feeling a little bigger.
Free and open to all current UT Austin students ONLY
The KS WELI Changemakers Summit is Empowered by
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The KS WELI Changemakers Summit is being held at the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs Mansion located on 24th and Gabriel diagonal from Orange Market.
Check-in will begin promptly at 9:00 AM so plan to arrive 10-15 minutes earlier if you’d like to prioritize avoiding long lines.
The majority of programming will be indoors with activations taking place outdoors if weather permits.
We’re expecting around 400 attendees which consist of your fellow UT Austin peers and include invited mentors and thought leaders that you will have the chance to interact with during our networking portion of the event.
Yes, this full day conference has been carefully curated for UT Austin students, and we will be confirming your eligibility at check-in by asking you to show us your physical UT ID.
Food and Beverage
Yes! We will have lunch, drinks, and snacks on site provided by in-kind donors.
Yes! We will have options for attendees with dietary restrictions.
We have one water bottle station on site. We will plan to have plenty of in-kind donated water and beverage options.
Programming
Our full speaker list will be released soon, stay tuned for those announcements!
No, sessions will not be recorded.
Yes! We’ve dedicated a portion of the changemakers summit agenda specifically for networking after the final keynote speaker closes out. You don’t want to miss any potential connections so stick around starting at 3:45 to take full advantage of our networking hour!
Yes! Alongside our two main keynote speakers, this summit will include three breakout sessions throughout the day that happen in a stagger manner to allow everyone plenty of time to check them out.
No. Seating is first come first serve.
Additional Event Logistics
Yes! Restrooms will be available on-site, with signage displayed for easy access.
Re-entry is allowed; however, you must return to the end of the line upon re-entry. No exceptions will be made.
Come as you are! While the KS WELI Changemakers Summit is a conference style event, we are fully aware that student attendees may be running to and from class throughout the day.
Yes, security will be directly in charge of ensuring capacity of the venue is not exceeded.
Yes, we completely understand that you may be coming directly from class, so we want to ensure that you’re able to bring your belongings. Keep in mind, there will not be a coat check so plan to always carry your belongings.
No, parking will not be available for student attendees as venue is within the heart of west campus.
I have another question!
For any additional questions, reach out to us at kswelinstitute@austin.utexas.eduWe’ll do our best to respond within three business days. Thanks for your patience!
