Cover Image for KS WELI Changemakers Summit
Cover Image for KS WELI Changemakers Summit
274 Going

KS WELI Changemakers Summit

Hosted by Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute
Registration
Welcome! To join the event, please register below.
About Event

A Celebration of Leadership, Innovation, and Impact.

Free and open to all current UT Austin students ONLY

An energizing, full-day experience celebrating innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Connect with inspiring speakers, mentors, founders, and ecosystem leaders through keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions. Explore student ventures, hands-on activations, and curated networking opportunities. Leave empowered, supported, and ready to turn ideas into impact.

Drop in when you can, whether you join us for a single session or spend the day with us.


🎟️ Program Schedule + Activations 

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM 
Attendee Registration + Activations Open 

Check in, grab a coffee from Luna Espresso, and explore summit activations as the day gets underway. Settle in, make connections, and get ready for a full day of ideas, energy, and momentum. 

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM 
Welcome + Keynote with Allison Ellsworth, Co-Founder of poppi 

Kick off the summit with Allison’s journey building Poppi—from a kitchen experiment to a breakout beverage brand—and her insights on building a mission-driven company. 

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM 
Live Panel: Show Up, Stand Out: Building confidence and navigating imposter syndrome on your terms 

  • 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 

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM 
Round 1: Breakout Sessions 

The Pivot Playbook: How Founders Take Smart Risks, Adapt Quickly, and Grow Through Change 

  • Lexi Wier, Co-Founder, BURLEBO  

  • Trey Wier, CEO & Co-Founder, BURLEBO  

  • Kathy Terry, Founder, P-Terry’s Burger Stand 

  • Moderated by Kelly Krause, Senior Director of Philanthropy, Kendra Scott 

Making Money Moves: How to Start Investing While Still in College 

  • Michaela Lindsay, Founder, Savvy InvestHer Society  

  • Moderated by Varsha Shashidhar, KS WELI Senior Programming Intern 

The New Era of Marketing: Grabbing Attention and Driving Real Connections 

  • Krista Dalton, CMO & CDO, Tecovas 

  • Perry Hector, CEO, Wonderkind 

  • Saebryn Peel, Social Creative Strategist, Wonderkind 

  • Moderated by Sarah Graves, Texas Women's Basketball 

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 
Lunch + Networking 

Enjoy lunch from P-Terry’s and Tiff’s Treats while connecting with fellow attendees, speakers, and campus changemakers. 

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM 
Round 2: Breakout Sessions 

Leading From the Top: How executive women navigate leadership, influence, and career climbs 

  • Christe Burke, Chief Solutions Officer, GreenEcko 

  • Nish Parekh, SVP & Chief Product Officer, Omnicell 

  • Leslie Zamora-Murguia, Founder, Executive Insight Partners 

  • Moderated by Rebecca Feferman, Founder, The FefCo 

From Idea to Team: Making your first key hires to start up your business 

  • 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 

  •  Priti Joshi, Operating Advisor & Board Member, Consumer Brands 

  •  Rachel Hirsch, General Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures 

  •  Paola Retes, Investor, LiveOak Ventures 

  • Moderated by Whitney McElwain, Director, KS WELI 

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM 
KS WELI Spark Founders Pitch Showcase 

Student founders from the Spring 2026 Cohort will take the stage to share their ventures, vision, and impact. 

  • Rutu Ruparel, Oncera Health 

  • Jason Wang, Saja Drinks 

  • Zahra Shaikhali, Teach Together 

  • Ivy Fan, Spice-A-Bowl 

  • Raimah Rahman, SynapSense Technologies 

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM 
Afternoon Keynote with Special Executive Guest from Kendra Scott  

Close out the day with a powerful keynote and final reflections to carry forward beyond the summit. 

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM 
Networking Hour 

Connect with your fellow students alongside industry leaders, mentors, and supporters. Continue conversations and grow your community. 

A huge thank you to our partners and contributors: 

  • SusieCakes 

  • Unwell Hydration 

  • Siete 

  • TIY 

  • Better Sour 

  • Sour Punch 

  • Hint Water 

  • Bloom 

  • Mad Hippie 

  • Waterloo 

  • P. Terry’s 

  • Tiff’s Treats 

  • The Mahjong Line 

  • Gymshark 

  • Milk + Honey 

  • Justworks 

  • Kendra Scott Foundation  


Questions? Everything you need to know is here!

Location
The Mansion (TFWC)
2312 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705, USA
274 Going