Georgetown McDonough Welcomes Inaugural Kosoy Women in Business Cohort to Empower the Next Generation of Women Leaders

Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business recently welcomed the inaugural cohort of the Kosoy Women in Business program to support their professional development, foster connections, and advance women’s representation in leadership. Made possible by the generosity of Brian and Andrea Kosoy (P’25), the initiative provides women in the Undergraduate Program with essential skill-building and development opportunities.  

The Kosoy Women in Business program welcomed 40 students this fall, who each bring a diverse array of professional and academic interests to the program. Over the course of one year, students will gain the tools and confidence to excel in traditional business settings. The program also aims to foster a sense of belonging and support among participants. 

“We are proud to welcome the inaugural class of Kosoy Women in Business students who have committed to their own professional development and growth, in addition to supporting their peers and the broader community of women at McDonough,” said Ginny Randall, assistant director of undergraduate careers for the McDonough Career Center. “We look forward to seeing what they accomplish over the coming year in the program.”

The inaugural cohort was selected through an application process that included three short essay questions designed to assess the candidates’ motivations, goals, and desired topics for discussion during the program. 

The Kosoy Women in Business program kicked off the new academic year with an event featuring community-building activities and small group brainstorming sessions, where participants begin to shape their year-long journey. Throughout the year, the cohort will engage in a variety of activities, including workshops led by distinguished alumni such as a personal branding session with Jen Dalton (B’99, EMBA’12), founder of BrandMirror, and an entrepreneurship talk with Catherine Connelly (B’11), co-founder of The Meet Group, a NASDAQ-listed social dating and livestreaming company.    

In addition to these activities, the program will offer a personal finance workshop in November, led by Professor George Comer, who will address the often-overlooked emotional aspects of money management. The cohort also will participate in site visits to companies such as Gallup, where they will explore their leadership strengths and learn from female leaders across different industries.

For Randall, success in the first year of the Kosoy Women in Business Program is about fostering a strong sense of community while offering mentorship as a valuable resource. By connecting participants with experienced mentors, the program enhances the support network that students can lean on during their academic and professional journeys. 

“I want participants to leave this program knowing they’ve built meaningful relationships, received valuable mentorship, and developed a sense of camaraderie with peers who truly support them,” Randall said.

As the first cohort embarks on this journey, the Kosoy Women in Business program reflects McDonough’s commitment to advancing the Jesuit value of community in diversity and empowering a new generation of women to lead with confidence and purpose.

Meet some of the participants:

Gillian Anderson (B’27) grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a family where her mother balanced a successful career while raising her and her brother. Inspired by her mother’s dedication, Anderson is pursuing a career in business, with an interest in international business and accounting. At McDonough, she is actively involved in the Georgetown Marketing Association and the McDonough Global Case Team. While still exploring her major, Anderson is passionate about learning how business interests with policy and global change. 

Through the Kosoy program, Anderson said she hopes to build confidence and connect with a network of women who support one another. 

Bella Avelino (B’25) is originally from Summit, New Jersey, and is studying finance and entrepreneurship. During her undergraduate career, Avelino has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and giving back through her involvement in Georgetown Ventures and First Generation Investors. Her professional experience includes internships at Citigroup in sales and trading and at Bank of America in investment banking.

Avelino looks forward to learning from accomplished female leaders who will share their experiences, strategies, and perspectives on navigating the complexities of the business world.

“I am excited to cultivate lasting relationships with a community of driven women, united by our shared ambition to excel in business,” Avelino said. “I hope to use this experience to grow both personally and professionally, fostering skills and connections that will shape my career long after my time at Georgetown.”

Daniela Delgado (B’25) is the chief operating officer of the Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union and serves on the Senior Class Fund stewardship committee. Delgado, originally from Texas, has studied abroad in Barcelona and Edinburgh and will return to Dallas to work at the Boston Consulting Group as a full-time associate after graduation. 

Delgado said she hopes to give back to the McDonough community by sharing her experiences and lessons, particularly around navigating the business world as a woman. Through the Kosoy Women in Business Program, she hopes to learn how to confidently build her brand and further prepare for life after graduation, while also contributing to the growth of fellow students.

Giulia Pacifici (B’27), originally from Italy, is pursuing the Dikran Izmirlian Program in Business and Global Affairs, a joint degree from the McDonough School of Business and the Walsh School of Foreign Service. Pacifici is involved with the Georgetown University Public Real Estate Fund and Georgetown Ventures, a nonprofit startup accelerator. She is considering a future in investment banking with aspirations to enter venture capital. 

Pacifici is excited to be part of the Kosoy program as a way to connect with a dynamic group of women and enhance her pre-professional skills. She said she is eager to learn from both her peers and mentors to gain insights into different career paths.  

Devon Pasieka (B’25) is majoring in finance and theater and performing arts. She has gained experience in venture capital, working with Georgetown Student Capital Partners, Franklin Advisory, and interning at Ingeborg Investments and Battery Ventures. Pasieka also co-founded Georgetown Entrepreneurship’s Venture in the Capital Summit, an event recently featured in Forbes. 

Pasieka said she joined the Kosoy program to inspire more women to pursue careers in venture capital and entrepreneurship. She is excited to build relationships within the cohort as they navigate their future career paths together.  

Stephanie Wang (B’26), from Columbia, Maryland, is pursuing a double major in operations and analytics and management. She is a member of the Georgetown University Dance Company and is involved in the Georgetown Marketing Association, Product Space, and Georgetown Entrepreneurship. Outside of school, Wang co-founded a digital marketing consulting startup, Escend, and has interned with Uber and Estée Lauder.

In addition to forming new connections, Wang said she also hopes to learn and grow as a person and business leader with other women in the Kosoy program.

Irina Wong (B’27) is a student in the Dikran Izmirlian Program in Business and Global Affairs program. Wong’s high school training in culinary and hospitality management ignited her interest in the finance and business aspects of the hospitality industry. With family roots in Hong Kong, Wong has always viewed her surroundings through a cultural lens, learning the political, social, and economic differences between the United States and Hong Kong. 

Wong said she believes female students should learn to balance navigating a male-dominated culture with maintaining solidarity among women. She looks forward to learning from other women who share similar concerns, experiences, and aspirations in the Kosoy Women in Business program

“Something that McDonough is really good at is fostering mentorship between students,” said Wong. “Two of my mentors from other programs have become some of my closest friends and have helped me navigate my future. I’ve already met so many great girls in Kosoy and I can’t wait to keep developing these friendships and learning from other women in the business school who share similar concerns, experiences, and aspirations with me.”