8:30 – 9:40 am | Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:50 am – 12:05 pm | Morning Session (Bovard Auditorium)
9:50 – 9:53 am | USCAA Board of Governors President’s Welcome

Daniel Prince ’00, MA ’02
President, USC Alumni Association Board of Governors
Daniel Prince is a partner in the Litigation Department of the global law firm Paul Hastings LLP. He also serves as vice chair of the Litigation Department and as a hiring partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Recently named one of Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Litigators in America,” Prince represents clients in corporate and government investigations and complex litigation matters, including domestic and international arbitration, trials and class actions. He is a double USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism alumnus.
9:53 – 9:55 am | Conference Co-Chair Welcome

Priya Rana Kapoor ’93, MMFTH ’06
2025 USC Women’s Conference Co-Chair
Priya Rana Kapoor is an executive life coach, consultant, author and speaker who facilitates workshops and trainings for international corporations and nonprofits. To help clients succeed personally and professionally, she guides them in building businesses, improving their leadership skills and navigating career advancement or transition. Over the years, Priya has been a guest on NBC’s Today Show, BBC Radio Asia and numerous podcasts.
Priya earned a BA in theatre (acting) from the USC School of Dramatic Arts and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFTH) from the USC Rossier School of Education. She currently serves on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors Executive Committee.

Stephanie Paggi ’74, MS ’77, EdD ’90
2025 USC Women’s Conference Co-Chair
Stephanie Paggi is a retired educator who served as the deputy superintendent and chief academic officer for the Tustin Unified School District for many years. A triple USC alumna, she earned her BS, MS and EdD in education from the USC Rossier School of Education.
One of USC’s most dedicated volunteers, Stephanie is currently serving as the co-chair of both her 50th Reunion Committee and the USC Caruso Catholic Center’s Newman Guild. She is also a member of USC Associates and a supporter of USC Gamma Phi Beta. An emeritus member of the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, Stephanie previously chaired the Alumnae Coordinating Council and served as president of the Trojan League of Orange County. She has received the USC Alumni Association’s President’s Award and Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award.
9:55 – 10:30 am | Celebrating Visionary Leadership: President Folt in Conversation with Erika Jordan
Join President Carol Folt and Erika Jordan for an inspiring conversation on transformative leadership. President Folt will share insights into the power of bold decision-making, the importance of mentorship, and fostering inclusivity to advance educational excellence. Attendees will gain a unique perspective on the values that define impactful leadership and learn about President Folt’s strategies to create lasting change within the Trojan community.

Carol Folt
President, University of Southern California
Dr. Carol Folt serves as the twelfth president of the University of Southern California and holds the Robert C. Packard President’s Chair. Known for always placing students at the center, she is a collaborative academic leader and an internationally recognized life scientist, with faculty appointments in biological sciences, civil and environmental engineering, and population and public health sciences.
Since joining USC in 2019, Dr. Folt has advanced academic excellence and innovation; increased accessibility and affordability; elevated belonging and inclusion; driven significant growth in the USC Health System; made meaningful advancements in sustainability; prioritized shared governance; enhanced USC’s winning legacy in athletics with honor and integrity; increased cross-school collaboration; built a new Capital Campus in the heart of Washington D.C., expanding USC’s role within the national conversation; amplified USC’s research enterprise; and established USC’s most comprehensive academic and research initiative, embedding ethics, analytics and artificial intelligence across the university’s scholarly and creative work. Dr. Folt also serves as the chair of the Association of American Universities (AAU) Board of Directors.

Erika Jordan EML ’18
Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations
Erika Jordan was named USC’s associate senior vice president for alumni relations in 2024. In this role, she serves as the chief alumni engagement officer for the university and provides leadership and strategic guidance to ensure uninterrupted engagement for the nearly 500,000 USC alumni worldwide.
Throughout her career, Erika has played a key role in growing alumni engagement and annual fundraising exponentially, as well as elevating communications and events. Prior to joining the USC Alumni Association, she served as the vice president, alumni engagement, at Boston University, where she led the Alumni Engagement, Annual Giving, and the Development Events & Communications teams. Additionally, she spent six years serving as the assistant vice chancellor, alumni & constituent engagement, at the University of California, Irvine. During her tenure at UC Irvine, Erika established the university’s dual alumni engagement campaign goal and led special projects. She also served as the director, alumni relations and alumni giving, at the USC Marshall School of Business.
Erika has spent her career in politics, special events, alumni relations, frontline fundraising. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and an executive master’s in leadership from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
10:30 – 10:35 am | Presenting Sponsor Spotlight: Bank of America
Attendees will hear from our presenting sponsor, Bank of America, who will welcome attendees and share why they are proud to support the USC Women’s Conference.

