An artist at heart who came to McIntire with an expansive global history of her own, fourth-year Ava Flory brings a passion to commerce, shaped by travel and a diverse set of experiences. That collection of moments from her life are to thank for her strong communication skills as she’s used to being “the new kid,” and as such, she’s learned how to shine in the role.
“I grew up in Jacksonville, FL, and then moved around a lot as a kid,” she recalls. “I lived in Tennessee for about two years, then moved up to Virginia, then lived in downtown Los Angeles, and then London,” she says, ticking off each location as component parts of her exposure to a variety of cultures and ways of life. The disparate places and people she met along the way have fostered a deep appreciation for diversity and connection within her.
But even being part of a family that pulled up stakes regularly only sheds light on part of her story.
A particularly formative experience occurred in fourth grade, when her parents decided to virtual school her and her older sister, allowing the family to travel the world for four months. “We went all over: Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Kenya, Germany, Thailand, China, Canada, and a couple of U.S. states,” Flory says. Juxtaposing visits to world-renowned museums with volunteer work in impoverished areas instilled in her a profound appreciation of both the heights of beauty in places like the Prado in Madrid and the stark contrast of confronting brutal poverty and hardship in Kenya. What strikes her now about the four-month sojourn is the value of making connections with others and facilitating those interactions through honest exchanges. “Relationships are most important for me. Connecting with people and realizing we actually have a lot in common,” she says.
Flory has been recognized at the Comm School as a Joseph Miniotas Communication Scholar for those communication skills. As she places such a high importance on relationships, that philosophy translates well in her approach to that area at which she excels. It’s almost unnervingly simple: “When I present or try to communicate ideas, I’m really trying to just connect with the other person and talk to them naturally.”
But there’s also an open and giving quality to Flory that immediately comes across in speaking to her. Perhaps it’s due to that nomadic childhood that she became adaptable and understands the way that being respectful and warmhearted can change the temperature of most any situation. “Growing up, moving around all these different places pushed my sister and me to make friends quickly and in new environments. I learned how to present myself,” she explains. “Kindness seldom fails you.”
How did this world-traveling kid wind up at UVA? Her family’s move back to Northern Virginia after living in London was one reason. Other explanations included her parents appreciating both the University’s high-ranking programs and the benefits of funding in-state tuition. Her sister also attended UVA. But for Flory herself, the choices of UVA, and then McIntire, were driven by dual interests in art and problem-solving. “I’ve always loved to create art and problem-solving as well.” she says. “McIntire has a level of rigor too that I’ve always appreciated.”
At the Comm School, Flory has found a place where her diverse background and interests are thriving. “People have commented that I bring an eagerness to participate and a joy to my work. I think if you’re dedicated and curious enough, you can always find something exciting about what you’re working on,” she says. Clearly, that enthusiasm and her ability to communicate effectively were responsible for her being named as a Miniotas Scholar.
That energy, one that reflects her artistic and empathetic nature, also comes through in her approach to collaborative projects. For instance, her group’s Integrated Core presentation to Hilton was a notable success—in spite of, or perhaps because of, what they had to overcome. “We rehearsed in the freezing cold outside the amphitheater when there weren’t any rooms available,” Flory remembers. “But we said, ‘Hey, we’re still doing this.’” Her tenacity and attention to detail, combined with her artistic vision, created a strong, positive impression.
“I had written calligraphy onto gold envelopes, and inside were invitations I made, introducing our business concept. The presentation started with handing them out and thanking the Hilton executives for coming. We set the mood by being grateful and letting them know that we appreciated them being there,” she says. “They lit up when they saw the gold invitations with their names.”
As she prepares for her future, Flory continues to seek ways to expand her perspective and communicate effectively with others. Currently intrigued by the world of consulting, she hopes to learn about diverse industries while engaging with a variety of clients. All the while, she plans to continue pushing herself to solve business problems while thinking creatively, and going the extra mile to form positive relationships along the way.
Flory’s ongoing journey is a testament to the power of diverse and global experiences. It also shows the benefits of keeping an open mind, an open heart, and the incredible results of being willing to take steps to connect and communicate.
