This year, a new program has been launched at Lake Forest Academy that is designed to allow students to learn about different career paths and make networking connections. This program, called, “Lunch and Learn,” is facilitated by Assistant Director of Experiential Learning, Elizabeth Bulley, and brings LFA Alumni back to campus for a day to discuss their careers. Students listen to morning meeting announcements and receive e-mails about the returning alumni to see if they are interested in meeting them. If so, students are then able to join them during their lunch periods (or get permission to skip a class if they have none) to listen and ask questions.
The program has found extreme success at LFA, as many students are trying to figure out jobs that could interest them after graduation. Many students have found discussions with professionals helpful to determine if they would be interested in pursuing a career in their field and in sparking their interest in careers they may not have considered before. “Listening with Dr. Freeland helped me learn more about the field of physics and what a career would entail if I decided to pursue it” said Sunjae Choi ‘28 about his experience at the Lunch and Learn with Dr. John Freeland ‘86.
Lunch and Learn events have covered an extremely wide variety of professions, ranging from Financiers like Steve Achatz ‘03 to United Nations delegates like Eliza Woolsen ‘85. Part of the reason this program has been so successful is because of its variety. Members of the LFA community can learn about or be introduced to new careers every time that an alum returns. This allows for students to be exposed to as many ideas for their future employment as possible. It also allows for them not to get bored of hearing about the same career many times. The wide range of alum is also beneficial as it allows for students to hear perspectives, regrets and ideas from different age groups.
The two LFA alumni took very different career paths but are both making a major impact in the world. Eliza Woloson ’85 shared her journey as an author, anthropologist and human rights leader. She is the co-founder of Women Have Wings, a worldwide initiative that has recognized 195 international activists. With this award, she can now receive funding, gain visibility and be able to collaborate with organizations like the United Nations. Woloson explained how important it is to support community movements, especially those focused on women’s rights.
In addition to Women Have Wings, she founded the Global Education Fund, which worked in over twenty countries before merging with Girl Rising. This organization uses storytelling to show the importance of girls’ education worldwide. Woloson is also deeply involved with the United Nations, serving as a delegate for the Commission on the Status of Women and working with groups that focus on feminist leadership and global security. Her work has earned her multiple awards, including honors from UN Women and other global organizations.
Students also heard from Steve Achatz ‘23, another LFA graduate, who talked about his career in finance. After graduating from Babson College and earning an MBA from Duke University, Steve started in consulting, advising companies on growth strategy and investments. He now works as a Principal at Volition Capital, where he focuses on investing in growing companies in industries like software and consumer products.
Achatz shared how his career in private equity and venture capital involves finding companies with potential and helping them grow over time. He has worked with well-known brands like Bombas and Storyblocks, gaining valuable experience in the business world. Outside of work, Achatz emphasized the importance of balance. He is a husband, father of two, and even an instrument-rated pilot who has been flying since he was 15. He also enjoys working on cars in his free time.