The annual Kingswood Oxford Power of Women Forum took place in Roberts Theater on Sunday, April 26, bringing together students, faculty, and community members for a discussion centered on leadership, resilience, and career growth. The event featured a panel of professional women alongside student representatives who shared their experiences, challenges, and advice for younger students.
The event featured a panel of professional women, including Meghan Berry ‘02, Katherine Gianni, Hon. Rupal Shah, and Suzanne Batchelor Pinkes, alongside a KO student panel made up of senior girls. Speakers represented a variety of careers, including leadership roles in fields that are traditionally male-dominated. Throughout the discussion, panelists shared personal experiences about navigating their professions, overcoming challenges, and building confidence in their work.
A central theme of the forum was perseverance through obstacles and the importance of staying authentic while developing a career path. Speakers emphasize that challenges can become more manageable over time through experience, self-trust, and continued growth.
The KO student panel added a teen perspective to the conversation, connecting the themes of the forum to experiences within the school community and highlighting how leadership develops during high school.
Speakers also connected their experiences back to the KO community, including alumni and parents of alumni who have been part of the school network. They spoke about how Kingswood Oxford helped prepare students for college and life beyond high school, emphasizing the importance of communication, leadership, and confidence.
Students in attendance reflected on the impact of hearing these stories. Sophomore Ella Raphael said her biggest takeaway was learning about persistence in challenging environments. “Even though you’re in strong, male-dominated professions, it will get easier for you as long as you stay true to yourself,” she said. Ella also highlighted the words of Hon. Rupal Shah, who shared her personal background as the child of immigrants. “She talked about how her parents are immigrants,” Ella said. “Her story and how she was inspired by her immigrant parents really stuck with me.”
Overall, the Power of Women Forum served as a space for students and speakers to engage in meaningful discussion about leadership, identity, and resilience, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of the different paths women take in their careers.
