Appalachian Firsts is proud to announce that founder Emily Renzelli will be speaking at the Forbes Under 30 Summit on Monday, April 20, 2026 in Phoenix AZ.
Emily will participate in a discussion focused on the importance of building meaningful professional relationships and mentorship networks, particularly for first-generation students and young professionals navigating spaces where they may not initially feel connected.
A member of the 2015 Forbes 30 Under 30 List, Emily will share insights from her own journey as a first-generation college student from West Virginia to becoming an international antitrust attorney and educational advocate.
“Professional relationships can open doors that students may not even realize exist,” Emily said. “For first-generation students especially, mentorship and community can make an enormous difference in building confidence and creating opportunity.”