Faces of Leeds showcases the stories of the dynamic individuals who contribute to and embody the values of the Leeds community.
Daniel Knowles (Fin & Info Mgmt’22)
When sophomore Daniel Knowles and two of his friends began to notice the effect of COVID-19 on the local businesses of their hometown of Boulder, they started brainstorming ways to help their community.
"After taking input from many small business owners, mentors, and other similar ventures, we founded GyftCO as our solution towards helping the place and people we love,” says Daniel.
GyftCO connects struggling Boulder businesses to the greater community by providing an outlet for them to sell discounted e-gift cards to customers. These gift cards can be used when the establishments reopen while providing the up-front cash these establishments need to stay afloat during the pandemic. The venture launched in mid-May 2020 and already has more than a dozen Boulder businesses featured on gyftco.com.
While this is Daniel’s first undertaking of this scale, it’s only one of several examples of his penchant for working to better his communities. During his first two years at Leeds, he’s already served as vice president of Operations and vice president of Engagements for Leeds Consulting Group, a student-run organization that connects students to the wider community for consulting projects. Additionally, he currently serves as a senator for CU Boulder’s Student Government.
Daniel and his team are also readying for a shift in the market as stores open back up and business picks up for their participating stores. They’re focusing on growing GyftCO, so they can support local businesses beyond COVID-19—a testament to their passion for the Boulder community.
Cassidy Stearns (MS BusAn’20)
Associate Analytics Consultant at DAS42
When CU Alumna Cassidy Stearns returned to the university to pursue her MS in Business Analytics at Leeds, she had almost no background in analytics. Yet, having majored in both Chinese and Russian Studies as an undergraduate, she quickly applied her aptitude for foreign languages to programming. Cassidy excelled in her courses and became a leader in her cohort, which is why she was named this year’s Outstanding MS in Business Analytics Award winner.
"I came into the graduate program at Leeds without any coding experience but am leaving as a proficient programmer in three distinct languages, two of which I will use every day in my career,” says Cassidy.
As she leaves Leeds to pursue an opportunity in analytics consulting, she advises students to practice getting uncomfortable, asking for help and making strong connections early in their careers.
"I truly believe the only reason I got where I am today and is because I made strong connections with companies, professors and faculty within the first few weeks of beginning classes. Asking for help and putting yourself out there can feel uncomfortable, but it's absolutely worth it. It allowed me a wealth of opportunities.
"If there's one thing I've learned from this program, it's that relying on other people only makes me a better version of myself.”
Bryce Duston (Fin’23)
COVID-19 may have cancelled international travel for Leeds’ First Year Global Experience (FGX) programs, but first-year Bryce Duston’s family decided not to let the pandemic stop him from experiencing Argentinian culture. Instead, they jumped at the opportunity to create an international experience at home.
"My dad is a very food-oriented person and a really good home cook,” says Bryce. “So he made a little Argentine cuisine. He grilled up a flank steak from the local butcher and made a traditional Argentine chimichurri sauce for it. He added in a few sticks of chorizo because Argentina loves to grill!
Bryce’s mom joined in by printing out and hanging country flags and playing Argentine music to create a truly authentic experience with dinner.
"Afterwards, I got a few tango lessons to simulate what the trip could have been. Overall it was really fun and made for a good night in a pretty not so fun time!”
Leanne Sigman (Acct & Fin’20, Cert in Business Leadership)
Future Corporate Finance Consultant at FTI Consulting
Leanne Sigman is this year’s recipient of the Undergraduate Impact Award. A member of Leeds Scholars, Delta Sigma Pi and the Dean’s Leadership Fellows, Leanne’s strong connections to the Leeds community helped her start a number of projects and events in the Boulder area.
"One of the most meaningful experiences of college was establishing the 1st annual KidsTek Leadership Outreach program to help underprivileged high school students achieve higher education.”
Having interned for two summers with Transamerica in Denver, Leanne will graduate this May with degrees in both Finance and Accounting alongside a certificate in Business Leadership. She leaves Leeds to pursue a career as a corporate finance consultant at FTI Consulting.
Jessica Schow (Mktg’20)
Jessica Schow’s business career started with a pivotal event she attended during her first year at CU Boulder. Hoping to attend before performing with the dance team at a basketball game that evening, she found time for both, making a lasting connection along the way.
