WELLSLEY MCDOWELL

DIRECTOR OF IMMERSIVE LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENT

Wellsley studied Fashion Merchandising and Marketing, graduating from one of USA’s top-ranked fashion schools – Kent State University’s School of Fashion. Thereafter, she was a professional in the retail industry, using her skill and expertise to excel in buying and merchandise, implementing structural processes for departments at a large retail marketing company, and assisting small businesses with their operations.

Before serving as Director of Immersive Leadership, Collaborative Engagement, Wellsley served in an administrative role for fundraising and marketing in 2021. In 2022, she became department coordinator for DE&I, and finally manager of the same department. After being promoted to director in 2023, she worked in a close partnership with the Chief Diversity Officer – managing day-to-day operations, curating and creating curriculum for internal and external trainings and workshops, facilitating, and collaborating with other agencies, organizations, and even companies to expand the work of equity and outreach for the purpose of serving the community. Through research, lived experiences, and passion for people, she seeks to continue inspiring change under the direction of the new CIL initiative for UWSM.

Wellsley lives in Akron, Ohio and proudly navigates spaces authentically. She is a woman of strong faith, a life-long learner, values family, and enjoys being both a creative and an intellectual.