Jane Navarria
Managing Director, Southern California Region Executive, Business Banking – Bank of America
Jane Navarria is the managing director of Bank of America’s business banking for Southern California, leading the commercial banking teams serving companies with annual revenues of $1 million to $50 million.
Under her leadership, Bank of America’s Southern California teams deliver strategic, integrated financial advice and solutions, including treasury, credit, investment banking, financial risk management, international and wealth management, to help companies improve liquidity and cash flow, manage U.S. and international payments, and invest for the future and grow.
Jane has led business banking teams in Los Angeles, Greater Washington D.C. and the Carolinas. She previously held a variety of leadership roles in commercial, small business and retail banking at Wells Fargo, Citigroup and M&T Bank. Jane most recently served as the business banking region executive for Atlantic South.
10:35 – 11:15 am | Women’s Health Panel: Wellness Across All Stages of Life
This panel will bring together leading experts in medicine and wellness to explore the unique health challenges women face across different life stages. From reproductive health to menopause to preventive care, our panelists will provide practical advice, share the latest research and discuss strategies for maintaining optimal health. Whether you’re looking to enhance your well-being or support the health of women in your community, this session will equip you with the knowledge and resources to thrive.

Laila Al Marayati, MD
Division Chief, Generalist Division; Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine USC
Laila Al-Marayati is the medical director of women’s health at Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center in Los Angeles and an assistant clinical professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, she specializes in advanced gynecologic surgery and the care of women affected by female genital cutting. Laila is also committed to global health, and has participated in medical missions serving refugees and underserved communities worldwide.

Susan Gurley, MD
Chair of the Department of Medicine; Professor of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine USC
Susan Gurley is the Kenneth T. Norris, Jr. Chair of the Department of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. A nephrology physician-scientist, she focuses on kidney disease caused by diabetes and hypertension. Susan earned her PhD in biophysical chemistry at the University of Mississippi and her MD at Washington University. After completing her residency and fellowship at Duke University, she held leadership roles in faculty development and research. Prior to joining USC, Susan led the Division of Nephrology & Hypertension at Oregon Health & Science University and served as interim chair of medicine.

Rema Raman, PhD
Professor of Neurology; Director, Biostatistics Core, Keck School of Medicine USC
Rema Raman is a professor of neurology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the director of the Biostatistics and Recruitment, Engagement and Retention Sections at the USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute. She co-leads several units for the NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium. In addition, Rema specializes in designing, conducting and analyzing clinical trials in neurology, with extensive experience in Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Her research interests include clinical trial design, missing data, statistical monitoring and recruitment and retention strategies.

Evanthia Roussos Torres, MD/PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine USC
Evanthia Roussos Torres is an assistant professor of medicine, with a focus on breast cancer, in the Division of Medical Oncology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Her research lab focuses on tumor immunology and immunotherapy. After completing her combined MD/PhD from the Medical Scientist Training Program at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, she completed her residency in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and her oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University, where she began her faculty career. Evanthia joined USC in 2019 and was appointed as a co-leader of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment Program at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Featuring an introduction by Dr. Carolyn Meltzer:

Carolyn C. Meltzer, MD
Dean, Keck School of Medicine of USC
May S. and John H. Hooval Dean’s Chair in Medicine
Professor of Radiology
Carolyn Meltzer is the dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the May S. and John H. Hooval Dean’s Chair in Medicine. As dean, she oversees the operations and academic affairs of the Keck School of Medicine, which is home to 26 basic and clinical academic programs and 16 major research institutes. Dean Meltzer also serves as the academic leader of the Keck School faculty and staff, who perform biomedical research and clinical care, and train medical students, graduate students, postdoctoral trainees and undergraduates. She is an expert in neuroradiology and nuclear medicine, and her research has focused on the brain’s structure and function during normal aging, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and neuropsychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Dean Meltzer currently serves on the Council of Deans Administrative Board for the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Breakout Session I (Various Locations)
The Antidote to Impostor Syndrome
Taper Hall 210
Learn how to connect with your personal power, build confidence and lead in the workplace with confidence.

