Lindsey Foor, MBA student and graduate assistant in the Career Center and Hunter Shoenfelt, MBA student and operations intern at DHL Supply Chain, attended the Beta Gamma Sigma Regional Leadership Conference in Los Angeles, CA.
The event was held at Loyola Marymount University on Nov. 1-2, where business leaders led keynote speeches, panel discussions and interactive workshops. The theme of the event was “Navigating Leadership: Adapting Styles for the Evolving Workplace.”
Both Foor and Shoenfelt gained valuable insight from experts such as Anne Bonney, a change leadership expert, keynote speaker and author. “Booney emphasized the importance of rephrasing what you hear to gain a better understanding of what is being said. Her advice resonates with me because, as an active leader, I want to ensure that I am listening intently, which will help me make a greater impact,” said Foor.
Shoenfelt also took away several points from Bonney’s speech. “Being a good listener was one of the most important things she mentioned during her speech. It reinforced my belief in listening being crucial to effective leadership because it is impossible to be a good leader if you do not know what problems are facing your organization and subordinates. A lot of the tips she discussed I will be taking with me as I start my career as a supervisor.”
The conference also included several activities, one that stood out the most to Foor and Shoenfelt was the leadership workshop led by the dean of the College of Business at Loyola Marymount University, Dayle M. Smith, who challenged participants to redefine what leadership looks like.
“It was eye-opening to see how different individuals and groups approached the activity, showing that leadership can be expressed in diverse ways,” said Foor.
Shoenfelt found the activity to be both challenging and insightful. “We had to quickly share opinions about what makes a good leader to build our model from scratch,” he said. “Although our groups created unique leaders, core traits like having a big heart and good listening skills stood out, ” shared Shoenfelt.
Another activity that both students enjoyed was the AI problem-solving exercise. Foor and Shoenfelt were put into groups, where they had to collaborate with other students and rely on one another’s strengths. Through strong teamwork and brainstorming, Shoenfelt’s team won the challenge.
The event also featured a discussion panel from professionals across a variety of different careers, who shared their experiences in the workforce. “The panel showed me that pursuing one field doesn’t mean I’m limited to a single career path,” said Foor. “Cindy Ballard, for example, studied human resources but works in entertainment. Career paths can take unexpected directions.”
Shoenfelt called the panel “one of my favorite parts” of the conference. “They stressed the importance of networking and following your passion,” he said. “It opened my eyes to the opportunities available in different industries.”
One of the discussion panelists was Stephen Cheung, the president and CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, who shared his inspiring story of overcoming adversity as an immigrant. “He showed that even in the face of challenges, it’s possible to rise above and lead effectively,” said Foor.
Shoenfelt admired Cheung’s commitment to his roots. “He uses lessons from his upbringing to ensure local and minority-owned businesses benefit from future events in LA,” he said. “His journey reminded me to stay true to who I am and enjoy every step of my career.”
Ship encrouages and supports students who take on opportunities to travel and attend events that expand their knowledge of the workforce. The Beta Gamma Sigma Leadership Conference allowed Foor and Shoefelt to walk away with leadership skills that they can apply toward their career paths.