And Still We Rise!
This year, our theme is “And Still We Rise!” We asked our honorees to reflect on how they have risen above challenges—both professionally and personally. Their responses honor the obstacles they faced, the strength they discovered, and the determination that carried them forward.
“Whether personal or professional, life will undoubtedly present challenges on a daily basis. Some are bigger and more complex than others, and some even feel impossible to overcome. “And still I rise” acknowledges that challenges will come, yet it declares resilience and stands as a statement of perseverance and hope. No matter what obstacles appear, I keep going. I keep rising.
My faith is what keeps me moving forward. I rely on the truth that God has carried me through every challenge before, and those recollections play like an internal soundtrack when I face new trials. Each memory of His faithfulness reminds me that I am not alone, even when the weight of circumstances feels overwhelming. That assurance gives me the strength to rise again.
This is not to say that I never get discouraged. There are moments when doubt and fear creep in, and the path ahead seems unclear. But even in those moments, I lean on my faith. I remind myself that setbacks are not the end, but rather an important part of my journey and eventual testimony. Rising is not about never falling; it is about choosing to stand up again, trusting that
God’s grace is sufficient for every step.”
Rhonda Fischer
Chief Operating Officer
Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University
Rhonda Fischer is a seasoned leader dedicated to helping mission-based organizations increase their impact through operational excellence. She joined the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University as its inaugural Chief Operating Officer in June 2019. At Tepper, she is responsible for the effective management of the school’s administrative functions, including Finance, Technology Services, Facilities, and Human Resources.
Prior to her role at Tepper, Rhonda served as the Chief Operating Officer of the East Lake Foundation, an organization in Atlanta, GA, committed to ensuring that every member of its community has equitable access to the resources, tools, and supports needed to thrive. Rhonda and her husband, Charles, remain connected to this community through their support of a scholarship named in their honor at the East Lake Foundation for graduating seniors.
Rhonda earned a B.S. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce and an M.B.A. from the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University. She has served communities in both Atlanta and Pittsburgh through nonprofit board service. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the POISE Foundation and on the Advisory Board of The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), where she has also served as an Executive Mentor. Rhonda is an active member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. She was named a 2024 New Pittsburgh Courier Woman of Excellence, a 2021 Woman of Distinction in Business by the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, and is a Leadership Pittsburgh alumna (LP XLI).
Rhonda is the proud wife of Rev. Charles L. Fischer III and the mother of two amazing sons, Charles IV and Cameron. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending arts and cultural events, and traveling.
Register Today