"I heard about a panel event at Leeds and that one of the speakers worked for The Walt Disney Company would be there to tell her story,” says Jessica. “As I listened to the woman from Disney speak about her career path, I could feel my heart pounding — and for the first time I felt like nothing could stop me from accomplishing my goals.”
After the talk, Jessica boldly introduced herself to the “inspirational Disney woman,” and explained her passion for Disney and her goals. She had no idea the speaker would go on to become her professional mentor.
"I had no idea that I would go on to participate in the Disney College Program and then intern for The Walt Disney Animation Studios. But what I did know for sure was that I was going to be a business student and that I was going to make my dream come true no matter what.”
Jessica is currently a marketing intern with inClover Research, a local pet supplement company. Although her career path is uncertain, she will graduate this semester with a 3.9 GPA and is a recipient of one of Leeds’ 2020 Marketing Excellence Awards.
Rachel Wilcox (Fin’20)
Future Financial Analyst at Allstate
Rachel Wilcox has worked hard to finish her degree strong this May despite living in a house with nine other out-of-state students and managing ADHD, which makes it challenging to focus on online classes. Yet, Rachel has already secured a job after graduation as a financial analyst at Allstate’s West Central Region, starting in July. Even with her career path set, her top priority was to do well in her classes and finals, a true reflection of her strong character.
Emily Etzi (MBA’20)
Director, Digital DTC Merchandising, The North Face
One of the greatest lessons that Emily Etzi will take from her time in the Evening MBA program at Leeds is the importance of community and having a personal support system.
"We aren’t meant to go it alone,” she says.
Indeed; we are not. Over the past two years, Emily’s professors say she’s an outstanding Evening MBA student, who showed tremendous leadership within her team and always contributed thoughtfully to all discussions within her classes.
She’ll graduate this May as a top student and is planning to continue to grow and develop in her career with The North Face. After graduation, she’s looking forward to, “taking a moment to celebrate this milestone and reflect on—and be glad for—all she has learned and the lasting relationships she’s built [while at Leeds].”
To Emily, achieving her graduate degree is “proof that we can achieve our dreams if we are prepared to make sacrifices and remain steadfast in our pursuit.”
We totally agree. Congratulations, Emily.
Sarah Olson (Fin & Mktg’20)
Future Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company
As a member of Leeds highly selective Scholars program, Sarah maintained 4.0 GPA while dual majoring in Finance and Marketing, and pursuing both a Certificate in Technology Arts and Media and a Minor in Leadership. She was also a part of the President’s Leadership Class and Leeds Consulting group. These are just a few of the reasons she is the recipient of Leeds’ 2020 Academic Excellence and Outstanding Marketing Student Awards.
Sarah didn’t stop there. Her passion for learning led her to internships at both Magic Flight Studios and McKinsey & Company, where she gained insight into the consulting world. In fact, these experiences landed her a full-time position as a Business Analyst at McKinsey in the fall.
"In these internships I learned more about the consulting industry, researching and synthesizing information into valuable content for clients,” she says. “I love to engage both creative and analytical thinking in order to accomplish tasks and solve problems.”
On and off campus, she’s enjoyed getting involved in the community and taking on roles that allow her to contribute to and improve organizations while building her leadership skills in teams.
What’s next for Sarah?
"I am excited to have the summer off to hike, spend time with family, and then start working and learn about various industries [at McKinsey].”
Katie Lonigro (OpMgmt’17)
Project Manager for University of Southern California (USC) Student Health and Program Manager for True Connection
Since the coronavirus outbreak, Katie has been participating on a small team that manages USC’s "COVID-19 Hotline" email—an "ask me anything" resource for the university’s community to seek guidance and clarity around the rapidly evolving situation. From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, her team works to ensure the most urgent inquiries are answered and resolved as quickly as possible.
"This has been an incredibly rich experience that has forced me to draw on my ability to empathize, problem-solve, communicate effectively, and connect with others,” says Katie.
“We receive inquiries about everything from reimbursement policies to medical processes to concerns/challenges with online learning. It's exhausting and rewarding to know that we can make a difference just by providing as much clarity as we're able in such an uncertain circumstance.”
