30 Years of Stories, Strength, and Success: The 2024 Tuck Diversity Conference

Themed “30 Years of Stories, Strength, and Success,” this year’s Diversity Conference (DivCo) features a keynote address from digital media and entertainment executive Fay Wells T’06, alumni career panels, mock courses, housing tours, small group dinners, the annual Blacklight Party hosted by the Black Students Association at Tuck (BSAT), and more. This year’s conference will “showcase the resilience, strength, and remarkable achievements of the diverse leaders before you and celebrate Tuck’s rich history of fostering diversity and inclusion,” according to the website. 

Founded in 1994 by Scott Johnston T’93, DivCo was originally created as an opportunity for alumni to reconnect. Beginning in 2001, Tuck began welcoming prospective students to the event to offer them a glimpse into the Tuck MBA experience. Over the course of six months, student co-chairs and administration plan, design, and deliver a weekend of discussion, networking, mentoring, and socializing that includes faculty, staff, alumni, students, and prospective applicants.

Leading up to the 30th anniversary of DivCo, we asked five of this year’s student co-chairs—T’25s Ela Castelli, Henry Fong, Erin Lee, Azael Paz Ordonez, and Mariela Aguilar Pineda—what this milestone means to them.

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Ela Castelli T’25

To me, “30 Years of Stories, Strength, and Success” represents more than just a theme—it’s a reminder of the power within each of us to transform our own lives and the lives of others. Every story told is an opportunity to break down barriers, and every success is built on the strength of facing challenges and overcoming failures with resilience. While our stories deserve respect, our past doesn’t define who we are; our dreams do. Our stories teach us strength and empower us to build the future we desire. This conference celebrates that belief: honoring the journeys that have brought us here while focusing on the future we aspire to create.

I firmly believe that we can achieve what we set our minds to, and awareness is the first step toward desire and action. For 30 years, this conference has reached out to minorities, offering them a glimpse of what an MBA at Tuck can be. It shows them that these opportunities are within reach and empowers them to envision themselves as part of our community.

Ela comes from Brazil and joined the Tuck School of Business driven by a desire to enact social change through improved access to education. Prior to pursuing her MBA, Ela engaged in entrepreneurship, working as Head of Commercial Strategy at Brasol, a Brazilian startup now backed by Siemens AG and Blackrock. With prior experience in investment banking at Citigroup, and Safra. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with focus in Finance and Sustainability from Fundação Getúlio Vargas – EAESP.

Ela undertook a consulting role at BCG during the summer of 2024 and she also serves as one of the Directors of the Tuck Social Venture Fund. Outside of her professional endeavors, Ela is a bucket-lister, constantly exploring new adventures. Her favorite hobbies include scuba diving, hiking, cooking and hosting gatherings, skiing, pottery, and reading.

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Henry Fong T’25

To me, the 30th anniversary of Tuck’s Diversity Conference reminds me of the countless individuals who have walked these halls before me, each one contributing to the legacy that now inspires and challenges us all. Tuck’s history isn’t just written in textbooks; it’s etched into the fabric of our community through the stories shared, the strength demonstrated, and the success achieved by those who came before us. I am privileged to be here knowing that I am here because of doors others have opened, and it is my duty to keep those doors open for those who will follow. 

Tuck’s culture is unique. It’s a place where you’re encouraged to be authentic, where you’re supported to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. Our close-knit community is built on mutual respect and a deep commitment to each other’s success. Whether it’s a late-night study session, a spontaneous conversation with a professor, or a classmate cheering you on during a challenging moment, Tuck is a place where you are never alone in your journey

Join us in celebrating 30 years of excellence, and in continuing the tradition of lifting each other up, telling our stories, and building our own path to success.

Henry Fong is from Boston, MA, where he attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and earned a bachelor’s in accounting and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential. Prior to Tuck, Henry worked in transaction advisory services with KPMG and auditing at PwC Boston.

Over the summer, Henry interned in the Software Strategy Group at EY-Parthenon in Boston. At Tuck, he serves as the co-chair for Men as Allies but also is involved with Asia Business Club and Consortium Student Association. In his free time, Henry enjoys learning new subjects, traveling to new destinations, and enjoying the beauty of the Upper Valley.

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Erin Lee T’25

“30 Years of Stories, Strength, and Success” is a testament to the enduring power of community and the experiences that shape us. This milestone not only honors the incredible achievements of those who have come before us but also serves as a reminder of the collective strength that emerges when diverse voices come together. Every story told over the past three decades contributes to a rich tapestry of resilience and growth, each one a thread that binds us closer as a community. This year’s theme embodies Tuck’s commitment to push the boundaries of equal opportunity and empower the Tuck community to be bold, persevere, and encompass their true selves as the leaders of tomorrow.

As I reflect on this theme, I feel a profound sense of responsibility to continue this legacy. The strength demonstrated by those before me inspires me to encourage others to embark on their own Tuck journeys. Success at Tuck is not just about individual achievement; it’s about ensuring that we all rise together. Our theme celebrates 30 years of the Tuck Diversity Conference and a commitment to building a future where every voice is heard, every story is valued, and every success is shared.

Erin was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2016 where she majored in Computer Information Systems and subsequently attended Fordham University to get her master’s degree in professional accounting. Prior to Tuck, Erin spent five years at PricewaterhouseCoopers' New York office providing deals and turnaround advisory services. She is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of New York.

