UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Smeal College of Business will be holding its 26th Annual START Conference on March 19.
This one-day conference showcases business leaders and highlights business initiatives on diversity. Students can network with corporate representatives, explore careers and learn more about the companies attending.
The conference is organized by a student-run committee comprised of University Park students and supported by Smeal’s Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs.
Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the event will begin at 9 a.m. in the HUB-Robeson Center’s Alumni Hall. The conference is free and open to all Penn State students, faculty, staff and community members.
Attendees can upload resumes for the companies in attendance when they register for the event. Anyone interested in attending is asked to register through the START Conference website before March 10.
The morning keynote address will be delivered by Kristyn A. Harkins, global head of supply chain services of Johnson & Johnson.
Ken Bouyer, Ernst & Young Americas DEI recruiting leader, will deliver the afternoon keynote address.
The event will feature breakout sessions with companies including:
- Boeing
- Deloitte
- Ernst & Young (EY)
- Hilton
- Johnson & Johnson
- PepsiCo
- PPG Industries
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
- Sysco
Some of the breakout sessions will cover topics such as:
- “Discover Your Personal Purpose”
- “How Artificial Intelligence can help support DEI initiatives in Business”
- “The Power of Allyship and Building Authentic Partnerships at Work”
The conference will conclude with the 2025 START Conference Diversity Essay Contest presentations.