March 12, 2025 — New York, NY
The McDonnell Academy Scholars returned to St. Louis with invaluable insights and a renewed determination to make a lasting impact. The New York City trip not only expanded their horizons but also solidified their commitment to leadership and community building, ensuring a brighter future shaped by these emerging global leaders.
The McDonnell International Scholars Academy 2020, 2023, and 2024 cohorts recently concluded a transformative trip to New York City from March 8-12, 2025. Designed to expand the Scholars’ global perspectives, leadership skills, and sense of community, the trip offered invaluable experiences through visits to iconic landmarks, cultural institutions, and the world’s financial epicenter.
Engaging with Thought Leaders, Financial Literacy, and Healthcare Accessibility
Throughout the trip, Scholars engaged in enlightening discussions with representatives from prestigious institutions, including Bloomberg Media Group, The New York Times, the United Nations, Bank of America, and CHUBB Insurance. These interactions were aligned with the Academy’s pillars of Global Mindset, Leadership, and Community. According to VaNetta Clark, an educational policy PhD student in the School of Arts & Sciences at WashU, “Each presentation afforded us the opportunity to reflect on our individual research objectives and long-term academic pursuits,” emphasizing the importance of such dialogues in navigating the challenges of technological advancements and societal shifts.
Felipe Quaassdorff, an MBA student in Olin Business School at WashU, shared insights from visits to Bank of America and CHUBB Insurance, highlighting the impact of financial principles on healthcare accessibility. “The key takeaway? Keep exploring! Financial literacy is an incredible and powerful tool that helps us better understand our daily lives,” Felipe emphasized. Ted Liyew, a public health sciences PhD student in Brown School at WashU, expanded on this theme by examining the intersection of healthcare access and financial innovations. His experiences underscored the transformative role that financial models can play in improving chronic disease management, particularly for marginalized communities.
Exploring Innovative Art and Its Healing Power
A visit to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and other major art venues provided the cohort with profound insights into the intersection between art, technology, and healthcare. Scholar Yuyi Yang, who is pursuing a PhD degree in computational & data sciences in McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, remarked, “Seeing Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory and Van Gogh’s The Starry Night in person was surreal. As someone with a scientific background, this visit reshaped my understanding of the dynamic interplay between art, technology, and innovation.” The guided tour at MoMA urged Scholars to explore how modern art reflects and impacts technological advancements, highlighting the dynamic nature of both fields.
Complementing this experience, Ted Liyew reflected on the role of sensory environments in healthcare. Drawing inspiration from the immersive experience at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and the visits to MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ted underscored the therapeutic power of creative spaces. “Incorporating visual art, music, and immersive design into healthcare spaces could enhance patient comfort and recovery,” Ted suggested. His insights propose innovative ways to integrate art into healthcare settings to improve patient outcomes, illustrating how the realms of art and technology can collaborate to enhance well-being.
“Visiting Ellis Island wasn’t just about looking back—it was about understanding how those stories inform our roles as leaders today.”
Grace Mensah-Fosu
Historical Insights to Inform Modern Leadership
The visit to Ellis Island, a historic gateway for millions of immigrants, provided profound insights into the immigrant experience and its implications for American identity and resilience. Grace Mensah-Fosu, who is pursuing a PhD in English & Comparative Literature in the School of Arts & Sciences at WashU, remarked, “For me, the trip to New York and particularly the visit to Ellis Island was more than just a tourist’s interaction with a historical site. It is a profound bridge between the individual stories of immigrants who passed through its doors and the collective fabric of American identity.” The visit served as a poignant reminder of the personal and emotional struggles faced by immigrants. “Visiting Ellis Island wasn’t just about looking back—it was about understanding how those stories inform our roles as leaders today. Just as the immigrants of the past sought to navigate their place in an ever-changing world, we, too, can draw inspiration to shape a more inclusive and dynamic future,” declares Grace.
