From Sophia
From this week’s symposium, both speakers Leila Brier and Meghan Shea offered great advice for the current WLP students. Both speakers were able to narrate their life experiences and career from college to present day, and they explained their most memorable moments that deepened a passion for them and their career goals. What resonated most with me was how Leila and Meghan attributed their college experiences as shaping who they are today. For instance, both women took advantage of a study abroad opportunity from GW which they say helped build their relationship and people skills. Leila Brier also mentioned award opportunities that a close relationship with her professor made her aware of. Both speakers highlighted that student engagement is essential in building connections and networks.
They also talked about how collaboration and supportive community environments allowed them to build those leadership skills, which I really valued hearing. It was surprising to me how IAC and artwork still influences their career paths, and it was really beautiful to know that they have maintained those WLP relationships. I was surprised to hear how Meghan Shea chose her career path, and how it still intertwined with art (visual and animated art). One aspect of Meghan Shea’s work that surprised me was how innovative her idea was with Interlock Media. Overall, I think that hearing from both women was super powerful, and I was able to think about my career path, and how art still can connect, and how the choices I make in college will influence my career.
From Eugenie:
Leila Brier and Meghan Shea, graduates of the Women’s Leadership Program’s International Arts & Culture cohort, spoke with current students recently. They have successfully blended their love for art within their work. I loved learning about their stories and how they remained in contact with each other. I was inspired by Brier’s experience in business and marketing. I love how she decided to create her own branding agency. I was inspired by her building a start-up company that combined her years of experience and her passion for brainstorming. Additionally, I enjoyed learning about how she consulted Meghan Shea when Bumble signed on to her company. I think this shows how IAC connections continue beyond graduation.
Meghan Shea’s story really showed me a side of the arts that I have always wanted to investigate. Cinematography is such a cool art - there is so much that goes into making a video, as I have learned with the Digital Storytelling Project. I loved learning about how Shea had a similar path as Brier in that she ended up starting her own company. Her productions are salient and provide educational and change-making opportunities. As with Brier, Shea also consulted her friend to gain more insight into making her acclaimed documentary, How I Live.
Overall, I loved learning about Leila Brier and Meghan Shea, and I specifically appreciated how their collaboration lasted long after they completed the IAC cohort.
From Melissa
From the symposium with Meghan Shea and Leila Brier, the message that resonated with me was to own our narrative. Our lives are engulfed with different experiences and expectations, yet how you choose to live and walk through those narratives are ultimately your choice. The presentation showed me that our lives are filled with many different encounters and although they don’t shape our stories, they can be factors toward how we are influenced or affected by them.
In the presentation, Leila Brier spoke about the different opportunities she had in her life that started her brand and career. She talked about the minority award that her teacher wanted her to apply for which spurred a whole lot of opportunities that she had not envisioned would come her way; and in that presentation, she said a powerful quote that I had written down. She stated “Storytelling is everything. Own the narrative. Build your personal brand.” I thought this quote was very significant and spoke to me personally because what you are or wanting to become should match the way you’d like to be told. Although we all have a past, holding our truth and embracing what the world has in store for us is beyond our imagination. But taking the steps to owning our narrative is a huge first step in embracing who we truly are.