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Friday, Sept. 11, was a busy day at the Limelight Boulder, where more than 1,000 Leeds students participated in a full day of professional development, career exploration and networking through the Leeds Professionalism Summit and Business Leaders-in-Residence program.

As part of Leeds’ fall Career Week, the combined event brought together students and more than 200 industry professionals for a day of career-focused learning and meaningful connections. Held at the Limelight Boulder Hotel, the program featured professional insights, career advice and networking opportunities tailored to students at every stage of their academic journey.

The day featured three tailored experiences, beginning with the Leeds Professionalism Summit for sophomores in the morning, followed by a networking lunch for graduate students, and concluding with afternoon roundtable discussions for first-year students.

Building on the success of the inaugural Business Leaders-in-Residence in 2025, this year’s event was designed to give students direct access to accomplished business leaders in an environment that encouraged candid conversations, thoughtful questions and authentic relationship building.

The morning program opened with keynote remarks from Kate (Minnihan) Strohl (Mgmt’18), former senior employer relations manager at Leeds and founder of . A certified coach and longtime contributor to Leeds’ career programming, Strohl encouraged students to reflect on their values, challenge themselves to step outside of their comfort zones, and consider the long-term impacts of their career decisions.

She highlighted the many resources available through Leeds, including career treks, mentorship programs and networking opportunities, while emphasizing the importance of authenticity and investing in relationships. Before concluding, Strohl challenged everyone in attendance, students and professionals alike, to identify one meaningful goal for the day.

"Walk away with one thing you did today," she said.

That spirit of connection and support was evident throughout the event. Industry professionals generously shared their experiences, insights and advice with students eager to learn about potential career paths. Their engagement reflects a broader culture of mentorship at Leeds, where thousands of students and alumni participate in mentoring relationships each year.

With strong career outcomes and a commitment to experiential learning, Leeds continues to create opportunities that help students build confidence, expand their networks and prepare for careers after graduation. Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean Vijay Khatri shared his heartfelt gratitude on��, reflecting that the success of this event “takes a village, and we have an incredible one at Leeds.”