Westfield State hosted a virtual conversation with alumna Alyssa Wright ’10 Nov. 12, titled “From Theatre to Philanthropy.” Wright founded the international philanthropy consulting firm, Alyssa F. Wright Consulting Group. The event was organized by the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from Westfield State and a certificate in change leadership and succession planning from Cornell University in 2016. She is a human rights activist, speaker, consultant, and 2017 TedX speaker. Wright volunteers much of her time to organizations such as Allies in Action and the Creative Action Institute, and she is an ambassador for Half the Story and co-founder of the Recovery Theatre.
“In a time when some question the practicality of majoring in the arts,” said English Professor Vanessa Holford Diana, Ph.D., “former theatre major and now successful development professional Alyssa Wright affirmed the importance of creative thinking in formulating solutions to the thorniest of organizational challenges.”
Wright’s web site states she has a passion for social change and is a routine contributor to Forbes, the Network for Good, and Global Giving and that she “speaks to motivate individuals and organizations alike, to become powerful agents of change.”
“I was deeply moved by Alyssa’s message, infectious personality, and commitment to the entire world,” said Olivia Houde ’22, a regional planning major. “I loved hearing her testimonial to the power of imagination, an essential tool to be reminded of any time, but especially now when reality can feel heavy.”
For more information visit https://www.alyssafwright.com/.