W&L To Host Fifth Social Impact Careers Summit The recurring summit allows undergraduate and law students to network with and learn from alumni and others making a social impact through their professional lives.

By Brian Laubscher
November 5, 2024

Washington and Lee University’s Social Impact Careers Summit returns to campus Nov. 8-9 with exciting programming offering students the opportunity to network with and learn from alumni and others making a social impact through their professional lives. The event is free of charge for both undergraduate and law students alike, but registration is required.

“The Social Impact Careers Summit is my favorite event on campus because it allows us to introduce students to the supportive W&L alumni network,” said Jenny Davidson, associate director of the Shepherd Program. “Fostering connections around shared values across industries and class years is transformative for all who participate.”

The summit, first held in 2016 and occurring for the fifth time in eight years, features a keynote address by Doug Ammar ‘89L, executive director of the Georgia Justice Project. Ammar will present a talk titled “Holistic, Systemic, & Optimistic: 38 Years of Criminal Justice Innovation & Hope.”

In addition to the keynote address, the summit features a variety of networking opportunities and panel discussions on topics such as personal care and community well-being, health and social impact, and public interest law.

An impressive list of returning alumni will participate in the scheduled events, which begin on Friday at 4:45 p.m. with a welcome message from Paul Youngman, associate provost and the Harry E. and Mary Jayne W. Redenbaugh Professor of German at W&L. The summit concludes on Saturday with a 12:30 p.m. luncheon and discussion of various topics. Please visit the Social Impact Careers Summit website for a full schedule of events and detailed information on the sessions and their alumni participants.

“The summit is a great event for students to learn from our generous alumni about the many ways in which they can lead a life of consequence, said Lorri Olan, senior associate director of Career and Professional Development. “Many students want to change the world to improve the lives of others by improving access to quality education, affordable health care or addressing structural biases in the criminal justice system. Meeting with professionals who share their desire for mission-driven work is empowering.”

The summit is a collaborative program sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, Career and Professional Development, the Dean of the College, the Law, Justice and Society Program and the Shepherd Program.