The CESR Advisory Board champions the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR) programs and activities which support students and facilitate collaboration across strategic programs at the Leeds School of Business, including:
- Student access to businesses for purposes of internships, mentoring, student interview opportunities, and student projects;
- Review of CESR activities and priorities, including the strategic plan, programs, and opportunities for campus and corporate collaboration;
- Program effectiveness assessment, advice and guidance on quality improvement; and,
- Fund development, including the expectation that each member of the Board participates financially at a level that is meaningful to him/her.
Ellen Balaguer
Retired Global Managing Director
Accenture
Ellen was a senior executive with Accenture for 27 years and is now retired. During her tenure at Accenture, Ellen held a variety of roles, the most recent of which included Global Managing Director for HR & Learning Services and Global Managing Director for Innovation and Offer Management for the Outsourcing business.
While at Accenture, Ellen spearheaded many top strategic growth initiatives for the organization and led some of the largest and most complex deals done on a global basis. She also successfully turned around several distressed business units and drove significant growth in several areas of both the outsourcing and consulting businesses.
Ellen served on several Accenture corporate boards including the Global Leadership Council, the Global Investment Committee, various corporate strategic growth plan initiatives, Accenture Development Partnerships and several corporate citizenship initiatives.
Since retiring from Accenture, Ellen is now a philanthropist/board member, and works with a number of education and conservation organizations and nonprofits in the U.S. and around the world. She is an active member of the Leeds Advisory Board (an emeritus board chair), the secretary of the CU Boulder Enterprise Corporation (CUBEC) Board and advisor/board member at the Business School at the University of Colorado Denver campus. She has served as both a board member and officer at the Jane Goodall Institute, the Florence Crittenton School Denver, and the Colorado Ballet. She is an investor and strategic advisor to several EdTech startups. She is a founding member of the Technical Impact Circle at World Pulse and a member of the Industry Advisory Board for ActivateWork. In 2023, Ellen was named an Influential Leader by AACSB International, a testament to her track record of creating positive impact through leadership that is compassionate, curious and resilient, with a focus on purpose, people and planet.
Ellen strives to be a wholistic investor in the organizations with which she works contributing considerable time toward mentorship and guidance across strategic, operational, talent and fundraising initiatives. She finds mentoring students and young business-people very rewarding.
Ellen attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where she earned both a BS in Finance and a BA in Psychology in 1982. In 2012, Ellen was the Leeds Undergraduate commencement speaker and was also the recipient of the Leeds Distinguished Alumni and Service Award in recognition for her service to the school and exceptional achievements in business. She will serve as the 2023 Leeds Graduate commencement speaker. In 1982, she was the student recipient of the University of Colorado Thomas Jefferson award. Ellen and her family live in Denver and travel extensively on a worldwide basis.
Grace Ebner
Master of Business Administration and Masters of the Environment graduate student
University of Colorado Boulder
Grace Ebner is currently a dual degree Master of Business Administration and Masters of the Environment graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder. She is focused on corporate strategy, sustainable communications, ESG programs, and urban resilience. She serves as the inaugural Vice President of Sustainability for her MBA class, the President of the Leeds Social Impact Consultancy, and the President of Judge Relations for the Net Impact Case Competition. Prior to her studies at CU Boulder, Grace spent six years working for an environmental consulting nonprofit specializing in greenhouse gas accounting, carbon offset management, and building strategic partnerships. Grace aims to strengthen the intersection of climate action and corporate initiatives while communicating the business sense of sustainability and boosting the work of value-driven organizations.
Jamie Gardner
Head of Strategic Programs, Global Affairs
Google
Jamie Gardner is a high impact executive with more than 20 years of experience in advising global businesses and social enterprises on innovation, technology and growth strategies with an emphasis on sustainability, equity and inclusion. She is focused on helping executives achieve results. She currently serves as the head of strategic programs within Global Affairs at Google. As a strategic advisor, she works with the business to diagnose/assess opportunities for transformation and scope and launch innovative solutions to address those needs.
Jamie earned her undergraduate degree in business administration for finance and marketing from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a masters in public policy from Georgetown University. She recently relocated her family, including her twin boys, and is thrilled to be back in the Boulder area, working with her alma mater.
Dr. Glyne A. Griffith II
Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Impact
Dallas Symphony Association
Dr. Glyne A. Griffith II holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree with a Specialization in Organizational Leadership. He currently serves as Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Impact for the Dallas Symphony Association. He works collaboratively across the organization to develop, monitor, and report on actionable EDI, culture goals, and social impact strategies and metrics in alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic plan.
