Leeds Ecosystem

The Leeds Professionalism Summit: Career Lessons that Stick

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:40:32 +0000

The Leeds Professionalism Summit: Career Lessons that Stick Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 04/21/2025 - 12:40

Jane Majkiewicz

Alex Freimuth (MAcct’19, Fin, Acct’18) and James Campbell (Mktg’22), both members of the Leeds Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Board, shared candid career insights with a group of sophomores at the 2025 Leeds Professionalism Summit. Instead of a list of rigid “dos and don’ts,” they emphasized a refreshing theme: Enjoy college, take risks and be yourself.

“Classes were like a debate between me and my teacher,” Campbell joked, encouraging students to embrace the unique opportunities that college provides. “There will never be another time in your life where you’ll be in walking distance from all of your friends.”

Freimuth advised students to think broadly about their futures while staying grounded in the present. “Make connections and ask a lot of questions,” he said. He advocated for study abroad for growth beyond the classroom.

Kate Minnihan (Mgmt’18), now a senior employer relations manager at Leeds, reflected on her decision to become an au pair overseas before diving into a career. “When else am I going to do this?” she asked herself—reminding students that unconventional and nonlinear paths can still lead to success.

Campbell added a final insight: “Be your individual and authentic self. You are not like other people.” He summed it up powerfully: “The ladder of success starts at failure.”

All three shared their career trajectories that led to their current roles: Freimuth is a CPA, Campbell is a director of marketing and lead analyst at Trilateral, and Minnihan works at the Leeds Career Development Office as well as offering professional career coaching.

Build a personal brand that gets you hired

Creating & Deploying Your Personal Brand: A 5-Step Strategic Marketing Framework

Inventory foundational skills and experiences. These are your brand attributes.
Package the attributes in a way that reflects you. This is your brand narrative.
Research and prioritize areas of career interest. This is your target audience.
Craft a message that will resonate with your target. This is your brand positioning.
Deliver the message to your target. This is your marketing plan.

Source: “Branding Yourself for the Job Market: Tips from a Marketing Expert,” by Jamie Cheston. During the presentation, Cheston noted that many people think they can skip steps 1–4 and go directly to 5. Nope!

Assistant Teaching Professor Jamie Cheston’s session on personal branding opened with an unexpected question: “Describe me.” After a palpable silence, one student mentioned his beard. Another commented, “a plaid shirt like what my dad wears.” Laughter broke the ice, and Cheston had the room engaged.

“I’m passionate about applying all that I’ve learned along the way to help others navigate their own career paths.” Cheston said.

His workshop, “Branding Yourself for the Job Market: Tips from a Marketing Expert,” highlighted how a personal brand can set someone apart in a crowded job market. Among the insights: 80% of people report not feeling passionate about their jobs. One slide captured it: “No one ever dreams about a career in dissatisfaction.”

He encouraged students to overcome fear by reframing a job search through the lens of a strategic marketing framework. Instead of saying, “I’m not sure what I want to do with my life,” consider “There are so many directions I could take!” Such small shifts can lead to big impacts, shaping a fulfilling career vs. getting a job, he explained.

“You are writing your own story,” said Cheston. As with any strong brand, it starts with insight—an emotional connection that resonates with the audience. He closed with reassurance: “Realize that literally everyone gets rejected except one person."

Using AI in the job search—smartly

A session led by career advisor Elizabeth Ferguson addressed how to use AI tools in job searches. She explained how platforms like HireVue and applicant tracking systems rely on keywords and offered practical tips for improving resumes and cover letters accordingly.

Ferguson also cautioned that recruiters can often spot AI-generated documents and encouraged students to blend technology with authentic voice.

Dan Murray, founder of the Rocky Mountain AI Interest Group and real estate entrepreneur, emphasized a core truth: Networking remains essential, even in an AI-driven world.

Skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and creativity will never go out of style, he emphasized.

Boosting confidence through practice

Although attendance is mandatory, students resoundingly appreciate the value of the events. They get to practice real-world skills: mock interviews, networking, refining their career searches and learning how to present themselves.

Sophomore Lucy Treccia (BusAn’27) said she especially enjoyed advice from the GOLD Board and learning about Leeds' accelerated master's programs.

