Leading with purpose: Rose Cooper ’10S champions women’s empowerment through Simon and beyond

Meet Rochester’s Leadership Committee Member of the Women’s Network, Member of the Simon Women’s Alliance, and Co-Chair of the Women’s Summit Alliance Rose Cooper ’10S (MBA)

What Rose is up to now and reflecting on her time at the University

Share a bit about yourself and your current endeavors. What excites you most about your work or personal projects?

After graduating from Simon, I began my career in advertising and integrated marketing. Six months ago, I transitioned into Revenue Operations at Paychex as a Sales Acceleration Manager within the Sales Acceleration Center of Excellence (COE). Our COE develops innovative, data-driven strategies to drive revenue and transform our go-to-market strategy.

In my current role, I combine my passion for operations, project management, and data with relationship building. By leveraging automation, AI, and 360° problem-solving, we are revolutionizing how our sales teams engage with clients and prospects. I’m proud to contribute to initiatives that are transforming Paychex, especially knowing that our solutions empower businesses to grow. What makes this journey even more meaningful is that my parents were once Paychex clients, leveraging payroll solutions for their contracting firm.

Reflecting on your time at the University of Rochester in Simon, what are your most cherished memories?

Can I say all of them?
If I must choose, three experiences at Simon stand out for me.

1. Finals Week at Elmwood Inn
   Gathering with classmates and professors in an informal setting during finals week showed me how much our professors were invested in our success—not just as students, but as individuals.
2. Serving as a TA
   Working as a teaching assistant for Professor Ron Schmidt’s business strategy class deepened my understanding of the material and reshaped my perspective on “leading with influence.”
3. Entrepreneurship Class – “Shark Tank” Style
   Developing and pitching a product concept challenged me to take a 360° approach to product development and marketing—skills I use daily in my career. My team pitched “datesmartpeople.com,” a dating site for those with advanced degrees. Despite initial skepticism, we secured the majority of the investment, proving that with a solid strategy and market analysis, any idea can succeed. This experience taught me the value of taking calculated risks and backing intuition with data.

How did your involvement with campus activities and the Simon Business School shape your personal and professional development?

Being a student at Simon was both academically challenging and personally fulfilling—I’d go home exhausted but inspired! The rigorous coursework and collaborative environment allowed me to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, boosting my confidence and relationship-building skills.

My involvement in Simon Volunteers fueled my passion for community service and led me to join the Junior League of Rochester (JLR), where I later served as President. During my tenure, the JLR launched the region’s only diaper bank, which has distributed over 1 million diapers—a testament to the coalition-building skills I gained at Simon.

Through the Marketing Club, I attended a talk by Sharon Napier, head of Partners+Napier. A simple thank-you card (shoutout to Career Services for the advice!) led to an internship that launched my career in advertising—proving that small actions can have a lasting impact.”

Giving back and making an impact

What inspired you to get involved with the Women’s Network and Simon Women’s Alliance?

I strive to live the “lift as you climb” philosophy, and University volunteering allows me to do that. As a young professional, it was challenging to find professional development opportunities. I was looking for new and creative ways to grow and flex my leadership skills, plus build my network. Joining Simon Women’s Alliance (SWA) allowed me to find those opportunities and build connections, leading to me joining the leadership committee for the Women’s Network and co-chairing our upcoming Women’s Summit in March. I was also able to use my University volunteer leadership to build my professional profile and showcase leadership to my management team.

Can you share some of your most rewarding experiences or impactful moments from your leadership and volunteer roles?

Joining the Women’s Network from the ground up has been an incredible experience. Seeing the University’s dedication to empowering women and addressing important issues has been truly rewarding. We’re creating a network for women (and allies!), by women. As a leadership committee member, I have the opportunity to help shape the future of this impactful organization.

In SWA, our biggest impact is supporting women scholars, with a scholarship, at the Simon School. Each year, 100% of our membership dues support at least two women attending the school. Last year, I had the opportunity to meet our current SWA scholars at the fall SWA conference. Hearing about their experience and learning more about the impact the scholarship was having on these talented women was a game-changer! It brought the meaning of “ever better” to life.

What are some of your favorite events or initiatives you’ve participated in as part of the Women’s Network or Simon Women’s Alliance?

My favorite event is always the SWA conference, which is why I’m so excited to co-chair the Women’s Summit! The SWA conference focuses on collaboration, connection, and learning. I always leave the event with a new approach or strategy, be it one for my personal development or professional career. Some of the most impactful lectures and development sessions I have attended have been at the SWA conference.

How has staying connected with the University and Simon impacted your personal and professional networks?

Engaging with the University and Simon community has connected me to a variety of talented alums that I would not have crossed paths with ordinarily. Through SWA, I have reconnected with former classmates, as well as developed relationships with alums from different class years. I now have connections for career brainstorming, networking advice, and support as a parent of young children.

How you can get involved like Rose

What advice would you give to fellow alumni considering leadership or volunteer roles within the University or Simon community?

Don’t wait for “one day”—make today “DAY ONE” of your leadership and volunteer journey. As we look ahead, it’s time to bet on ourselves, take risks, and silence self-doubt. Too often, we ask, “What if I don’t have enough time, skills, or what if I fail?” But what if we succeed? What if we just try and learn from the experience? Take the leap—send the email, ask for the promotion, get involved, and bet on yourself. Make today day one.

Check out volunteer opportunities with the University today!