Dr. Griffith was previously Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at SiriusXM, which includes Pandora and Stitcher. In that role, he was a key contributor to the conception and execution of a company-wide monthly event series hosted by the DE&I team that educated and empowered employees, covering a range of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics, terms, and concepts. He also oversaw SiriusXM’s employee resource groups which provide support, visibility, and empowerment to Women, People of Color, Veterans, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and allies at the company. He created company-wide communications to celebrate, educate, and increase cultural awareness surrounding special observances throughout the year.
Dr. Griffith has a professional background in diversity, entertainment, marketing, and technology, with corporations including Nissan, General Motors, and Broadcast Music Incorporated. Dr. Griffith is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) and holds certifications in Social Impact Partnerships, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility from the Center for Ethics on Social Responsibility (CESR) of the University of Colorado, Leeds School of Business. He is also a singer, composer, and performer. Dr. Griffith is a vocalist with the Dallas Symphony Chorus, and his artistic background also includes piano, acting, and songwriting, with original compositions featured on various projects including a film soundtrack and a top Billboard-charting album.
Dr. Griffith is passionate about the role that arts and entertainment can play as a catalyst for unity and social impact. Griffith is a devoted husband and father of two.
Amy Halvorson
Sustainability Lead
Starbucks Coffee Company
Amy Halvorson (she/her) is an impact-driven sustainability professional with extensive experience in strategy development, program management and stakeholder engagement. She has an unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable operations and supply chains and enabling business growth through execution of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.
Currently, Amy is a Sustainability Lead at Starbucks Coffee Company where she manages initiatives that drive progress toward Starbucks 2030 environmental sustainability goals and supports strategic relationships with NGOs, industry groups, and other stakeholders. Since joining in 2023, her subject matter expertise and cross-functional collaboration have proven essential to navigating sustainability issues in a highly complex retail environment.
Prior to this role, Amy spent over seven years with Cargill, a global food and agriculture company and leader in building a resilient and sustainable food system. She served as Sustainability Manager, Strategic Initiatives; Sustainability and Partnerships Manager; and Project Manager, Global Issues Management. During her tenure at Cargill, she successfully designed programs to operationalize strategies in the areas of climate, water, land use, regenerative agriculture, and farmer livelihoods.
Amy began her career in state government as staff to the Colorado Workforce Development Council, a Governor-appointed, public-private partnership that oversees talent development efforts throughout the state. Her responsibilities included board governance and development and stakeholder engagement with the private sector, state agencies, state legislators, economic developers, education bodies and community-based organizations.
Amy holds an MS in International Business from the University of Colorado Denver, a BA in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a BS in Business Administration from the Leeds School of Business at CU-Boulder. As an undergraduate, she took the Leadership Challenges course through theCenter for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR) and considers it a transformative experience. Amy lives in the Denver area with her husband, Daniel, their two children and dog. She enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and taking in local sports (Go Buffs!) and concerts.
Tonie Hansen
Sr Director, ESG
NVIDIA
Tonie’s passion is to build forward-thinking, resilient, and purpose-led technology companies.
At NVIDIA, she oversees corporate responsibility and ESG, a function she helped to build since starting in 2006. As a strategist and communicator, she drives initiatives that strengthen NVIDIA’s ESG and brand reputation. Tonie publishes the company’s ESG report and engages with shareholders, NGOs, and customers to understand their expectations and present NVIDIA’s positioning around ESG issues. She also helps NVIDIA keep its position as an ESG leader by delivering to execs insights on societal issues and their impact on the company, as well as robust benchmarking.
Prior to joining NVIDIA, Tonie spent 15 years in a variety of marketing roles. She earned her MBA in 2000 from Babson College, has been recognized by CRO Magazine as a CR Superstar, the Silicon Valley Business Journal as a Women of Influence, and received a YWCA Tribute to Women award. She previously served on the board of directors and as board president of the YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley, and is currently helping the city of Sedona, AZ in the development of its strategic community plan.
Demesha Hill
President and Head of Diversity & Community Relations
Janus Henderson Foundation
As President of the Janus Henderson Foundation and Head of Diversity & Community Relations, Demesha provides leadership and strategic support for the corporate diversity and community outreach initiatives. In her role, she actively develops global corporate wide community employee engagement opportunities and fosters the 12 employee resource groups. She serves on the Board of Directors for Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Studio and Colorado Succeeds. She earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal and holds a Certificate in Corporate Citizenship Practice.
