Business Acumen & Career Outcomes

Timely—and Timeless—Career Insights at EdInvest Forum

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:46:03 +0000

Timely—and Timeless—Career Insights at EdInvest Forum Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 10/31/2025 - 09:46

Jane Majkiewicz

At the Personal Financial Planning Program’s (PFP) 3rd annual EdInvest Wealth Management Forum on October 24, Leeds students gained hands-on experience and career insights through real-world challenges.

From left to right, 2024 finance graduates Brad Hostetler, Chevie Walerowicz, Gilly Halzel and Luke Johnson, and Lexi Schmidt from Beacon Pointe.

This year’s forum, which was facilitated by the Burridge Center for Finance, featured early career and senior advisor career panels, as well as student-led financial literacy roundtables hosted by members of the Financial Planning Student Club.

Additionally, Harry Starn, teaching professor and director of the PFP program, organized a Financial Planning Case Competition sponsored by First Manhattan. The competition featured six teams developing a comprehensive plan that they presented to industry professionals. First- and second-place teams were awarded prizes of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

Real-world wisdom for new finance managers

The early career panel featured four Leeds alumni along with industry professional Lexi Schmidt, a wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe. The panel shared candid insights about transitioning from college to the workplace and paths to career success. Luke Jackson (Fin’24), now an associate wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe, described how his internship led to a full-time role and how navigating a three-office merger taught him adaptability.

Gilad “Gilly” Halzel (Fin’24) advanced from client service associate to wealth advisor at Mariner Wealth Advisors and stressed the importance of networking. Chevie Walerowicz (Fin’24) credited her junior-year internship at Mariner for paving the way to her current role as an associate wealth advisor. Brad Hostetler (Fin’24), a financial planning associate at TCI Wealth Advisors, landed his position immediately after graduation.

Students like Denise Arroyo Rojas (Fin’28) found the event invaluable. “I was particularly excited about this event since I’m a sophomore, while most attendees were seniors in the PFP program or had an established career as a financial planner. Everything that the panelists said was fresh and relevant information. I’m grateful to be invited to events like these that give me a chance to peek at what I could possibly be doing after Leeds.”

Key takeaways for career success

Manage energy and time wisely
Halzel noted the shift from college freedom to full-time structure: “Staying energized all day is a big adjustment,” he said, and it’s also about balancing life outside the office. Walerowicz added, “Learn to prioritize and figure out what makes you happy. You’ll have less time for friends and hobbies, so plan for things like going to the gym.”

Interview the company, too
Hostetler encouraged students to approach interviews as mutual evaluations, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit and shared values.

Job or location first?
Schmidt shared her experience of moving to New York, California and then Colorado, the latter of which she came to without having a specific job offer. Lesson learned: “Having a job prior to moving to a city can alleviate so much stress.”

Be a ‘yes’ person
Hostetler advised new hires to immerse themselves as much as possible. “Join meetings, introduce yourself and learn how both individuals and the team work to get a holistic view.”

Make yourself valuable
Jackson suggested identifying gaps and then pursuing certifications to help fill them. “I noticed a skills gap in blockchain and digital assets, so I learned more to add value.”

Classroom knowledge counts
Halzel reinforced the classroom-to-career link. For example, he was skeptical at first but ended up loving a tax planning course taught by Nicole Lazzeri, assistant teaching professor of accounting. He discovered what he learned “is relevant to everything I do at work.”

Build relationships and seek mentors
Halzel emphasized the industry’s collaborative nature. “Colleagues want to help you … listen to their experiences and different specialties.” He reminded students that networking is a lifelong skill and is about authentic connections and natural conversations. Schmidt agreed, noting, “There are no dumb questions.”

Skills That Matter

Early career panelists highlighted important skills to cultivate, both during a job search as well as throughout one's career.

Authenticity and patience
Walerowicz urged students to be themselves and not stress about having everything figured out. Hostetler added that it’s important to enjoy life and not only focus on your career track. “You’re working really hard … remember to give yourself some grace.”

Soft skills and curiosity
Jackson highlighted trust-building through curiosity. He recommended being well read. “The ability to walk into a room and talk with someone about their passion—that will build a connection immediately.”

Mentorship and continuous learning
Panelists unilaterally recommended seeking advice broadly, not only one-to-one, and taking advantage of every available resource, such as training videos.

Tech savviness and AI integration
Technology is reshaping the industry. Panelists said AI tools are increasingly part of their workday and can help with things like research, staying informed about news and generating reports.

Remote work discipline
Schmidt recommended keeping your day busy and structured to avoid procrastination.

The future financial planner

Hostetler knew early on that he wanted to be an advisor, but he stressed the importance of exploring options. The industry offers many paths: “You can be client-facing without being an advisor. There are roles in client service, relationship management and investment committees. Internships and job searches help you discover what you don’t like and narrow down what you do want. If you can find that alignment, that’s really useful.”

Schmidt added that staying informed is critical. “The future of financial planning is about balance. Read widely and stay on top of news to have educated discussions,” she noted, pointing out that different generations and cultural nuances play a role in expectations.

Hostetler emphasized a shift in priorities. “It’s less about chasing excess returns and more about relationships—making clients feel comfortable, understanding risk tolerance, and covering retirement, cash flow and budgeting cohesively.”

