Changemakers Summit - Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas at Austin

A DAY DESIGNED TO MOVE YOU FOWARD

The free, full-day conference drew more than 440 attendees for a day of programming centered on entrepreneurship, leadership, and career development, featuring a roster of accomplished founders, executives, and investors from across the country.

Empowered by the Kendra Scott Foundation, the summit brought students face-to-face with industry leaders who shared candid insights on building companies, leading teams, and navigating the realities of the professional world. Programming spanned panel conversations, breakout sessions, and a live pitch showcase in which five KS WELI Spark Founders presented before a panel of judges and a live audience, each receiving a $5,000 check as part of more than $35,500 in total cash and awards, made possible through the support of Experian, KPMG, Milk + Honey, and The Mahjong Line.

EXPLORE THE 2026 CHANGEMAKERS AGENDA

Purpose Isn't a Campaign: How to Build a Career That Stands for Something

What does it actually take to build a career with purpose — and how do you start right now?Join Michelle Peterson, Chief Marketing Officer, and Beth Ley, Chief People Officer, of Kendra Scott as they share how purpose has shown up differently at each chapter of their careers — from their earliest roles to the executive suite. They'll get into how you find meaning in the work in front of you, build skills that travel across industries, and position yourself for a career that stands for something bigger than your job title.

SHEENA WILDE

SVP, Philanthropy & Culture, Kendra Scott

BETH LEY

Chief People Officer, Kendra Scott

MICHELLE PETERSON

Chief Marketing Officer, Kendra Scott

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

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

Allison Ellsworth, Co-Founder of Poppi

Wrap up 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. Close out your summit experience with a conversation designed to spark fresh thinking and bold momentum.