EGALapalooza 2024 Recap: A Celebration of Community, Creativity, and Equity
By Emma Garcia
This year’s EGALapalooza was an inspiring celebration of inclusive leadership, community-building, and the power of equity. The event included a variety of student organizations such as Native American and Indigenous Business Association, Partnership for Pre-Professional Pilipinxs, First-Gen Club at Haas, and more.
Led by EGAL’s founder, Dr. Kellie McElhaney, the programming kicked off with a heartfelt introduction by Francesca LeBaron, who shared a touching story about her relationship with Breona Jenkins (Bree). Francesca recalled a moment at Pixar where Bree asked her for help with blowing up a kiddie pool for a team building activity. Known as a “master at creating community,” Bree’s approach, rooted in creativity, compassion, and curiosity, has made her a beacon of inclusivity.
Breona Jenkins, was celebrated and awarded this year’s Equity Fluent Leadership Award. Her speech about equity was particularly powerful, offering insight into how we can make equity practical, inclusive, and thoughtful of everyone’s needs. She emphasized that equity begins with understanding your audience, stating, “If I don’t understand where someone comes from, how can I teach them or communicate effectively?”
As the night continued, Dr. McElhaney introduced the keynote speaker, Alica Del Valle Rash, Global Head of Diversity and Belonging at Airbnb. Kellie described Alica as “one of the most fierce and elegant humans I’ve ever known,” while Alica shared her personal journey — reflecting on being branded an outsider early in life and finding a sense of belonging through education.
Another highlight of the evening was a reading by poet and Full-Time MBA ’26 Jess Blackshaw. Jess, who lives with chronic illness, read her poem “Immaculate Conception,” which resonated deeply with the audience. She also shared humorous and heartfelt reflections from her work “My Year as Told in Electric Toothbrush Heads.”
To close out the event, attendees were treated to a lively performance by The Wardrobes, a rock band composed of second-year MBA students. Their set included energetic covers of “Blinding Lights,” “Island in the Sun,” and “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down Swinging,” which had the audience cheering for more.
EGALapalooza 2024 was not only a celebration but also a powerful reminder of the importance of community, belonging, and leadership in the fight for equity. Through thoughtful discussions, performances, and shared experiences, this event showcased how EGAL continues to foster a more inclusive and equitable world.