Emily Anne Page ’06, MA ’10
Executive Growth Coach
Emily is a venture capitalist, mentor and former founder who sold her first company at 35, leveraging her BA and MA in economics from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. With 12 years of experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG) product development, she has launched multiple 7-figure brands and now helps entrepreneurs through her course, START to SOLD. She co-founded Jocko White Tea, growing it to over $1 million in revenue before exiting. Emily’s early work as a research assistant under economist Richard Easterlin shaped her data-driven, people-focused approach to scaling businesses. Now based in Dallas, she’s publishing Success Sauce and empowering others to achieve success on their own terms.
Financial Empowerment for Every Stage of your Unstoppable Journey
Franklin Suites
From career transitions to major life investments like home ownership, caregiving and retirement, each step of life has financial demands that require strategy and insight. This session will offer actionable tips for building savings, investing wisely and managing finances to remain empowered throughout your life’s many stages.

Cassandra Cummings ’96
Founder, The Stocks and Stilettos Society
Cassandra Cummings is the founder of The Stocks & Stilettos Society, a community of more than 250,000 beginning investors stepping up their financial game to achieve their financial and wealth-building goals. The author of Fearless Finances: A Timeless Guide to Building Wealth, Cassandra has been featured on The Breakfast Club and The Tavis Smiley Show, and profiled in Black Enterprise, Marie Claire, Business Insider, Essence, AfroTech and The Wall Street Journal. She earned a BS in accounting from the USC Leventhal School of Accounting and a certificate in women’s entrepreneurship from Cornell University.

Nan M. Salley-Gudaitis MBA ’92
Managing Director and Private Client Advisor, Bank of America
Nan M. Salley-Gudaitis is a managing director and private client advisor with Bank of America Private Bank in Los Angeles. Since 2002, she has advised business owners, executives and families across Southern California. Her team oversees $5.3 billion in client balances (as of April 2024). With expertise in trust and estate planning, wealth structuring, lending, investments and philanthropy, Nan helps clients achieve their financial goals. Nan holds degrees from UCLA and USC Marshall and serves on the board of the Long Beach Symphony.
Thriving as Unstoppable Women Leaders
Bovard Auditorium
This panel will bring together inspiring women leaders who have succeeded in fields where women are often underrepresented. They’ll share their journeys, covering how they’ve navigated challenges, embraced strengths, inspired teams and achieved their goals. These trailblazers will not only discuss how they empower women, but also how they lead and mentor men, showcasing a commitment to inclusive leadership. This session is about breaking boundaries and leading with resilience, vision and a dedication to fostering growth across all genders.

Mónica Gil MPP ’97
Chief Administrative and Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
Mónica Gil is the chief administrative and marketing officer for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, where she leads operations, marketing, strategy and insights, and communications. Since joining the media company in 2017, she has played a key role in positioning Telemundo as the nation’s top Spanish-language network, spearheading brand development, digital marketing and record-breaking campaigns, like the 2022 FIFA World Cup broadcast.
A champion for diversity and women’s leadership, Mónica launched Telemundo’s leadership programs and the Telemundo Academy. She previously held leadership roles at Nielsen, where she shaped consumer insights for major media clients, and began her career in political strategy. Recognized among Adweek’s 50 and People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Women, she serves on the boards of NIKE, Inc. and the National Women’s History Museum. Mónica earned her MPP from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Candace Givens EdD ’21
Sector Vice President, Mission Assurance
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
Candace Givens is the sector vice president of Mission Assurance at Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems sector, a premier provider of military aircraft, autonomous systems, aerospace structures and next-generation solutions. In this role, she is responsible for compliance, independence and mission assurance of Northrop Grumman’s systems across the total program life cycle, from design through fielded operations. Candace previously served as the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) and Geospatial Systems (OGS) business units, where she focused on delivering highly capable, resilient and defendable systems for scientists and warfighters. She earned her EdD from the USC Rossier School of Education.

Angie Simonson EdD ’23
Senior Vice President Strategy and Operations
Asante
Angie Simonson is the senior vice president of strategy and operations for Asante, a Southern Oregon nonprofit healthcare system. In this position, Angie specializes in strategizing inclusive, financially sustainable and operationally strong hospital leadership skills, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. A strong believer in supporting others, Angie mentors leaders and speaks with a focus on growing skill sets in the demanding, fast-paced and competitive landscape of healthcare. She earned her EdD from the USC Rossier School of Education.

