Emilie Orendorff ’26 turns adversity into empowerment for women in finance – Elon University

Report on Student-Led Initiative Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education

Executive Summary

This report details the efforts of Elon University student Emilie Orendorff ’26, whose leadership of the Elon Women in Finance organization serves as a case study in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative directly addresses gender inequality in the finance sector, thereby making significant contributions to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Through mentorship, leadership development, and institutional support, the program empowers women to enter and succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Initiative Overview: Fostering Inclusive Economic Participation

As president of Elon’s Women in Finance, Emilie Orendorff is actively working to dismantle barriers for women in the financial industry. The core mission is to create a supportive ecosystem that prepares female students for successful careers, directly challenging the gender disparity prevalent in the sector.

• Primary Objective: To empower and equip female students with the confidence, skills, and network to thrive in finance careers.
• Core Strategy: Implementation of a peer-to-peer mentorship model to guide students through academic and professional challenges.
• SDG Alignment: The initiative is fundamentally aligned with achieving gender equality and empowering women in economic life.

Advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The Women in Finance club directly confronts the underrepresentation of women in its field, a key target of both SDG 5 and SDG 10. Orendorff notes the significant gender imbalance in her own classes, where she is often one of only a few female students. The organization’s actions are designed to counteract this disparity.

Key Actions and Strategies:

1. Mentorship and Support: The executive team functions as mentors, or “big sisters,” providing guidance and support to younger members. This fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, which is crucial for retention and success.
2. Leadership and Confidence Building: The program encourages women to take on leadership roles and build the self-assurance necessary to succeed, directly contributing to SDG Target 5.5, which calls for women’s full participation and equal opportunities for leadership in economic life.
3. Increasing Female Representation: By creating a welcoming and empowering environment, the initiative aims to increase the number of women pursuing and completing finance degrees, thereby reducing inequality within the sector.

The Role of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The success of this initiative is underpinned by a framework of quality education and strategic partnerships, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the SDGs.

• Quality Education (SDG 4): Orendorff’s development was facilitated by access to faculty mentorship and a challenging peer environment within the Business Fellows program. This supportive academic structure is essential for student growth.
• Global Citizenship Education (SDG Target 4.7): A scholarship-funded study abroad experience in Italy was instrumental in building Orendorff’s confidence and global perspective, key competencies for modern leadership.
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): The initiative is enabled by financial support through the Dr. Beth Powell Business Fellows Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship. These scholarships exemplify a vital partnership between donors and the university to provide equitable educational opportunities and empower student leaders.

Impact on SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

By preparing women for careers in wealth management and other financial fields, the Women in Finance organization contributes to building a more inclusive and robust economy.

• Skill Development: The program equips students with the analytical and interpersonal skills required for high-value employment in the finance industry.
• Promoting Inclusive Growth: Increasing the diversity of the financial workforce is essential for promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
• Achieving Decent Work for All: The initiative is a direct contribution to SDG Target 8.5, which aims to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article focuses on a university student’s experience, the importance of mentorship from professors, and the role of scholarships in enabling educational opportunities, including studying abroad. It highlights how education is a platform for personal and professional growth.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The central theme is the empowerment of women in the male-dominated field of finance. The article discusses the creation of a support system (“Women in Finance” club) to address the gender imbalance and build confidence and leadership skills among female students.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article connects education and gender equality initiatives directly to career paths in finance and wealth management. The efforts described aim to ensure women have equal opportunities for productive employment in a specific economic sector.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.3: “By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.” The article explicitly mentions how scholarships (“Dr. Beth Powell Business Fellows Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship”) made university and study abroad experiences possible for Emilie Orendorff, directly addressing the accessibility and affordability of tertiary education.
• Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” The finance program, combined with the mentorship and leadership experience from the “Women in Finance” club, is designed to provide students with the relevant analytical and problem-solving skills needed for a career in finance.
• Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” The article showcases this target through Emilie Orendorff’s role as president of the “Women in Finance” club, a leadership position in an economic-focused student organization. Her goal is to empower other women to lead with confidence in the finance industry.
• Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.” The initiative described in the article directly addresses barriers to full and productive employment for women in finance by creating a support and mentorship network to help them succeed in a male-dominated field.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.5: The article implies the indicator of the “Proportion of women in managerial positions” (Indicator 5.5.2) by highlighting Emilie’s leadership role as president. The existence and activities of the “Women in Finance” club serve as a measure of efforts to build a pipeline of women for future leadership roles in the economic sphere.
• Implied Indicator for Target 4.3: The availability and impact of scholarships are implied indicators of progress towards ensuring access to education. The article states, “My scholarships have equipped me to do so much at Elon and have assisted me and encouraged me to be more engaged and involved on campus,” demonstrating the role of financial aid in participation.
• Implied Indicator for Target 8.5: The ratio of women to men in finance programs is a directly mentioned indicator of the existing gender imbalance. Emilie notes, “There’s probably me and three other girls, if I’m lucky,” in her classes. An increase in this ratio over time would be a clear indicator of progress towards achieving a more balanced representation in the field.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: elon.edu