Andrea Davis Zopp '74

But any worries about her age disappeared after her first day as she quickly made connections with classmates that have lasted a lifetime. “At Mercy, we were able to form a unique bond that stripped away some of the competitiveness that can take place between girls at a co-ed school. We were not just friends; we were advocates for each other, supporting one another in our individual and collective pursuits,” Andrea said.

Andrea developed bonds with her teachers that often turned into mentorships. Her teachers continually encouraged her to explore, question, and seek out how things work, igniting Andrea’s curiosity and creativity and inspiring her to step out of her comfort zone and try new things. Auditioning for theater was an experience that Andrea said has served her extremely well in her career as president and CEO of World Business Chicago by teaching her once valuable lesson: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Andrea credits much of her professional success to her time at Mercy.