Leeds Ecosystem

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 Boulder. 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 at case competitions across the country this spring.

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 visual 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 Boulder 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,” Zechman added.

The two-day event includes cases on market making, options trading and time series analysis, and features networking opportunities with over a dozen trading and financial firms. The winnings exceed $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 at case competitions across the country this spring.

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2025 Teaching and Staff Award Recipients Shine

Kelsey Cipolla — Fri, 09 May 2025 16:00:53 +0000

2025 Teaching and Staff Award Recipients Shine Kelsey Cipolla Fri, 05/09/2025 - 10:00

Anna Sheffer

Leeds faculty do more than just teach—they encourage, mentor and advocate for their students. Meanwhile, Leeds staff show up every day to help students have the best student experience possible and achieve their goals. These faculty and staff are recognized annually for their contributions to students’ education and experience. Here’s a look at some of our award recipients this year.

Frascona Teaching Excellence Award

Established by the Falkenberg family in 1992, the Joseph L. Frascona Teaching Excellence Award honors Leeds faculty who go the extra mile.

The recipient of the 2025 Frascona Teaching Excellence Award is Lev Szentkirályi, an assistant teaching professor in the Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SRS) Division. Szentkirályi called receiving the award “humbling and validating,” as he worked to reinvent himself as a teacher and scholar since joining Leeds in 2022, while noting that “faculty are only as good as their students.”

“You can have the best intentions and the best topics in a class, and if the students aren't there to help carry that burden of creating an engaging classroom, it's going to fail,” he said. “This award is on behalf of all those students who make teaching a privilege.”

Szentkirályi holds a PhD in political science from CU and a master’s in philosophy from the University of Connecticut. He also holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and environmental science. Before teaching at Leeds, he taught skills-based academic writing courses at the CU College of Arts and Sciences. No matter what he is teaching, he uses his multidisciplinary background to focus on applied ethics.

In the classroom, Szentkirályi consistently challenges students to make personal connections with course content, such as asking his first-year World of Business students to look at local Zillow listings and to critically reflect on the limited availability of affordable off-campus housing when discussing resource scarcity.

“If I can get them to be thinking about the relevance of these different topics that we talk about, and they can carry it with them into the future, that's where I hope the intangible meets the tangible,” he said. “I would like to think we're creating thoughtful generations of future community leaders.”

Finalists for the 2025 Frascona Teaching Award also included David Gross, a teaching professor and the associate chair in the Finance Division, and Erin Lionberger, an assistant teaching professor in Professional Effectiveness. Gross was recognized for his in-depth teaching materials and his sense of humor. He noted that humor is part of his natural communication style, which then shows up in his teaching.

“In any relationship or any situation in which you’re interacting with people, a connection is important,” he explained.

Lionberger garnered praise for her student engagement, which she does by relating the material to students’ lives.

“To be relatively early in my teaching career and reach finalist status feels pretty surreal,” she said. “I have to give a huge shoutout to my division and my colleagues—I definitely wouldn’t be here without their support and guidance.”

Innovative Teaching Award

Matthew Brady, 2025 David B. Balkin and Rosalind & Chester Barnow Endowed Innovative Teaching Award winner

The 2025 David B. Balkin and Rosalind & Chester Barnow Endowed Innovative Teaching Award has been awarded to Matthew Brady, an assistant teaching professor in the Organizational Leadership & Information Analytics (OLIA) Division. Brady’s courses are united in their entrepreneurial approach and embrace of AI technology.

“I try to bring these techniques into the classroom because I don't know another way,” Brady said. “I am an entrepreneur and I'm thinking about the students being entrepreneurs and future business leaders, and so I want to equip them accordingly.”

Brady’s courses often focus on “low-code” development—enabling students to use AI to build their own applications. As an instructor, he models his classroom after the boardroom, asking students to familiarize themselves with resources before class and then ask questions about what they have learned.

“I try to give them the tools and let them become the artists, and they can learn art by way of watching other artists learn,” he said. “That's a real joy.”

Brady has also helped found several hands-on learning opportunities for students, including the Sustainability Hackathon and the newly launched Boulder Founder Summit, which connects students to funding and mentors in the start-up world.

The runner-up for this year’s Balkin Award is Sina Khoshsokhan, assistant professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship.

Leeds Values Awards

The Leeds Values Award recognizes one staff member and one faculty member who best embody Leeds’ values. This year, the winners are Tracy Sanders and Yonca Ertimur.

