Ava Hanson ’25 is studying business with a concentration in marketing and pursuing an entrepreneurial mindset certificate. She joined Women in Business during her freshman year of college, and now, in her senior year, she is the president. Hanson said she first joined the club to make connections in the Offutt School of Business and to make friends with an inspiring group of women. 

Women in Business is a student-led organization on Concordia’s campus that brings together women who are business majors. They have biweekly meetings aimed toward helping women network with each other and helping students find familiar faces within the Offutt School of Business.

“We focus on learning from each other and inspiring each other,” Hanson said. “It’s so valuable to learn from experienced businesswomen and how to become leaders in our current world.”

These learning experiences come from the guest speakers that Women in Business brings to campus to help educate club members. Hanson shared that all the women on the executive board have personal connections to the Fargo-Moorhead area and often suggest speakers to invite. They prioritize any woman with experience in the business world who has valuable information to share with students. 

Hanson said she tries to plan as many activities off campus and in the community as possible. One of her favorite businesses to volunteer for is Hope Blooms, a local florist shop with a mission “dedicated to nurturing the social and emotional well-being of individuals who are experiencing isolation, loneliness, and hardship.”

“Our main goal is to uplift and encourage young businesswomen and prepare them for life after college in the business world,” Hanson said. “Historically, the business world has been dominated by men, so having this space for women to excel is valuable.” 

While the organization is geared toward women majoring in business, Hanson said that members are excited about anyone coming to speaker nights and that they host events beneficial to any major. Women in Business runs workshops for resume building, interview preparation, and other career-centered skills. 

Hanson recommended that students interested in getting involved with Women in Business follow the  where all updates and meeting details are posted. 

“Bring a friend if you’re coming to a meeting! We try to make the environment as welcoming as possible,” she said. “We even have someone whose job is to walk around and say hi at the beginning of each meeting so no one feels left out.”

Hanson also highlighted the generous donors that Women in Business have. She said one of the organization's original members now works at Bell Bank. Members help out at Bell Bank’s Christmas party every year to show thanks for their support. 

After graduation, Hanson will begin her new job at RDO Equipment Co. as a government account manager and also pursue her music career. 

 

Written by Alyssa Czernek '25