Introduction

Dare to Overcome is the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation’s annual in-person global gathering that celebrates businesses that inspire mutual respect and allyship among diverse communities in the workplace and marketplace. Why? Because it’s good for business, the economy, and society! At the annual gathering, top business leaders, Fortune 500 faith-oriented employee resource groups (ERGs), and corporate chaplains come together to share best practices and to build supportive, intersecting networks nationally and globally.

Student Reflections

Heather Walker described Dare to Overcome in Washington, DC, as profoundly inspiring, especially in showing how businesses can promote religious freedom through employee resource groups that foster inclusivity and engagement. The experience confirmed her commitment to advocating for religious freedom in professional spaces and inspired her to develop a course on religious freedom at BYU–Hawaii, pursue internships with the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, and continue her work on human dignity initiatives such as combating human trafficking.

For Ofa Tahitua, Dare to Overcome was an unexpected but life-changing opportunity. She felt valued as an intern, gained professional experience, and built connections with leaders from diverse religious backgrounds. The event reinforced her commitment to faith, trust in God, and living with Christlike compassion. She left grateful for the chance to grow personally and professionally and motivated to use her experience to further her career and spiritual goals.

Denish Selvan reflected on the privilege of interning at Dare to Overcome, where he visited historic landmarks and worked with Ford’s interfaith group to share personal beliefs and foster inclusion. Highlights included visiting the Museum of the Bible, engaging in interfaith prayer, and connecting with inspiring mentors. The experience deepened his passion for political science and strengthened his resolve to pursue a career in government and politics as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

For Pim Suksuntiwijit, Dare to Overcome highlighted the importance of faith as part of personal and professional identity. Supporting Mariyam, a blind Muslim diplomat, was especially impactful and inspired Pim’s determination to pursue law school and opportunities in government service. Networking with leaders from companies like Intel and PayPal further encouraged her, providing connections and mentorship that will support her career journey.

Aldrin Mabalot expressed deep gratitude for Dare to Overcome, where he gained a greater appreciation for unity among faiths and saw firsthand how companies like Dell integrate religious freedom into workplace culture. His participation led to an internship offer with Dell Technologies, opening doors for his future career. He also reflected on the broader legacy of freedom in the United States and felt inspired to continue advancing religious liberty as part of that tradition.

For Abish Baliwas, the conference theme of “bring your whole self to work” was especially meaningful, highlighting the importance of religious expression in professional settings—a concept not yet widely accepted in the Philippines. As an anthropology student, she valued the intersectional approach to diversity and inclusion, while also building lasting connections with leaders from PayPal, Intuit, and Equinix. The experience inspired her academically and personally, reinforcing her commitment to promoting religious freedom worldwide.

Uurtsaikh Nyamdeleg described Dare to Overcome as transformative, providing valuable skills, knowledge, and confidence. Networking with representatives from American Airlines and PayPal gave her insights into different industries and opened doors to career opportunities, particularly in aviation. The supportive environment of professionals and peers encouraged her to pursue her goals with renewed determination, making the conference a pivotal step in her academic and professional journey.