Pilaar Terry ’02
Managing Partner and COO, POV Agency
Pilaar Terry is a managing partner & COO for POV Agency, a boutique strategic communications agency that not only reimagines how public relations and communications are done, but also who does the work. Her agency is powered by all types of diversity and a firm belief that representation truly matters. Pilaar has 20+ years of entertainment public relations and marketing experience and has worked alongside more than 100 global brands, including Nike Brand Jordan, AT&T, Clorox, Diageo, Universal Pictures, Frito Lay, Disney and more. She earned a BA in broadcast journalism from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and currently serves on the school’s alumni advisory board. In addition, she previously served as her alma mater’s Executive in Residence.

Nickey Woods EdD ’15
Associate Dean for Student Life, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and Dean of Students for the JD Program, USC Gould School of Law
Nickey Woods is the associate dean of diversity, inclusion and belonging and dean of students for the JD program at the USC Gould School of Law. Her professional expertise includes diversity, equity and inclusion; universal design for learning (UDL), student resilience and retention; learning and motivation; and disability advocacy. Nickey is also the faculty advisor for the USC Gould School’s Student Bar Association, Sports Law Society and the Disability Law Society. Prior to joining USC, Nickey served as a director in student affairs at UCLA and as an assistant dean in UCLA’s Graduate Division. She earned an EdD from the USC Rossier School of Education.
Redefining Success and Balance: Unstoppable Strategies for Fulfillment
RTCC Ballroom 2
Success and balance are unique to every unstoppable woman. In this session, we’ll explore how to set meaningful intentions, plan with purpose and celebrate victories along the journey. Join us as we discuss mindsets and strategies to redefine purpose and harmony in both the short and long term.

Alexis Jeffries MBA ’17
Principal Senior Manager, Accenture
Expert-in-Resident, USC Marshall Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
Alexis Jeffries is a principal senior manager within the communications, media & technology strategy practice at Accenture. She previously served as the global head of business product marketing at Glassdoor, and as a business product marketing executive at Meta. Alexis has also worked in global advertising at OMD and Wunderman Thompson, and began her career as a journalist, writing for Money Magazine. Alexis is currently an “Expert-in-Residence” and an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at her alma mater, the USC Marshall School of Business. In addition to her MBA from the USC Marshall School, she holds degrees from Northwestern University and The American University of Paris.

Stephanie Lomibao-Parra MPP ’05
Philanthropy Program Executive, Corporate Social Responsibility – Bank of America
Stephanie Lomibao-Parra is a philanthropic giving program executive for Bank of America’s Corporate Social Responsibility team. As the leader of the bank’s Empowering Communities Pillar, Stephanie oversees such key programs as Neighborhood Builders®, Student Leaders® and the Driving Impact Webinar Series, with the overall goal of advancing social progress and financial resilience. With nearly 30 years of experience in nonprofit, private and public sectors, Stephanie previously held leadership roles at New Economics for Women and Washington Mutual. She earned a Master of Public Policy at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Shannen Coleman Siciliano ’03
CEO, Founder, Begin Within Leadership
Shannen Coleman Siciliano is an executive/life coach and the founder and CEO of Begin Within Leadership. Through her belief that transformative leadership “begins within,” she guides leaders to move beyond systemic barriers and take aligned action toward their goals. Shannen’s executive experience spans education reform and nonprofit leadership, as well as consulting for schools, nonprofits, government entities and corporations. A Peter Jennings Civic Leadership Award recipient, she has helped has secured more than $380 billion for local and statewide education through coalition building and campaign management. A SoCal native now based in Chicago, Shannen earned a BA in communication from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Amy Kesselhaut Rice ’88
Session Facilitator
Amy Kesselhaut Rice is a proud graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business, where she earned a BS in business administration, focused on finance and entrepreneurship. Currently serving her third term on the Alumni Entrepreneur Network Board, she works as the youth education manager for the Women Founders Network. Amy is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and the next generation of leaders.
Technology for Women: Embrace Your Unstoppable Edge with AI and Emerging Trends
Alumni Park Outdoor Stage
Technology is an unstoppable force in today’s world. Learn how AI and other emerging trends can enhance your creativity, solve problems and support leadership. This session will also cover the importance of inclusivity and ethics in tech, empowering women to leverage technology for personal and professional growth.