The Leeds advantage

Events like the EdInvest Forum showcase Leeds’ commitment to preparing students for dynamic careers through networking opportunities, case competitions, career treks and more.

“CFP® Professionals are dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their personal and financial goals,” said Starn. “The Leeds Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Program prepares students with both the technical expertise and interpersonal skills needed for success. Experiences beyond the classroom—such as the EdInvest Wealth Management Forum, internships, networking events and Financial Planning Club activities—provide students with insights that help them discover their career pathways within the financial services industry.”

Interested in exploring the Personal Financial Planning Program at Leeds? Learn more about the curriculum and career opportunities.

This fall’s EdInvest Wealth Management Forum showcased six teams competing in the Financial Planning Case Competition, alongside engaging panels and roundtables—including a standout session where five industry professionals shared early career insights.

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Startups and Sandwiches: Failure, Fortune and Finding Your Purpose

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 22:10:55 +0000

Startups and Sandwiches: Failure, Fortune and Finding Your Purpose Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 10/28/2025 - 16:10

Grace Garfoot

What do a finance consulting founder, a mirror designer-manufacturer, and a biotech entrepreneur turned artist have in common? At this week’s Startups & Sandwiches, they distilled their diverse entrepreneurial journeys into a shared theme: transforming lessons into meaningful careers and life paths.

“Failure, Fortune and Finding Your Purpose” was the compelling theme of the latest Startups & Sandwiches, a seminar series sponsored by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. Three industry executives with different entrepreneurial backgrounds shared vulnerable stories about the highs and lows of their career journeys.

Guest speakers Carol Hansen, founder and CEO of Tatonka Ventures; Josh Mandel, president and CEO of Majestic Mirror & Frame; and Andy Sklawer, founder and former CEO of Fresh Tracks Therapeutics and current owner of a Boulder art gallery, inspired the audience with their insights and hard-won advice. Their personal stories brought a fresh perspective to timeless advice on building a fulfilling career and life.

Failing and finding yourself

Andy Sklawer willingly shared some of the tough circumstances that shaped who he is today.

As a child with undiagnosed ADHD, he explained how being given the space to heal changed how he approached failure and his capacity for success. “It was the first time in my life that I had the opportunity to focus on myself. What I realized is that it is OK to ask for help.”

Life Lessons to Take to Heart

As part of the Deming Center’s SPARK Initiative, Startups & Sandwiches brings students together with seasoned entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, venture capitalists, connectors and technology leaders ... and they leave each seminar with more than lunch.

At the “Failure, Fortune and Finding Your Purpose” session, panelists Carol Hansen, Josh Mandel and Andy Sklawer shared personal stories to embolden the next generation of business leaders to believe in themselves and take risks. Here is some of their shared advice.

Don’t hold yourself to an impossible standard. Even the people you look up to the most don’t have it all, so allow yourself to make sacrifices and be imperfect.
Recognize that mentorship comes in many forms. Observe characteristics and small details in the people and the world around you to find inspiration.
Don’t be afraid of change or failure. Embrace both and learn from them to avoid making the same mistake twice.
Do it. You don’t know if something is going to work until you try it.
Be grateful for where you are and acknowledge all aspects of your life that drive you. Don’t let your goals become entirely motivated by money.
Ask for help if you need it.
Don’t measure your success against someone else’s. Everyone’s path is different.

He also experienced a dramatic fall that plunged him into a significant life change. He descended 30 feet off a rock wall, leaving him with a shattered leg but miraculously still alive. “What I learned from that was to immediately go to gratitude, because it’s a beautiful thing that we’re all sitting here and we’re alive,” he said.

“It’s so easy to get in your head with business and school, but we are all here, and it’s important to be grateful.” The second thing is to be present, he emphasized, urging the audience to remember to “put your phone down.”

Changing the way you see success

Josh Mandel shared how his definition of success continues to evolve and has changed throughout his career and personal trajectory. After graduating from CU, his goals revolved around making money. Having children shifted his focus to to providing for and supporting his family. A self-proclaimed “girl dad,” Mandel highlighted how being there for his daughters became more important than the work trips that once consumed his time.

“Don’t judge your success by someone else’s scorecard,” he said. He reminded attendees that everyone defines success differently, and it’s OK for that definition to change over time. “The only constant is change, and you have to be open to it.”

Finding mentors everywhere

Carol Hansen's perspective was shaped by observing people whom she didn’t consider role models as much as by those whom she would want to emulate.

“What resonated with me was people along the way who I did not want to be like,” she said, referring to specific characteristics as well as to entire personalities. She summed it up: “Look for people who you don’t want to be like or ways you don’t want to behave.”

She also found that she derived meaning from her life’s work when she could see the direct impact her business was having on the community around her. “I don’t feel like I have a profound purpose,” she explained. For her, the overall goal has always been to be a good person and contribute to society.

“I found niches of purpose across each one of the businesses that we started,” she explained. Purpose doesn’t have to come in one grand package, she reassured the audience. “There’s nothing wrong if you don’t have that right away.”

