Wily’s annual speaker series, newly named the Ilene Beal Speaker Series, went back in-person in 2022. We heard from Wily alumni about their career journeys, saw the Wily Scholar Award presented to Marissa, and listened to a thoughtful dialogue between our panelists and Scholar moderator Treasure about the relationship between self-care, self-awareness, and career success.
We are so appreciative of the Ilene Beal Charitable Trust for sponsoring the event, our event co-chairs Hilary Steinert and Annie Montesano for helping make the evening a success, and Boston University for hosting us.
Featured Panelists
Paul Alexander
Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing and Communications, Questrom School of Business
Paul Alexander is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. Prior to working at Questrom, Paul was the CMO of Eastern Bank and served as EVP and Chief Communications Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance. In 2018, he was selected by GetKonnected as one of the GK100: Boston’s 100 Most Influential People of Color. Active in the community, Paul currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of The Partnership, Incorporated and is on the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. Paul earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1987 and his undergraduate degree in government from Harvard College in 1982.
Joe Du Pont
Associate Vice President, Career Services, Boston College
Joseph Du Pont serves as Associate Vice President for Career Services at Boston College, where he oversees the strategic planning, direction, and oversight of a predominantly centralized career services model. He previously served as the Dean of Career Services at Brandeis University, and founded Teach for America’s Office of Career and Civic Opportunities as part of a nationwide career engagement strategy for its corps members and alumni. Du Pont received his bachelor’s degree in history and religion from Duke University, his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center, and his master’s in higher education administration from New York University.
Joe Du Pont
Associate Vice President, Career Services, Boston College
Joseph Du Pont serves as Associate Vice President for Career Services at Boston College, where he oversees the strategic planning, direction, and oversight of a predominantly centralized career services model. He previously served as the Dean of Career Services at Brandeis University, and founded Teach for America’s Office of Career and Civic Opportunities as part of a nationwide career engagement strategy for its corps members and alumni. Du Pont received his bachelor’s degree in history and religion from Duke University, his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center, and his master’s in higher education administration from New York University.
Vaneshia Reed
Strategy Consultant and Chef
Vaneshia is a chef, strategy consultant, and aspiring writer. She currently produces food-centered events at Harvard and attends the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. Vaneshia graduated from Harvard in 2016, where she studied History of Science, African American Studies, and Spanish. Since graduation, she has published policy recommendations on foster care reform, lived in Bahia to explore how Brazilians combat structural racism, completed several fellowships, and worked in public affairs. A South Los Angeles native, Vaneshia aspires to uplift and empower Black and other underserved communities to build intergenerational health and wealth. She currently serves on the California Child Welfare Council and has served on the board of Coro Southern California. She speaks Spanish and Portuguese, and enjoys reading, yoga, music, and travel.
Moderated by Treasure
Wily Scholar, Harvard University, ’22
Treasure is a cultural critic and film student at Harvard University. Her work includes opinion writing, multimedia art and political organizing. She is a frequent speaker on U.S. public policy and the unique social attitudes of Generation Z.
Moderated by Treasure
Wily Scholar, Harvard University, ’22
Treasure is a cultural critic and film student at Harvard University. Her work includes opinion writing, multimedia art and political organizing. She is a frequent speaker on U.S. public policy and the unique social attitudes of Generation Z.
Networkers
We were so lucky to have an incredible team of volunteer Networkers at the Ilene Beal Speaker Series. They shared their experience and advice as young professionals with the guests, and even made some connections for the college students in attendance!
Networkers wore name tags inviting others to ask about their career journeys. They included:
Ask me about…
Designing technology for mental health
Life as a musician!
Being a queer woman in STEM
Life after grad school and choosing a major
Going from undecided to business owner
The Ilene Beal Speaker Series
We are so grateful to the Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation for sponsoring the 4th Annual Speaker Series. For the past three years, the Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation has supported the Wily Network with a generous grant and this year, we honor Ilene Beal for her capacity to see the strength in people and to create a scaffolding of support that builds on those strengths.
Pioneering the path up the corporate ladder for women in the 1970’s, Ilene Beal was a trailblazer who achieved great professional success and had a major impact on the Boston banking world from 1970 through 1999.
Ilene was a dedicated and meticulous professional whose support and mentorship encouraged other women to follow their dreams and passions, and never feel limited by other people’s views about women’s roles. She often said women can and should do whatever they want professionally: “I was raised to believe I could do anything.”
Ilene died at the age of 69 on August 1, 2015 after a long and valiant battle against cancer. Her legacy lives on through her friends and colleagues, and the work of the Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation.
Make a Gift to Help Wily Serve More Scholars
2022 Wily Pack Award
Each year, we recognize a Scholar with the Wily Pack Award in honor of a benefactor who has made a significant impact on our program. The Pack Award is given to a Wily Scholar who has embraced all that the Wily Network offers, making the most of the resources and opportunities available. Awardees engage in their college community fully to prepare for post-college life.
The 2022 Wily Pack Award was presented to:
Marissa
Wily Scholar, Boston College, ’22
in honor of Ilene Beal
“The Wily Network has helped me become the young woman I am today. Being a part of this organization has allowed me to focus on personal growth and build a future for myself that freshman year, I couldn’t imagine living.”
– Marissa
Previous Wily Pack Award Winners
Eric, UMass Dartmouth ’19
Isiah, Northeastern University ’21
Saffron, MIT ’20
