Through the Siegfried Fellows Program at the University of Delaware, students recently spent a day in Washington, D.C., engaging with leaders across consulting, global strategy, cybersecurity, and organizational research. While each speaker came from a different professional background, Fellows encountered a consistent message throughout the trip: meaningful work is driven not just by achievement, but by intention, curiosity, and purpose.
The Siegfried Fellows program is a competitive, cohort-based, 10-month leadership experience for UD students. Through hands-on projects, workshops, and opportunities to learn from regional leaders, Fellows deepen their understanding of themselves as leaders while building the entrepreneurial mindset needed to create positive impact. At its core, the program challenges students to lead change, be nimble, and cultivate character.
The day began at Gallup Headquarters, where CEO Jim Clifton and Principal Economist Jonathan Rothwell spoke with students about strengths-based development and Gallup’s research on human flourishing. One idea in particular resonated with the group when Rothwell shared, “What matters is how you live, not what you achieve.”
For Ariel Lewis, that message stood out as a powerful reminder of how success should be defined.
“It was a powerful reminder that success is not just defined by accomplishments, but also by relationships, purpose, and the way we show up in our daily lives,” she said.
To make the most of their time in the city, Fellows also took part in a team-building challenge at Escape The Room DC. Working through puzzles in a high-pressure environment, students practiced communication, teamwork, trust, and problem-solving in a fun and memorable setting.
Later in the day, Fellows joined Mimi Braniff, managing director at MAD Global Strategy, and David Etue, CEO of Rebel Force, for a networking lunch and conversation about leadership, career paths, and the evolving nature of work across industries. One of the strongest takeaways was that professional journeys are rarely linear and that staying open to new opportunities can lead to unexpected growth.
In the afternoon, the group visited Boston Consulting Group, where project leaders, principals, and talent acquisition professionals gave Fellows a tour of the office and shared insight into the firm’s collaborative culture and selective recruiting process.
The day concluded with a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, offering students a chance to reflect after a full day of learning, connection, and discovery.
Not every Fellow plans to pursue a career in business or consulting, but the experience offered value well beyond those fields. For many, the trip reinforced the importance of staying curious and learning from a wide range of perspectives.
“Even though my future plans align with healthcare rather than business or consulting, I gained incredible value from talking with passionate professionals about the work they do,” said Peter Macyko. “At this stage of my life as a college student, my goal is to learn and absorb as much information as possible, like a sponge soaking up water.”
Across every stop, Fellows were struck not only by the accomplishments of the professionals they met, but by the way those individuals approached their work with purpose, passion, and intention. For students still exploring what comes next, the trip offered more than career insight. It offered a broader perspective on leadership, fulfillment, and the many ways to build a meaningful future.
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Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the U.S., Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
