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Here at Blueprint, we aspire to be a champion for women’s rights and are committed to providing an environment where women’s voices aren’t just heard but amplified.
We are proud, each and every day, of the remarkable group of women on our team, whose dedication and contributions continue to shape our success.
In honor of Women’s History Month this March, we’ve asked them to share their stories and experiences, with the goal of empowering our team, our clients, and our loved ones to continue breaking down the barriers that still exist for women today.
Tell us about a woman you look up to...
Ailinh Nguyen
Staff Accountant
I look up to my mother as a role model. The more influential titles
she bears are business owner, homeowner, single mother, and immigrant. I am extremely proud of how far she has come despite all the disadvantages she has faced. She motivates me to be a better person every day.
Eileen Gehring
Head of Marketing
& Communications
I have always looked up to Allyson Felix as a role model in track and field and now also admire her as a businesswoman and advocate for women’s rights. Her decision to leave Nike after they refused to guarantee salary protection for her during and after her pregnancy, cutting her pay 70%, led to positive change for female athletes.
Fareeha Khan
Senior Business
Systems Analyst
Oprah Winfrey really inspires me because she has been
breaking stereotypes throughout her career. Her journey from poverty to becoming a very successful entrepreneur is a testament to hard
work and resilience.
Jacquelyn Fresques
Marketing Associate
Throughout my life, I've always admired Sophia Bush. Not only is she one of my favorite actresses, but her dedication to activism is truly remarkable. Her philanthropic efforts have resulted in raising over half a million dollars for charity, establishing three primary schools in Guatemala and Laos, and serving as the role of global ambassador for Glamour’s The Girl Project.
Katie Hinzey
Senior Analyst
A woman I look up to is my sister, Mary. While there are many qualities of hers that I wish to embody more of, there are two that really stand out to me—her drive and her prioritization of family—both of which I get to witness on a daily basis.
Maddie Lange
Senior Analyst
Taylor Swift is a woman I admire for her talent, resilience, and advocacy. She stays true to herself, uses her platform for positive change, and connects with fans on a personal level through her music. Despite facing challenges, she remains authentic and resilient, making her a role model for many, including myself.
What is the toughest challenge facing women in business today?
I believe women have come a long way in business. While each industry and subsector of the business world are different than one another in some aspects, women have risen to the challenge and are put in positions of executive leadership time and time again.
There will always remain challenges as no class is immune. The way business was done in the past in a male-driven world has evolved and I believe it’s for the better. Women will continue to challenge the status quo.
Amy Sitzman
Executive Managing Director
Ailinh Nguyen
Staff Accountant
I think one of the toughest challenges facing women in business today is not being taken with as much credibility and competence as their male counterparts. It feels like women must prove themselves every day, while men are more readily accepted.
Stella Bowling
Marketing Associate
The toughest challenge lies in the lack of representation of successful women in business. As a woman starting my career, I’ve found it challenging to discover role models prominently featured across all media platforms. While we’ve made progress with figures like Sara Blakely, Emily Weiss, and Whitney Wolder Herd, there’s still so much to be done. I’m hopeful that in the future, representation will transition from being an exception to a standard in the business world.
Affinity bias is the first thing that comes to mind, which is the idea that unconsciously, people tend to show preference towards those most similar to themselves over someone “different”, and that can range from someone’s hobbies or educational background, all the way to physical appearance or gender.
For women, especially those working in historically male-dominated industries, this presents a significant challenge. This kind of bias can affect hiring and promotions among other impactful decisions, and because it’s not a conscious habit it’s often difficult to combat. Awareness and education is a good start, but the more strategic solution for companies seeking to overcome this bias is to embrace diversity as a core value, and ensure that women are consistently given opportunities to demonstrate their skills and leadership abilities. Representation matters!
Elle Reidy
Head of People Operations
What do you enjoy most about working at Blueprint?
Jacquelyn Fresques
Marketing Associate
What I enjoy most is the people. Every single person that I have worked with is intelligent, hardworking, and fun to be around. Our company’s culture and emphasis on collaboration are frequently highlighted for good reason; they genuinely represent some of our organization’s finest attributes.
Lauren Nagle
Senior Associate
Blueprint offers countless opportunities for young professionals that our peers at large corporations & institutional firms wait years to experience. The team at Blueprint is looking out for one another and making a seat at the table for everyone.
Elle Reidy
Head of People Operations
The people, of course! On my best days at work, I feel celebrated but even on my worst days I still feel supported, and I know that’s because everyone on our team genuinely cares not just our success as a firm, but for each other.
The vibrant and inclusive culture at Blueprint. I also appreciate the company’s commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being, as well as the emphasis placed on innovation and creativity.