My journey to the Bolz Center for Arts Administration did not begin in a studio or a boardroom, it began with a question that has followed me throughout my life: how do we create access where opportunity is unevenly distributed?
As the first international student from Azerbaijan to be part of the Master of Arts-Business: Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership Program, this journey carries deep personal meaning for me. My academic path has taken me across institutions and countries, earning my undergraduate degree at ADA University in Azerbaijan, studying at the University of Latvia, completing coursework at Klaipėda University in Lithuania, and participating in a summer academic program at the University of Oxford in UK—before pursuing my first master’s degree at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
These experiences provided perspective into varying educational systems, cultures, and leadership styles, and shaped my thoughts regarding access to education, the arts, creativity, and the responsibility of institutions on a global scale.
HopEdu, an education-focused social project I launched to assist underprivileged students, especially those seeking professions in the arts and creative industries, while navigating different global paths, was a tangible manifestation of my devotion to access in education. It also served as a framework for my work with Speak For Youth, a group that promotes civic involvement, young leadership, and innovative community initiatives. Throughout these projects, I have witnessed how creativity can become a potent force for social change when combined with structure, mentoring, and strategy.
Another aspect of my profession that has defined me is teaching. I have worked as a teaching assistant and lecturer in international studies and global workplace courses at UW-Madison and this spring semester, am a Lecturer for Consumer Science. My conviction that leadership is essentially relational has been strengthened by guiding students through difficult concepts and assisting them in developing confidence in their own voices. It is about establishing spaces where people can grow, learn, and ask questions.
I chose the Wisconsin School of Business’ Bolz Center for Arts Administration because it offers a special connection between sustainable leadership and creative practice. I am able to convert years of grassroots labor into scalable, mission-driven models thanks to the MA in Arts & Creative Enterprise Leadership. Here, I’m learning about the intersections of values, finance, governance, and community engagement—information that is crucial for anybody looking to run organizations with a clear purpose. My knowledge of how creative businesses may maintain their financial stability while adhering to their social goals is growing as a result of my scholarly work. The future of leadership, in my opinion, lies in striking this balance between heart and structure.
After I graduate, I want to keep creating and spearheading projects that combine creative, education, and social impact. My objective is still to create systems that amplify voices and invest in the next generation of leaders, whether through nonprofit leadership, cultural businesses, or educational platforms.
The Bolz Center is where my international journey, teaching practice, and dedication to creative enterprise has joined together to shape the leader I aspire to become.