Jayda Koland Jones ’15
Principal Consultant and Founder, BDJ Strategy
Jayda Koland Jones is a data science consultant with over a decade of experience working across several industries, including healthcare, retail, e-commerce, aviation, B2B procurement, marketing, insurance and economic litigation. Her professional expertise includes deploying machine learning solutions, customizing optimization algorithms, building predictive models and strategizing on opportunities for AI adoption. Jayda is the founder and principal consultant of BDJ Strategy LLC, an AI and advanced analytics consultancy focused on delivering client-first data science projects. She has a BA in economics from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and an MSc in data science from Northwestern University.

Stephanie Sylvestre ’93
Co-Founder, Avatar Buddy
Stephanie Sylvestre is a dynamic transformational leader and co-founder of Avatar Buddy, an AI company dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses. With a BA in international relations from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts an Sciences and an MA in international studies and economics from the University of Miami, Stephanie combines her academic background with hands-on IT leadership experience. She has held such pivotal roles as chief information officer at The Children’s Trust, where she managed a $184 million portfolio. Stephanie is passionate about leveraging technology for social impact, fostering high-performance teams and driving initiatives that promote diversity and innovation.
Building Unstoppable Connections: Meaningful Work and Volunteer Relationships
RTCC Ballroom 1
This session will guide you through the art of relationship-building, making networking not just a necessity, but a joy. From professional collaborations to volunteer initiatives, learn how to build lasting connections that uplift you and others, creating a network that supports your unstoppable journey.

Adrienne Bankert ’02
Journalist/Host, NewsNation
Adrienne Bankert is an award-winning national news anchor and author. She currently hosts NewsNation Now each weekend, as well as her special series, One Nation Under God, examining faith in America; Adrienne also launched NewsNation’s Morning in America. Prior to joining NewsNation, worked as a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, Good Morning America and World News Tonight. Adrienne’s book, Your Hidden Superpower: The Kindness that Makes You Unbeatable at Work and Connects You with Anyone,” shares how kindness creates authentic muscle memory for being more fulfilled and more relatable in teams, friendships, with strangers, and high-caliber individuals wherever we are. She earned a BA in communication from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Gabriela Valverde-Rivera EdD ’22
Head of HR, North America Direct to Consumer, Nike
Gabriela Valverde-Rivera is a seasoned business leader with a passion for driving transformational change and culture. She is currently the head of human resources, North America Direct at Nike, where she partners with executives to align people strategy with business goals and enhance employee engagement. Gabriela is also a professor and teaches courses on business and leadership at East LA College and Portland State University. In addition, she is a member of the Latinas in Tech community, where she mentors women of color. Gabriela holds a master’s in management and leadership from Pepperdine University and a doctorate in organizational change and leadership from the USC Rossier School of Education.
Unstoppable Wellness: Mastering Self-Care for the Whole You
Forum – TCC 450
Physical, mental and emotional health are foundational to being unstoppable. This session offers strategies for thriving in all aspects of well-being, from setting boundaries to embracing self-care practices that build resilience. Participate in guided exercises designed to center you in strength and positivity.

Mary Andres, PsyD
Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
Mary Andres is a professor of clinical education at the USC Rossier School of Education, specializing in substance abuse treatment, sexuality, LGBTQ+ concerns and clinical supervision. Her research focuses on experiential learning and best practices in therapist development. A dedicated volunteer, Mary supervises doctoral candidates at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. She also served on the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association Board of Directors, including a term as the board’s co-president. Mary earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Wright State University and served USC Counseling Services for a decade. She has also been a psychologist for Semester at Sea and Cannes Film Festival’s American Pavilion Internship Program, and remains active in advancing MFT training in Los Angeles County.

Tasha Danvers ’02
Owner, The Olympian’s Way
Tasha Danvers is a two-time Olympian who won the bronze in the 440-meter hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Games. While competing at USC , she won several Pac-10 and NCAA titles and was inducted into the USC Hall of Fame in 2007. Tasha is also the founder of The Olympian’s Way, specializing in success and accountability coaching. An in-demand motivational speaker, she has given talks at such companies as Coca-Cola, Google and LinkedIn; for her alma mater, Tasha delivered the keynote address at USC’s Black Graduation. A mother, author, and adventurer who summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tasha is passionate about helping others achieve extraordinary results through discipline, purpose and unwavering focus. She earned a BS in music industry from the USC Thornton School of Music.

