Business Acumen & Career Outcomes

Hugo Leenders (PhD’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:02:33 +0000

Hugo Leenders (PhD’25) Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 06/13/2025 - 09:02

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Hugo Leenders (PhD’25)
Hometown: Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Leeds Division: Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Upcoming Position: Assistant Professor of Management at New Mexico State University

Leeds Mentors: First and foremost, Janet Bercovitz. Tony Tong and Jeff York have also been great teachers, mentors and inspirations.

Highlight: Successfully defending my dissertation has been the greatest accomplishment of my professional life. Nothing comes close to it.

Research Inspiration: Initially, I was inspired by scholars around me. Later on, my own experiences as a former entrepreneur started to play an increasingly important role.

“Successfully defending my dissertation has been the greatest accomplishment of my professional life. Nothing comes close to it.”

Dissertation: “Conflict and Competitive Tensions in R&D Alliances”

Summary: My dissertation examines how firms strategically manage the risk of knowledge misappropriation and other exchange hazards inherent in R&D alliances, with a particular focus on the influence of partner reputations.

Why is this research impactful? 
Reputations are self-enforcing, and firms rely on them to make inferences about each other's current and future behaviors, especially when they have imperfect information about each other, which is generally the case in the R&D alliance context. We can thus expect reputations to play an important role in this context. However, this topic has not been researched enough, which is why I pursued this in my dissertation. In addition to contributing to theory, my research also has important practical implications, as it may help firms make better decisions with respect to partner selection, design, and overall management of their R&D alliances.

Hugo Leenders is headed to the University of New Mexico, where he will be an assistant professor of management. Completing his dissertation has been his greatest accomplishment to date!

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Maggie Wellman (MBA’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:00:51 +0000

Maggie Wellman (MBA’25) Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 06/12/2025 - 09:00

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Maggie Wellman
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Pueblo, Colorado

Why did you choose to come to Leeds for your MBA?
After completing my undergrad at CSU and bouncing around a bit, I wanted to return to Colorado and pursue my master’s in a new academic environment. Leeds offered a dynamic, supportive community that aligned with my interests in business and sustainability.

How has Leeds shaped your perspectives about business?
Before Leeds, I was fairly confident in my understanding of the basics of business. Leeds really flipped me on my head and exposed me to all of the different angles that you can approach businesses with to make them successful. It really is difficult, and I believe that sometimes people look at businesses assuming concepts like strategy or operations are straightforward, but everything must be done intentionally and with careful thought to stay above water in the market.

What experiences have stood out?
The MBA is a packed program, and there is a ton that I loved being a part of. I really enjoyed the Barney Ford Scholarship Fundraiser and leading it as president of the planning committee. It reflects the dedication of Leeds, supporting their students and enabling everyone who wants to pursue higher education.

On a fun note, I enjoyed the tailgates hosted by the MBA board, as everyone came together, whether they were a football lover or not.

In terms of professors, it is hard to say who stood out the most. Our accounting professor Henry Laurion was undoubtedly a class favorite, but also Rich Wobbekind, Heather Kennedy and Jamie Cheston all shared their expertise and support to help me figure out the direction I should be facing for the future. Overall, the program gave me the opportunity to learn more about myself and make friends that I will have forever.

What are your plans after graduation?
I am about to get married and would love to stay in Colorado. I am applying to jobs in event/program management as well as marketing and brand management. I have a ton of interests, and I am extending my efforts to get where I am meant to be.

How has Leeds prepared you for your career?
When I came into the program, it was a stall. I wanted to do something in sustainability (still do), and I know I am good at a lot, but I was feeling disheartened by my job experiences up to that point that I wanted to gain some perspective and learn something new.

I changed the trajectory of my path a lot, and every time I did, I leaned on the career office, networking opportunities, and the incredible advice from others who had been through similar struggles. Through all of that, I found more clarity and direction.

Leeds taught me a lot, through classes, but also through events and the value of the community. I am coming out of this program more prepared than I was going in.

“Leeds taught me a lot, through classes, but also through events and through the value of the community. I am coming out of this program more prepared than I was going in.“

Maggie Wellman departs Leeds with greater clarity, direction and preparedness as she seeks to shape a career integrating sustainability into event and program management and marketing and brand management.

