The 17th annual USC Women’s Conference was held on Friday, March 7, 2025, on the USC University Park Campus, centered around inspiring messages and lessons for women through informative panels.
One of the university’s most popular events, the conference unites alumni, parents, students and friends for a day filled with programs and activities aimed at empowering women to foster positive change in their personal lives, communities and the world at large.
Leaders, activists and changemakers from all walks of life shared their experiences, insights and strategies for breaking barriers and driving lasting change, highlighting this year’s theme, “The Unstoppable Power of Women.”
USC President Carol Folt kicked off the conference with a discussion called “Celebrating Visionary Leadership,” led by Erika Jordan, associate senior vice president for Alumni Relations.
Folt discussed the significance of being the first female president in the university’s history, a milestone that reflects her trailblazing career. She previously made her mark as the first woman on the faculty board at Dartmouth.
Sharing insights on breaking barriers, Folt recounted the criticism she faced throughout her professional journey, including comments that undermined her potential as a leader based on her appearance, such as she was “too short” or “wore too many dangling earrings.” Folt shared that once she was told after her public speaking that she “sounded like a girl,” to which Folt said, “Because I am one.”
Conversations with this message of “Unstoppable Woman” continued throughout the day, focusing on topics from women in health to a panel addressing the antidote to imposter syndrome.
“The sessions here are sort of helping to explain what makes someone unstoppable, what makes someone you know, a leader, an innovator, a creator, advocate and those are all important traits of being unstoppable,” Joel Morales, alumni engagement and marketing intern, said.
The co-chairs for the event were Priya Rana Kapoor and Stephanie Paggi, who made multiple appearances throughout the event, and encouraged attendees to network and engage in creating environments of powerful women.
Kapoor, who has been involved with the conference for the past 16 years, said “women have to overcome more obstacles than men.” She challenges attendees to not see this as a negative, but as an incentive for women to push themselves. Kappor shared that she keeps coming back to this conference because, “it creates a sense of belonging and it’s a celebration of community.”
“I love the Women’s Conference because it is a one of a kind opportunity to connect with women across generations to learn from each other and uplift one another so that we can reach our full potential,” said Women’s Conference Committee member, Paola Fernandez.
USC Annenberg Dean Willow Bay took part in a panel titled “Leadership and Legacy at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics.” Another panel focused on mastering self-care, and a facilitated wellness break was led by Nicole Steen, a 2002 graduate and founder of Nicole Steen Fitness.
“I am grateful for all the unstoppable women I have met at the USC Women’s Conferences,” Women’s Conference committee member Amy Kesselhaut Rice said.