Class of 2025 graduates Brontë Delmonico and Emma Saul met at John Cabot University in Rome, where a friendship built through shared classes, a home, and the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) grew into a professional partnership.
Emma, from Los Angeles, graduated with a degree in Communications and International Affairs, focusing on sustainability and environmental studies, while Bronte, from Raleigh, North Carolina, earned a BA in Communications. Today, they work together at Women’s Health Horizons (WHH), advancing their shared passion for women’s health.
How did you two first meet?
Brontë: We both came to Rome to study at JCU, and we didn’t know each other since we are from opposite sides of the US. We had briefly connected through social media, but it was very informal. When we arrived in Rome, we ended up living together with a few other girls during our freshman year. After that, we decided to get our own place, and we moved into an apartment near Via Giulia, which was beautiful. We stayed there throughout university, so we were roommates for all four years.
Emma: There was a moment where we just clicked over something completely silly, and I remember thinking, "I know this girl is going to be my best friend." We also shared a room during our freshman year, which says a lot about our relationship. I’ve always valued having my own personal space, and Brontë is an only child, so the fact that we were able to live together and make it work so well was a sign of how strong our friendship was from the beginning.
How did your time at JCU shape your friendship?
Brontë: Living together allowed us to truly understand each other, but we also developed our friendship in the classroom. We took many of the same courses, and I was able to see Emma’s intelligence and work ethic firsthand. I learned so much from her. She is incredibly motivated, thoughtful, and dedicated, and I really admire the way she approaches challenges.
We were also both involved in the Women’s Leadership Initiative, where we served on the board together. I was the club’s president and Emma was my right hand person. She was always someone I could rely on, and she supported me in so many ways. Because we knew each other as roommates, classmates, and student leaders, we developed a deep level of trust that has continued into our professional lives.
Emma: JCU really changed me as a person, and I think Brontë was a huge part of that experience. That kind of friendship helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.
How did your academic interests at JCU influence your current career?
Brontë: During my time at JCU, I was always drawn to topics related to women, gender, and feminist theory. I found myself writing papers about those subjects even when they weren’t necessarily the focus of the assignment. Being part of the WLI was also a major part of my JCU experience. Working with Professor Tara Keenan and being involved in those conversations also helped shape my interests.
When I graduated, I initially thought it would be difficult to find a career that combined my passions with my professional goals — especially one focused on women and women-led spaces. I originally planned to go into law and worked at a law firm after graduation, but I eventually found my way into women’s health.
Looking back, I see so many connections between what we studied at JCU and what we experience in the real world. Having that academic foundation helps us understand the broader context behind the work we do today.
Emma: I completely agree. We studied many of the same subjects, including communications and gender-focused courses, and those experiences continue to influence how we approach our work. Even though we didn’t study health directly, our education gave us the ability to understand the context in which our company operates. It still helps us in communicating our mission, understanding different perspectives, and engaging with people across the women’s health ecosystem.
How does your work today connect with your JCU experience?
Emma: Women’s Health Horizons is an international women’s health summit series. Our goal is to bring together people from around the world to advance conversations and collaboration. That global perspective is something that strongly connects with what we learned at JCU. Studying in an international environment taught us to look beyond one cultural or national perspective and understand issues in a broader way. Being able to continue that work professionally is a huge honor. Our mission is to be a backbone for women’s health and connect the different partners working to improve the field.
Brontë: Our company focuses on women’s health, and we see every day how important this work is. There are still major gaps in research, funding, and resources dedicated to women’s health — from founders and clinicians to providers and organizations. Women represent more than half of the global population, yet women’s health has historically been under-researched and underfunded. That makes education and awareness incredibly important. I think JCU’s commitment to gender studies and creating space for conversations around women, research, and society is extremely valuable. Those perspectives are needed, especially in the field we work in today.
Were there any professors at JCU who influenced your journey?
Emma: Many professors had a significant impact on me. Professor Miriam Tola was someone who really influenced me and opened my mind in incredible ways. Professors Antonio Lopez and Tom Bailey also had a major impact on my academic experience. Professor Bailey, in particular, helped me develop my critical thinking skills in a way that has stayed with me long after graduation. I am genuinely grateful for all the professors I had at JCU.
Brontë: I feel the same way. The relationships we built with professors were one of the greatest strengths of JCU. Because it is such a small university, you can truly connect with faculty members and learn from them beyond the classroom.
What advice would you give students interested in similar careers?
Brontë: Network from the beginning. Build relationships with your professors. Go to events, meet people, and put yourself out there. I heard that advice throughout my time at JCU, but you don’t fully understand its value until you experience it yourself.
Emma: Use the resources available to you. The Career Services office can help you build your resume, create a LinkedIn profile, and prepare application materials like cover letters. Use the library, ask for help with papers, and take advantage of the academic support available. Stay after class and talk with your professors. Ask questions and build those relationships.
When I was applying for graduate programs, I met with professors from different departments who were incredibly generous with their time. They reviewed my papers and personal statements and offered guidance. JCU is a small university, but that is one of its greatest strengths. The community is incredibly strong, and students should take advantage of every opportunity to connect with it.
Looking back, what does JCU mean to you today?
Brontë: JCU gave me so much more than a degree. It gave me one of the most important friendships of my life and introduced me to the academic interests and professional path that continue to shape me today.
Emma: We genuinely miss it every day. We often say that if we could go back in time, we would. JCU brought us together at exactly the right moment, and that experience continues to influence who we are personally and professionally.