“My favorite session was the Business Analytics Roundtable. I put myself out of my comfort zone by approaching an empty table and had a really great conversation with a man who works in sustainability at FedEx. I talked to him about how much I enjoyed learning about integrating AI into business analytics, and he told me a lot about how companies are using AI in a secure way. He encouraged me to keep building this skillset, as it is becoming more and more applicable,” said Treccia.

“I was already aware that what I am learning at Leeds will apply directly to my future careers, but this conversation made me confident that I am taking all the right steps towards success in analytics.”

Experience the 2025 Leeds Professional Summit

More than 1,000 sophomores participate in the Leeds Professionalism Summit each year. The summit provides dozens of sessions throughout the day, covering a range of skill-building techniques, interview preparation and industry professional insights to guide students with practical how-to advice and expertise.

Explore the highlights from this year’s summit.

View the LPS Slideshow

The annual Leeds Professional Summit offers a full day of powerful tips and practical advice to set Leeds students up for success in their career journeys.

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Leeds' Supply Chain and Business Analytics Master's Programs Celebrate a Decade of Distinction

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:21:24 +0000

Leeds' Supply Chain and Business Analytics Master's Programs Celebrate a Decade of Distinction Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 04/21/2025 - 11:21

Jane Majkiewicz

Five alumni returned to share insights from their career paths during the Leeds MS in Supply Chain and MS in Business Analytics 10-year anniversary.

On April 10, 2025, members of the Leeds community—including faculty, alumni and current students—gathered to celebrate a milestone: Ten years of innovation, impact and excellence in the Leeds Master’s in Supply Chain Management and Master’s in Business Analytics programs.

These graduate programs were launched a decade ago in response to rapidly evolving industry needs and strong input from business partners, who forecasted growing talent gaps in data and operations. Since then, the programs have continued to evolve, meeting rising demand for professionals equipped with advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.

That spirit of evolution remains at the core of Leeds’ mission. This July, the MS in Supply Chain Management will transition to the new MS in Supply Chain Analytics, while an MS in Marketing Analytics will also debut—both designed to meet the shifting demands of a data-driven economy.

The celebration featured research presentations from Leeds faculty, illustrating the real-world application of analytics across industries and in society. Leeds’ reputation for research excellence continues to grow and gain recognition, as reflected in recent leaps in UTD rankings.

A highlight of the event was a dynamic alumni panel featuring five graduates who shared insights from their professional journeys. While artificial intelligence was a major theme of the discussion, panelists also emphasized the lasting relevance of core business concepts, known as the First Principles of Business.

Tanner Ryan (Mgmt’14, MSupCha’15), now a senior category activation manager at Danone, and Ziyi Zhong (MBusAn’18), a senior manager of performance reporting and analytics for Pfizer, spoke candidly about the importance of adaptability. Ryan, for example, joined Danone just as the pandemic disrupted global supply chains, requiring quick thinking, flexibility and resilience.

Navigating crises and unpredictable events is part of the job. To that end, the panelists unanimously agreed on one often-overlooked trait essential to long-term success: a great sense of humor.

Experience the Celebration

The Leeds community celebrated the shared purpose that defines Leeds’ forward-thinking vision in offering world-class master's programs.

View the Slideshow

The Leeds community gathered on April 10, 2025, to celebrate a milestone: Ten years of innovation, impact and excellence in the Master’s in Supply Chain Management and Master’s in Business Analytics programs.

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Leading Citizen Well-Being Through Business Research: Launching the Initiative for Global Business Impact

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:05:06 +0000

Leading Citizen Well-Being Through Business Research: Launching the Initiative for Global Business Impact Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 02/11/2025 - 16:05

Thanks to an anonymous gift, Leeds is investing $3.85 million to launch the Initiative for Global Business Impact this fall, accelerating the school’s world-class research infrastructure and academic reputation.

The new Initiative for Global Business Impact will take Leeds to the world and bring the world to Leeds. Human welfare is strongly affected by sustainability of practices by businesses and individual citizens, and by the quality of consumers’ financial decisions. But the solutions offered by businesses and governments differ dramatically across geographies, as do the apparent effectiveness of those solutions. The world needs next-generation leaders who can learn from those differences and act on rigorous evidence about what works.

Employers are seeking business professionals who can not only drive operational excellence, but who can also champion purpose-driven organizations that prioritize societal impact alongside profitability. With a focus on citizen well-being, the initiative's initial phase will prioritize consumer financial decision-making and sustainability.

