On October 19, 2019, the Skandalaris Center brought together local entrepreneurs for a day full of resources and networking opportunities. 

The event featured a mix of speeches from WashU students and alums, alongside numerous networking opportunities. 

Vicky Zhang (BU '21) kicked off the event sharing her experience as a student entrepreneur and owner of Bear's Bikes, a StEP buiness.

Her speech was followed by a networking break where attendees got to know one another through "speed networking". 

After the networking activity came the expert roundtables. In two 40-minute sessions, attendees sat small groups and chatted with local experts about topics of interest to them and their businesses. The experts included: 

• Andrea Simon - Blue Ocean Strategy Expert
• Andrew Simon (LA '63) - Strategy/ Product Development Expert 
• Chandler Malone (LA '18) and Elise Miller Hoffman (MBA '16) - Funding Experts 
• Natasha Conley, PhD - Government Contracting Expert 
• Krystal Weigl - Legal Expert  
• Sydney Everett - Marketing Expert 
• Aimee Dunne - Network Building Expert 
• Julia Leenig - Small Business/ Brick & Mortar Expert
• Bijal Desai-Ramirez (MBA '08) and Cheri Renee (MBA/ MSW) - Social Impact Experts 
• Lindsay Scholz - Social Media Strategy Expert 

During lunch HER Summit attendees heard from WashU alum and Dormify co-founder, Amanda Zuckerman (FA '13). Zuckerman shared her story beginning with the founding of Dormify while she was a student at WashU and the lessons she's learned as her business has grown. 

The day ended with a lively Ascend IdeaBounce® event. Eight entrepreneurs shared their business ideas and three were awarded a cash prize. 

At the end of the event many attendees shared how much they learned throughout the day and how the resources they were introduced to have the potential to change their businesses and ideas for the better.