Priya Rana Kapoor ’93, MMFTH ’06
Executive Life Coach, PRK Coaching
Priya Rana Kapoor is an executive life coach, consultant, author and speaker who facilitates workshops and trainings for international corporations and nonprofits. To help clients succeed personally and professionally, she guides them in building businesses, improving their leadership skills and navigating career advancement or transition. Over the years, Priya has been a guest on NBC’s Today Show, BBC Radio Asia and numerous podcasts.
Priya earned a BA in theatre (acting) from the USC School of Dramatic Arts and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFTH) from the USC Rossier School of Education. She currently serves on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors Executive Committee.
Career Power Boost: One-on-One Resume and Interview Prep
USC Career Center
Elevate your career with personalized guidance from USC Career Center experts. You will have the opportunity to book 15-minute one-on-one appointments for tailored resume reviews or interview preparation. Whether you’re looking to perfect your resume, refine your pitch or build confidence for your next big opportunity, this session will provide actionable feedback and strategies to help you stand out. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your professional growth!

USC Career Center
The USC Career Center helps students, alumni and faculty thrive at all stages of their professional life. The center also offers resources, workshops and events to help students succeed in the job market.
Connect & Converse: Networking and Roundtable Discussions
Alumni Park
Networking is the heart of the USC Women’s Conference! Join the Trojan Women’s Network for a dynamic session to help you build meaningful connections. Participate in two 30-minute networking rounds, featuring facilitated roundtable discussions on key topics that matter to you. With limited slots available, this is your opportunity to engage in impactful conversations, exchange ideas and expand your professional and personal networks. Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow unstoppable women and leave with valuable insights and new connections!

Trojan Women’s Network
The USC Trojan Women’s Network (USC TWN) engages ambitious alumnae who are interested in personal and professional development, as well as in giving back to the university. Board members host multiple events throughout the year to engage alumnae and raise funds for student scholarships.
12:30 – 1:45 pm | Lunch
1:50 – 2:50 pm | Breakout Session II (Various Locations)
(Please note, breakout sessions will be the same for each round.)
3:00 – 4:40 pm | Afternoon Session (Bovard Auditorium)
3:00 – 3:05 pm | Afternoon Welcome

Priya Rana Kapoor ’93, MMFTH ’06
2025 USC Women’s Conference Co-Chair
Priya Rana Kapoor is an executive life coach, consultant, author and speaker who facilitates workshops and trainings for international corporations and nonprofits. To help clients succeed personally and professionally, she guides them in building businesses, improving their leadership skills and navigating career advancement or transition. Over the years, Priya has been a guest on NBC’s Today Show, BBC Radio Asia and numerous podcasts.
Priya earned a BA in theatre (acting) from the USC School of Dramatic Arts and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFTH) from the USC Rossier School of Education. She currently serves on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors Executive Committee.

Stephanie Paggi ’74, MS ’77, EdD ’90
2025 USC Women’s Conference Co-Chair
Stephanie Paggi is a retired educator who served as the deputy superintendent and chief academic officer for the Tustin Unified School District for many years. A triple USC alumna, she earned her BS, MS and EdD in education from the USC Rossier School of Education.
One of USC’s most dedicated volunteers, Stephanie is currently serving as the co-chair of both her 50th Reunion Committee and the USC Caruso Catholic Center’s Newman Guild. She is also a member of USC Associates and a supporter of USC Gamma Phi Beta. An emeritus member of the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, Stephanie previously chaired the Alumnae Coordinating Council and served as president of the Trojan League of Orange County. She has received the USC Alumni Association’s President’s Award and Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award.
3:05 – 3:10 pm | Facilitated Wellness Break

Nicole Steen ’02
Founder, Nicole Steen Fitness
Nicole Steen, one of the leading fitness experts and celebrity trainers in Los Angeles, motivates her growing clientele to achieve and surpass their goals with her “Let’s all win” philosophy. A former USC Song Girl and professional dancer, Steen teaches in a variety of formats, including dance, Zumba, Buns Of Steen® booty toning, Tone N Twerk, barre, sculpt, HIIT and kickboxing. She is a regular on the KTLA Morning News and Fox 11’s Good Day LA, and the ABC7 LA News.She has also been featured in SELF magazine, Parents magazine and Japan’s GLITTER magazine. An international brand, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce named her “Hollywood’s Favorite Celebrity Trainer.” Steen is a USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences alum.
3:10 – 3:55 pm | Trailblazing Together: Leadership and Legacy at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics
Join us to gain a unique perspective on the intersection of leadership, sports and community development. This session features speakers who are leading the way in organizing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics. They will share their insights on the preparation and potential impact of the these historic events on Los Angeles and beyond. You will also learn about the significance of having a seat at the leadership table and using your position to advocate for others.