Katie also works with True Connection, a Los-Angeles-based nonprofit focused on empowering teens through SEL (Social Emotional Learning), art and meditation. While her business background helped facilitate their operations, she’s been able to take on the teacher role as well. Katie’s worked with LAPD Youth Service Officers and fifth graders from South Central LA in improving their emotional intelligence.
Samantha (Sammy) Gish (Mgmt'23)
Volunteer at Vail Valley Foundation
When the coronavirus outbreak impacted those in her community, Sammy jumped on the opportunity to help a local foundation feed families in need.
Many families in her hometown of Vail rely on the public school system to provide their children with regular lunches. With recent school closures, many of these families are now struggling to put food on the table. The Vail Valley Foundation and Youth Power365 set up a drive-through and two grab and go locations where families can get as much food as they need every day. Sammy is helping to make food and hand out lunches in her local school district.
Most summers she works for the Vail Valley Foundation at the performing arts amphitheater. The foundation reached out to all previous employees to volunteer.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to get involved,” she says. “I feel very lucky to be able to give back to the community that helped raise me, especially during a time where the only thing that people should worry about is keeping their families healthy.”
She has become a master of sandwich arts in this process, having personally made hundreds of PB&Js in a manner of weeks
David Shirkey (MBA’09)
Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Orbitform
Amid a massive shortage of medical supplies due to the global pandemic, David is helping lead his company’s effort to help the situation in the U.S. As a manager of strategic initiatives for Orbitform, a specialized machine builder, David collaborated with a team of engineers, technicians, machinists, electricians and builders, among others, to create a new product that sanitizes N95 face masks called the Mask-Sanitizer. So far, the sanitizers have been purchased by hospitals, police and fire departments and requests are growing.
Key to the company’s successful pivot in these unusual times is their ability to “take action and keep trying and learning,” says David.
He’s focused now on getting the word out, so they can help as many health care professionals as they can.
Daniel Knowles (Fin & Info Mgmt’22)
When sophomore Daniel Knowles and two of his friends began to notice the effect of COVID-19 on the local businesses of their hometown of Boulder, they started brainstorming ways to help their community.
"After taking input from many small business owners, mentors, and other similar ventures, we founded GyftCO as our solution towards helping the place and people we love,” says Daniel.
GyftCO connects struggling Boulder businesses to the greater community by providing an outlet for them to sell discounted e-gift cards to customers. These gift cards can be used when the establishments reopen while providing the up-front cash these establishments need to stay afloat during the pandemic. The venture launched in mid-May 2020 and already has more than a dozen Boulder businesses featured on gyftco.com.
While this is Daniel’s first undertaking of this scale, it’s only one of several examples of his penchant for working to better his communities. During his first two years at Leeds, he’s already served as vice president of Operations and vice president of Engagements for Leeds Consulting Group, a student-run organization that connects students to the wider community for consulting projects. Additionally, he currently serves as a senator for CU Boulder’s Student Government.
Daniel and his team are also readying for a shift in the market as stores open back up and business picks up for their participating stores. They’re focusing on growing GyftCO, so they can support local businesses beyond COVID-19—a testament to their passion for the Boulder community.
Bryce Duston (Fin’23)
COVID-19 may have cancelled international travel for Leeds’ First Year Global Experience (FGX) programs, but first-year Bryce Duston’s family decided not to let the pandemic stop him from experiencing Argentinian culture. Instead, they jumped at the opportunity to create an international experience at home.
"My dad is a very food-oriented person and a really good home cook,” says Bryce. “So he made a little Argentine cuisine. He grilled up a flank steak from the local butcher and made a traditional Argentine chimichurri sauce for it. He added in a few sticks of chorizo because Argentina loves to grill!
Bryce’s mom joined in by printing out and hanging country flags and playing Argentine music to create a truly authentic experience with dinner.
"Afterwards, I got a few tango lessons to simulate what the trip could have been. Overall it was really fun and made for a good night in a pretty not so fun time!”
Jessica Schow (Mktg’20)
Jessica Schow’s business career started with a pivotal event she attended during her first year at CU Boulder. Hoping to attend before performing with the dance team at a basketball game that evening, she found time for both, making a lasting connection along the way.
