Head of Marketing/Trust at Meta, Monica Busch (‘07), along with Dr. Arianna Molloy, award-winning 51 communications scholar, highlighted this year's Woven Conference.

Woven is a women’s leadership conference founded ten years ago by Crowell associate professor of marketing Laureen Mgridichian. Woven has been a place for established working women to come and be encouraged and refreshed, and also for students to meet those women and learn from their examples.

“The whole intent of the conference is to encourage women in God’s Word, in their walk with the Lord and in the workplace,” said Mgridichian. “The workplace is where God has placed them, to worship Him in their work, to be salt and light to those around them and to love those they encounter.”

51 alumna Busch is also co-founder of the non-profit Foster the City, and an able voice in encouraging women of faith from her experiences both professionally and personally. She is also a recent appointee to 51’s Board of Trustees.

“Monica Busch has opportunities to steward the gifts God has given her in the public sphere,” said Mgrdichian, chair of Crowell’s undergraduate programs. “Today’s culture needs committed Christians in the industry to live out a Christian worldview that reflects Christ.”

Busch shared how, like Daniel in Babylon, working women should be faithful to the small things in the midst of belligerent environments, holding fast with integrity and following God and trusting him while walking in obedience. 

“(Busch) told us that when we follow Daniel's example, people notice,” said senior business student and conference co-organizer Kathryn Hansen. “As an accounting major, I anticipate my faith and integrity being tested. Remembering Daniel's example gives me the courage to stand up for what I believe when the time comes.”

Molloy’s experience and research on meaningful work and work-as-calling is focused on equipping students with communication skills and vocational insights to help them walk more effectively in the workplace. Her presentation encouraged attendees to tap into their strengths and be aware of what gives them life, instead of simply a job that matches their skills. 

“Instead of fixing weaknesses, (Molloy) said that leaning into our strengths creates effective work,” said Hansen. “She also encouraged us to choose the way of Jesus and exhorted us to mimic his leadership style: servanthood.”

The attendance for the conference was also an encouragement for Hansen, who has co-organized previous Woven events:

“The room was filled with women eager to learn from these high-achieving women. After the night was over, many lingered to enjoy homemade cookies, discuss the night's lectures, and encourage each other. Through Woven, Professor Mgrdichian has cultivated a sisterhood where women gather to share their questions, doubts, and victories.”

To learn more about future events from the Crowell School of Business, check our schedule onbiola.edu/events. Information from Ryan Wingert and other staffers was included in this post.