Samarra Caldwell, a sophomore studying business economics and finance, walked into a room full of executives at this year’s Conscious Capitalism conference, The Future of the Conscious Enterprise, and left with a new sense of confidence about her future.
“Being in the room with all of those C-suite leaders was amazing,” she said. “They not only wanted to hear my input, they also wanted me to know that they believed in my potential. They helped me recognize that my dream job is possible, and it made me confident in my future as a business leader.”
Caldwell was part of a group of University of Dayton School of Business Administration students who attended the national conference, which emphasizes purpose, stakeholder wellbeing and ethical leadership. The philosophy of conscious capitalism mirrors UD’s commitment to cultivating servant-leaders dedicated to the common good.
Over two days, students attended keynote speeches, breakout discussions and interactive workshops with peers from other universities and business leaders from across the country. The sessions covered topics like building trust, communicating effectively and creating positive company cultures, skills that students can carry into their future careers.
For Maddie Noone, the small group activities stood out. In one breakout session, she practiced communicating through disagreements, an exercise she says sharpened her ability to listen and respond thoughtfully.
“Learning how to create a good company culture, actively listen in managerial positions and gain the trust of coworkers — these are all profound lessons I took away from the conference that I will be able to put into action in my future,” she said.
Both Caldwell and Noone described the experience as inspiring. The conference reinforced concepts learned in the classroom and gave students opportunities to apply those lessons in real-world scenarios, boosting their confidence as future leaders.
“If a student is looking for an opportunity that will push them to reach their full potential career-wise, they should attend this conference,” Caldwell said. “It gives you the passion and drive to realize that your full potential is just a few steps away.”
Thanks to donations made during One Day, One Dayton, UD business students attended the Conscious Capitalism conference for the first time. As they return to campus, they carry with them new skills and a renewed belief that business can, and should, be a force for good.
“Having these experiences now can shape and motivate us,” Noone said. “This conference really ignited that fire in me to continue to do good and be a positive force in the world.