Jacqueline Welch '91 is a highly successful human resources professional and award-winning leader in diversity, equity and inclusion. Welch's leadership style concentrates on a company's moral obligation to the employees while focusing on the human in human resources, a field that has forever been impacted by COVID-19. Welch discusses how the pandemic has altered workplace environments and attitudes towards remote work, how she came to embrace a non-traditional human resources view, how a Syracuse co-op experience led her to become a human resources professional, and the lasting impression that Syracuse University African American studies associate professor Dr. Janis Mayes made on her during her time at Syracuse.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Maria Palmer '03 idolized her father, Joseph Costanzo Jr., the owner of the popular Primadonna Restaurant who reinvented himself by building a world-renowned Italian restaurant. Costanzo was rose to fame as a successful restaurateur who was heavily involved in the Pittsburgh community, but he experienced a sharp fall, eventually serving time in a federal prison for tax evasion. It was an eye-opening incident for Palmer, whose upcoming book, On the Rocks, recounts her father's rise and fall. Having an incarcerated father ignited a passion in Palmer to advocate for marginalized members of society. It's a far cry from the career Palmer envisioned when she was studying public relations at Syracuse University. Palmer shares why she's driven to help those less fortunate as a community advocate, her work connecting children with their incarcerated parents, how Syracuse influenced her career, and how she's making a difference for at-risk citizens in Paterson, N.J. as a grant writer/development associate for St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation.

Tia Thevenin '18, L'23 was a standout hurdler on the Syracuse University track and field team during her time on campus. Before COVID-19, Thevenin entertained dreams of qualifying for the Summer Olympics in the 100-meter hurdles. But after COVID postponed the Tokyo Olympics, Thevenin decided to walk away from track and focus on her other passion: making the legal system more accessible for disenfranchised citizens by studying at Syracuse University's College of Law. Thevenin also sees a future in sports and entertainment law or corporate law. Whichever direction her legal career heads, she is striving to do the greatest good for the greatest number. On this 'Cuse Conversation, Thevenin shares why how she became interested in making the justice system more accessible for disenfranchised citizens, her passion for helping those less fortunate, why trading in her track spikes for a law career was the most difficult decision of her life, and how Syracuse University helped redefine her perspective.

Bershan Shaw ’95 was given a death sentence in 2009 when she learned she had stage four breast cancer, the cancer that killed her mother. Rather than wallow in pity over her second cancer diagnosis in three years, Shaw used this devastating news as a wakeup call, choosing to thrive in the face of adversity. Shaw turned her pain into purpose, reinventing herself through a healthier lifestyle, daily affirmations and a positive mindset. Today, Shaw is celebrating 12 years being cancer-free, and she aims to inspire others to transform their lives, overcome their obstacles and never give up on their dreams. A leadership coach, motivational speaker, women’s empowerment advocate and reality TV star, Shaw shares her Warrior Way, how her cancer diagnosis was a gift, why Oprah Winfrey chose to tell her story on the reality TV show "Love in the City," why she loves telling the stories of successful women, and how Syracuse University taught her she could accomplish anything.

When Caroline Koller '15 started suffering from persistent, debilitating pain, she began desperately seeking out a place to find answers. After a cancer diagnosis and extensive treatment, Caroline founded femUNITY—a community and crowdsourcing platform for women to discuss their health and wellness questions, thoughts and experiences. It was the platform she had been looking for, but never found. We sit down with Caroline and her sister Laurie Beth Koller '18 for an emotional discussion on how navigating this negative experience has inspired the sisters to ensure other women have support no matter what health challenge they're facing. It's called femUNITY, and Caroline and Laurie Beth hope fellow 'Cuse alumnae will feel the community's welcome embrace.

Since taking over the Syracuse University women’s basketball program, head coach Quentin Hillsman has transformed the Orange into a national championship contender during his 15 seasons. Hillsman, the winningest coach in program history, has led the Orange to unprecedented heights, including the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Division I title game, seven trips to the NCAA Tournament, 18 all-conference selections, five All-Americans and four WNBA Draft picks. Hillsman, who recorded win number 300 with the Orange last February, discusses transforming the program into a national power, using basketball to bring out the best in his student-athletes, playing games during the pandemic, how star Tiana Mangakahia’s recovery from stage 2 breast cancer is inspiring the team, his snazzy fashion sense and more.

Olivia Bowser ’16 owns and operates Liberate, a mental wellness studio that is on a mission to bring people together through movement, community, and mindfulness. Bowser, a certified meditation and mindfulness teacher, wants to take mental wellness mainstream, helping people reach their full potential and become their best selves. Bowser shares how she pivoted careers and reinvented herself by launching Liberate during the pandemic, how she learned to become more resilient, her tips for dealing and coping with anxiety, how Syracuse University influenced her career, and the best piece of advice she ever received.

Growing up, Malaka Gharib '08 struggled to find her identity as a first-generation American and didn't know how to balance embracing her Egyptian and Filipino roots with assimilating into American culture. Eventually, Gharib learned it was up to her to define her cultural identity. Today, Gharib covers the global health beat for NPR and is an award-winning author, illustrator and cartoonist. Gharib is also the author of "I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir" and is working on a new book, "It Won't Always Be Like This." Gharib discusses how she found her identity, her adjustment to life in the U.S., what it has been like reporting on the pandemic, how Syracuse University prepared her for a career as a journalist, and the most valuable piece of advice she ever received at SU.

Chris Snow '03, the assistant general manager of the NHL's Calgary Flames, is engaged in the fight of his life as he battles ALS, the degenerative disease that has already taken the lives of Snow's father, two uncles and a cousin. Snow, who was diagnosed in June of 2019, was given a "death sentence" of 12-18 months to live, but he is making remarkable strides in his battle thanks to an experimental gene therapy that is slowing the progression of this deadly disease. Snow discusses how the gene therapy is making a difference, why he is grateful for every day, how his wife, Kelsie, and their two children have served as his support system, and how he has maintained a positive outlook through it all. Snow also shares why he transitioned from a sports journalist to a front office executive, how Syracuse University and The Daily Orange influenced his career, and why he proudly bleeds Orange.

For more than three decades, John Murphy '78 has worked in the Buffalo Bills' radio booth, broadcasting NFL games to Bills fans around the world. While Bills Stadium is usually filled with raucous fans, this year has been different, as Murphy has called home games before an empty stadium while doing road games from Buffalo with the help of the television broadcast due to COVID-19. As Buffalo prepares to host a home playoff game for the first time in 25 years, Murphy reflects on his career as a sports broadcaster and his path to the NFL, the challenges of calling games during the pandemic, the success of the long woebegone Bills, how Syracuse University influenced his career, his favorite memories from Syracuse and his advice to aspiring sports broadcasters.