2025 Leeds Value Award Winners Yonca Ertimur and Tracy Sanders

Yonca Ertimur is the Tandean Rustandy Esteemed Professor and the recipient of the 2025 Leeds Values Award for faculty, which she won due to her unwavering dedication to excellence and impact. Before her current position, she served as the senior associate dean for faculty, the acting dean of the Leeds School of Business and as the chair of the Accounting Division.

Tracy Sanders is the assistant to the division chairs at the Office of Finance and Administration. She is the recipient of the 2025 Leeds Values Award for staff for embodying Leeds values in all she does.

Leeds faculty do more than just teach—they encourage, mentor and advocate for their students. Take a look at some of our award recipients this year.

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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 Boulder felt like the perfect match. Second, CU Boulder 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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Jessica Baumgarten

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:04:06 +0000

Jessica Baumgarten Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 04/24/2025 - 11:04

Jane Majkiewicz • Photos by Cody Johnston

Little did Jessica Baumgarten (PolSci’03, MEd’16) know when she was a child that watching sports as a way to connect with her dad would not only turn into a lifelong love, but that sports would also define her career.

Was it destiny?

“Early in his career,” said Baumgarten, her father was a sportswriter and editor for the Daily Camera. While at her dad’s house, sports were always on.

“One day I realized, I really love this. I love watching it. I love enjoying it. And I was hooked,” she recalled. She coached tennis during high school as a summer job, and then had brief internships with the athletics department as a CU undergrad majoring in political science with a minor in business. She later went on to earn her master’s in educational foundations, policy and practice at CU.

Getting a career strike

After college, Baumgarten moved to Chicago and took roles in marketing and sales within the health and wellness field. When she returned to Colorado and received job offers from two professional sports teams, she found herself questioning if marketing was really her calling.

“If community development had a bigger presence back then, I think I would’ve gone that route,” she said. That’s because she likes to help people—something that fuels her work at Leeds as the director of the Business of Sports (BOS) Program and as associate director of the Career Development Office.

The role of “career coach” fits perfectly. In addition to launching BOS, Baumgarten was the first career coach at Leeds; subsequently, she now also manages a team of career advisors. In her role specializing in the consulting industry, she has built a strong network. In only a few years, she helped propel Leeds to become a core school for some of the top consulting firms in the industry, she explained.

Baumgarten landed at Leeds through serendipity: A friend’s mom who worked at the school told her about an emerging Business of Sports Program. That certainly piqued her curiosity, and she joined Leeds in 2010 to help build BOS from the ground up. It officially launched in 2013. Since then, she’s grown BOS into a robust community backed by strong industry ties and alumni engagement.

“I’ve had students call me from airports ... some wanting to sign their offer letters in my office ... Those are moments I will never, ever forget.”

Jessica Baumgarten

“I’ve had students call me from airports ... some wanting to sign their offer letters in my office,” she said. A favorite memory is a BOS alumna calling her right after she received a coveted job offer, and then declaring, “Now I have to go call my mom!”

“There have been so many highs. Those are moments I will never, ever forget.”

Keeping pace with a fast-paced industry

The BOS program is as dynamic as the sports industry itself, continually evolving in scope and sophistication.

When it started, it focused primarily on facilities and event management, marketing and law, Baumgarten explained. Today, the curriculum spans social media, analytics and business intelligence, community development, gaming and NIL (Name, Image and Likeness)—the latter of which she calls “the Wild, Wild West—a beast to keep up with on its own.”

The gaming industry, betting and wagering are also now integrated into the program. “We have bet365, which has a Denver headquarters. We partnered with PointsBet in the past, which was purchased by Fanatics. It’s a huge industry in itself,” she said.

Opening up opportunities

In a cohort of 50 students each year, BOS participants receive more than just theoretical instruction—they get personal attention and the chance to engage in real-world, project-based learning with top-notch industry professionals. One recent cohort worked on conducting a comprehensive competitor analysis of the partnership landscape within specific categories (airlines, wealth management and wellness). Based on their research, students recommended specific partners the client could engage with based on brand fit.

While CU offers other sports-focused programs, such as minors in sports media or critical sports theories, the BOS certificate stands apart by offering a comprehensive view of the sports industry. It allows students to explore a variety of career paths.

“A lot of students don't realize all the opportunities within the industry,” said Baumgarten, pointing to roles in community development, agency work and analytics. “I have a number of students who are traders at betting companies, so they’re helping set the lines and they’re using quantitative and analytical skills.”

“Not every student wants to major in sports management,” she added. “This certificate gives them a foot in the door and real exposure to the industry, while still pairing it with a solid business degree. They get that niche specialization without having to go all-in on a sports-specific major.”

Beyond building a solid foundation, she said, "the networking piece is huge."