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Oliver Casis (Fin’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Oliver Casis (Fin’25) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 06/11/2025 - 09:00

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Oliver Casis
Major: Finance
Hometown: Greenwood Village, Colorado
Leadership Award: Air Force ROTC

What are your plans after graduation?
My plan after graduation is to move to commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in Pensacola, Florida, and begin Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Training (UCT).

How would you sum up your experience at Leeds? My experience at Leeds was incredible. Surrounding myself with peers and mentors to push me out of the comfort zone to achieve higher goals is something that I will forever be grateful for.

How do you plan to stay connected to Leeds?
I plan to stay connected with Leeds through the alumni network and all social media platforms.

“My experience at Leeds was incredible. Surrounding myself with peers and mentors to push me out of the comfort zone to achieve higher goals is something that I will forever be grateful for.“

Oliver Cassis is leaving Leeds with gratitude for learning how to pursue his goals with confidence. He is headed to Pensacola, Florida, to begin Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Training (UCT).

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Spring Guest Speakers Share Industry Experience and Expertise with Business Students

Kelsey Cipolla — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:38:02 +0000

Spring Guest Speakers Share Industry Experience and Expertise with Business Students Kelsey Cipolla Mon, 06/09/2025 - 09:38

Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Manna Tree Ross Iverson speaks to students during the Leeds Professionalism Summit

Every semester, the Leeds School of Business welcomes thought leaders, innovators and industry experts to share their insights with students. These opportunities are more than guest presentations—they’re dynamic experiences that enrich learning, provide professional inspiration, and bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice.

This spring, students heard from accomplished professionals across industries, from real estate to tech to sustainability. Here are highlights from a few standout speakers who inspired us.

Inspiring voices

Alumna Dana Lorenze (Bus’88), senior VP of global customs for Expeditors, spoke to Teaching Professor and MBA Faculty Director Lori Seward’s International Operations Management class, discussing her career path, her 30 years of working at Expeditors, and how her company has responded to the many changes in U.S. trade policies.

Seward said Lorenze provided an eye-opening overview of how products from other countries make their way into the U.S. Lorenze answered students’ questions about how Expeditors handled customer data security, what was happening around the world with shipping, and where Expeditors saw its value proposition with international customers.

“I am so grateful that our Leeds external partners and alumni want to engage with our students,” Seward said. “Their real-world experience complements our curriculum, and my students tell me these speakers are highlights of any course they take. Hearing from business experts about how business actually works better prepares our students for their careers.”

CBRE Senior Vice President Jon Weisiger spoke with students in the Real Estate Project Competition course, led by Lecturer Craig Ferraro. Weisiger’s talk on retail real estate—covering demand, potential rents and more—inspired students to think big about their own class project: creating a development plan for a commercial site in Thornton, Colorado.

In February, two graduate classes heard from Daniel Ivanoff, founding owner and managing member of Schnitzer West, LLC, who shared his experiences in negotiating.

And students in Assistant Teaching Professor Visda Carson’s Consulting Skills class benefited from meeting Leeds alumnus John Min, the managing director of Accenture Operations, who shared his journey into consulting and how his career has evolved at Accenture. His impact didn’t stop there—after the talk, he joined several Leeds students for a coffee chat about how to pursue their professional goals. 

Overall, Leeds students had the privilege of learning from more than 600 industry leaders and experts during the spring 2025 term. More speakers whose visits left a lasting impression included:

Shannon Sisler (right), Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer, Crocs

Saber Sherrard, Partner, Bain & Company

Tyler Huggins, Co-Founder, Meati Foods

Jamie Saunders, Founder, Affix

Grace Trahan, Software Investor, Five Elms Capital

Jonathan Tress, Vice President, Media Marketing, Matter Communications

Ross Iverson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Manna Tree

Braeden Mayer, Co-Founder & Partner, Enosis Capital

Jennifer White, Director of Marketing for Oikos, Danone

Chris Joeckel, Senior Manager, GTM Enablement-Career Acceleration, LinkedIn

LeAnn Nichol, Director of Marketing, Ancillary Analytics, Vail Resorts

Danny Goldman, Goldman Property Group

Stephanie Savage, Senior Director, Energy Analytics, Microsoft

Matt Bruehl, Senior Hardware Infrastructure Engineer, NVIDIA

Leon McBroom, Senior Managing Director, JLL

Jackie Marquis, Chairman of the Board, Girls on the Run of the Rockies

This spring, students heard from accomplished professionals across industries, from real estate to tech to sustainability.

