Watauga Women in Leadership Values in Motion
How Appalachian State’s Professional Clothing Drive Embodies the Mission of Watauga Women in Leadership
From July 21–August 8, Business Career Services at Appalachian State University hosted its annual Professional Clothing Drive, a campus-wide effort to collect donations of new and gently used business attire. The clothing drive helps stock the Polished Peacock Boutique, a resource where, each fall, students can shop for free professional clothing to wear to interviews, career fairs, and networking events that jumpstart their careers.
If that effort sounds like it carries the spirit of Watauga Women in Leadership, it’s not by accident.
Amy Odom, who leads the Professional Clothing Drive, is a long-time advocate for student development, professional preparation, and mentorship, and she’s also deeply involved in the work of Watauga Women in Leadership. By day, she serves as Executive Director of Business Career Services at Appalachian State, working within the Walker College of Business to prepare students for the road ahead. But outside of her formal role, she’s also been an active voice in WWIL, a Chamber-led initiative designed to cultivate connection, collaboration, and support among women in the workplace.
Lindsay Cook, Director of Operations at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and WWIL’s staff liaison, sees Amy’s work on this drive as a natural reflection of the values WWIL is built upon.
“One of the core goals of WWIL is to empower women to step into leadership at every stage of their career,” says Lindsay. “Amy is doing exactly that, but in a way that reaches even further back, helping students before they ever walk into their first interview.”
That connection isn’t just symbolic.
As Amy puts it: “The mission of Business Career Services is to prepare future leaders through transformational career education and professional development. Watauga Women in Leadership supports the professional development of female leaders in the High Country. What better way to send the elevator back down to our future leaders than to support initiatives like the clothing drive?”
There’s a power in seeing professionals take action in ways that match their values and there’s something especially meaningful about seeing that action come to life through mentorship, community care, and quiet generosity.
The clothing drive, now in its third year, has grown thanks to a small but mighty group of staff and faculty from across campus. They’ve collected, sorted, and set up racks of donated clothing that help students feel confident and equipped for the next step in their career path. And while the event is targeted toward business students, it’s open to all majors, with volunteers there to help students explore everything from dressing for success to elevator pitches and interview prep.
For Amy, it’s not just about the clothes.
“I love seeing students walk into the room, unsure of what to expect, and then seeing their faces light up. You can see the transformation in real time. Not just in how they’re dressed, but in how they carry themselves when they leave.”
When asked what drives her to keep organizing the event each year, Amy says it’s all about investing in the next generation of leaders, especially young women.
Watauga Women in Leadership doesn’t just host panel discussions or networking events. It’s a community, one built around mentorship, mutual support, and modeling what leadership can look like when it’s rooted in care and collective progress. Many of its members, like Amy, are doing meaningful work outside the spotlight, quietly shaping the future of our region by showing up, reaching out, and sending the elevator back down.
This year's Professional Clothing Drive might not be a WWIL program, but it is an embodiment of what WWIL is all about. As we head into a busy fall season, it’s worth remembering that leadership isn’t always about holding the mic. Sometimes, it looks like sorting through racks of suits, offering a reassuring smile, and helping a student feel like they belong.
If you have items you'd like to donate to the clothing drive, keep an eye out for communication about next summer's collection dates.
If you’d like to get involved with Watauga Women in Leadership, now’s a great time. WWIL's next event takes place on Wednesday, August 20. Learn more at the link below!