"I heard about a panel event at Leeds and that one of the speakers worked for The Walt Disney Company would be there to tell her story,” says Jessica. “As I listened to the woman from Disney speak about her career path, I could feel my heart pounding — and for the first time I felt like nothing could stop me from accomplishing my goals.”
After the talk, Jessica boldly introduced herself to the “inspirational Disney woman,” and explained her passion for Disney and her goals. She had no idea the speaker would go on to become her professional mentor.
"I had no idea that I would go on to participate in the Disney College Program and then intern for The Walt Disney Animation Studios. But what I did know for sure was that I was going to be a business student and that I was going to make my dream come true no matter what.”
Jessica is currently a marketing intern with inClover Research, a local pet supplement company. Although her career path is uncertain, she will graduate this semester with a 3.9 GPA and is a recipient of one of Leeds’ 2020 Marketing Excellence Awards.
Rachel Wilcox (Fin’20)
Future Financial Analyst at Allstate
Rachel Wilcox has worked hard to finish her degree strong this May despite living in a house with nine other out-of-state students and managing ADHD, which makes it challenging to focus on online classes. Yet, Rachel has already secured a job after graduation as a financial analyst at Allstate’s West Central Region, starting in July. Even with her career path set, her top priority was to do well in her classes and finals, a true reflection of her strong character.
Sarah Olson (Fin & Mktg’20)
Future Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company
As a member of Leeds highly selective Scholars program, Sarah maintained 4.0 GPA while dual majoring in Finance and Marketing, and pursuing both a Certificate in Technology Arts and Media and a Minor in Leadership. She was also a part of the President’s Leadership Class and Leeds Consulting group. These are just a few of the reasons she is the recipient of Leeds’ 2020 Academic Excellence and Outstanding Marketing Student Awards.
Sarah didn’t stop there. Her passion for learning led her to internships at both Magic Flight Studios and McKinsey & Company, where she gained insight into the consulting world. In fact, these experiences landed her a full-time position as a Business Analyst at McKinsey in the fall.
"In these internships I learned more about the consulting industry, researching and synthesizing information into valuable content for clients,” she says. “I love to engage both creative and analytical thinking in order to accomplish tasks and solve problems.”
On and off campus, she’s enjoyed getting involved in the community and taking on roles that allow her to contribute to and improve organizations while building her leadership skills in teams.
What’s next for Sarah?
"I am excited to have the summer off to hike, spend time with family, and then start working and learn about various industries [at McKinsey].”
Samantha (Sammy) Gish (Mgmt'23)
Volunteer at Vail Valley Foundation
When the coronavirus outbreak impacted those in her community, Sammy jumped on the opportunity to help a local foundation feed families in need.
Many families in her hometown of Vail rely on the public school system to provide their children with regular lunches. With recent school closures, many of these families are now struggling to put food on the table. The Vail Valley Foundation and Youth Power365 set up a drive-through and two grab and go locations where families can get as much food as they need every day. Sammy is helping to make food and hand out lunches in her local school district.
Most summers she works for the Vail Valley Foundation at the performing arts amphitheater. The foundation reached out to all previous employees to volunteer.
“I thought it was a great opportunity to get involved,” she says. “I feel very lucky to be able to give back to the community that helped raise me, especially during a time where the only thing that people should worry about is keeping their families healthy.”
She has become a master of sandwich arts in this process, having personally made hundreds of PB&Js in a manner of weeks
Emily Etzi (MBA’20)
Director, Digital DTC Merchandising, The North Face
One of the greatest lessons that Emily Etzi will take from her time in the Evening MBA program at Leeds is the importance of community and having a personal support system.
"We aren’t meant to go it alone,” she says.
Indeed; we are not. Over the past two years, Emily’s professors say she’s an outstanding Evening MBA student, who showed tremendous leadership within her team and always contributed thoughtfully to all discussions within her classes.
She’ll graduate this May as a top student and is planning to continue to grow and develop in her career with The North Face. After graduation, she’s looking forward to, “taking a moment to celebrate this milestone and reflect on—and be glad for—all she has learned and the lasting relationships she’s built [while at Leeds].”
