The McDonnell International Scholars Academy’s cohort trip to New York City during March 2025 spring break reinforced the central idea that true leadership is deeply rooted in people and connections. A standout moment of the trip was a reception hosted by WashU alumnus Josh Rahn, BSBA ’94, and his wife, Jessica Rahn, at their home.
Josh, co-founder and general partner of Oceans Ventures, shared his journey from being one of the first seven Facebook employees in New York to launching his own venture capital firm—underscoring the power of strategic networks in shaping startup success. The event also featured insights from fellow WashU alumni Michael Spiro, Senior Associate at Insight Partners, and Melissa Komaroff, Consultant at Melitas, highlighting the strength and reach of the WashU alumni community.
During the reception, we were also fortunate to reconnect with McDonnell Academy alumna Diana Ramirez, JSD ’20, who recently began a new role at Columbia Law School. Living and working in NYC, Diana joined us to share her journey and offer thoughtful reflections on the importance of advocating for yourself and the value of global perspectives.
These dynamic conversations offered invaluable insights into leadership across sectors and reinforced the McDonnell Academy’s mission to connect emerging global leaders with the people and ideas shaping our world.