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From the C-Suite to the Classroom: How Leeds’ Executive MBA is Redefining Business Leadership

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 27 May 2025 15:38:24 +0000

From the C-Suite to the Classroom: How Leeds’ Executive MBA is Redefining Business Leadership Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 05/27/2025 - 09:38

Julie Poppen

The University of Colorado 51��ý’s Leeds School of Business has found its stride in the competitive landscape of graduate business education, thanks to its dynamic Executive MBA program—which just graduated its third cohort.

The Leeds Executive MBA:
Rising in the Ranks

#5 among U.S. public university business schools for career outcomes
#49 globally for employer reputation

Source: QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) EMBA rankings

Designed for high-level professionals seeking transformational leadership development, the Executive MBA (EMBA) program continues to distinguish itself with a hybrid structure, world-class faculty, and a curriculum infused with relevance and rigor. The professional program complements the school’s long-standing and well regarded full-time and professional part-time MBA programs, offering a full suite of options for continuing students and busy professionals alike.

“Our Executive MBA students are already leaders,” said Tracee DeAntoni, senior program director for the Executive MBA at Leeds. “We have physicians, attorneys, scientists, CEOs and CISOs in the cohort—leaders learning from leaders.”

Purposeful design

The Leeds EMBA features a lockstep curriculum centered around three pillars: leadership, innovation and inclusion. Students progress together through foundational business topics and advanced courses drawn from Leeds’ other MBA programs.

“One key differentiator is that we’ve built a cohesive program with world-class faculty and select industry practitioners,” said Lori Seward, faculty director of MBA programs. “Other programs may rely on adjuncts or faculty from outside institutions, but most of the instruction comes from our Leeds faculty.”

The hybrid format combines online learning with three in-person residencies each year, including three weeklong sessions and a three-day orientation and second-year kick-off event. This structure allows working professionals to fully engage without sacrificing their careers.

“We reduce the cognitive load so students can focus on learning,” Seward said. “They don’t have to pick courses or manage complex schedules.”

Recognition and global reach

The Leeds EMBA has already achieved notable rankings, including #49 globally for employer reputation, #63 for career outcomes overall and #5 among U.S. public schools for career outcomes, according to the recently released QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) EMBA rankings.

“It’s exciting to be one of the youngest programs ranked globally—and the only new U.S. addition this year,” said Seward.

A 10-day international residency caps the second year, offering students exposure to global markets and cross-cultural business leadership.

Tight-knit community, immediate impact

Each cohort includes a small number of students to foster connection and exceptional personal attention, and students remain in the same small study groups throughout the program. This cohort-based model at Leeds encourages collaboration, mentorship and alumni engagement.

“Alumni return regularly for events and mentoring,” DeAntoni said. “The community is one of our strongest assets.”

Students also see immediate benefits at work. “Whatever you're learning today in the classroom, you can apply tomorrow at work,” Seward said.

Signature experiences—like the Innovation Challenge—with real clients and a second-year pitch competition, offer hands-on leadership development. Executive coaching is also included, helping students clarify goals and pursue promotions or career pivots.

“We’ve seen students promoted during the program—sometimes earlier than expected,” Seward noted. “And our alumni network supports students in everything from how to survive school and work, navigating LinkedIn, to career advice.”

“There’s a value in having people that aren’t in your day-to-day business that can provide some third-party feedback and can give you their experience ...”

Lauren McCabe (MBA’25)

Already a well-established leader among leaders, Lauren McCabe, a recent graduate from the Executive MBA program and awarded the EMBA Student Excellence Award by the faculty, acknowledges the value of refining some of the tools in her toolkit.

Throughout the EMBA program, having the opportunity to refine some of the tools in her toolkit was impactful, especially in the practice of highly focused, peer-evaluated presentations, which McCabe said is probably one of the strongest skills she’s taken away from the program.

“There’s a value in having people that aren’t in your day-to-day business that can provide some third-party feedback and can give you their experience, their exposure, how they may handle a situation that I might not have thought of because of my specific industry experience,” McCabe said.