“This generous gift provides Leeds with the opportunity to both broaden and deepen our inquiries by fostering connections with global communities, creating a meaningful impact on citizen well-being, businesses and society,” said Vijay Khatri, Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean of the Leeds School of Business.

Leading the way

Khatri has appointed Distinguished Professor John G. Lynch Jr. as the inaugural director of the Initiative for Global Business Impact. Lynch was named the 2025 AMA-Irwin-McGraw-Hill Distinguished Marketing Educator, the highest honor in the field of academic marketing, recognizing "creative accomplishments, public service, research, teaching and service contributions."

Lynch was the founding director of the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and served as senior associate dean for faculty and research at Leeds. His scholarship, extensive teaching experience, awards, mentorship and reputation in the world of consumer financial decision-making and marketing uniquely qualify him to advance Leeds’ position and academic reputation through this new initiative.

Solidifying Leeds’ research infrastructure

Leeds faculty are already addressing global societal issues through exemplary interdisciplinary research. To take Leeds global, the school will expand its research eﬀorts through global partnerships with scholars worldwide, enhancing its impact and solidifying its position as a global leader.

To bring the world to Leeds, Leeds faculty will have an opportunity to broaden their research scope to address critical global challenges. This will involve engaging esteemed Global Faculty-in-Residence and Global Postdoctoral Fellows whose expertise will drive intellectual growth and innovation, enabling us to tackle complex problems that address citizen well-being and produce meaningful research.

These eﬀorts will also support the development of global academic programs in collaboration with international business schools, preparing our students for leadership roles in a globalized economy.

Addressing global challenges through business innovation

Today’s rapidly evolving business environment is increasingly shaped by factors like climate change, poverty, population growth and geopolitical conflict, noted Khatri. In response, Leeds is closely following key trends in digital transformation, sustainability, economic shifts and the future of work to address the dynamic needs of business leaders.

“Since founding the Center for Financial Decision Making in 2009, Leeds has established itself as a leader in consumer financial decision-making and household finance. That experience has demonstrated how externally focused research centers can create an infrastructure for impactful work. With this new initiative, we will collaborate with leading global partners and scholars to build trusted business research that addresses large-scale societal challenges with solutions that really work,” said Lynch.

"With this new initiative, we will collaborate with leading global partners and scholars to build trusted business research that addresses large-scale societal challenges."

John G. Lynch Jr., Distinguished Professor

The Initiative for Global Business Impact, focused on accelerating momentum in citizen well-being through business research, strengthens Leeds' ongoing efforts and aligns with the 2035 Leeds Strategic Plan, shaping the future of business over the next decade.

Thanks to a generous anonymous gift, Leeds is investing $3.85 million to launch the Initiative for Global Business Impact in fall 2025, advancing the school’s world-class research infrastructure.

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Career Paths: How Luke St. John Became a Natural Networker

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:18:11 +0000

Career Paths: How Luke St. John Became a Natural Networker Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 02/07/2025 - 13:18

Luke St. John (Fin’25) built a robust habit of networking while pursuing his passions at Leeds. That ultimately helped him secure a job before graduation.

For senior Luke St. John, launching his career this spring has boiled down to two things: Doing what he loves and talking to everybody.

This May, St. John will graduate and begin his new role as a business analyst at McKinsey and Company in Denver. He attributes this success partly to his involvement in various student organizations at ��ֱ��. Since his freshman year, he has served as vice president on the board of the Boulder Freeride ski and snowboard club—the largest student organization on campus. He has also been an active member of Leeds Student Government and has participated in the Leeds on Wall Street group.

Turning dreams into milestones

Joining clubs helped St. John navigate a challenging start to his freshman year, fostering friendships and cementing valuable connections to craft a positive college experience. His spring semester of junior year was another turning point: Realizing he had enough credits to graduate early, he took time off to pursue his travel dreams—skiing in Japan, surfing in Bali and exploring Europe. That didn’t thwart his plans to graduate—but instead expanded his curiosity and confidence.

To fund his travels, St. John worked nearly every day at a restaurant for two months, a lesson in financial planning and perseverance. And navigating the unknowns of travel became a strong talking point during interviews. That semester off ultimately paid off. His new role at McKinsey will involve significant travel, and St. John feels ready for the challenge.

Follow your passions

St. John credits his parents for instilling in him an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for doing meaningful work. His father started a company more than 20 years ago building drift boats for fly fishing.

