Sometimes, the most impactful experiences come from taking a chance on an idea and fully embracing a new opportunity. This is exactly what the eight 2026 graduates of the minor in impact consulting have done, joining a developing program and fully committing themselves to the mission of creating lasting impact and growing the good in business. The Powerful Means Initiative and minor in impact consulting is proud to congratulate Allison Elshoff, Caroline Fleming, Kelsey Quint, Devon Creelman, Natalia Panayotti Faraj, Kendelle Hung-Ino, Mairead Martin, and Erin Bauer on their graduation and all of their impactful contributions to the minor. Each has served as a pioneer for the program and has acted as an integral contributor to its success and sustainability. Congratulations on serving as powerful means for good!
Allison Elshoff
Business Analytics, Hesburgh Program in Public Service, Business Honors Program, Impact Consulting
For Allison Elshoff, the journey to impact consulting began during her first year at the University when she joined the Innovation for Impact Club. A native of Southern California and a former resident of Badin Hall, Allison’s initial introduction to the mission of Saint Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC) sparked a deep-seated desire to integrate mission-oriented work into her academic path. "I was drawn to the possibility of building hands-on, mission-oriented work into my ND education," she reflects. "It felt like a way to take something I already cared deeply about and go even deeper."
As co-president of the Innovation for Impact Club, Allison has navigated a diverse array of initiatives, from planning campus 5K fundraisers to conducting ethnographic research on the ground in Uganda. These experiences culminated in a profound realization regarding the importance of proximity. While she had previously engaged in virtual tutoring and Zoom calls with SBVTC students, traveling to Uganda through the immersion course provided a perspective that no laptop screen could offer. Sitting with Rafella, a student her own age balancing motherhood and a dream of becoming a hairdresser, Allison learned what it means to set aside one's own ego to truly listen to the stories of others.
This commitment to listening has reshaped her approach to problem-solving and collaboration. "The people closest to the problem should have the loudest voice in shaping the solution," Allison notes. Beyond the field work, courses like "Designing Your Life" provided her with a "guiding compass" for her future. As she prepares to join Deloitte in Washington, D.C., as a government consultant, she plans to measure her success not by title or salary, but by the lives she touches.
Caroline Fleming
Accountancy, Impact Consulting
For Caroline Fleming, the path to the minor began during her sophomore year in the "Designing Your Life" course. Originally seeking a business broadening elective, Caroline quickly discovered that the curriculum offered something far deeper: a chance to connect with the scholars at the Saint Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC) and find greater purpose in her academic work. A former resident of Johnson Family Hall, Caroline has balanced a rigorous schedule at the University, serving as co-president of Undergraduate Women in Business (UWiB), contributing to the Tax Assistance Program and much more.
The hands-on, design-thinking nature of the minor provided a necessary counterpoint to her primary studies. "As an accounting major who is used to rigidly defined rules and formulas, I am not used to this iterative, human-centered approach to learning," Caroline explains. This shift in perspective was solidified during a trip to Chicago with Professor Wendy Angst’s "Applied Impact Consulting" course. Visiting human-centered design firms like IDEO and IA Collaborative allowed her team to present their work and receive "eye-opening feedback" that challenged their existing frameworks. For Caroline, the course was a unique opportunity to see classroom ideas translate into tangible results for the Powerful Means Initiative (PMI).
As she prepares to begin her career with Deloitte in New York City, Caroline views the skills honed through the minor, effective communication, openness to new ideas, and a comfort with risk, as invaluable assets for her professional journey. By embracing a mindset that values people as much as numbers, she intends to remain a "powerful means" for good within the corporate world, ensuring that her future work remains grounded in the mission of creating a meaningful impact.
Kelsey Quint
Finance, Business Honors Program, Journalism, Ethics & Democracy, Impact Consulting
For Kelsey Quint, a chance information session during her sophomore year served as the catalyst for a transformative academic journey. Though she entered the meeting with little knowledge of design thinking or impact consulting, she was immediately struck by the dedication of the Powerful Means Initiative (PMI) community. "I recall sitting in the session and listening to a small but dedicated group of people talk about their work, how it’s impacted others, and how it’s changed who they are," Kelsey remembers. Originally from Medfield, Massachusetts, the former Pasquerilla West resident and co-president of the Women’s Club Ice Hockey team soon found that the minor would become a distinguishing pillar of her time at the University.