Keep Exploring

Second-year Executive MBA student Lauren McCabe describes her experience in the program. Watch the video >>
Learn more about the Leeds Executive MBA. Read program details >>
Celebrate the Leeds MBA 60th anniversary. Join in the events >>

Leeds has found its stride in the competitive landscape of graduate business education, thanks to its dynamic Executive MBA (EMBA) program—which just graduated its third cohort.

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Meredith Maney (Mktg, Mgmt’18)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 21 May 2025 17:19:26 +0000

Meredith Maney (Mktg, Mgmt’18) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 05/21/2025 - 11:19

Wyatt Humble

The first thing Meredith Maney did after graduating from Leeds was join the Leeds Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Board. She was inspired to give back and stay connected with a diverse group of Leeds grads, gaining insight from peers as they pursued different career paths.

“It’s great to have this community of young people who go from having very similar experiences to having very different experiences out in the world, and to bring it all together to build great outcomes for Leeds that improve the student experience.”

Besides that, she knew it would be fun.

Seven years later, that decision has paid off. She holds the esteemed position of being the longest tenured GOLD Board member, serving in a variety of roles. And she manages to stay highly engaged despite being across the globe in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she moved in 2023 when her husband was offered a job there after earning his PhD.

A foundation in belonging

As a Leeds undergraduate, Maney was part of the Diverse Scholars Program and earned the Outstanding Sophomore Award for academic excellence and positive contributions to the community.

From late nights in Koelbel prepping for case competitions (including an unexpected caper with her family dog), to collaborating with faculty mentors, her college experience was defined by connection—at Leeds, CU, and in 51��ý. She was a member of several student organizations: the Multicultural Business Students Association, Leeds Association for Information Systems and Leeds Ambassadors. She also volunteered for three years with the Conference on World Affairs.

Those experiences all contributed to a worldview that proved valuable as she later immersed herself in an entirely new culture.

From Denver to Down Under

After graduation, Maney started as a business technology analyst at Deloitte in Denver, advancing to a consultant role after two years. Exposure to diverse industries, from fashion to defense, ultimately sparked her passion for the medical technology field. She found it refreshing to be working with smart people on breakthrough technologies that ultimately could transform lives.

That desire to be of service led her to Salesforce, where she worked as a senior customer success manager in the healthcare and life sciences sector.

“The company tries to foster a community of learners together, which is true not only in software development collaboration, but also as an overall ethos that permeates the Salesforce corporate culture,” she said.

“I’ve been lucky to work at companies that want to support professional development.”

Meredith Maney (Mgmt,Mktg’18)

“They want you to learn more. They want you to be the best you can be. I‘ve been lucky to work at companies that want to support professional development.” With that support, she earned five Salesforce certifications, continuing her professional growth.

Now a senior consultant at Brighter Days, an organization that improves workplace productivity, Maney specializes in marketing strategy and technology, working with the organization’s largest clients to identify and train teams on ways to continuously improve and deliver added value.

Global moves, local ties

For Maney, encouraging people in their professional and personal growth epitomizes the Leeds spirit. As an active member on Leeds’ social media channels (even leading a GOLD Board Instagram “takeover” last year), when Maney announced her move to New Zealand on LinkedIn, she received immediate support.

“I posted something on LinkedIn announcing my transition to New Zealand. It was really rewarding, because some of the first people to reach out were connected to Leeds. They gave me the names of other alumni who were in New Zealand,” she said.

That network proved invaluable. “They want you to go off on a new adventure, and then to have the wind at your back and all of these Leeds resources.”

The Elle Woods of Leeds

Reflecting on graduation, in 2018 Maney likened her experience to Elle Woods in the film “Legally Blonde”—a character who transforms and faces challenges with the support of her community.

“I think that is genuinely like the Leeds experience. The people who are around her [Elle] at the beginning of the movie, who believed in her, who helped her to get into Harvard, are also the people who continue to believe in her as a lawyer as she succeeds down the path.”

As a mentor, Maney strives to help students build confidence and networking skills, advocating for their success, just like Elle’s support network of friends.

“The scary conversation that you‘re fearing is never as scary as you really think it's going to be. … That‘s the practical advice that young grads always need to hear. You can build up a horrible conversation with your boss, a difficult conversation with a client, making it seem like it’s going to have way bigger repercussions than it really will.”