“I think that was so cool for me to see my entire life growing up … [my father] has been so focused and dedicated to his company. He has good days and he has bad days, and I get to see those firsthand. I know that deep down, he loves what he does.”

His mother works as a curator and grant writer for the Steamboat Art Museum, a job she loves and one that has inspired St. John’s interest in nonprofits.

“Having both parents doing something they're so passionate about … it’s kind of hard not to think, ‘They made it work 100% doing that. So why can’t I?’”

Network with peers

Early on, St. John recognized the value of Leeds’ career resources—he was in Leeds’ career coach Susan Brodnicki’s office at least an hour each week, he laughed. She worked tirelessly to help connect him with leads and contacts. Also, he never underestimated the power of collaborating with peers to practice and build skills.

His involvement with Leeds Student Government proved to be a fertile ground for learning and leadership. “It was so cool that I could go in, and not really knowing much … the juniors and seniors were able to guide me to where I wanted to go, and then they let me take the reins on stuff that I was really passionate about,” said St. John.

Through student government, St. John first learned about McKinsey from a junior who had secured a job there. That influenced his decision in freshman year to focus on finance and business. His involvement in the investment banking club starting sophomore year further honed his networking and interview skills.

"You need to put yourself out there. The worst that’ll happen is people won’t respond."

Luke St. John (Fin’25)

“They trained us that you need to put yourself out there. The worst that’ll happen is people won’t respond,” said St. John. He learned how to “take that ‘no’ and move to the next company or reach out to somebody else that might be more helpful.”

Stick with it

St. John estimates he’s sent over 500 emails for coffee chats in the last three years.

“I probably had 30 or 40 calls with companies before I even got to McKinsey,” he added. While he reached out to contacts from other schools, he found conversations with Leeds alumni to be the most productive.

“On other calls, they didn’t necessarily have the understanding about classes or looking out for me as much as people at Leeds,” said St. John. “That’s what’s so cool: Buffs looking out for Buffs.”

When St. John had his first interview with McKinsey, he reached out to a couple of students in the Leeds Consulting Group, even though he isn’t a member. Those students happily devoted a couple of hours each to help St. John practice.

Explore options through internships

Internships helped St. John gain clarity about his career path.

“I knew I wanted to do something in finance, but I didn’t necessarily know what,” St. John said. Interning with both private and nonprofit organizations allowed him to discover his preferences and envision his future. Gaining that professional experience has allowed him to feel confident going into his new role, knowing how to gauge expectations.

Looking ahead

St. John will spend two to three years as a general business analyst for McKinsey, following the company’s track to consultant, senior consultant and engagement manager roles.

No matter where the path ultimately takes him, St. John knows he’ll benefit from the experience.

“I am incredibly excited just to be able to touch a variety of industries,” he said. He hopes to pair the business knowledge he develops with his passion for the outdoors and sustainability. He dreams of starting a company to make skis, inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial journey.

One certainty: Networking will remain a cornerstone of St. John’s path. Here’s some proof: After the interview for this story, he followed up with an email to share contacts for other articles, including his younger brother, a current ��ֱ�� student transferring to Leeds this fall.

That’s “Buffs looking out for Buffs” in action, which, for St. John, comes naturally.

Want to put your networking skills to work? Connect with the Leeds Career Development Office.

Luke St. John (Fin’25) built a robust habit of networking while pursuing his passions at Leeds. That ultimately helped him secure a job before graduation.

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From Boardrooms to Classrooms: Visionary Leaders Share Secrets to Their Success

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 19:07:38 +0000

From Boardrooms to Classrooms: Visionary Leaders Share Secrets to Their Success Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 01/13/2025 - 12:07

Anna Bedell (Mktg’25)

Hundreds of industry leaders and alumni visited Leeds last fall to coach, teach and get to know students.

Every semester, business leaders come to Koelbel to share their expertise and stories with students. This fall was no different—Leeds saw hundreds of executives, trailblazers and influencers visit classrooms, events, case competitions and more.

“We’re so lucky to have countless accomplished professionals come to speak at Leeds,” said Katherine Ratledge, a program manager for the Center of Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR). “It is enormously valuable to our students who use the opportunity to network and ask questions, hear new perspectives and—most importantly—see an example of what they could be in the future.”

