Ivy Speaker Series: Responsible Investing
Students gather with Dan Fuller ’03 and Fred Wasch ’94 after a recent Speaker Series event at Ivy. Jyotsna Bean ’01 presented virtually from Los Angeles and together with Dan the two of them shared insights on responsible investing strategies and approaching business with integrity. L – R, Camille Boylan ’23, Soojin Robinson ’23, Keyshawn Felton ’23, Andrew Hama ’23, Julia Berndtsson ’23, Dan Fuller ’03, Fred Wasch ’94.
Ivy Board of Governors Profiles Shea Owens
Shea Owens (’94) is a corporate attorney, arts fanatic and pro bono champion who has served on the Club’s Board of Governors since [DATE]. Raised in a small Shenandoah Valley town as the daughter of an engineer and chemist, Shea’s mother steered her to varying gifted science camps at the Naval Academy, UVA and Mary Baldwin College, while her father taught her to play various instruments, encouraged her participation in vocal competitions and required active and consistent volunteerism. Her father had the entire family listening to everything from Brahms to FAMU’s marching band, and drove the family to Washington, DC regularly to explore its museums and arts performances.
At Princeton, Shea “failed miserably” at Freshman Crew, the equestrian team and then Club Lacrosse, while enjoying student government, volunteerism in Trenton, and membership in Kappa Alpha Theta. She spent her first three collegiate summers doing pesticiderelated research at DuPont’s Experimental Station and then wrote her School of International Policy & Affairs thesis on a naturally occurring insect baculovirus that indigent, rural farmers could use as an alternative to chemical pesticides. Following graduation, she utilized a Center for International Studies Fellowship in Brazil and a Fulbright in Kenya to further explore viral alternatives to chemical pesticides.
She serves on the National Women’s Law Center’s Leadership 35 Committee, mentors NYCBA Thurgood Marshall leaders and PALS Program Participants, provides strategic support to Groundwork Bridgeport, and is devoted to Sanctuary for Families. Shea has spent the past eight years restoring a 1790s federal colonial in Connecticut’s Litchfield County, following the restoration of a South Beach Miami 1930s Art Deco condo and an 1880s Victorian in upstate New York. Her primary home is in Norwalk, where she and her five year old son spend “too much time” in its Aquarium and Children’s Museum. She regularly attends Art Basel Miami, the Armory Show, and other annual art fairs, and she has been a long-term supporter of MoMA’s Friends of Education, the Studio Museum of Harlem, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
What advice would you give yourself as an undergrad?
Princeton seemed to be struggling through soft balkanization when I was a student. Being an African American Southern Baptist, having a public school background, trying crew, doing Kappa Alpha Theta, joining Ivy and majoring in the School of International Policy & Affairs meant that I inhabited a number of worlds— there was pressure to not drink, drink alot, remain a virgin, hook up, not self-segregate in “The Third World Center,” not be the “incog-negro” who was never in the TWC, not join exclusionary groups, be “chosen,” appear smart, not let people know I was doing my thesis on an insect baculovirus, et al. So twenty-eight years following graduation, my advice to my undergrad self would be: fully explore your interests and most highly value the opinions of those who encourage you to grow, thrive and consistently show up as your authentic self.
What would your undergraduate self be most surprised and delighted to hear you achieved in life?
That kid from the bottom of the Shenandoah Valley would be shocked that I used fellowships and a law career to live in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe (and that my five year old is learning about countries like Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Uruguay, and Laos through art in our home from past travels).
What brings you the most joy about being on the Ivy Board of Governors?
The biggest joy continues to flow from interactions with the undergraduate and recent graduate members— their interests, potential and accomplishments are endlessly inspiring.
What impact do you hope to have on Ivy undergrads?
I hope to meaningfully support my mentees; and I more generally hope that my Engagement Committee efforts will expand undergraduates’ opportunities to mentor each other, be mentored/sponsored by alumni members, develop new interests, and explore future career paths.
How can Ivy alumni get or stay involved in the Club?
Alumni members should contact Alanna to set up or update their profiles on Wavelength, which they can then use to connect with old friends, join varying affinity groups, and stay abreast of Club activities (including in-person and virtual events). We also hope that alumni will join and actively support our Mentoring Initiative activities.
If Ivy were an animal what would it be? And why?
Hmmmm… I’ll go with the bonobo— it’s rare, intelligent, has a relatively sophisticated palate, prefers play to fighting, and looks out for its community.