What do a finance consulting founder, a mirror designer-manufacturer, and a biotech entrepreneur turned artist have in common? At this week’s Startups & Sandwiches, they distilled their diverse journeys into a shared theme: transforming life’s lessons into meaningful careers.

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Turning Ideas into Action in the EMBA Innovation Challenge

Jane Majkiewicz — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:17:04 +0000

Turning Ideas into Action in the EMBA Innovation Challenge Jane Majkiewicz Sun, 10/19/2025 - 09:17

Jane Majkiewicz

One of the signature programs of the Leeds Executive MBA Program is the EMBA Innovation Challenge—a hands-on experience in which students develop innovative solutions for real-world clients and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

Erin Johnson (EMBA’26), one of the members of the winning team for the spring 2025 EMBA Innovation Challenge, was thrilled to see the team’s work come to life this fall at SideDoor Hair Salon, the Boulder business they partnered with for the project.

The team proposed “The Red Room,” a red light therapy service that co-owners Laurel Doxsey and Lisa Lynde eagerly implemented.

“When we partnered with the local Boulder salon to create a new revenue stream, I had no idea we were building something truly special,” shared Johnson on LinkedIn, saying the red light therapy room is “generating real revenue and delighting customers.”

Using existing space at the salon, the winning team proposed offering red light therapy, a non-invasive skincare treatment using red and near-infrared wavelengths.

"What I'm most excited about is the relationships built along the way with the owners. Their willingness to open their doors, share their challenges and trust our vision was humbling."

Erin Johnson (EMBA’26)

Johnson reflected, “What I'm most excited about is the relationships built along the way with owners Lisa and Laurel. Their willingness to open their doors, share their challenges and trust our vision was humbling. Seeing the genuine excitement in their eyes when The Red Room launched reminded me why I love what we're doing,” she said.

A timely partnership

“After the pandemic, it was a pretty rough time for us,” said Lynde. As the salon underwent a management transition, a partner introduced them to the EMBA Innovation Challenge.

“We were up for the challenge—to have the opportunity for graduate students to help us figure out a better business plan, or to see where they could help us grow,” she added.

The team—Johnson, Anna Coragliotti, Ashley Wang, Cherie Jarvis and Martha Siegmund—all EMBA students graduating in spring 2026—met with the owners multiple times to understand the business and its challenges. Lynde especially appreciated the in-person meetings.

“They really listened and asked questions about our business,” she said. In her 41 years in the salon business, Lynde was delighted to see that the team came up with a novel way to use the existing space. It aligned perfectly with their mission to offer relaxing experiences to clients.

Strategy meets innovation

Emily Ryan (EMBA’23), a judge at the challenge, knows firsthand how impactful the experience is. As a former participant, she appreciated how the challenge was embedded within the semester’s coursework.

“During the term you’re taking the innovation project, you're also doing coursework focused on HR and people strategy. You're also taking a financial course focused on projecting, profitability and building out financial models. Having the trio work in tandem adds depth to the presentation,” Ryan said.

“You’re not just innovating for the market—you’re thinking about staffing, specialization, equipment needs, and how to project and recoup investments."

Emily Ryan (EMBA’23)

She emphasized that students gain exposure beyond their usual work silos. “You’re not just innovating for the market—you’re thinking about staffing, specialization, equipment needs, and how to project and recoup investments,” she said. “We learned statistics, economics, accounting, finance, and marketing. The Innovation Challenge pulls it all together—intentionally—around finance, HR and innovation," she added.

There’s another benefit: “It’s super fun.”

Fresh thinking for businesses

“When you’re enmeshed in your day-to-day, it’s hard to think outside the box,” Ryan said. “Having an external party with no prior insight into the business brings fresh perspectives.”

Johnson echoed that sentiment: “This is what the Executive MBA education is about—building bridges between academic excellence and real-world impact, creating a network of innovators who lift each other up, and strengthening our local business community in the process.”

The Leeds Executive MBA Innovation Challenge transforms classroom learning into real-world impact—last spring’s winning team helped a local salon launch a new service that’s already generating revenue and delighting customers.

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A Passion for Fashion: Introducing Leeds’ New Student Club

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 22:14:46 +0000

A Passion for Fashion: Introducing Leeds’ New Student Club Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 10/14/2025 - 16:14

Grace Garfoot

This fall, Ryder Nicolaus (Mktg’28) and Oliver Welsh (Bus, Fin’28) launched the Fashion Case Club at Leeds. With ambitions to expand beyond the Leeds community, the duo is shaping the club’s mission to incorporate underrepresented aspects of fashion while building a following, securing notable guest speakers and actively growing valuable industry connections.

Sewing the seeds of inspiration

Friends and fashion entrepreneurs Ryder Nicolaus (Mktg’28) and Oliver Welsh (Bus, Fin’28) didn’t wait for college to start making their mark. Even before arriving at Leeds, they had already launched their own branded clothing lines–Nicolaus with PAX Apparel and Welsh with Chill Ville. Now, as undergrads, they’ve channeled that shared passion into founding the Fashion Case Club—Leeds’ first student organization focused on the fashion industry.

The idea took shape last year over winter break, when the two realized that Leeds lacked representation for students interested in the business of fashion. “We feel like this is something that doesn’t have a lot of resources at CU and Leeds,” Welsh said. “Fashion as a whole is underrepresented within clubs and classes, especially compared to other universities. That’s why we started the club."