Michael S. Leeds
Co-Director
Harbor Glow Foundation
Michael Leeds served as Chairperson of the Leeds School of Business Advisory Board from 2002 to 2007. In 2001, he led his family’s endowment of the University of Colorado’s then College of Business to increase academic excellence, expand its curriculum to include Ethics and Social Responsibility as part of the core-curriculum and to increase diversity in the student body, the faculty and the PHD program. He continues to be very active in the Board’s leadership as Chair Emeritus.
Until 1999 Michael was President and CEO of CMP Media, Inc., one of the leading media companies focused on technology, computers and the Internet. Under his leadership, CMP was selected as one of Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” and consistently recognized in Working Women’s “100 Best Companies for Women to Work for.” Mike was named Ernst and Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year New York - Region in 1998. He was named one of Newsday’s “40 under 40” to watch in 1989.
After joining CMP in 1984 to launch a Travel division and Business Travel News, Mike led the company from 1988 through 1999 including taking the company public and reaching nearly $500 million in sales. As the technology industry grew and flourished, he recognized the coming shift from print newspapers and magazines to the Internet and web-based media. Subsequently, Mike managed the sale of CMP to United Business Media (UBM) for nearly a billion dollars in 1999. (Not so coincidently, in 1994 Mike had sold CMP’s Travel Division to UBM.)
The CMP sale was a win for shareholders and employees. The company had gone public at $22 per share in 1997 and sold at $39 per share less than two years later. In addition to shares the employees had received and purchased following the company’s IPO, the 2,000 employees shared in a $50 million gift from the Leeds Family after sale. Long term employees received at least six figures.
Since the sale of CMP, Michael has pursued business interests and focused intensively on philanthropic activities. He and his wife Andrea, through their Harbor Glow Foundation, are active in education, healthcare and Jewish causes. Of course, the Leeds School of Business is one of his top priorities.
Mike earned his BS in business administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1974. In partnership with Dr. Donna Sockell, Michael developed and taught the Leeds School course: Leadership and Ethics—Challenges in Moral Courage. Annually Mike addresses the Leadership Challenges class, mentors students and graduates as well as engaging with students and alums in classes and other events. Currently he serves on the Leeds Advisory Board and the Leeds School’s Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility.
Michael and his wife Andrea live in Beaver Creek Colorado. They have 3 daughters, a son-in-law and 2 grandsons! Michael has flown and managed a corporate jet and teaches skiing at Beaver Creek. He has over 500 skydives including 2 from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Michelle Weaver
Senior Director, Analytics & Insights
Breakthru Beverage Group
Michelle Weaver is an experienced analytical professional, ethical leader and culture creator. Driven by passion and curiosity, she takes pride in telling powerful stories through analytics.
She has been a leader in the beverage alcohol space for eleven years. She has recently been appointed the Senior Director of Analytics and Insights for the Breakthru Beverage Group. Her primary focus will be to lead and enhance Breakthru’s analytics strategy and create a superior data driven culture.
Her previous positions include Director of Analytics, National Accounts for the Breakthru Beverage Group and the Director of Analytics and Business Management for Breakthru Beverage Colorado. Michelle can also be credited with contributions to the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
She holds undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder, attended the WSWA Women in Leadership Executive Education Course at Columbia Business School, and currently resides in Denver, Colorado.
Jeannie Renné-Malone
Vice President, Global Sustainability
VF Corporation
Jeannie leads global sustainability at VF Corporation, overseeing all aspects of VF’s sustainability strategy across its brands, operations, supply chain, materials, and products. Ms. Renné-Malone has extensive experience in the development and implementation of sustainability goals and strategies, stakeholder engagement, and tracking and reporting of sustainability/ESG results. At VF, she has led various strategic initiatives, including the development of VF’s Science-Based Targets roadmap and its Green Bond Framework, which resulted in the first green bond issuance in the apparel and footwear industry. Under her leadership, VF has integrated circular design, sustainable materials and innovation across its portfolio of brands from farm to cradle, reducing energy, waste, carbon emissions and water usage, encouraging regenerative farming practices and embedding renewable energy and sustainability priorities across its operations and supply chain.
Renné-Malone has an MA in International Finance and Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, a BA in Spanish from the University of Washington, and holds several sustainability credentials and certifications. She sits on several committees for environmental and apparel industry organizations. She is a Board Member of the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross, and a Board Member of the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies Social Science Foundation. She is fluent in Spanish.