Kelsey’s experience reached a turning point during an immersion trip to Kalongo, Uganda, an experience she describes as both a "leap of faith" and the "biggest moment of growth" in her life. By walking alongside the women of SBVTC, she witnessed firsthand how core values transcend cultural boundaries. This personal connection added a profound layer of depth to her work in Professor Kelly Rubey’s "Applied Impact Consulting" capstone course. Returning to a virtual reality simulation of the school after her physical visit, she was struck by a wave of emotion, realizing that while technology is a powerful tool, some human experiences can never be fully captured by a screen.
The minor has challenged Kelsey to navigate complex barriers, requiring a level of flexibility and interdisciplinary collaboration rarely found in traditional coursework. As she prepares to join Ernst & Young’s finance consulting practice, Kelsey carries with her the fundamental lesson that true value stems from empathy. "Impact means truly understanding those you are working with and working for," she says. By prioritizing the root causes of problems over surface-level symptoms, she intends to bring a human-centered lens to the finance industry, continuing her commitment to being a "powerful means" for good.
Devon Creelman
Business Analytics, Impact Consulting
For Devon Creelman, the decision to join the minor in impact consulting was sparked by a recommendation from her roommate and fellow pioneer, Allison Elshoff (‘26.) A former vice president of Badin Hall from South Jersey, Devon’s involvement at the University has spanned from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to the Hesburgh Women of Impact mentor program. However, she cites her work with the Powerful Means Initiative (PMI) and Saint Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC) as a "life-changing" cornerstone of her Notre Dame experience.
The defining moment of Devon’s journey was her immersion trip to Kalongo, Uganda, where she transitioned from virtual collaboration to in-person connection. She recalls a particularly symbolic memory of hiking a local mountain alongside her Notre Dame peers and the women of SBVTC; a moment of shared effort and community that transcended academic work. This fieldwork directly informed her capstone project in the "Applied Impact Consulting" course, where she helped develop a Sustainability Index for the school. "Being able to bridge fieldwork with tangible, long-term impact made the entire experience even more meaningful," she explains.
Through these interdisciplinary challenges, Devon learned to look beyond traditional business metrics, integrating ethnographic research and cultural awareness into her problem-solving toolkit. This human-centered approach has fundamentally altered how she views professional success, teaching her that sustainable solutions require a deep understanding of people. As she prepares to move to Austin, Texas, to work as an account manager for Dell Technologies, Devon is committed to maintaining this "people-centered" focus. She plans to act as a "powerful means" for good in her new community, ensuring that social impact remains a core priority throughout her professional life.
Natalia Panayotti Faraj
Finance, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Impact Consulting
For Natalia Panayotti, the minor in impact consulting served as the bridge between her professional curiosity and a lifelong dedication to service. Originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Natalia arrived at the University with a background in nonprofit work, seeking a way to merge her business acumen with a desire for social change. During her time as an undergrad, she discovered that the Powerful Means Initiative (PMI) offered the perfect intersection. "As I started learning more about the work with the girls at St. Bakhita," she recalls, "I knew I wanted to be part of something that combined business skills with real impact."
While her connection to the Saint Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC) provided global inspiration, a signature memory of her time at Notre Dame was formed right here in the local community. Through Professor Michael Morris’ "Consulting and Development" course, Natalia served as a consultant for South Bend entrepreneurs, building systems they could immediately implement to scale their businesses. Witnessing the tangible growth of local partners like Jenny, a South Bend entrepreneur, proved to be one of the most rewarding experiences of her four years. She notes that this hands-on work made the concept of impact feel "tangible and personal, rather than abstract."
The interdisciplinary nature of the minor, combined with signature courses like "Business Problem Solving," pushed Natalia to develop a more creative and confident approach to complex challenges. By collaborating with individuals from vastly different backgrounds, she learned that the most sustainable solutions are born from a synthesis of perspectives. Following her graduation in May, Natalia will pursue a Master in Management at Northwestern University. Eventually, she plans to return to Honduras to drive development and create opportunities in her home country, continuing to use business as a powerful means for good.