Erin spent her summer in the Operations and Member Experience group at Chime Financial, a fintech company on a mission to unite everyday people to unlock their financial progress. Erin is passionate about mentorship and fostering inclusive environments. At Tuck, Erin is a Consortium and Forte Fellow and services as the co-chair of the Asia Business Club (ABC), Small Group Dinners, SafeRides, and Cheesemongers. In her spare time, she loves a good workout class, eating through new cities, and building meaningful connections.

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Azael Paz Ordonez T’25

This year’s theme, “30 Years of Stories, Strength, and Success,” resonates deeply with me, as it embodies one of the core reasons I knew Tuck was the right fit when applying to business schools. From the outset, Tuck demonstrated to me a genuine and longstanding commitment to creating an environment that everyone, no matter where you come from, can call home. As someone who has always dedicated themselves to DEI work, I was reassured that Tuck would be a place that would be willing to take the meaningful action required to stand behind their DEI values.

Tuck is truly special because of the strength, experience, and stories of my fellow Tuckies. Every day, I draw inspiration from my peers, whose diverse experiences have enriched our shared time in Hanover. Even after a year I know that this will be a community that I will be able to learn from and rely on for decades to come. It is this sense of belonging and mutual encouragement that makes Tuck transformative.

DivCo played a pivotal role in my decision to join Tuck in 2022, and it has since become one of the traditions I cherish most. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to this year’s conference, and we hope to do the 30th anniversary justice! Being part of such a vibrant and inclusive community, where each of us can share our stories and strengths, reaffirms why Tuck is a place where everyone can thrive and succeed together.

Azael is originally from Tecamac, Mexico, and raised in Los Angeles. He graduated from Cornell University in 2017 with a B.A. in Biological Sciences, concentrating in Neurobiology and Behavior. Before joining Tuck, Azael built a career in healthcare, gaining experience in nonprofit work—primarily in fundraising and project management—and in a startup where he managed a portfolio of healthcare consulting and investment firm clients.

This summer, Azael worked as a Summer Associate at Oliver Wyman in New York City within their Health and Life Sciences practice, where he furthered his goal of learning more about healthcare consulting. At Tuck, he serves as a co-chair for the Hispanic American Student Association (HASA), DEI co-chair and member of the Student Board, a Center for Health Care Fellow, and a Director of the Tuck ESG Fund. In his free time, Azael enjoys skiing, trying new breweries, traveling with his fellow classmates, and taking every opportunity to eat delicious food during Small Group Dinners.

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Mariela Aguilar Pineda T’25

I wasn't sure what to expect when I attended the 2022 DivCo conference as a prospective. As the first in my family to consider a master’s degree, the idea of the MBA was still very foreign to me. In my research of top MBA programs, I learned about Tucks’ tight-knit community and strong values. As someone who grew up in a small Texas town, a school away from the city and immersed in nature also seemed very appealing. Even though it would mean moving across the country I couldn’t help but be curious, so I made the trip to the Upper Valley not sure what I would find here.  

As a Latina woman, I am well aware that historically we are an underrepresented minority in top business schools. Navigating b-school admissions as a first-gen student was very confusing and stressful, but it was Tuckies who made me feel more confident in the process. I was encouraged to attend many program’s diversity weekends, but there was something truly authentic and different about Tuck’s. After all, Tuck leads among top programs when it comes to its history in commitment to diversity. At that time, I was attending the 28th annual conference. The program was thoughtful, intentional, and most importantly, life changing. 

DivCo doesn’t intend to sell the Tuck MBA program. Instead, it encourages, inspires, and ignites its attendees in their pursuit of higher education that can very possibly change the trajectory of their lives and propel them into opportunities they never imagined. No matter what program they choose, Tuck knows conference attendees will be successful in their pursuits. When attendees leave DivCo, Tuck seeks for them to have found value, encouragement, and a new community of like-minded peers to support them in this next big step in their lives. Naturally, those who connect deeply with our school at the conference will know by the time they leave that there is just no other place like Tuck. That’s why as soon as I got on that bus ride back home, I knew I was going to do everything I could to come back. 

As a second year, I am proud to be able to serve as a DivCo co-chair. It is important to me that folks from underrepresented backgrounds in business school feel seen and understood and I was so inspired and motivated in my own DivCo attendee experience that I am honored to be able to pay that forward as we organize this historic conference. I am also so excited for prospectives to meet the co-chair alumni that have been invited back to campus to celebrate this milestone with us. As we reflect on “30 Years of Stories, Strength, and Success” I know that our attendees will benefit greatly from hearing from our alums and their incredible journeys after Tuck.

Mariela was born in Michoacan, Mexico and raised in the small town of Brookshire, Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2016 where she studied Horticulture Science and Business Administration. Prior to Tuck, Mariela founded a family business: a luxury floral design firm that has been featured on HBOMax and in 2023 won industry recognition as a “Top 50 Wedding Florist of the U.S and Canada.” She also worked across Texas in the landscape construction industry for three years as a designer and project manager.

Over the summer, Mariela continued to develop her E-FYP startup “Bloom Anew” as a Tuck Maynard Scholar. At Tuck, Mariela serves as a Tuck Initiative For Workplace Inclusion Fellow and is a co-chair for Low Income & First-Generation at Tuck (LIFT), the Hispanic American Student Association (HASA), and the Food and Sustainable Agriculture Club.