Enova’s Lisa Young Helps Future Leaders with One Million Degrees

By Kaitlin Arntz, Public Affairs
December 17, 2013

Community outreach and organizing group One Million Degrees recently hosted their annual “Suited for Success” event, where they partnered with iconic fashion boutique Brooks Brothers to provide high-quality interview clothes to low-income, highly motivated community college students. Enova’s General Counsel Lisa Young was asked to join the event, in addition to guest speakers like NBA Hall-of-Famer Isiah Thomas, fashion designer Maria Pinto and former Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. Young presented a scarf — along with some choice words of advice — to one of Enova’s five sponsored One Million Degrees Scholars. “Treat others as you would like to be treated,” advised Young in her address to the attendees.  

Enova’s presence at the event wasn’t limited to Young. A number of Enova associates could be found in attendance serving as coaches for One Million Degrees Scholars. Henrietta Dombrovskaya, Imtiaz Kalani, Rachael Olson and Puneet Vohra provided students with instruction on interview preparation, tactics and dress, along with general advice on the ins and outs of finding the right job.

Founded in 2006, One Million Degrees was created by a group of social entrepreneurs with insight into the unique hurdles facing community college students. Since their inception, One Million Degrees has provided hundreds of community students with a support system geared toward building their forward momentum. So far, One Million Degrees Scholars graduate at approximately three times the national average, and Enova is proud to partner with such a community-focused organization.