Her Story
About Elena
Elena McNab serves in higher education at the University of Chicago, specializing in social impact entrepreneurship. In her current role, she develops programs and supports students in launching business ventures, drawing on her background to ensure they have access to resources and opportunities. With more than seven years of experience, she previously worked in adjunct faculty development, assisting professors with research and improving classroom experiences, and spent time at an international nonprofit following her master's degree in diplomacy. She recently graduated with an MBA, which has strengthened her expertise in guiding students through entrepreneurial challenges. McNab is a member of NAFSA, the association for international education professionals, and finds personal meaning in supporting Feeding America. She attributes her success to her family, particularly her parents' experiences, and values honesty in both her professional and personal life. She has cited advice on overcoming imposter syndrome by recognizing one's expertise, and she encourages young women to acknowledge their accomplishments with confidence. Her work is motivated by a desire to help students navigate challenges in higher education entrepreneurship, inspired by her own transition from the nonprofit sector.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it's really my family. My family's been a huge motivator for me, and especially my parents not necessarily having the opportunity to go to school when I did, or having access to the opportunities until later in life. That really motivated me to continue working hard and trying my best to be successful wherever I'm at.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Especially when it comes to presenting or feeling like you have imposter syndrome, the advice I've received is that you, if you're presenting on something, or you kind of feel like you have that imposter syndrome, you're the expert on what you're presenting, so keep that in mind. And if people have questions, it's just to understand more about what you're talking about, but otherwise, you should feel confident in the research and the expertise that you have.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think that sometimes there will be places and spaces where you might feel like you're not enough, or equipped, and just to recognize that you've done a lot of work to get to where you're at, and you should acknowledge and be confident in what you've already accomplished.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think some of the biggest challenges is making sure that especially working directly with students, making sure that they have access to all of the opportunities available to them. Sometimes business especially like in higher ed, sometimes the venture could fail if there's not access or opportunity. So making sure that we really communicate what resources there are out there for students.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think honesty, for sure. If there's something that I don't know, or something that I like need to do, I'm always very honest about it, and I want and I would hope that others are the same way with me.
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