A Hub of Global Business in New England

When Huiyang (Sophie) Hu F25 arrived at The Fletcher School as a Master of International Business student, she saw an opportunity.

Despite Fletcher’s strong foundation in policy and international affairs, she could not find a student-led platform for discussing and networking in international business.

Rather than simply recognizing the gap, Hu decided to fill it.

A Student-Led Global Innovation Symposium

In late May 2024, Hu set out to create Fletcher’s inaugural Global Innovation Entrepreneurship Symposium, an event to bring together thought leaders from across industries, academia and policy to explore the future of international trade and technology. She conceptualized and developed the event from scratch, conducting countless informational interviews with alumni, faculty and students to refine the structure. It was a bold endeavor that required persistence, strategic thinking and resilience.

“I was really driven by this immense sense of mission,” Hu said. “Not only to provide a platform for Fletcher students, but also to create a space where students from the entire New England ecosystem could connect, explore business through a global lens and engage in meaningful discussions.”

Combining Passions in International Business and Geopolitics

Recognizing the scale of the project, she quickly realized she needed a team. That’s when she recruited Yuheng (Jojo) Zhou F25, a student in the Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy program.

For Zhou, the symposium was the perfect opportunity to combine his passions for international business and geopolitics. Before coming to Fletcher, he had earned a business degree. His goal was to transition into consulting and help Chinese enterprises expand internationally.

“The main thing that drove me to Fletcher was wanting to understand how geopolitics impacts global business,” Zhou said. “At Fletcher, we didn’t really have as many student-organized events combining international business and international relations. That’s why we wanted to make something happen.”

As co-chair, Zhou played a critical role in logistics. He coordinated with panelists, secured sponsorships from local businesses and ensured the event ran smoothly.

But the planning process wasn’t without challenges.

“One of the hardest parts was coordinating schedules,” Zhou said. “With so many students involved, finding a time that worked for everyone was tough. And some panelists couldn’t make it due to their own commitments. It was frustrating, but we understood.”

Despite these hurdles, Zhou remained steadfast.

“Sometimes when you’re doing something new, there’s a lot of uncertainty,” he said. “But I learned it’s okay to struggle. Things work out if you put in the effort.”

A Lasting Platform for the Global Fletcher Community

As Hu and Zhou built the event, they recruited more students, each contributing their time and expertise. The enthusiasm from the team and the broader Fletcher community affirmed the need for such a platform.

“I feel really fortunate to have been part of this incredible team,” Hu said. “We were all dedicated to a shared goal. Seeing the enthusiastic engagement from students, alumni and panelists was incredibly rewarding.”

The symposium was not just about academic discussions; it was also about fostering connections. Attendees had opportunities to network, get professional headshots and engage with experts in global business.

For Hu, the symposium reaffirmed her path. Having worked in international trade, finance and compliance, she was already drawn to the intersection of public and private sectors. Now, as she continues her work at the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), she sees how initiatives like these contribute to broader conversations in global business.

For Zhou, the event solidified his ambition to serve as a bridge between China and the rest of the world through business.

“This experience made my goal even clearer,” he said.

The success of the symposium was not just measured in attendance or speaker engagement – it was about the foundation it set for future discussions.

“This is just the beginning,” Hu said. “We’ve created a legacy of global dialogue and student leadership that future students can carry on. At its core, this event was about civic responsibility. Fletcher students have so much to offer to the global business community – and I believe it is our role to actively shape those conversations.”

Through their passion, dedication and teamwork, Hu, Zhou and their peers have created more than an event – they’ve built a lasting platform for Fletcher students and the wider global business community.

Read more about Fletcher’s Master of International Business and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree programs.