Willow Bay
Dean, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Willow Bay was named the first female dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in 2017. A veteran broadcast journalist and new media strategist, she was the first woman to co-anchor CNN’s flagship daily financial news program, Moneyline; a reporter and anchor for ABC News’ Good Morning America/Sunday; and a correspondent for Good Morning America and World News Weekend, among other news programs. As senior editor and senior strategic adviser at The Huffington Post, she managed editorial content and growth initiatives for the pioneering online news site. Since joining the USC Annenberg faculty in 2014 as director of the School of Journalism, she has launched the state-of-the-art Annenberg Media Center in Wallis Annenberg Hall, accelerated curricular innovations, and vastly expanded the school’s partnerships with key media and technology partners.

Janet Evans ’95
Chief Athlete Officer, LA28
Janet Evans is a three-time Olympic swimmer with four gold medals and one silver medal to her name. A key leader of Los Angeles’ bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Janet brings her firsthand experience as an elite athlete and her deep institutional knowledge of the global and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements to the LA28 Games. She’s spearheading the effort to ensure that athletes are at the heart of LA’s plans for the Games. Janet joined the team in September 2015. She earned her BA from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and received the USC Alumni Association’s Alumni Merit Award in 2010.

Carol Folt
President, University of Southern California
Dr. Carol Folt serves as the twelfth president of the University of Southern California and holds the Robert C. Packard President’s Chair. Known for always placing students at the center, she is a collaborative academic leader and an internationally recognized life scientist, with faculty appointments in biological sciences, civil and environmental engineering, and population and public health sciences.
Since joining USC in 2019, Dr. Folt has advanced academic excellence and innovation; increased accessibility and affordability; elevated belonging and inclusion; driven significant growth in the USC Health System; made meaningful advancements in sustainability; prioritized shared governance; enhanced USC’s winning legacy in athletics with honor and integrity; increased cross-school collaboration; built a new Capital Campus in the heart of Washington D.C., expanding USC’s role within the national conversation; amplified USC’s research enterprise; and established USC’s most comprehensive academic and research initiative, embedding ethics, analytics and artificial intelligence across the university’s scholarly and creative work. Dr. Folt also serves as the chair of the Association of American Universities (AAU) Board of Directors.

Jaime L. Lee ’06, JD ’09
Trustee, University of Southern California and CEO, Jamison Realty, Inc.
Jaime Lee is the CEO of Jamison Realty, Inc., which controls more than 18 million square feet of commercial properties throughout Southern California, and has built 6,000+ apartment units in the City of Los Angeles. A longtime university volunteer, Jaime is the former president of both the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors and the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors. In 2018, she became the youngest person, as well as the only Asian woman, elected to the USC Board of Trustees. A dynamic and seasoned fiduciary board member, Jaime has served on more than 30 thirty corporate, civic, and nonprofit boards. In addition to serving as a City of Los Angeles commissioner for 13 years, she also served as the president of the board of Harbor Commissioners for the Port of Los Angeles, the largest port by trade volume in the western hemisphere, from 2018 to 2023. Jaime currently serves on the boards of the LA28 Olympic Games, the James Campbell Company and California HOPE for children. A double USC alumna, Jaime earned her BA in English from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and her JD from the USC Gould School of Law.
3:55 – 4:40 pm | Unstoppable Innovators: Women Leading the Charge on Leveraging AI for Pandemic Prevention
Join us for an inspiring session showcasing the innovative women of USC Viterbi School of Engineering, who are using their knowledge of machine learning, optimization and statistics within the National Science Foundation Center on pandemic pre-emergence (NSF Center for Pandemic Insights). These pioneering researchers are harnessing the power of AI and engineering for data analysis, forecasting, working with novel sensor developers, and workforce development. A critical aspect of the Center efforts is community engagement. Learn how their visionary work is driving innovation, can help in preparing for future pandemics, and exemplifying the resilience, leadership, and determination that define unstoppable women in STEM.