Through her leadership, Baumgarten has cultivated a learning environment that balances academic rigor with professional readiness. Students and alumni view her not just as an educator, but as a coach, mentor and lifelong supporter.

More than a playbook

For Baumgarten, success is as much about mindset as it is about skills. She instills in students the importance of having a positive attitude, being a team player and committing to hard work—principles from sports that translate to business and life.

She also reminds students not to burn bridges. “The sports industry is a close-knit community built on relationships, collaboration and information sharing,” she said. Her mantra is simple but powerful: “How you treat people matters.”

“The sports industry is a close-knit community built on relationships, collaboration and information sharing ... How you treat people matters.”

Jessica Baumgarten

She carries that belief into everything she does—not just with the students she helps in BOS or in consulting, but also with the career coaching team she oversees in the Career Development Office. If she doesn't know the answer to something, she'll work hard to find it.

Ultimately, said Baumgarten, “It’s not about how much you know. It’s about how much you care.”

Jessica Baumgarten didn’t set out to be a coach—but she’s become one in all the ways that matter. From helping students land jobs to growing the Business of Sports Program, she’s all about guiding people toward fulfilling their dreams.

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Deepali Agarwal (MBA, MBusAn’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:58:00 +0000

Deepali Agarwal (MBA, MBusAn’25) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 04/23/2025 - 09:58

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Deepali Agarwal
Majors: Business Administration and Business Analytics
Hometown: Lucknow, India

Why did you choose Leeds for your MBA?
I’ve always believed that diversity is where innovation lives. I wanted to be part of a community that brings together bold, creative minds from all walks of life—and Leeds is exactly that. Whether I’m in class, at a club meeting, or chatting over coffee with peers from around the world, I feel inspired by the range of perspectives and ideas.

As someone who champions women in business, I’ve looked for spaces that truly empower and uplift them—and that’s what I found at Leeds. From day one, I was drawn to the numerous initiatives undertaken by the school mission of supporting women leaders and fostering inclusive growth. It wasn’t just a checkbox on a brochure—it was reflected in the people, the programs and the culture.

How has Leeds shaped your perspectives about business?
Coming from a small town in India, I grew up watching women around me turn traditional embroidery and handwork into small businesses—often from their homes. These women weren’t just artisans; they were entrepreneurs, caregivers and the financial backbone of their families.

That inspiration led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in business and later start a small NGO to support these women and their craft. But I knew I needed to grow my own knowledge and expand my toolkit if I wanted to create larger impact.

At Leeds, my perspective on business has grown from personal passion to global purpose. I’ve learned how innovation, analytics and inclusive leadership can intersect to solve real-world problems. Being here has reaffirmed my belief that business isn’t just about strategy—it’s about people, communities and creating access. Leeds hasn’t just taught me how to lead—it’s shown me why I want to lead.

What experiences have stood out?
At Leeds, every classroom feels like a space where every voice matters. In many of the classes, we’re not just listening to lectures; we’re actively engaging, solving real cases, and thinking critically alongside our professors and peers. I’ve loved how professors act more like facilitators—bringing together our diverse and creative minds to explore complex business challenges. It’s made learning feel collaborative and alive.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I’m excited to gain hands-on experience in the business world in the U.S. In the long run, my dream is to start my own business—one that blends technology, creativity and purpose to create meaningful impact, especially for underrepresented communities.

How has Leeds prepared you for your career? Leeds has been a transformational chapter in my journey—not just professionally, but personally. Being involved in so many events, from organizing cultural celebrations to leading club initiatives, helped me find my voice and build my confidence. I’ve realized that I’m capable of making an impact not just in my hometown, but anywhere in the world.

”Being here has reaffirmed my belief that business isn’t just about strategy—it’s about people, communities and creating access. Leeds hasn’t just taught me how to lead—it’s shown me why I want to lead.“

Deepali Agarwal’s perspective has expanded from personal passion to global purpose. Her dream is to one day start her own business, especially to serve underrepresented communities.

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Camden Dempsey (Fin, Mktg’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:35:36 +0000

Camden Dempsey (Fin, Mktg’25) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 04/23/2025 - 09:35

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Camden Dempsey
Major: Finance & Marketing (Minor in Leadership, Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies)
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Leadership Award: Scripps Leadership and Career for Student-Athletes

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to continue building my startup, VerEstate, a digital title insurance company that aims to streamline the home buying process through AI-powered solutions. I’ll also be completing my master’s in real estate at CU to further deepen my knowledge of the industry, playing my final year of football at CU, and spending as much time as I can enjoying Colorado!