She reminds mentees: “At the end of the day, I think everyone‘s figuring it out, and everyone‘s human. So, it’s really about not allowing fear to stifle you.”

“At the end of the day, I think everyone‘s figuring it out, and everyone‘s human. So, it’s really about not allowing fear to stifle you.”

Meredith Maney (Mgmt,Mktg’18)

Lifelong learning and connection

Living abroad has further strengthened Maney‘s mindset, exposing her to a variety of new perspectives about innovation and risks in business and life, as well as about the importance of community.

One way she and her husband have embraced their new surroundings is by taking up fly fishing, even joining a local club—just one more way she continues to cast lines and build connections, wherever she goes.

“I’ve learned that there are a lot of different ways that you can find the chance to be out there. And I think that‘s really exciting.”

With 10 siblings, Maney joked she’s “basically always on the phone”—a fitting detail for someone who’s made a lifestyle out of keeping connections alive, no matter the distance.

Meredith Maney exemplifies what it means to be a lifelong Business Buff, joining the GOLD Board right after graduation. Now the longest-serving member, she continues to champion the Leeds community from New Zealand, proving that distance is no barrier to impact.

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A Lively Season of Case Competitions: Practical Lessons and Real-World Readiness

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 20 May 2025 20:49:17 +0000

A Lively Season of Case Competitions: Practical Lessons and Real-World Readiness Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 05/20/2025 - 14:49

Jane Majkiewicz

From ethics to algorithmic trading, Leeds students demonstrated their business acumen this spring at case competitions across the country.

This spring, Leeds students and faculty returned victorious from case competitions of all kinds—local, regional, national and beyond. Each year, both undergraduate and graduate students participate in case competitions, bringing home glory, prestige and prize money—and, most importantly, confirmation that classroom lessons are directly applicable in real-world business environments.

In addition to collaborating with talented classmates, students benefit from working closely with Leeds faculty and mentors from Leeds Centers of Excellence.

Here are highlights from three national-level competitions.

Rising talent in real estate

Three Leeds real estate majors—juniors Yashwant Chapagain, Ali Marcus and Sehaj Singh—earned second place in Boston University’s School of Hospitality’s 2025 Hospitality Real Estate Competition. The inaugural event brought together 21 teams and nearly 100 students from 17 universities.

The team placed second out of 12 national teams and was awarded $3,000 in prizes, said Chapagain. “The challenge focused on the development of a high-profile air rights parcel near Fenway Park, where we proposed a luxury hotel, an indoor food and beverage mall, and a modern office tower,” he explained.

The team used a strategic storytelling approach to pitch “Fenway Heights” to an audience of more than 180 industry professionals, Chapagain said. He noted that they leveraged AI tools to visualize market dynamics and support the team’s design rationale.

Team member Sehaj Singh emphasized that the site came with both high potential and plenty of challenges. “Our concept aimed to meet growing demand for high-end hospitality, attract year-round foot traffic beyond game days, and connect key parts of the neighborhood through improved pedestrian access and transit integration.” He added that the opportunity allowed the team to consider various audiences, including business travelers and local professionals, positioning the site as a vibrant new destination.

“It was a great hands-on experience that challenged us to apply financial modeling, design and strategy in a real-world context. Case competitions like this are invaluable for learning, networking and testing ideas under pressure,” said Singh.

“It was a great hands-on experience that challenged us to apply financial modeling, design and strategy in a real-world context.”

Sehaj Singh (RelEst’26)

At the regional level, another Leeds real estate team secured first place in the Sherman Miller Case Competition at Colorado State University. Seniors Emma Bedrick, Jackson Eskridge, Jonah Duran, Madison Fanshawe and Blake Kuykendall, along with sophomore Dane Westen, competed against CSU and University of Denver teams to win $4,000 in prize money.

CU team shines at the Daniels Fund Case Competition

Under the guidance of Joshua Nunziato, a team representing CU 51��ý earned second place in the Daniels Fund National Ethics Case Competition, advancing from an original pool of 83 teams across 38 universities to compete in person as one of the top 20 finalists. Their impressive performance earned them an $80,000 prize.

The team—Mitali Desai, Jesse Hettleman, Marina Levine and Aaditya (Aadi) Pore—were all CU seniors from outside Leeds but were heavily involved with the Leeds Consulting Group.

