Hi! I’m Bianca Rodriguez Pagano,
an innovative, impact-oriented Oprah Winfrey Leadership Scholar (OWLS) and John B. Ervin Scholar. I am a recent graduate of the Beyond Boundaries Program at Washington University in St. Louis with a BSBA in Marketing, Design, & The Business of Social Impact.
As John B. Ervin & Oprah Winfrey scholar, I want to leverage my understanding of design thinking and data-forward frameworks to implement user-accessible, strategic design in the business world, reaching larger and more diverse audiences.
Going forward, I hope to apply my drive, empathic attitude, and leadership ability in entrepreneurial spaces, whether at a startup or in product and VC spaces.
Attending Phillips Academy as an A Better Chance scholar, I pursued my goal of giving back by joining as many education-focused groups as I could, from leading and mediating peer sex-ed and violence prevention groups to spearheading anti-discriminatory standards & discipline initiatives. I got to develop a deep passion for activism and restorative justice while investigating disparities in my own communities.
As a result of these experiences, I deeply value the intersection of business and social-impact – and the ability to provide resources to those who, like myself, wouldn't be given the opportunity to develop professional skills and deep passions for their areas of study. As I grow in my professional endeavors, I am excited to connect with scholar programs and give back in the same way they gave to me.