Reflections on Leadership and Future Impacts
Returning to St. Louis after a transformative New York City cohort trip, Ganesh Chelluboyina, an energy, environmental & chemical engineering PhD student in McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, reflected on the city’s success and its visionary gridiron layout, which initially faced criticism. This journey emphasized the role of McDonnell Scholars in “laying the blueprint for the future as emerging leaders.” Key interactions with leaders in various sectors highlighted the importance of understanding our world to envision the future. A memorable moment was Patti of USHG’s insight: “People are the greatest decoration for a restaurant,” reminding Ganesh that human connections are central to building resilient institutions and should be at the heart of our decisions.
“This experience truly was the perfect capstone to my academic journey at WashU.”
Roy Ejiakuekwu
The cohort trip fostered stronger bonds among Scholars and inspired reflections on their leadership roles. “It felt like we became a family, supporting each other not just academically, but personally,” Anjali Thanathur Vinod, a first-year biomedical PhD student in McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, remarked. “This experience truly was the perfect capstone to my academic journey at WashU,” shared Roy Ejiakuekwu, an MBA student in Olin Business School at WashU.
The McDonnell Scholars returned with a deeper sense of purpose and a broader perspective on how different sectors—art, history, finance, and healthcare—contribute to a more inclusive and innovative future. This experience reinforced the central idea that true leadership is deeply rooted in people and connections. It emphasized that the most impactful leaders prioritize relationships and the well-being of their communities, highlighting the importance of fostering strong, supportive networks to drive meaningful change.
The McDonnell International Scholars Academy would like to extend our gratitude to the individuals and organizations that participated in and hosted our Scholars during our trip to New York City. Your invaluable support and hospitality made our visit an exceptional experience!
- Adriana Korte Nahabedian, Humanitarian Affairs Officer, United Nations
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch – Sarang Gadkari, Co-Head, Global Capital Markets
- Bloomberg – David Westin, Anchor of “Bloomberg Wall Street Week”, Bloomberg LP & Diana Madson, Beyond Carbon, Bloomberg Philanthropies
- CHUBB Insurance – Joseph Wayland, Executive VP, General Counsel, and Secretary, Margaret Peloso, Senior VP, Global climate Officer and Executive Director of the Chubb Charitable Foundation, & Howard Schrader, General Counsel of Chubb Overseas
- Diana Ramirez – WashU & McDonnell Academy Alumnus (JSD’20), Columbia Law School, Associate Director of LLM Admissions
- New York Times – Brian Hamman, VP of Engineering
- Oceans Ventures – Josh Rahn, Co-Founder, General Partner of Oceans Ventures, Michael Spiro, Senior Associate, Insight Partners, Melissa Komaroff, Consultant, Melitas Ventures
Jessica Constrastano-Rahn, former VP at Maybelline/L’Oreal - Union Square Hospitality Group – Patti Simpson, Chief Administrative Officer & Richard Coraine, Founding Partner
More Insights
Key TakeawaysCommunity: The trip emphasized the importance of community building through shared experiences and mutual support. Scholars bonded over their diverse perspectives, strengthening their personal and professional relationships and fostering a sense of family within the cohort. This sense of community was evident in their discussions on topics ranging from art to finance to healthcare, encouraging the integration of different viewpoints for collective growth.Leadership: The interactions with leaders in various sectors provided valuable insights into the qualities and strategies necessary for effective leadership. Scholars were reminded that leadership involves making people feel welcome and respected, and that the core motivation should always center on the impact we have on people’s lives. The trip also highlighted the role of innovation and resilience in navigating uncertain times and laying the blueprint for future success. Global Mindset: Exposure to diverse fields and international perspectives during the trip underscored the importance of a global mindset. Engaging with representatives from institutions like the United Nations and discussing global issues helped scholars appreciate the interconnectedness of finance, media, art, and healthcare on a global scale. This experience encouraged them to think beyond their local contexts and consider their broader societal impact. |
McDonnell Scholars Reflect on 2025 Cohort Trip to New York City