With a strong attendance at its first few meetings and an unfolding lineup of high-profile guest speakers, the club is already gaining traction.

“I’ve always been into really niche, creative endeavors, whether it was making rings or woodworking. I also knew that I wanted to go into business, so combining those two aspects, I decided to start my own clothing company,” Nicolaus (pictured right) said. “I wanted to experience what it was like running a company, so I decided to do that through something I really enjoy. I like the marketing and business analytics side of it, and that’s what brought me to Leeds,” he added.

For both Welsh and Nicolaus, getting into fashion was sparked by the desire to design their own clothes and appreciating the thrift culture. When visiting Leeds during an admitted students’ day, it resonated with them to hear that some graduates had gone on to work at North Face.

After getting their new club registered as an official Leeds student club, Nicolaus and Welsh promoted it at the Leedsapalooza annual student club event, catching the attention of CJ Riggins, an advisor for the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. Intrigued by their apparel and their effort to bring a fashion initiative to Leeds, she became a faculty sponsor for the club.

“She has been so helpful in that role,” said Welsh. “I think she loves seeing students come together who are creatively driven entrepreneurs,” he added. And with fashion being the seventh largest industry in the world, projected to reach $1.87 trillion in 2025, Riggins’ support further validated for Nicolaus and Walsh that fashion should have a place in the business conversations happening at Leeds. Entrepreneurs like Garmai Matthew (MBA’25) and Rylan Montoya (Bus’25) are prime examples of Leeds students who have applied their business education to fashion startups.

Following the threads

As they’ve begun to hold meetings, the club has attracted new members by lining up high-level fashion industry insiders. One of their first meetings featured speaker Anthony Pace, a representative from Crocs. An executive from Ralph Lauren will be an upcoming presenter.

Attracting speakers of that caliber is a result of something Welsh and Nicolaus have been practicing in both life and business: persistence.

“We started off by cold calling on LinkedIn, and the success rate wasn’t great for that,” Welsh admitted. “But every time someone did reach out, we would make sure to be as enthusiastic and as sociable as we could to make an impression.”

“One of the first people we met with—who works at North Face—gave us helpful information on how we could improve our networking. Since then, every time we talk to someone, we ask them for contacts they can pass on,” Welsh added.

“It’s cool being a part of Leeds because you learn how intertwined everyone is networking-wise," said Nicolaus. His connections for the new club started in the Sustainable Business Club: “From there, I spoke to someone in Leeds and asked for a connection, and she was the one who led us to a contact from North Face.”

Setting trends for the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� community

As they move past the initial stages of evolving the club, Welsh and Nicolaus want to open it to any CU student that is interested in fashion, giving them practical industry experience before they go out into the world. "We are a business-oriented club, but that doesn’t mean we’re exclusive to business," said Welsh.

The co-founders want to expose students to professional aspects of the fashion industry that are cross-disciplinary and applicable to a wide range of interests. They plan to address subjects such as color theory, retail math, merchandising, and other real-world concepts that aren’t typically taught in the classroom. For fashion-oriented and non-fashion-oriented people alike, Welsh and Nicolaus believe this learning will be invaluable.

“We’re going to teach concepts through workshops, case studies and guest speakers. We will offer topics that anyone considering the fashion industry should learn," said Welsh.

As the co-founders continue to raise the club’s visibility and look forward to carving out their professional career paths, they have already learned one essential component of success—collaboration. They both echoed the same sentiment: They couldn’t do this without each other.

Leeds’ new Fashion Case Club is tailoring its focus on the business of fashion to engage students across the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� community. With a growing membership and a lineup of industry insiders, the club is stitching together style, innovation and opportunity.

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Getting Down to Business: How Leeds’ Career Events Can Turn Handshakes into Hires

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:39:38 +0000

Getting Down to Business: How Leeds’ Career Events Can Turn Handshakes into Hires Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 09/26/2025 - 10:39

Jane Majkiewicz

The Leeds Career Development Office hosted three days of its signature fall programming, highlighted by the All Industries Career Fair—a lively event at Boulder's new Limelight Hotel. Students gave the event a resoundingly positive review, and now they’re keeping up the momentum as they pursue new connections, internships and career opportunities.

More than 900 undergraduate and graduate students convened at the Limelight to kick off the fall semester by exploring internship and career opportunities, from stepping stones to leadership tracks and permanent positions. A total of 79 businesses participated in the All Industries Career Fair on Sept. 17, creating a lively atmosphere filled with connection, curiosity and conversation.

Dressed in business attire and armed with polished resumes, students arrived ready to make strong first impressions. Their professional demeanor set the tone for meaningful conversations with recruiters, many of whom noted the students’ preparedness and enthusiasm.

“The Career Fair gives students the chance to explore opportunities and connect with employers across industries in a supportive, structured environment.”

Angie Vermillion, associate director of Employer Relations

Clusters of students gathered around tables hosted by companies such as Cain Travel, Crowe, Enterprise Mobility, memoryBlue, CBRE, Danone, Sprouts, Artist Capital, Comcast and Sage Hospitality—just a sampling of the diverse organizations represented. Nonprofit organizations, including the Peace Corps and Teach for America, also had a presence. The fair showcased businesses across all industries represented by Leeds’ 10 academic areas of emphasis.

