Allison Willner ‘26
A Colorado native, Allison didn’t know much about Notre Dame. “We got a pamphlet in the mail,” she remembers, laughing. “My dad said, ‘Why not just apply?’” What started as a casual addition to her college list quickly became something more. Drawn in by Notre Dame’s mission to educate the whole person — intellectually, morally, and spiritually — Allison felt a deep connection to the University’s values, even before setting foot on campus.
Though she wasn’t able to attend any admitted student events, Allison still felt welcomed into the Notre Dame family. “People I barely knew were telling me how special this place was,” she says. “That meant a lot — it felt like I was genuinely wanted here.”
Now a junior, Allison has fully embraced all that Notre Dame has to offer. A tour guide and triple major in Strategic Management, Marketing, and History, she has discovered a love for the intersection of business, ethics, and human behavior. “I started out pre-law and a history major, thinking business wasn’t for me,” she reflects. “But I realized you can have a positive impact through business — especially when you focus on people and purpose, not just profit.”
She’s explored these interests both in and out of the classroom — from a semester in Washington, D.C. to her upcoming strategy consulting internship with PwC. Long term, she hopes to work in retail consulting or policy, or potentially go to law school.
This year, Allison joined the Hesburgh Women of Impact Mentorship Program, where she was matched with Clare Shumaker, a Hesburgh Women of Impact member and Notre Dame parent.
“Claire has been incredibly generous,” she shares. “Hearing her story and learning from her daughters’ experiences have helped me realize that there’s no one ‘right’ path. Careers can — and should — evolve.”
Beyond professional development, the mentorship has offered Allison something even more meaningful: reassurance. “There was a moment I didn’t get an internship I really wanted, and I couldn’t stop second-guessing myself,” she says. “One of the sessions we did on interviewing skills showed me that it wasn’t about doing something wrong — it was just one of those things. That perspective really helped.”
As she prepares for her senior year, Allison is focused on soaking in every moment. “It’s bittersweet,” she says. “But I think that makes it all the more special.”
