beLEADERS | IH Entrepreneurs' Center

Leading the Way - October 30, 2026

Leading Moments From Across the District

Sold Out! Record Breaking Connections, Limitless Possibilities!

What happens when 163 students and 37 business and community partners come together for a morning of meaningful conversations, mentorship, and career exploration? Something truly special!

This week's IHEXP Business @ Breakfast was our largest EVER, filling every seat in our cafeteria and demonstrating the incredible power of connecting education, industry, and community! Beyond the impressive numbers, what matters most are the relationships being built, the perspectives being shared, and the possibilities being discovered as our students engage directly with professionals from diverse career fields.

A special thank you to our featured speaker, Paul Delaney, who reminded students that momentum is built slowly and steadily and simply choosing to step into the room is where it begins. What a powerful message about initiative, intentionality, and the importance of showing up!

At the Indian Hill Entrepreneurs' Center, we believe meaningful career exploration isn't simply about helping students discover what they want to DO someday. It's about helping them discover who they want to BECOME, while building the confidence, connections, and curiosity to pursue their passions.

To our incredible alumni, local professionals, and community partners: THANK YOU! Your willingness to invest your time and expertise in our students is what transforms an ordinary school morning into an extraordinary learning experience.

A HUGE Shout Out to our incredible IHExp Student Advisory Board, who with the guidance of our IHExperienceships Coordinator, Mrs. Lauren Richardson, really took the reigns to make this entire event happen!

163 students. 37 partners. One powerful morning of connection. And countless possibilities ahead!

BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT: Designing Spaces, Building Skills, Inspiring Futures!

Recently, four students from our Indian Hill Experienceships (IHExp) program recently had the incredible opportunity to go behind the scenes at VSWC Architects, Thanks to IH Parent Catie Davidson, exploring how architecture brings together creativity, STEM, engineering, and environmental science. Students discovered that designing spaces is about much more than buildings, it's about collaboration, problem-solving, and bringing innovative ideas to life.

Beyond exploring careers in architecture and design, students gained powerful lessons applicable to ANY profession: Know your WHY. Embrace feedback as an opportunity to grow. Collaborate rather than compete. And recognize that your first idea is rarely your best idea. Innovation requires curiosity, iteration, and a willingness to consider different perspectives.

These lessons reinforce the design thinking mindset we cultivate at Indian Hill. When students hear directly from industry professionals how these skills translate into real-world success, classroom learning becomes more relevant, meaningful, and impactful. This is the power of experiential learning—connecting what students learn today with the possibilities of tomorrow!

IHExp: "IH Capital Gains"

Alumni Insights into the World of Finance

The Capital Gains cohort was thrilled to host 2023 Indian Hill alumnus William Dalton for an engaging session on navigating the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and launching a career with McKinsey & Company. Speaking to our next generation of business/finance leaders, William brought both sharp industry insight and refreshing candor, giving students a real look into high-stakes undergraduate business programs, the contrast between investment banking and consulting, and how to intentionally choose a path that fits your long-term goals.

Beyond high-level career advice, William equipped students with concrete strategies to gain a competitive edge in college recruitment. He walked our group through actionable tactics, like keeping the crucial “Tell me about yourself” elevator pitch to a razor-sharp 30 seconds, dedicating a few daily questions to master technical guides far in advance, and navigating automated video platforms like HireVue that use AI to track eye movements and keywords. He also shared how leveraging modern tools like Claude for rapid research, paired with out-of-the-box thinking in case interviews, can set a candidate apart from the crowd.

Above all, William reminded us that no matter how competitive the environment, building genuine rapport in the opening minutes of an interview, staying humble, and bringing kindness to corporate settings remain your strongest assets. The Capital Gains cohort of Seniors extends a huge thank you to William for taking the time to give back, equip our students with practical tools, and inspire our future leaders!

You Cannot be What You Cannot See...Annual Healthforce Symposium Connects Students with Careers

Our Indian Hill High School students had an incredible opportunity to attend this year's, HealthForce Symposium, exploring the exciting and ever-evolving world of healthcare and the diverse career pathways shaping its future!

One of the main areas of focus for our IH Entrepreneurs' Center is rooted in the belief that career exploration should begin early, happen often, and extend far beyond the classroom. Experiences like HealthFORCE connect our students directly with industry professionals, emerging innovations, and meaningful, in-demand career opportunities they may have never considered. Whether their future lies in patient care, medical technology, research, or healthcare leadership, these experiences help students discover what's possible while developing a clearer vision of their own interests, strengths, and aspirations.

This is what meaningful, real-world learning looks like; creating connections, sparking curiosity, and empowering students to explore possibilites that can shape their futures!

Connect with us!

Jeff Damadeo, Director of K-12 Leadership & Career Development

Jeff.Damadeo@ihsd.us

X | @indianhillEC

LinkedIn| JeffDamadeo