University of San Diego Business Grads Share Their Secrets to Success

In 1996, Felena Hanson was on her way to meet friends when a firetruck ran a red light and crashed into her. As she moved toward recovery from 20 broken bones, she realized she didn’t have time to wait on finding the life and career she wanted.

Hanson went on to become the creator of Hera Hub, the first international female-focused coworking space where entrepreneurial women can create and collaborate in a professional, spa-like environment.

On Thursday, February 23, Hanson and six other University of San Diego School of Business alumni will participate in “Seven X Seven: Stories of Creativity and Innovation” to share their out-of-the box approaches to overcoming challenges and finding success. The event takes place at 6 p.m.in the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with other creative problem solvers and come away with a toolkit of inspiration and aspiration.

The slate of topics and speakers includes:

• “Define the Space”–Bryan Carpenter ’07 BBA, BAcc, San Diego's “Craft Beer C.P.A.”
• ‘Passion and Patience’–Cara Cerutti-Holmes’10 MSGL, founder, Smarter Garter
• ‘The Fierce Risk-Taker’–Felena Hanson ’95 BBA, founder of Hera Hub
• ‘The Re-Inventor’–Trevor Jensen ’08 MSRE, CEO at Bullibone
• ‘Partner and Protector’–Nick Norris ’13 MS Real Estate, founder, Predator Warpaint
• ‘Going the Distance’–Brittany Rothnem ’14 MBA, owner, Brittany Rothnem Integrated Marketing
• ‘The Heart-Listener’–Eileen Williams ’82 BBA, Platinum Elite Executive, Nu Skin Enterprises

USD Associate Professor of Management Jennifer Mueller, author of the newly released book, “Creative Change: Why We Resist It … How We Can Embrace It,” will moderate the event. 

The event is open to the public and the cost to attend is $7. For registration go to www.sandiego.edu/events/business. For more information call (619) 260-4750.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.