To Emily, achieving her graduate degree is “proof that we can achieve our dreams if we are prepared to make sacrifices and remain steadfast in our pursuit.”
We totally agree. Congratulations, Emily.
Grace Jang (JD/MBA’21)
Managing Director of Deming Center Venture Fund
As co-manager of the Deming Center Venture Fund, Grace leads a team of CU engineering, law and business graduate students through investment decisions about local startups—a community she knows well as a High Growth Venture Fellow. She also interns as a law clerk at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP in their Venture Best group. In May, 2020-21, she’ll graduate with a Juris Doctor and an MBA.
Cassidy Stearns (MS BusAn’20)
Associate Analytics Consultant at DAS42
When CU Alumna Cassidy Stearns returned to the university to pursue her MS in Business Analytics at Leeds, she had almost no background in analytics. Yet, having majored in both Chinese and Russian Studies as an undergraduate, she quickly applied her aptitude for foreign languages to programming. Cassidy excelled in her courses and became a leader in her cohort, which is why she was named this year’s Outstanding MS in Business Analytics Award winner.
"I came into the graduate program at Leeds without any coding experience but am leaving as a proficient programmer in three distinct languages, two of which I will use every day in my career,” says Cassidy.
As she leaves Leeds to pursue an opportunity in analytics consulting, she advises students to practice getting uncomfortable, asking for help and making strong connections early in their careers.
"I truly believe the only reason I got where I am today and is because I made strong connections with companies, professors and faculty within the first few weeks of beginning classes. Asking for help and putting yourself out there can feel uncomfortable, but it's absolutely worth it. It allowed me a wealth of opportunities.
"If there's one thing I've learned from this program, it's that relying on other people only makes me a better version of myself.”
Leanne Sigman (Acct & Fin’20, Cert in Business Leadership)
Future Corporate Finance Consultant at FTI Consulting
Leanne Sigman is this year’s recipient of the Undergraduate Impact Award. A member of Leeds Scholars, Delta Sigma Pi and the Dean’s Leadership Fellows, Leanne’s strong connections to the Leeds community helped her start a number of projects and events in the Boulder area.
"One of the most meaningful experiences of college was establishing the 1st annual KidsTek Leadership Outreach program to help underprivileged high school students achieve higher education.”
Having interned for two summers with Transamerica in Denver, Leanne will graduate this May with degrees in both Finance and Accounting alongside a certificate in Business Leadership. She leaves Leeds to pursue a career as a corporate finance consultant at FTI Consulting.
Katie Lonigro (OpMgmt’17)
Project Manager for University of Southern California (USC) Student Health and Program Manager for True Connection
Since the coronavirus outbreak, Katie has been participating on a small team that manages USC’s "COVID-19 Hotline" email—an "ask me anything" resource for the university’s community to seek guidance and clarity around the rapidly evolving situation. From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, her team works to ensure the most urgent inquiries are answered and resolved as quickly as possible.
"This has been an incredibly rich experience that has forced me to draw on my ability to empathize, problem-solve, communicate effectively, and connect with others,” says Katie.
“We receive inquiries about everything from reimbursement policies to medical processes to concerns/challenges with online learning. It's exhausting and rewarding to know that we can make a difference just by providing as much clarity as we're able in such an uncertain circumstance.”
Katie also works with True Connection, a Los-Angeles-based nonprofit focused on empowering teens through SEL (Social Emotional Learning), art and meditation. While her business background helped facilitate their operations, she’s been able to take on the teacher role as well. Katie’s worked with LAPD Youth Service Officers and fifth graders from South Central LA in improving their emotional intelligence.
David Shirkey (MBA’09)
Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Orbitform
Amid a massive shortage of medical supplies due to the global pandemic, David is helping lead his company’s effort to help the situation in the U.S. As a manager of strategic initiatives for Orbitform, a specialized machine builder, David collaborated with a team of engineers, technicians, machinists, electricians and builders, among others, to create a new product that sanitizes N95 face masks called the Mask-Sanitizer. So far, the sanitizers have been purchased by hospitals, police and fire departments and requests are growing.
Key to the company’s successful pivot in these unusual times is their ability to “take action and keep trying and learning,” says David.
He’s focused now on getting the word out, so they can help as many health care professionals as they can.