Kendelle Hung-Ino
Business Analytics, Impact Consulting
For Kendelle Hung-Ino ’26, the minor in impact consulting represented the perfect synthesis of professional development and personal values. A former resident of Pasquerilla West Hall and an active member of both the Hawaii Club and the Chinese Cultural Society, Kendelle sought an academic path that would allow her to gain technical consulting skills while remaining deeply connected to a project’s purpose. "I wanted to work on projects that were making a real difference in people’s lives," she says. "Social work and giving back have always been at the heart of my inspiration."
Kendelle’s journey within the Powerful Means Initiative (PMI) was defined by her intentionality and a desire for meaningful connection. She cites her travel to Saint Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC) as one of the most significant moments of her academic career, though the impact of the minor extended far beyond the immersion trip. In Professor Angst’s "Applied Impact Consulting" capstone course, Kendelle faced the complexities of real-world problem-solving, which tested her perseverance and design-thinking abilities. These challenges taught her to stay grounded when projects are not clear-cut and allowed her to form deep bonds with like-minded teammates who shared her commitment to impact.
Through constant collaboration with peers from various backgrounds, Kendelle honed her communication skills and learned that a shared mission can bridge surface-level differences. As she prepares to move to Chicago to begin a career in healthcare consulting, she plans to carry forward the lessons of empathy and care she learned through the minor. "The core values I’ve learned will forever inspire how I view work and dedicate my time," she reflects, looking toward a future where she can continue to serve as a powerful means for good in an industry rooted in human care.
Mairead Martin
Finance, Impact Consulting
For Mairead Martin, a summer study abroad program in Milan following her first year served as the unexpected gateway to the minor in impact consulting. It was there she first connected with the leadership of the Powerful Means Initiative (PMI), sparking a journey that would redefine her perspective on the financial sector. A senior studying finance, Mairead has been an active member of the University community through the ND Evans Scholars, Student International Business Council (SIBC), and the Investment Club.
The hallmark of Mairead’s impact consulting experience was her travel to Saint Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC) during her sophomore year. She describes the immersion as one of the most impactful experiences of her life, providing a global context to her business education. Beyond the travels to Uganda, she found a sense of community within the "Applied Impact Consulting" course, where she collaborated with peers to solve complex problems. For Mairead, this capstone was more than a class; it was a way to live out the Mendoza College of Business motto: “Grow the Good in Business.”
Through her work with PMI, Mairead developed a nuanced understanding of client-centered problem-solving. She learned that the most effective solutions often emerge from a deep understanding of the people involved rather than preconceived notions. "The right solution isn’t always the one that you may think," she observes. As she prepares to join Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management in Chicago, Mairead plans to carry this mission-driven mindset into the financial world. By helping her future clients identify and invest in worthy causes like St. Bakhita, she intends to ensure that impact remains at the forefront of her financial legacy.
Erin Bauer
Sociology, Impact Consulting
For Erin Bauer ’26, the commitment to impact began during the first week of her freshman year when she joined the Innovation for Impact Club. Over the following four years, the Powerful Means Initiative (PMI) and the minor in impact consulting became the hallmarks of her Notre Dame experience. A resident of Lewis Hall and currently serving as Senior Class Vice President, Erin has balanced her academic rigor with significant leadership roles, including serving as co-president of the Innovation for Impact Club and as a teaching assistant for several courses within the minor.
Erin’s journey has been defined by an extraordinary commitment to fieldwork. Through the support of PMI, she engaged in experiential learning in Hawaii, the Netherlands, and Uganda; diverse locations that served as "live classrooms." These experiences taught her that effective interdisciplinary work requires deep cultural humility and adaptability. Reflecting on a pivotal trip to Uganda, she recalls the profound impact of attending a graduation ceremony at Saint Bakhita Vocational Training Center (SBVTC). "It was powerful to observe how education and opportunity are creating ripple effects of confidence and long-term change well beyond the classroom," Erin shares. Witnessing the resilience and pride of the graduates solidified her belief in the transformative power of education.
Back on campus, courses like "Designing Your Life" provided a space for reflection, supplemented by guest speakers who challenged her to think critically about her purpose. Whether she was conducting global research or leading her peers in South Bend, Erin remained focused on how business can act as a catalyst for long-term change. Following graduation, Erin plans to continue her work by either entering the banking or consulting sectors or pursuing graduate studies in the United Kingdom. She carries with her a global perspective and a dedication to bringing mission-driven work to a world stage.