Grow Irish Fall Experience: Strategic Consulting
During the Fall Grow Irish experience, I had the opportunity to put my developing business skills into action through a weeklong consulting project. This real-world experience challenged me and my classmates to think strategically, work collaboratively, and deliver professional recommendations to an actual client.
The week also included company visits and networking events with Notre Dame alumni, which helped sharpen my communication and career readiness skills as I continued preparing for job interviews and future opportunities.
Project Partner: 4th Dimension Sobriety
My team was paired with 4th Dimension Sobriety, a nonprofit based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that provides sober living housing for individuals in recovery. These sober homes are a cost-effective, research-backed method of supporting people through recovery and improving long-term outcomes.
Despite their proven success and recognition by the federal addictions agency SAMHSA, sober living homes are often missing in the continuum of care. 4th Dimension is working to fill that gap by creating supportive, community-centered housing environments where individuals in recovery can rebuild their lives.
My Role: Branding and Marketing Strategy
Our team was made up of 11 members—twice the size of a typical Grow Irish group—but this larger team was essential given the scope of the project. We split into two subteams: one focused on finance, and one on marketing. I was part of the marketing team.
We began by analyzing the nonprofit’s existing brand presence and communications. From there, we developed a new brand strategy that included an updated logo, a refreshed color scheme, consistent messaging, and a proposed redesign for their website. Our goal was to help the organization tell its story more effectively and establish a professional, mission-aligned visual identity.
To support their outreach efforts, we also created a one-pager that clearly communicated the impact and mission of 4th Dimension. Designed to be a grab-and-go item for community partners or potential supporters, it highlighted the organization's core services, success stories, and vision. Additionally, we assembled a donor pitch deck to help the client engage more effectively with prospective funders and secure future support.
Our week concluded with a formal presentation to both the client and Notre Dame faculty. We delivered clear, actionable recommendations and tools they could begin using right away. It was incredibly rewarding to know that our work could directly support an organization making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Grow Irish Spring Experience: Strategic Consulting
As part of the Spring Grow Irish program, I worked on a finance-focused consulting project for a company based in California. The team operated fully remotely—the owner was located in California, the CFO in Chicago, and our student team worked out of South Bend, Indiana. This structure gave me valuable insight into how modern businesses operate across time zones while staying aligned on strategy and goals.
My primary contributions included building a pro forma financial statement and creating age tables to assist with financial forecasting and receivables analysis. Although the details of our work are protected by a non-disclosure agreement, the experience was incredibly rewarding. It strengthened my technical finance skills and exposed me to real-world challenges companies face when managing growth and financial health.