“It’s a big prize and symbolic milestone in these hardworking students’ journeys: They’ve been developing their consulting and teamwork skills for years as active members of the Leeds Consulting Group and Presidents Leadership Class,” said Nunziato. “After graduation, Aadi will be joining NASA, while Mitali, Jesse and Marina have all accepted positions at McKinsey.”

Top honors in quantitative trading

Darrell Zechman, senior director of Career Development and Experiential Learning at Leeds, mentored three CU students—two from Leeds and one from engineering—at the 13th Annual UChicago Algorithmic Trading Competition. CU’s team—Ephram Cukier from Engineering, and Caden Patel and Yusuf Hanif of Leeds—earned recognition in several categories.

“To see engineering and business students collaborate and perform so well was such a wonderful feeling,” Zechman said. “This is the premier collegiate quant trading competition in the country and attracts teams from places like MIT, CalTech, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard and Princeton,” he added.

The two-day event included cases on market making, options trading and time series analysis, and featured networking opportunities with over a dozen trading and financial firms. The winnings exceeded $13,000.

“I’m excited to announce we ended up winning second place overall,” Patel shared on LinkedIn, “while taking third place for Algorithmic Trading and 4th place for Portfolio Optimization.”

His teammate Yusuf Hanif noted, “It was an incredible opportunity to apply quantitative strategies and classroom concepts to real-world inspired challenges, all the while meeting with many other fantastic students and learning more from professionals about the quantitative finance industry as a whole.”

Developing a solid business acumen

Case competitions offer students more than just accolades—they are transformative experiences that foster collaboration, critical thinking, valuable networking and real-world readiness.

“Leeds students have an impressive track record of performance, often competing against teams from the top business schools in the country.”

Julie Gibson, Sherman R. Miller Executive Director of the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate

“Everything we do at the Klump Center is in partnership with the industry, giving students opportunities to deepen their learning outside the classroom from industry experts,” noted Julie Gibson, the Sherman R. Miller Executive Director of the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate at Leeds.

“Case competitions offer an incredible opportunity for students to apply their classroom learning on real projects. Leeds students have an impressive track record of performance, often competing against teams from the top business schools in the country,” Gibson said.

The Leeds Edge

Across the curriculum, Leeds students have consistently proven they have what it takes to apply their academic experiences to complex business environments.

At the 2025 Leeds Sustainability Case Competition, which brought in top students from leading business schools, Leeds MBA student James Anderson was a member of The Green Beans team, which won second place.

The experience took “a mix of hard work, practice and maybe a little magic," Anderson said.

“I came in with limited knowledge of the sustainability space, so learning from my teammates was awesome. It also gave me great practice in translating technical knowledge into digestible insights that resonated with a broader audience, including the judges.” He also enjoyed participating in the Venture Capital Investment Competition, organizing logistics for five visiting teams and supporting the Leeds competitors with research and diligence screening.

A few other competitions where Leeds students grabbed the spotlight this spring included the NAIOP Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge, the Bascom Undergraduate Real Estate Competition and the New Venture Challenge. Smaller competitions also offer big benefits, like the Leeds semiannual Communication Strategy Case Competition, in which winning students developed an innovative solution for client Blue Sport Stable.

From ethics to algorithmic trading, Leeds students demonstrated their business acumen this spring at case competitions across the country.

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Dongoh Shin (PhD’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:36:32 +0000

Dongoh Shin (PhD’25) Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 05/09/2025 - 09:36

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Dongoh Shin (PhD’25)
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Leeds Division: Accounting
Upcoming Position: Assistant Professor in Accounting at Wayne State University

Leeds Mentors: My dissertation co-chairs, professors Clare Wang and Nathan Marshall, have been invaluable guides throughout my PhD journey, particularly during my critical fourth and fifth years. They consistently challenged me with high-level questions and encouraged me to position my research within the broader context of existing literature. Additionally, Professor Henry Laurion has provided both emotional support and practical research guidance. I am particularly grateful for our research discussions, which evolved into a productive co-authorship.

Highlight: The highlight of my time at Leeds was successfully defending my dissertation proposal—a significant milestone that represented my first independent academic achievement within the program.