Company posters enticed students with remote work, employee perks and leadership possibilities, such as Parallon and HCA Healthcare’s note that 85% of their former associates are currently in leadership positions. Inspirational slogans added to the visual flair:

“Our Brands. Your Future.”—Gallo
“Work Where You Belong”—Sage Hospitality
“Let’s Build Something Big”—ibotta
“Grow with Us”—Tallgrass Energy

From table talks to career moves

“I definitely think the career fair was a good use of my time,” said Lucas Fernandes (Fin, Acct’27), who spoke with representatives from Comcast, among other businesses. “Not only did I find out about internship opportunities that I previously wouldn’t have known about, but I was able to get a few contacts that I can use to leverage my network and opportunities.”

Students surveyed gave the event a resoundingly positive review, describing it as 'awesome,' 'well done' and 'very helpful'—especially appreciating the opportunity to connect with companies.

“The Career Fair gives students the chance to explore opportunities and connect with employers across industries in a supportive, structured environment,” said Angie Vermillion, associate director of Employer Relations at Leeds.

Kristin Day, an HR specialist with Tallgrass Energy, attended her first Leeds event and was impressed by the students’ professionalism and confidence. "We met many great candidates. They were all wonderful to talk with and very engaged in the conversations," she said. “I was impressed with the way students presented themselves. It made them stand out as a whole,” she added.

“Not only did I find out about internship opportunities that I previously wouldn’t have known about, but I was able to get a few contacts that I can use to leverage my network and opportunities.”

Lucas Fernandes (Fin, Acct’27)

To help students prepare, Leeds hosted a Career Workshop the day before the fair that focused on resume building, interview practice and networking skills. Following the fair, an “Instant Interviews” event offered more than 100 students a chance to engage directly with top professionals at 10 companies—often bypassing the formal application stage, Vermillion said.

“Together, these experiences not only boost students’ confidence in their professional readiness, but they also help them form authentic, lasting connections with employers and alumni—connections that can lead to internships, jobs and long-term career success,” she added.

Keeping up the momentum (and staying motivated)

Vermillion encourages students to follow up with employers they met at the fair—whether through a thank-you note, LinkedIn connection or application—to keep those new relationships active. Meeting with a career coach is another valuable next step to refine resumes, practice interviewing, or discuss tailored strategies for the opportunities they are pursuing.

“Students can also strengthen their confidence and skills by joining student organizations, participating in case competitions, or attending upcoming Leeds programs like career treks to meet directly with companies at their offices,” Vermillion said.

“Continuing to engage with Career Development ensures that students not only maintain momentum but also grow their professional network and readiness for future recruiting cycles,” she added.

One employer commented, “The quality of students was top-notch. There were lots of good introductions and great questions.” That sentiment was widely shared, underscoring the strong impression Leeds students make.

Making Career Events Work: Five Reasons to Show Up and Stand Out

Leeds Associate Director of Employer Relations Angie Vermillion outlined key career event benefits for students.

Increased confidence: Feel prepared to introduce yourself professionally, talk about your skills and navigate conversations with employers.
Practical experience: Gain first-hand practice with resume reviews, mock interviews and networking in real recruiting settings.
Meaningful connections: Build new relationships with employers, alumni and industry professionals that can lead to internships, full-time roles or ongoing mentorship.
Career insights: Acquire a clearer understanding of industries, company cultures and career pathways that align with your goals.
Opportunities for next steps: Secure an interview, receive a job or internship offer, or get invited to apply—moving you closer to your goals and dream careers.

Be sure to stay connected with the Career Development Office's advisors and to keep track of career events >>

The Leeds Career Development Office kicked off the fall semester with three days of its signature programming, highlighted by the All Industries Career Fair—a lively event that filled the ballroom at Boulder’s new Limelight Hotel.

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Maria Julia (MJ) Maymone (Bus’29)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:07:12 +0000

Maria Julia (MJ) Maymone (Bus’29) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 09/24/2025 - 14:07

Georgia Horan

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Maria Julia (MJ) Maymone
Major: Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship International Business
Hometown: Campo Grande, Brazil

Just one month into her time at Leeds, Maria Julia Maymone (Bus’29) had already accomplished more than what many can in one year. Her unwavering determination and drive are what led her to Leeds, where she was drawn to the school’s student-driven ethos and the many opportunities and clubs available. She quickly immersed herself in campus life, joining the competitive figure skating team, the competitive triathlon team and the Chi Omega Sorority.

Maymone intends to graduate in three years and pursue international corporate law. Before Leeds, she said she thought of business as two-dimensional, not realizing all the complexities and people that go into its creation A leadership retreat with the Dean’s Leadership Fellows Program opened her eyes to how complex business is, and how much it revolves around community and teamwork. The experience has significantly shaped her academic and career aspirations, which include learning about all types of businesses and establishing herself to be able to practice law in multiple countries.

Coming from Campo Grande, Brazil, English is Maymone’s second language, but she thrives in situations where she can learn and grow. She has self-published two fiction books in English and is working on her third, making her more eager to study entrepreneurship to make her ideas—like her books—come to life.

