About the Center

The Conway Center guides deep thinkers to become activated doers. We empower you to develop a money mindset while creating new opportunities for yourself and others.

Our Story

Thanks to the generosity of Smith alumnae, the Jill Ker Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, named in honor of Smith’s first woman president, was launched in fall 2016. The Conway Center significantly expands and builds upon the successful programming and initiatives of the Center for Women and Financial Independence (2001–2016). At the Center, we recognize that Smith’s liberal arts curriculum provides students with an intellectual foundation for critical thinking, communication, and creativity. When integrated with the complementary financial wellness, innovation, and entrepreneurial experiences that we offer, students become better problem solvers able to navigate uncertainty and take informed risks.

The Conway Center team has created a collaborative and engaging atmosphere where faculty, students, alums, and staff are challenged to step outside of their comfort zone, empowered to ideate projects, and encouraged to share their unique perspectives.

Andrea St. Louis

Andrea St. Louis

Ann Kaplan ’67 Director

Andrea (she/her) is an executive coach, writer, business consultant, educator, and speaker. With over a decade of writing and eight years of career and workforce development experience, Andrea specializes in coaching busy professionals and entrepreneurs to grow their impact through powerful storytelling and intentional engagement in life-giving community. She has been a TEDx speech coach and is currently an adjunct professor at Bay Path University. Andrea holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Thinking & Innovative Practices from Bay Path University, a master's in Urban Ministry Leadership from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a bachelor of science in management from Saint Joseph College (now the University of Saint Joseph).

Jennifer Kennedy

Jennifer Kennedy

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer (she/her) joined Smith College in August 2018. She is the administrative assistant at the Conway Center and the Design Thinking Initiative. Jennifer is the primary contact for external offices and students, and has been a member of the Administrative Assistant Leadership Team (AALT) since November 2019. Jennifer has a master’s in education in athletic administration from Springfield College and a bachelor’s degree in Communication and English from Cedar Crest College.

René Heavlow AC ’08

Director of Operations and Special Programs

René (she/her) has been developing national collegiate programs for over two decades. She is responsible for operational and budget management, and executing unique programs offered by the Collaborative Innovation units—Conway Center, Design Thinking Initiative, Reflective Practices, and Wurtele Center for Leadership. She also develops and implements many of the personal finance initiatives offered by the Conway Center. René is the co-director for the Global Finance Concentration and chair of the Co-Innovate for Change Challenge planning committee. She received her master’s in sociology from the University of Arizona and bachelor’s degree in African American studies and ethics from Smith College.

Sara Kragness AC ’21

Communications Coordinator

Sara is a social impact-driven entrepreneur, community organizer, and creative. Hailing originally from the Midwest, Sara relocated to the Valley in 2018 to attend Smith College as an Ada Comstock Scholar and has called the region home ever since. After graduation, Sara launched Crip Consulting to help small businesses align their marketing and branding to their values and a podcast to address social media’s growing influencer culture. Outside of work, Sara enjoys crafting, gardening, and spending time on the porch with her partner and dog.

  • Ally Tutay ’25, Economics
  • Ange Joseph ’26, Economics; Government
  • Bre Moeller ’26J, Government; Study of Women, Gender, & Sexuality
  • Daphne Spencer ’25, Anthropology
  • Danyi Xu ’26, Economics; Statistical & Data Science
  • Dimitra Prassa ’26, Economics
  • Handi Lu ’25, Economics; Music
  • Isa Skare ’26, Dance
  • Julieta Salomon ’25, Economics
  • Mary Ann Martinez Molina ’25J, Biological Sciences
  • Maya Smith ’27, Africana Studies
  • Olivia Wang ’25J, Economics; Statistical & Data Science
  • Trang Tran ’25, Economics; Statistical & Data Science
  • XiaoXiao Li ’26J, Economics; Mathematical Sciences

  • Andy Rotman, Sydenham Clark Parsons Professor and Professor of Religion, Buddhist Studies, and South Asian Studies
  • Lucie Schmidt, Robert A. Woods Professor of Economics
  • Preston Thakral, Assistant Professor of Psychology

  • Chloe McKenzie, Generational Wealth Initiative
  • Daniel Schultheis, Demystifying Money
  • Dave Peak, M.B.A., Entrepreneur-in-Residence
  • Gillian Isabelle, Ph.D., Entrepreneur-in-Residence
  • Mahnaz Mahdavi, Global Finance Concentration
  • Sabrina Antoine Correia, Financial Literacy Empowerment Fellows
  • Susannah Howe, Co-Innovate for Change

Ann Kaplan ’67, a trailblazing financial executive and champion for women's leadership in business, died on September 14, 2024. 

In a statement, Mahnaz Mahdavi, professor and chair of the Department of Economics, said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ann Kaplan, an influential pioneer in the field of financial literacy. Her dedication to advancing financial education for women, combined with her unwavering support, played a pivotal role in the success of the Women and Financial Independence (WFI) program at Smith College. I was deeply honored to carry her name as the founding Ann Kaplan ’67 Director of WFI. Ann was not only a generous benefactor but also a steadfast partner in our efforts to expand the dialogue around financial literacy as a crucial step toward women's financial independence. She particularly loved the title of the program, WFI, as it captured the essence of what she believed was essential for empowering women. Working alongside her was a privilege. I learned so much from her wisdom, passion, and vision for a world where women possess the financial knowledge and independence to lead fulfilling lives. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations, and her impact on this field will be felt for years to come.”

Read More About Ann Kaplan and Her Legacy

About Jill Ker Conway

Jill Ker Conway (1934–2018) began her tenure as Smith’s first woman president in 1975. She championed groundbreaking projects, programs and academic departments, including the the Ada Comstock Scholars Program and programs in women’s studies, comparative literature and engineering. In 2013, Conway received the National Humanities Medal for her work as a scholar, author, college administrator, and member of numerous corporate and nonprofit boards. In naming Smith’s innovation center after Jill Ker Conway, we honor the legacy of a true pioneer and affirm our shared commitment to women’s success and leadership.

Learn more about her life and legacy.