Simon Community Weekend
Event Theme: Business Transformation and Innovation
Business as we know it has changed. As a business leader, it will be important to know how to navigate this changing landscape—by harnessing AI, effectively communicating, leveraging teams with varied backgrounds, operating strategically, and more. Attendees will leave with practical tools they can apply in their current roles and a clear understanding of how Simon prepares students to become business leaders in a transforming environment.
This signature event is in person (hosted on campus in Rochester, NY) and open to prospective Full-Time MBA students; we look forward to getting to know you and having enriching, engaging conversations.
Event Highlights
Sessions are subject to change. If you have any questions, please email events@simon.rochester.edu.
Speed Networking Session
Join the Benet Career Management Center staff to practice your pitch in a casual, conversational setting.
Mini Case Competition
Get a taste of life as a Simon MBA and the co-curricular opportunities available to you in this abbreviated case competition led by Wayne France '89, '94S (MBA), executive director of experiential learning.
Club Expo
Learn more about the 30+ clubs available to Simon students at this fair-style expo hosted by current Simon club leaders.
Fall Ball Gala (optional)
Get to know fellow prospective MBA students, as well as current Simon students, in a fun social setting.
Keynote Speaker
Melanie Huet is co-CEO of Home & Commercial directing the Kitchen business at Newell Brands. Prior to this role, Melanie was the chief marketing officer leading global brand management, innovation, insights, and design. She led the transformation of Newell into a global consumer led organization organized by brand instead of category. She advanced Newell’s commercial and marketing capabilities by pioneering the use of AI to increase speed to insight and speed to market, and significantly ramping up productivity.
Prior to joining Newell Brands, Melanie led the transformation of Serta Simmons Bedding from sales led to consumer led as their first CMO. She was elevated to EVP, chief commercial officer, where she led enterprise revenue and transformed the sales organization.
Melanie has over 25 years of experience in commercial leadership roles at public and private equity backed organizations like Unilever, Kimberly-Clark, and KraftHeinz, where she delivered turnarounds of several iconic brands.
Melanie holds an MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School in New York and a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and German from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.
Travel stipends available.
We make traveling here easy with generous travel stipends, complimentary hotel accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights, and meals during scheduled events. For more information, email events@simon.rochester.edu.
Can’t make it to Simon Community Weekend?
If traveling to Rochester in November doesn’t fit your schedule, save the date for our Spring Simon Community Weekend on January 30–31, 2026. We hope to see you soon!