I chose Leeds for many reasons, but one of them is that there were numerous opportunities to make a positive impact. At Leeds, it feels like students are the ones who get to create their own path.

Maria Julia Maymone (Bus’29) is no stranger to blazing her own trail. A native of Brazil, she has already written two books and is on her third, and she aims to graduate in three years to pursue a global career in corporate law.

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Bridging Classroom and Career: Leeds Launches Business Leaders-in-Residence Program

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:12:28 +0000

Bridging Classroom and Career: Leeds Launches Business Leaders-in-Residence Program Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 09/19/2025 - 14:12

Leeds is launching its Business Leaders-in-Residence (BLIR) program on Oct. 8, a full day of exclusive student access to prominent visiting business leaders for career guidance, mentorship and networking.

Jennifer Bone, associate dean for Undergraduate Programs, Craig and Cynthia Smith Faculty Scholar, and teaching professor of business communication, shared insights about the new program and how it will help prepare students for lifelong career success.

What was the impetus to create the new Business Leaders-in-Residence program, and who is it for?

The Business Leaders-in-Residence (BLIR) program was created to provide Leeds students with direct access to seasoned industry professionals who can offer guidance at every stage of their academic and professional journey. The program is designed for all Leeds students:

First-year students exploring areas of emphasis and considering career paths.
Sophomores and juniors preparing for internships and seeking advice on how to best position themselves for the job search.
Seniors transitioning into the workforce and looking for strategies to launch their careers.
Graduate students interested in developing skills to pivot into new roles, functions or industries.

This year, Leeds is piloting a smaller BLIR event focused on sophomores, seniors and graduate students, with plans to expand the program in future years to cover 13–15 industry tracks.

What businesses will participate, and why are they involved?

For this year’s pilot, we are bringing in 14 leaders representing a wide range of industries, including accounting, finance, consulting, business analytics and marketing. Confirmed organizations include:

Liberty Media
Disney
RSM
KPMG
Korn Ferry
Pivotal Consulting
Google

Boulder Associates
Anthem Branding
JumpCloud
Cain Travel
Allora
Bow River Capital
Birds Eye Advisory

These companies are involved because they value investing in the next generation of business leaders and are interested in working specifically with Leeds students. Many of these leaders are also in the Leeds Professional Mentorship Program. They are eager to share their expertise, mentor students, and help bridge the gap between the classroom and professional practice.

“The Business Leaders-in-Residence program helps students graduate not just with a degree, but with the confidence, skills and networks necessary to thrive.”

Jennifer Bone, associate dean for Undergraduate Programs

How is this program a gateway to career opportunities and career readiness for students?

The BLIR program is designed to connect students directly with leaders across diverse industries, providing personalized insights into career pathways, required skills and emerging trends. Through one-on-one and small group interactions, students will gain a clearer understanding of career options and receive guidance on aligning their interests with opportunities. Students will also build professional readiness by learning what employers look for in internships and early career hires, while developing mentorship and networks that extend beyond the classroom. By embedding these connections early and often, BLIR helps students graduate not just with a degree, but with the confidence, skills and networks necessary to thrive.

How does the BLIR fit into Leeds’ Strategic Plan?

This program directly supports our Strategic Initiative called the “Leeds Edge: Lifelong Career Success & Connections.” It advances the school’s commitment to equipping students with lifelong career readiness skills while cultivating strong connections with industry leaders.

By scaling the program to eventually encompass 13–15 industry tracks, Leeds will be creating a program that ensures every student can access high-impact mentorship and guidance as part of their educational experience.

Fourteen industry leaders will kick off Leeds' Business Leader-in-Residence program on Oct. 8, connecting students with career guidance, mentorship and networking for lifelong career success.

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How Leeds Students Turned Summer Break into Business

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:05:11 +0000

How Leeds Students Turned Summer Break into Business Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 09/12/2025 - 13:05

Grace Garfoot

Though school stopped for the summer, many Leeds students did not stop learning and gaining experience as summer break took them out into the world. From media management to financial analysis, Business Buffs pursued their passions while developing skills through hands-on experiences—applying what they learned in the classroom.

Summer sunshine and startups

James Anderson (MBA’26) spent his summer as one of the co-managing directors for Startup Summer 2025, an experiential entrepreneurship program for undergraduate students hosted by Silicon Flatirons at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��. Anderson (pictured right) described his role as dynamic. He began the summer by helping plan and program the curriculum down to each weekly session, along with leading the recruiting and admissions process.

Once the program launched, his responsibilities shifted to hosting the sessions, coordinating with keynote speakers and mentors, and serving as a resource for the student teams. He was also responsible for summarizing the weekly events in a recap newsletter, as well as briefing students for the upcoming week’s agenda.

“The sessions we hosted were incredible opportunities to deepen my understanding of core business and entrepreneurial practices,” Anderson said. “Topics ranged from customer discovery led by Erick Mueller [executive director of the Deming Center] to prototyping, legal considerations and more. Having to take these business topics and make them applicable to 11 different and unique startups is always an exciting test to see how well you actually know something!”

