Empowering trailblazers: Celebrating women’s business impact

By Marie Thomas ’26 Two-Year MBA Program

 At Kellogg, Women’s Week is a time to celebrate leadership, courage and the diverse paths that women take to create impact. This year, the Women's Business Association (WBA) is spotlighting four women whose journeys reflect bold ambition, thoughtful leadership and an unwavering commitment to making business better.

These women have taken very different paths, but they are all reshaping what it means to lead. Whether through entrepreneurship, strategy, advocacy or service, they’re showing the power of being bold, authentic and mission driven. 

Kassie McGue ’25 Two-Year MBA Program 
Zell Fellow and founder of Emerald Ridge, a hotel investment and management company 

Kassie McGue isn’t just the founder of her hotel company; she’s also the owner and operator of her properties. Her journey started in hotel asset management at a real estate investment trust, where she oversaw operations and acquisitions during the pandemic. But over time, she realized she wanted to move beyond reporting and focus on building a culture of purpose and belonging.  

“I want to build a workplace that respects the whole person, not just the employee,” says McGue. “Of course, it’s a business, but I believe that if people feel valued, they’ll want to work for my hotel over the one next door.” 

Her entrepreneurial drive runs deep. Growing up, her family ran various franchise restaurant businesses and that environment fostered her view about the value of entrepreneurship. When her father passed away just three years ago, McGue’s drive to pursue entrepreneurship was accelerated.  

“Starting my own business was something I always talked to him about. Signing the deal on the anniversary of his passing felt like a sign I was on the right path,” she shared. 

McGue encourages other aspiring entrepreneurs to take the leap and explore the unknown. “Don’t be afraid to take an unconventional path. If you have an idea, seek out the right resources and mentors. All you have to do is take initiative.” 

Neha Mehta ’25 Two-Year MBA Program 
Co-founder of Rora, a menopause product brand focused on both consumer solutions and overall awareness 

Neha Mehta came to Kellogg to consider what it’d be like to explore entrepreneurship. This exploration led her to take advantage of Kellogg’s venture series and beyond, and today, she’s the co-founder of menopause solution brand Rora, whose first product is a mist that relieves external vaginal dryness. 

With a background in biology, consulting, and tech, Neha’s journey has always been about understanding systems and finding better, human-first solutions. She describes herself as “relentlessly customer-centric” and is passionate about reshaping how women experience midlife changes.  

“In New Venture Discovery, we interviewed over 150 women,” she said. “And the stories that really stuck with us were from women who described how uncomfortable and difficult menopause made life. But no one talks about menopause and definitely not the stigmatized symptoms.”  

With that, beyond product development, Rora is committed to education to empower women to live their best lives. “We’re deeply committed to destigmatizing these conversations. Our content strategy is about being honest and real.” 

Neha’s leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy and transparency. “I’ve been on stressful teams. I want to be the kind of leader who absorbs stress, not adds to it, and I think building trust and orienting on a common mission are both key” she said. For other Kellogg women, her message is clear: “Take the leap now. If you’re even slightly entrepreneurial, now is the time to experiment and take risks.” 

Sidney O’Neal ’26 Two-Year MBA Program 
Passionate about leadership, service and representation. 

Sidney O’Neal is a leader: She is the chief of staff for the Black Management Association (BMA) and will serve as next year’s Kellogg Student Association (KSA) president. 

A former bioengineering major and Merck senior specialist, O’Neal’s pivot from science to business reflects her desire for more autonomy and visibility. “As a scientist, you generate the data, but you’re rarely the one presenting it,” she said. “I wanted more say in my work and how I’m seen.” Today, she is surely seen at Kellogg for all of her contributions to the community. 

Her leadership values are shaped by her Christian upbringing and her time in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). When reflecting on what drives her motivation, O'Neal says, “I feel a responsibility to build on the work of those who came before me, and I want to help others feel welcomed and capable.” 

Her goal to connect with and inspire other young business leaders motivated her to co-lead Day at Kellogg last year. The weekend-long event helps give admitted students an authentic experience of life on campus, and serving as MC was “one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had at Kellogg,” she says.  

Her advice for doing great? “Take chances and jump into the spotlight. Even if you’re terrified. If an opportunity scares you, that means that it's going to make you grow.” 

Caroline Shaunessy ’26 Two-Year MBA Program 
Studying sports business and dedicated to elevating women’s involvement within the industry 

For Caroline Shaunessy, hockey has always been more than a sport — it’s been a door-opener. From playing hockey at Dartmouth to professionally in Helsinki, her path has been shaped by grit, cross-cultural experiences and a deep love for competition. “A hockey locker room is supposed to be a secure place: you’re with your teammates, you’re with coaches, you’re supposed to feel like yourself. But playing abroad was a culture shock,” says Shaunessy. “I didn’t speak the language and faced new challenges, but through all of that, I loved it.” 

After returning to the United States, Shaunessy pivoted straight onto a deal team in private equity. Learning on the job at a Boston-based firm, she rose from analyst to associate six months ahead of schedule. But even as she thrived, she began to question what long-term impact she wanted to have. That reflection led her to Kellogg and back to sports. 

She now aspires to work in sports strategy, ideally with consumer-facing sports brands. Shaunessy will spend the summer at Titleist, an American brand of golf equipment. At Kellogg, she’s pushing for initiatives like a women’s sports conference and a trek to the Women’s Golf U.S. Open. Her advice for women in male-dominated industries? “You’re going to stand out anyway, so embrace it,” she shares. “Be yourself. I’m learning to trust that the way I do things is valid, even if it looks different from the norm.” 


Read the full in-depth interviews of these amazing Kellogg women at the WBA LinkedIn page.


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