Guest speakers are often alumni, board members and Leeds‘ corporate partners—the best and brightest minds from the Leeds community. From sustainability to sports or banking, these speakers share their knowledge of modern business and provide students with inspiration and resources for their future careers.

"A great speaker can change a career trajectory, and that’s exactly what happens when leaders come to Leeds to share their expertise,” noted Amanda Hansen, director of the Career Development Office.

Organic advice

CESR, in partnership with the Burridge Center for Finance, hosted Geneviève Piché (pictured above left), the head of sustainable finance at Wells Fargo. At a pivotal moment in her career, Piché launched Wells Fargo's sustainable finance division, focused on creating positive impact through finance. She stressed the need for businesses to use inclusive language when communicating about climate and sustainability and emphasized the need for investments across ecosystems.

Supported by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, Techstars co-founder David Brown—one of the most influential figures in the entrepreneurial world—visited Leeds for a fireside chat. A lifelong entrepreneur and investor, he talked about his 40-year career of starting and building sustainable companies, including Pinpoint Technologies, Techstars and Zintinus. He stressed the importance of learning from failure, balancing risk and rewards, and advocating for DEI at small companies.

Organized by Leeds Student Government and in partnership with the ��ֱ�� Freeride club, CEOs and founders of POWDR advised students on ways to break into the outdoor industry. This leader-packed event featured John Cumming (founder and chairman), Justin Sibley (CEO), Raj Basi (vice president of sustainability), Maria Guarnieri (chief of staff) and Megan Fearnow (vice president of marketing). They discussed how everyone’s path to success is different, and even if you don’t start in the outdoor industry, it doesn’t mean you can’t end up there. They also advised students on networking with the right people and surrounding themselves with those who have similar interests.

Other influential leaders who visited this fall included:

Matt Pozzi, BAE Systems

Jeff Brown, BlackRock

James Calano, Boulder Investment Group

Angela Schwartz, Danone North America

Ben Lerman, Danone North America

Regan Ebert, Danone North America

Samantha Cotlov, Danone North America

Arden Gehl, Deloitte Consulting

Carson Smail, Deloitte Consulting

June Yuan, Deloitte Consulting

Lindsay Determan, Deloitte Consulting

Shreya Naik, Deloitte Consulting

Zachary East, Deloitte Consulting

David Williams, Fisher Investments

Erica Brown, Fisher Investments

Karson Jones, Fisher Investments

Chris Fogler, FTI Consulting

Claire Schaffer, FTI Consulting

Francheska Pokora, FTI Consulting

Leanne Sigman, FTI Consulting

Ryan Rule, FTI Consulting

Siobhan Cleary, FTI Consulting

Jamie Gardner, Google

Brandon Wilcox, KPMG

Colin Ellis, KPMG

Hope Cahoon, KPMG

Jordan Akiyoshi, KPMG

Jorge Velasquez, KPMG

Mat Groh, KPMG

Malcom Craig, McCaffery Interests

Michael Hovey, Morgan Stanley

John Cumming, POWDR

Jane Miller, Rudi’s Organic Bakery

Amy Halvorson, Starbucks Coffee

Get connected with opportunities to influence and inspire students.

Developing tomorrow’s business leaders requires today’s mentors. Last fall, more than 300 executives from companies such as WellsFargo, Google and Techstars shared their expertise at Leeds.

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Leeds Ecosystem

The Leeds Professionalism Summit: Career Lessons that Stick

Build a personal brand that gets you hired

Creating & Deploying Your Personal Brand: A 5-Step Strategic Marketing Framework

Using AI in the job search—smartly

Boosting confidence through practice

Experience the 2025 Leeds Professional Summit

Related Articles

Leeds' Supply Chain and Business Analytics Master's Programs Celebrate a Decade of Distinction

Experience the Celebration

Related Articles

Leading Citizen Well-Being Through Business Research: Launching the Initiative for Global Business Impact

Leading the way

Solidifying Leeds’ research infrastructure

Addressing global challenges through business innovation

Related Articles

Career Paths: How Luke St. John Became a Natural Networker

Turning dreams into milestones

Follow your passions

Network with peers

Stick with it

Explore options through internships

Looking ahead

Related Articles

From Boardrooms to Classrooms: Visionary Leaders Share Secrets to Their Success

Organic advice

Other influential leaders who visited this fall included:

Get connected with opportunities to influence and inspire students.

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