Anderson had always been intrigued by founding a company but hadn't had the right idea to pursue that path. The accelerator space provided him with a unique middle ground—a place where he could apply the fundamentals he learned during his first year of the MBA program to help new founders take their first steps. “This role expanded my professional network meaningfully—I walked away with new connections, including a personal mentor I’ll continue to learn from,” he said.

“I highly recommend Startup Summer for undergraduate students who want hands-on exposure to entrepreneurship, and for graduate students to apply for the managing director roles.”

This role expanded my professional network meaningfully—I walked away with new connections, including a personal mentor I’ll continue to learn from.

James Anderson (MBA’26)

Outdoor adventures and internships

Sofia Blanco (Mktg’26) spent her summer at Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) working a hybrid schedule as an events and marketing intern. Blanco (pictured left) worked remotely in Boulder and went to Denver a few days each week. As the events and marketing intern, she was a member of the communications team, working closely with each department across the company. Some of her responsibilities included managing and producing content for GOCO’s social channels, conducting research on current environmental news, contacting news outlets for press releases, attending community outreach events, designing merch/swag and assisting with drafting the monthly newsletter.

“I have learned so much,” Blanco reflected. “I have come to appreciate the good that comes from working with a close-knit team of people who have a common goal in mind. For GOCO, that means helping preserve our beautiful state. Everyone at the company is so community-minded, and I have learned how important it is to remember the ‘why’ behind what we are doing.”

Blanco found the internship while she was “on the hunt” for a way to apply the knowledge that she’d been learning in her Leeds classes. Because of the positive experience she had with GOCO, she is continuing her work with the company throughout the school year.

“Securing an internship is a great experience for anyone,” she said. “If a student can secure an internship at a company where they genuinely enjoy what they're doing, that's the way to go. I often don't even feel like I am doing work, because it is just so fun, and I am inspired by what GOCO does.”

I have come to appreciate the good that comes from working with a close-knit team of people who have a common goal in mind.

Sofia Blanco (Mktg’26)

Fun and finance

Grace Trujillo (Fin, Acct’26) felt fortunate to spend her summer participating in two internships: the Strategic Finance, Accounting and Growth Internship with NCS Systems, and interning with Miller and Law PC in Littleton, Colorado.

For her NCS Systems internship, Trujillo (pictured left) spent the summer working closely with the CEO, standardizing all finance and accounting procedures for the company. She established a process for basic accounting transactions to ensure they adhered to US GAAP and other relevant guidelines, along with performing various financial analyses and examining financial factors ranging from new projects to implementing employee raises.

“Since there has never been a CFO at NCS Systems, I gained a lot of experience by sort of playing CFO,” Trujillo said. “I made a lot of mistakes and was able to learn along the way, and I mastered the skills that I was exposed to in the classroom at Leeds. I learned a lot about leadership, initiative, and especially about managing my time, balancing two jobs and a full course load.”

One of the reasons Trujillo pursued both internships was because she plans to graduate from Leeds in three years instead of four. Her goal was to get as much experience as possible over the summer. She believes internships at startups are the best way to gain a lot of practical experience in a short amount of time, acquiring skills that employers want to see.

“The most challenging part was the time management piece,” Trujillo said. “I was working all day, followed by my schoolwork and preparation at night for the next day, while managing my relationships, travel plans and time for my hobbies."

But the investment was worth it. "I truly believe that the processes I created at NCS will allow them to grow and scale in a more efficient way, and I saved the company a lot of headaches that could have occurred down the line.”

I learned a lot about leadership, initiative, and especially about managing my time.

Grace Trujillo (Fin, Acct’26)

Fall colors and continued opportunities

Get in on the Action

Learn about Leeds’ experiential learning opportunities >>

These three Business Buffs represent the many ways in which Leeds students keep their learning alive over the summer, gaining valuable work skills and life experiences.

Experiential learning is part of a Leeds education all year long, through internships and micro-internships, career treks, case competitions, enhanced in-classroom academic experiences, and courses such as Designing Your Leeds for first-year students. Designing Your Leeds for Career Preparation, which is focused on internship readiness, is being piloted this semester for sophomores.

From startup accelerators to environmental advocacy and financial strategy, Business Buffs spent their summer applying classroom knowledge in dynamic, real-world settings.

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Alex Corren (MRelEst’26)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 22:14:08 +0000

Alex Corren (MRelEst’26) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 09/10/2025 - 16:14

Georgia Horan

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Alex Corren
Major: Real Estate
Hometown: Rollinsville, Colorado

For Alex Corren (MRelEst’26), Leeds is the hub that will bring his vision of developing regenerative communities at scale to life. With a background in regenerative community development and entrepreneurship, he sought the financial modeling skills and clear business strategy needed to attract the necessary capital for what are ultimately complex real estate projects. The ability to collaborate with the Klump Center for Real Estate and the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship was a draw, as he saw it as the perfect way to balance academic curriculum with industry exposure.

Having lived in the Boulder area since 2016, he has befriended ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� graduates who have raved about the school’s robust network and ecosystem. Corren aspires to graduate from Leeds equipped to reach his long-term goal of building communities that have a social impact. For him, that means channeling more investment money into local projects that heal environments and strengthen communities. He wants to create an environment where every resident can thrive.

