John Cabot University’s Center for Career Services has recently launched a new initiative: the Women in Leadership Program. The Women in Leadership Program is designed to provide students with opportunities to engage with senior female leaders through shadowing experiences, workshops, and conferences.
On February 27, 2026, the first shadowing experience of the program took place. Elena Graefin Von Der Schulenburg Wolfsburg, a Communications major and Legal Studies minor at JCU, was selected for this competitive opportunity. She shadowed Olga Pagliaroli, Head of Talent Solutions and Member of the Aon Assessment Solutions Leadership Team at Aon Italia. Aon is a global leader in risk, capital, and human capital solutions, with more than 10 years of experience offering clients integrated strategies that enhance organizational performance and decision-making.
Elena’s day at Aon Italia began with a tour of the office near the Fontana di Trevi, followed by a brief introduction to the main tasks and values that guide Olga’s day-to-day work. Elena collaborated with a team of psychologists and provided feedback on company projects based on her academic background. The experience offered Elena the opportunity to engage in real-world challenges and gain insight into corporate leadership and talent management.
She reflected: "As the shadowing experience came to an end, I gained a clear understanding of how Aon operates internally and of its commitment to developing individuals. I was particularly struck by the emphasis on building core competencies and fostering psychological safety."
She said that she valued the chance to observe different working styles and navigate fast-paced work situations, and network with new people. She also made sure to ask thoughtful questions to learn as much as possible.
The Women in Leadership Program at John Cabot University continues to provide students with meaningful experiences that bridge academic knowledge with real-world professional practice. By pairing students with accomplished female leaders across industries, the program fosters inspiration, mentorship, and a tangible vision of what a future career can look like.