Urbashi Mitra
Gordon S. Marshall Chair in Engineering
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Urbashi Mitra is the Gordon S. Marshall Professor in Engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, with appointments in electrical engineering and computer science. Her research interests include model-based machine learning, wireless communications, communication and sensor networks, biological communication systems, and the interface of communication, sensing and control. An Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) fellow, Urbashi is also a foreign member of Academia Europaea. In addition, she is a co-principal investigator of the recently funded National Science Foundation Center on Pandemic Insights. Over the course of her career, Urbashi has received many honors, such as being a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Communication and Signal Processing Societies.

Bistra Dilkina
Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Early Career Chair in Computer Science and Associate Professor of Computer Science
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Bistra Dilkina is the Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Early Career Chair in Computer Science and an associate professor of computer science at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. She is also the co-director of the USC Center for AI in Society (CAIS), a joint effort between the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Dilkina is one of the USC Viterbi School’s junior faculty leaders in the young field of Computational Sustainability, and has co-organized workshops, tutorials, special tracks at major conferences on Computational Sustainability and related subareas. Her work spans discrete optimization, network design, stochastic optimization and machine learning.

Gisele Ragusa
Professor of Engineering Education Practice
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Dr. Gisele Ragusa is a professor at engineering education practice at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. For the past three years, Gisele has led the USC Viterbi School Dean’s Engaged Learning Initiative; she also co-chairs and directs the university’s STEM Education Consortium. Her research interests and areas of expertise include engineering innovation and global preparedness, college access for first-generation college students and students from diverse backgrounds, STEM PK-12 education and teacher education, and STEM literacy education. Gisele is also active in many professional associations in the engineering and science education, teacher education, distance learning, program evaluation and special education fields. She has served as a principal investigator on more than 30 federal grants through the U.S. Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

Stacey Finley, Ph.D.
Moderator; Gordon S. Marshall Early Career Chair and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences
Stacey D. Finley, Ph.D., is an Associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California. She is holder of the Gordon S. Marshall Early Career Chair and the Director of the Center for Computational Modeling of Cancer. Dr. Finley has a joint appointment in the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the Department of Biological Sciences (Quantitative and Computational Biology section). She is also a member of the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Finley received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Florida A & M University in 2004. Her graduate studies were completed in 2009 in Chemical Engineering at Northwestern University and involved using computational tools to predict and estimate the feasibility of novel biodegradation pathways. Her postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University focused on computational modeling of VEGF signaling pathways. She was awarded postdoctoral fellowships from the NIH National Research Service Award and the UNCF/Merck Science Initiative. Dr. Finley’s current research applies a systems biology approach to develop molecular-detailed computational models of biological processes related to human disease.
4:45 – 5:00 pm | Closing Remarks

Priya Rana Kapoor ’93, MMFTH ’06
2025 USC Women’s Conference Co-Chair
Priya Rana Kapoor is an executive life coach, consultant, author and speaker who facilitates workshops and trainings for international corporations and nonprofits. To help clients succeed personally and professionally, she guides them in building businesses, improving their leadership skills and navigating career advancement or transition. Over the years, Priya has been a guest on NBC’s Today Show, BBC Radio Asia and numerous podcasts.
Priya earned a BA in theatre (acting) from the USC School of Dramatic Arts and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFTH) from the USC Rossier School of Education. She currently serves on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors Executive Committee.

Stephanie Paggi ’74, MS ’77, EdD ’90
2025 USC Women’s Conference Co-Chair
Stephanie Paggi is a retired educator who served as the deputy superintendent and chief academic officer for the Tustin Unified School District for many years. A triple USC alumna, she earned her BS, MS and EdD in education from the USC Rossier School of Education.
One of USC’s most dedicated volunteers, Stephanie is currently serving as the co-chair of both her 50th Reunion Committee and the USC Caruso Catholic Center’s Newman Guild. She is also a member of USC Associates and a supporter of USC Gamma Phi Beta. An emeritus member of the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, Stephanie previously chaired the Alumnae Coordinating Council and served as president of the Trojan League of Orange County. She has received the USC Alumni Association’s President’s Award and Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award.
5:00 – 6:30 pm | Closing Reception