On March 30, Marshall Pride, a graduate-level LGBTQ affinity group at USC, will host their second annual Spotlight Summit Conference, an all-day event dedicated to “driving change, advocating for inclusivity, and celebrating authenticity.” This year’s conference, themed “Authenticity is Power,” gathers Marshall faculty, activists, public servants, and entrepreneurs to discuss current events, collaborate on initiatives, and celebrate the unique nature of Marshall students.

“There is power within their authenticity,” said Ashley Mascarenhas, Marshall Pride co-president and MBA student. “Stay true to yourself. Don’t feel like you have to be siloed into hiding your authenticity. Keep showing up in these spaces, keep being yourself.”

Panels include multiple elected officials and industry insiders, including Chelsea Byers, mayor of the City of West Hollywood; Alen Voskanian, vice president and chief operating officer at Cedars-Sinai Hospital; Vickey Pasche, CEO and co-founder of Dapper Boi; Celia Daniels, founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting, and a keynote address from State Senator Caroline Menjivar of California.

Paxton Paganelli (Mascarenhas’ co-president and fellow MBA candidate) believes the business and community leaders will provide much-needed insight. Hopefully, Paganelli says, attendees can leave the conference with practical steps forward in their personal and professional lives.

“We’re really utilizing this Spotlight not only to bring a queer safe space together, but we want to have actionable items that people can participate in advancing and helping empower the LGBTQ+ community,” Paganelli said.

The Spotlight Conference also convenes a lineup of USC Marshall faculty members, such as Mike Paranal, assistant professor of clinical accounting; Ike Silver, assistant professor of marketing; and Shaun Harper, Provost Professor of Management and Organization.

The co-presidents have marveled at the support displayed by the USC Marshall community, from faculty to fellow clubs to the vast alumni network.

“A lot of our alumni are constantly in support of what we’re doing in Pride,” Mascarenhas said. “They’re going to be showing up that day, and I think that just speaks volumes to the Trojan Network — having the alumni come back and still be supportive is a huge factor for us.”

Just as the faculty panelists prepare Marshall students for careers after graduation, Paganelli and Mascarenhas hope events like Spotlight empower businesses to create cultures that encourage authenticity among their workforce, particularly their LGBTQ employees.

“We know that you’re [in] recruiting,” Mascarenhas said, addressing student attendees. “We know that the next step of an MBA is to get your career. Don’t stop being who you are and conform.”

While Marshall Pride seeks to “address the unique professional concerns of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender graduate business students,” the conference is open to all USC students, fostering a community of inclusivity and growth within USC Marshall.

“For somebody who’s thinking about coming, I think the thing I would say is, ‘All are welcome,’” Mascarenhas said. “You don’t have to identify with the queer community. You can be an ally and come because that’s exactly what Marshall Pride is: All are welcomed.”

Paganelli echoed his co-president’s message and offered his own to those considering attending the conference.

“If people are interested in pancakes, lunch, happy hour — I mean, that would get me in the door,” Paganelli said. “Also, of course, a great discussion and conversation about where we’re at as a community and what we’re working towards and looking forward to. People will leave informed and entertained.”

For more information about the Spotlight Summit Conference, please visit the event website.

*Events are open to all eligible individuals. USC Marshall operates all of its programs and activities consistent with theUNIVERSITY’S NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.