How would you sum up your experience at Leeds?
Leeds has been transformational. I’ve had the chance to grow not only academically but also as an entrepreneur and leader. From the classroom to startup competitions, and through relationships with faculty and peers, I’ve been challenged and supported every step of the way. Leeds has given me the skills and confidence to take advantage of opportunities to build, connect and create ideas!

How do you plan to stay connected to Leeds?
I plan to stay actively involved as a mentor and guest speaker, especially in the Deming Center and entrepreneurial programs that shaped my journey. I also hope to give back through alumni networks and by supporting future student ventures!

"Leeds has been transformational. I’ve had the chance to grow not only academically but also as an entrepreneur and leader."

Camden Dempsey may be graduating, but his CU connections continue. He will be pursuing his master's in real estate, and Buffs football fans will be happy to see him on the field for one more year!

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Yuping Li (PhD’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:25:00 +0000

Yuping Li (PhD’25) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 04/23/2025 - 09:25

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Yuping Li (PhD’25)
Hometown: Fujian Province, China
Leeds Division: Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Operations
Upcoming Position: Assistant Professor in Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University

Leeds Mentors: I am especially thankful to my advisor, Professor Tony Tong. From the earliest stages of my dissertation through to its completion, he has provided unwavering support, insightful feedback and generous mentorship. Our ongoing conversations have shaped how I think about research, academic life and what it means to contribute to a scholarly community. His guidance has been instrumental to my growth as a scholar, and working with him has been a truly formative experience.

I am also sincerely appreciative of the members of my dissertation committee. Professor Janet Bercovitz has been an enduring source of support throughout my PhD studies. Her clarity of thought and insightful feedback greatly enriched this work, and she has been a continual source of inspiration to me—especially in her example as a female scholar.

Professor Mukund Chari helped deepen my appreciation for methodological rigor and precise thinking. I am grateful for the many conversations where he patiently engaged with my ideas and helped refine my presentations.

I am also grateful to Professor Sina Khoshsokhan for his support throughout the dissertation development and the job search process. I have greatly benefited from his generosity in sharing his experiences.

Highlight: I feel incredibly fortunate to have pursued my doctoral studies in such an intellectually stimulating and naturally beautiful environment, nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. I especially enjoyed the sunny weather and breathtaking views—something I’ll miss dearly. Beyond academic growth, I’ve been lucky to build lasting friendships and share this journey with an exceptional group of colleagues. The mentorship and camaraderie I’ve experienced here have been truly special.

Research Inspiration: My research sits at the intersection of open-source innovation, corporate strategy and entrepreneurship. I was drawn to this area by observing how open-source software has become both technologically essential and commercially valuable. Today, nearly 95% of software includes some open-source component. Major commercial transactions underscore its value—for example, IBM’s $34 billion acquisition of Red Hat and Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of GitHub.

Despite its prominence in practice, academic research on open source remains limited. We still know little about why firms choose to engage with open source, what the consequences are, and how they sustain competitive advantage while doing so. While open source can provide firms with advantages like cost reduction, access to distributed knowledge, talent identification and broader technology diffusion, it also introduces competitive risks by exposing proprietary technologies.

”Beyond academic growth, I’ve been lucky to build lasting friendships and share this journey with an exceptional group of colleagues. The mentorship and camaraderie I’ve experienced here have been truly special.“

Dissertation: “Navigating the Paradox of Openness in Corporate Growth: Evidence from Open-Source Startups”

Summary: Open-source innovation has become increasingly influential in the technological landscape and is gaining significant commercial value. While traditionally viewed as independent of corporate interests, recent years have witnessed a substantial increase in the participation of commercial firms, particularly digital startups, in open-source development. Globally, open source has catalyzed entrepreneurial growth by allowing startups to build on existing technologies and tap into decentralized talent pools. However, the open-source nature of startups’ technology also presents challenges to their ability to capture value. My dissertation investigates the strategic implications of digital startups leveraging open source for growth and examines how they navigate this paradox of openness during key strategic events, such as competing with industry incumbents and reaching corporate milestones like initial public offerings (IPOs) and mergers and acquisitions (M&As).

Why is this research impactful?
This research advances our understanding of how firms navigate the complex trade-offs of openness in innovation ecosystems. It offers novel insights into how startups can strategically engage with open source to drive growth, maintain competitive advantage and maximize value capture. As open source continues to shape the future of technology and entrepreneurship, these findings hold both theoretical and practical significance for scholars, entrepreneurs and corporate strategists alike.

Yuping Li is joining Singapore Management University as a tenure-track assistant professor in strategy and entrepreneurship. She’ll miss the Rocky Mountains but will be leaving with lasting friendships and connections at Leeds.

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