Corren doesn’t just preach environmental awareness, he practices it: In the mountains west of Boulder, he has already built his own sustainable home. He designed it to incorporate passive solar features, using eco-blocks made from 85 percent recycled woodchips and upcycled windows and doors.

Coming from an entrepreneurship background into the real estate master’s program, Leeds’ Centers of Excellence create the perfect bridge between my past experience and future goals. The programming from these centers creates ample opportunities to fine-tune the student experience.

Alex Corren arrived at Leeds to pursue his master's in real estate, with a vision to create regenerative communities with positive social, financial and environmental impacts.

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Customizable Degrees for Future Careers: Revised Academic Areas of Emphasis

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:00:30 +0000

Customizable Degrees for Future Careers: Revised Academic Areas of Emphasis Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 09/04/2025 - 08:00

Jane Majkiewicz

Leeds has expanded its academic areas of emphasis to help students tailor their business degrees, align with industry expectations and prepare for dynamic career paths. An updated structure enhances clarity, advising, mentorship and career readiness.

At Leeds, all undergraduate students earn a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Within that degree, students can personalize their academic journey by selecting from a list of areas of emphasis that supplement the core curriculum. In addition, three tracks and certificate programs can be paired with an area of emphasis to let students further enhance and specialize their experience.

Starting fall 2025

Previously, Leeds offered six academic areas of emphasis and seven tracks. Recent updates have elevated four of those tracks to full areas of emphasis, giving students more clarity and flexibility. Students can now choose from 10 areas:

Each area of emphasis requires 18 semester hours beyond the core business courses. Three tracks remain: Leadership and Human Resources Management are two tracks under the Management area of emphasis, and Personal Financial Planning is under the Finance area of emphasis.

Why the change matters

Choosing an academic area of emphasis deepens students’ expertise in a specific business domain—enhancing their marketability and preparing them to make an immediate impact in the workplace, explained Jennifer Bone, assistant dean of undergraduate programs. “It’s really all about career outcomes.”

“This shift will make a huge impact on the student experience and their job prospects,” she said, outlining four key reasons behind the reclassification.

1. Clarity for students and employers

The previous structure was often confusing, said Bone. “Recruiters weren’t always sure what our programs entailed.” The new terminology aligns better with the industry and helps students and employers understand a degree’s focus at a glance.

For example, a student interested in supply chain might have previously been categorized under management and entrepreneurship, which didn’t clearly signal their specialization. “Now students don’t have to explain that their ‘management’ emphasis was really ‘information systems,’” added Russell Cropanzano, professor and chair of the Organizational Leadership and Information Analytics Division, who played a key role in the redesign.

2. Targeted advising and experiential learning

The new structure enables more tailored advising and opens doors to experiential learning opportunities specific to each emphasis. “It helps students better figure out who to network with and which forums and conferences to attend,” said Bone.

3. Stronger mentorship connections

“We can’t emphasize enough how important mentors are,” said Bone. Leeds mentors are deeply invested in helping students build relationships, expand their networks and connect with industry partners, she explained. “Their passion for supporting students is truly inspiring.”

4. Differentiating Leeds

Leeds continues to stand out among undergraduate business schools through its comprehensive ecosystem: high-quality mentoring, innovative faculty research, cutting-edge technology integration, effective advising, career coaching and robust experiential learning.

Faculty members have worked diligently to update the curriculum, including integrating AI into the core business classes, said Bone. She noted that course updates have been made strategically to avoid disrupting current students.

“This shift will make a huge impact on the student experience and their job prospects."

Jennifer Bone, assistant dean of undergraduate programs

Designing degrees for career impact

Students are encouraged to meet with academic advisors to explore their options. “Students can really customize their degree in a way that suits their interests,” said Bone.

“We know students will need to pivot in their careers. The world is changing so fast, and we can’t predict future job titles. But we can prepare students to be resilient and adaptable.”

Leeds’ first-year Mods courses expose students to a broad foundation across business disciplines. In sophomore year, students take the Business Core Applied Semester Experience (BASE), which offers practical, hands-on experiential learning with real-world businesses.

To further support students' career outcomes, Leeds is rolling out a three-part series called Designing Your Leeds for Career Impact. Currently, all first-year students take Designing Your Leeds, which is also open to direct-admit transfer students. This career exploration course lets students:

Learn about areas of emphasis
Build LinkedIn profiles
Interview senior students and industry professionals
Attend weekly presentations from faculty and business leaders

This fall, Bone is also piloting a sophomore course called Designing Your Leeds for Career Preparation, which is focused on internship readiness.

The BASE course and Designing Your Leeds programs equip students with the durable skills necessary for a rapidly changing business environment, explained Bone.

“I’m just so excited and proud of all the work we’re doing,” she said.

Ready to personalize your path?

Leeds’ retention rates reflect the school's success in providing a world-class business education. Students arrive, thrive, graduate, and remain connected as engaged alumni who go on to lead in the workplace—a testament to the school’s commitment to preparing resilient, adaptable graduates.

Undergraduate students: Be sure to talk with your advisor to explore your emphasis options and design your Leeds experience.

Meet with Your Advisor

Leeds has expanded its academic areas of emphasis to help students tailor their business degrees, align with industry expectations and prepare for dynamic career paths.

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