Research Inspiration: My experience as both an analyst and institutional investor in the equity market shaped my research interests. During my time in these roles, I became fascinated by the information flows that connect capital market participants and get them to make decisions. I was also drawn to examining how financial reporting serves as critical conduits for transmitting this information. This market experience sparked my curiosity about the underlying dynamics of information transfers in capital markets.

“My dissertation co-chairs consistently challenged me with high-level questions and encouraged me to position my research within the broader context of existing literature.”

Dissertation: “Who are my roommates: Corporate co-tenancy and information environment”

Summary: My research examines how firms who share their headquarters buildings with others (i.e., corporate co-tenancy) potentially influences the information environment of corporate managers.

Why is this research impactful? This trend has become increasingly common in recent years. Given the prevalence of this trend, understanding potential information spillovers within an office building has important implications for corporate decision-making.

Dongoh Shin will begin a new role as an assistant professor of accounting at Wayne State University. His PhD journey at Leeds was enriched by the invaluable guidance and support of his mentors.

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Rachel Warren (Acct, RelEst’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:15:24 +0000

Rachel Warren (Acct, RelEst’25) Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 05/09/2025 - 09:15

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Rachel Warren
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
Major: Accounting and Real Estate with a minor in Political Science
Leadership Award: Leeds Scholars Program

What are your plans after graduation?
My plan for after graduation is to work a restaurant job to save money while I continue networking and applying for jobs in commercial real estate, specifically focusing on brokerage.

How would you sum up your experience at Leeds?
My experience at Leeds has been a game-changer. I found an incredibly supportive community within my peers, professors and program advisors at Leeds that has helped shape me into who I am today and has been invaluable in guiding me toward the career path I want to pursue. I feel incredibly grateful to have been set up for such great success from my Leeds experience over the past four years.

How do you plan to stay connected to Leeds?
I plan to stay connected to Leeds through continued alumni involvement in the Leeds Scholars Program. It is really important to me to give back to the community that gave so much to me during my four years at Leeds.

"My experience at Leeds has been a game-changer. I found an incredibly supportive community that has been invaluable in guiding me toward the career path I want to pursue."

Rachel Warren feels well prepared to pursue a career in commercial real estate, thanks to a supportive network at Leeds.

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Stephen Barrow (MRelEst’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:12:07 +0000

Stephen Barrow (MRelEst’25) Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 05/09/2025 - 09:12

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Stephen Barrow
Major: Real Estate
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa

Why did you choose to come to Leeds for your master’s?
My decision to choose Leeds came down to two main factors. First, I wanted to be in a place that fit my outdoor and active lifestyle, and 51��ý felt like the perfect match. Second, CU 51��ý is a great university with a highly regarded business school, which had a degree that aligned perfectly with my academic and professional goals.

How has Leeds shaped your perspectives about business?
I came here without a business background, and so my time at Leeds has just been an incredible learning experience. Leeds has broadened my understanding of business beyond just the numbers. I’ve learned how values like sustainability, relationships and partnerships, and long-term vision play critical roles in business success. It’s also taught me the importance of collaboration and strategic thinking, especially in an industry as multifaceted as real estate.

What experiences have stood out?
Several experiences stand out—participating in the NAIOP Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge, meeting countless industry professionals who shared their time and insights, and going on the real estate trek to New York. I’ve also learned a lot from my classmates and the talented lecturers who are committed to our growth. These experiences, among many others, have pushed me to think critically and connect technical skills to broader business and real estate goals.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to continue working in the real estate industry here in the U.S.—whether that’s in private equity, asset management or development. Gaining international experience is an opportunity to get out my comfort zone, and I believe it will provide valuable perspectives and set me up for long-term success, no matter where my career takes me.

How has Leeds prepared you for your career?
Leeds gave me the foundation I needed—both technically and professionally. It gave me the confidence to think big and think creatively. Leeds has connected me to a strong and well-established alumni and industry network, and it has helped me sharpen key skills like financial modeling, market analysis and strategic planning. I’m excited to carry everything I’ve learned into the next chapter of my career. Thank you, Leeds.

"Leeds gave me the confidence to think big and think creatively. It has connected me to a strong and well-established alumni and industry network, and it has helped me sharpen key skills like financial modeling, market analysis and strategic planning."

Stephen Barrow has learned to think critically and connect technical skills to broader business and real estate goals. No matter where his career takes him, he feels Leeds has set him up for success.

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