The Fundraiser
The 33rd Annual Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship Fundraiser
Join us as we celebrate the 33rdAnnual Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship Fundraiser, organizedby current MBA students at Leeds School of Business.This event brings together MBA alumni, faculty and staff, current MBA students, and friends of the program—all with the common goal of increasing scholarship funds for students and improving diversity at Leeds. The fundraiser is cocktail-attire-optional, and will include silent and live auctions. Proceeds help fund student scholarships, with the overall goal of strengthening diversity in the MBA program and contributing to the strong sense of community we work hard to achieve.
Keynote Speaker:
Thaala Loper (MBA'21) is a change leader with a passion for solving human-centered problems at scale. Originally from the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, she is grounded in the African philosophy of Botho, meaning “I am because we are.” Through this lens of interconnectedness, she helps teams and organizations build trust, alignment, and shared value in moments of change.
Thaala has nearly two decades of experience driving technology change initiatives at complex, local and global organizations, including Apple, Goldman Sachs, and the public and nonprofit sectors. Her impact comes not only from strategic successes, but from meaningful improvements in individuals’ daily work.
Thaala is a graduate of Stanford University and the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. Outside of work, she can be found adventuring with her husband and young son. She also delights in hosting women’s tea gatherings, making music, speaking, and leading seated movement activities for senior adults."