Mark Retzloff
Co-Founder
Eden Foods, Alfalfa’s Markets, Horizon Organic Dairy, Organic Trade Association, Aurora Organic Dairy and Climate Foods
Mark Retzloff is a true pioneer in the natural organic and sustainable food and agriculture industry with a 53-year career starting and managing a number of successful companies. He is co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Alfalfa’s Markets, Boulder-based natural foods stores. He also co-founded Aurora Organic Dairy in 2003 and currently acts as a senior advisor to the company. He was the University of Michigan’s School for the Environment and Sustainability, (SEAS), Practitioner in Residence for 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, and serves on the Colorado State University School of Agriculture Dean’s Ag Leadership Council. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Natural Habitats Group, an Ecuador, and Boulder-based, fully integrated leader in worldwide organic sustainable palm oil production, processing, and distribution. Natural Habitats is the birthplace of the Palm Done Right movement. Mark currently mentors, counsels, consults, and advises numerous leaders and companies in the Natural, Organic, Local, and Sustainable food and agriculture sector. In 2019, Mark co-founded Flock LLC, which is a dynamic movement aimed at fast-tracking regenerative agriculture for the preservation of the planet and people. In the summer of 2021, Mark decided to bring his work at Flock together with the founders of AEInstitute where he now serves on the board and as the Senior Advisor to the Ag Systems studio. He was also CEO of Climate Foods, a regenerative food company focused on bringing carbon-positive, native perennial grains to market. Mark left Climate Foods in November 2022
Mr. Retzloff started his career in natural foods retail, in 1970 as co-founder of Eden Foods in Ann Arbor MI, Rainbow Grocery, in 1974 in Denver, and the original Alfalfa’s Markets, in 1979, which merged with Wild Oats Markets in 1996. In 1990, Mr. Retzloff was chairman of the Organic Food Alliance which was instrumental in passing the federal Organic Food Production Act in Washington D.C. In 1991, Mr. Retzloff became the co-founder of Broomfield, CO-based Horizon Organic Dairy. There he served as Chairman, CEO, and President of International. He then became Chairman of Rudi’s Organic Bakery, a leading Colorado-based national organic brand, where he helped execute a successful turn-around. He lends his knowledge as a board member and advisor to emerging companies, which have included Blue Horizon Organic Seafood, BlueSun BioDiesel, Boulder Ice Cream, Crocs Footwear, Evol Burritos, Goddess Garden, Haystack Mtn. Goat Cheese, Sambazon Acai, Traditional Medicinals, Tempt Hemp Milk, and Uncle Matt’s Organic Juice. Mr. Retzloff was a founding partner at Greenmont Capital Partners, and founder and former Chairman of The Organic Center and he is a past 11-year board member of RSF Social Finance.
Mr. Retzloff sits on the University of Michigan’s School for the Environment and Sustainability, Dean’s Visiting Committee, and is past chairman of the Advisory Board for the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems. He also serves on the Board of the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, (CESR), at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and also is past Co-chair of the advisory board of CU’s Masters in the Environment school, (MENV). Mr. Retzloff is also a Member of the Blackstone Entrepreneur Network leadership group. In the greater Boulder-Denver community, he is the past president of Community Food Share, past President of Growing Gardens, past board member of Boulder Open Space Conservancy, BOSC, and co-Founder and Senior Advisor of Naturally Boulder, a 240 + company, 1400-member organization. Mark served as a member of the Boulder County Agriculture Advisory Council, 1997-2007, Chairman, of the Boulder County GMO Technical Task Force, 2001-2005. He served as a Trade Forum member of the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements, IFOAM, from 1998-2012.
Mr. Retzloff received his B.S. degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan and has received several awards, including the Organic Trade Association’s Lifetime Leadership Award, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Achievement Award, and Entrepreneur of the Year award, Naturally Boulder’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame and New Hope Natural Products Hall of Legends. Mr. Retzloff lives outside of Boulder, Colorado on a farm with his wife Terry where they raised their three children. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, golfing, and visiting his home in Hanalei Kauai, Hawaii.
Jeremy Rosall
Senior Vice President
Finance at Iron Mountain
Jeremy joined Iron Mountain as Senior Vice President, Finance, in 2022. He is responsible for oversight of all Iron Mountain financial planning and analysis (FP&A), including business unit and enterprise performance, and plays an important role in driving finance transformation efforts.
Prior to joining Iron Mountain, Jeremy was in senior leadership roles at PepsiCo for 19 years, most recently as CFO and Vice President for PepsiCo’s Global Business Services. Jeremy also worked for seven years in Europe, including as CFO of a multibillion division of food brands. Earlier in his career, Jeremy was a Senior Consultant at PwC Management Consulting, and began his professional career as an Auditor at Arthur Anderson.
Throughout Jeremy’s career, he has been committed to supporting a broad range of corporate sustainability and diversity and inclusion initiatives. He is passionate about helping to educate corporations on the ability to generate positive return on investments for initiatives that also generate positive impacts on society.
Jeremy graduated from the University of Colorado, School of Business in 1994 with a degree in Accounting, and holds an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
Jeremy resides New York City where he and his wife are raising their two daughters.
Renner Skidmore
Sophomore
Leeds School of Business
Renner Skidmore is a sophomore at the Leeds School of Business. In school he is emphasizing social responsibility, information management and analytics. Growing up in Bozeman, Montana, he spent much of his formative years in the outdoors and learning about the importance of the natural world. Renner stays involved on campus as a member of the Leeds Scholars Program and an executive of the CESR Fellows club. During his time at Boulder, Renner has organized ski movie premiers, pursued his professional skiing career, and become a meaningful part of the Boulder undergraduate community all while making the Dean’s list both semesters of freshman year. In addition to sustainability and skiing, Renner is passionate about being a global citizen and promoting businesses that give back in local communities and around the world. This past summer Renner had the opportunity to spend 3 months immersed in Spanish in Argentina and Bolivia. He is curious, adventurous, and excited to contribute as the undergraduate representative on this board.
Craig Smith
Executive Chairman Emeritus
Owens & Minor
Craig R. Smith is Executive Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Owens & Minor, a Fortune 500 Company and a leading healthcare logistics company dedicated to Connecting the World of Medical Products to the Point of CareTM by providing vital supply chain services to healthcare providers and manufacturers of healthcare products. With logistics platforms strategically located in the United States and Europe, Owens & Minor today serves markets where three quarters of global healthcare spending occurs.
Craig was named Chairman of the Board in April 2013. For one year beginning September 2014, Craig acted as Executive Chairman & Chairman of the Board. Prior to that, he served as Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, from April 2013 until August 2013, when he relinquished the president’s title. He was named Chief Executive Officer in July 2005, after serving as President & Chief Operating Officer since 1999. Craig was also named to the Owens & Minor board of directors in 2005. He was promoted to Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer in 1995. Craig joined Owens & Minor in 1989 as the Los Angeles Division Vice President and later served in a variety of roles including: Group Vice President, Western Region; Senior Vice President, Distribution & Information Systems; and Executive Vice President, Distribution & Information Systems.
Craig has been active in the healthcare industry and in the community as a volunteer. In 2021, Craig was inducted into the Bellweather hall of fame for healthcare. He served as a governor‘s appointee on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority from July 2010 to June 2013. He also served on the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business Executive Advisory Council, and is a past member of the Board of Directors of CrossOver Ministry of Richmond, which provides healthcare services to those in need. In addition, Craig served as the Chairman of the successful 2009 Central Virginia United Way Campaign.
Currently, Craig serves as chair for the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business Advsory Board and as a member of the University of Southern California’s Board of Leaders. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Southern California, and completed the executive program at the Colgate Darden School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. Mr. Smith and his wife, Cynthia, have two sons and reside in Denver, Colorado.
Diane Solinger
Senior Change Management Practitioner
Google
Diane joined Google in June 2012 and is the Director of Communications and Culture for the sumUX team. sumUX provides user experience research and design for some of Google’s most prominent products such as Search, Assistant, the daily Google Doodle and Maps. Prior to this role she lead Google’s global employee giving and volunteering programs. Diane joined Google with over 25 years in the not for profit sector, and spent 13 years leading a consultancy that helped companies design and implement corporate social responsibility programs. Diane is passionate about purpose driven work and ensuring that the workplace is an inclusive environment where employees can thrive and grow professionally. Diane is a mother of two young adults, an avid runner, a pretty good cook and really enjoys being with interesting, smart people who have a good sense of humor. She’s an alumna of the University of Colorado, Boulder, has a Certificate in Corporate Citizenship from Boston College and is a graduate of the Stanford University Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. She is the recipient of the Hoffman Prize from the California Governor’s Office, a Jefferson Award winner for Public Service and a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum. Currently Diane serves on the Board of Directors for the International Association for Volunteer Effort and the Advisory Board for the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder.