The Leeds School of Business Alumni Career Webinar Series provides online learning from thought leaders and industry experts who discuss topics for business professionals about finding a job you love, getting and giving feedback, taking the entrepreneurship plunge, understanding the latest faculty research, and more.
Because these webinars are recorded and made available online, you can access them anytime, anywhere, and as often as you like.
New Webinar Series
CU Boulder and Leeds are hosting an eighth series of webinars featuring relevant, informative commentary from a variety of world-renowned faculty and alumni from disciplines across CU Boulder. Each presentation will provide frank and timely insights for life during and after the pandemic from their specific lens.
Economic Recovery Taking Shape
Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 12pm MT
Description:
The second wave of COVID cases had a chilling effect on the economic recovery. However, the New Year gave way to improving COVID counts, an acceleration in vaccines, a stimulus check and now another mega stimulus package. All of this has led to an improving economy with inflationary concerns. Please join us for this session where we will update attendees on the current state of the recovery, and what to expect for the rest of 2021 and beyond.
Presenter Bios:
Brian Lewandowski is the Executive Director of the Business Research Division at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder. Brian provides regional business and economic information and education, including economic and revenue forecasts, policy studies, economic impact analyses, and data workshops. Brian has 13 years’ experience conducting economic studies at CU Boulder. Prior to CU, he worked in both the private sector and government. He is past-president of the Denver Association of Business Economists.
Richard L. Wobbekind is Associate Dean for Business & Government Relations, Senior Economist and Faculty Director of the Business Research Division and at the University of Colorado Boulder. He joined the faculty at the Leeds School of Business in 1985, and has served as an Associate Dean since 2000.
As Faculty Director of the Business Research Division his responsibilities include developing an annual consensus forecast of the Colorado economy and performing various economic impact assessments of the Colorado economy. Wobbekind also produces the quarterly Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado.
Rich is the past president of the National Association for Business Economics. He participates annually in the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Regional Economic Roundtable, and is a contributor to the Western Blue Chip forecast newsletter and the National Association of Business Economists Economic Outlook and Policy Surveys.
Rich is a member of the Governor’s Revenue Estimating Advisory Committee and the Boulder Economic Council. He is an advisory board member for the Western Regional Science Association.
For his efforts in community development and outreach, Rich was awarded the University of Colorado Community Outreach Award in 1997. In 2002 he was named a Member of Distinction by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. In 2006 he received the Robert L. Stearns award for lifetime excellence in research, teaching and service to the University of Colorado. In 2008 he was awarded the Thayne Robsen award from the Association for University Business and Economics Research for career achievement in regional economic analysis. In 2010 he was named Key Contributor by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. In 2011 he was named a Fellow by the National Association for Business Economics.
Wobbekind teaches MBA students in macroeconomics, public policy, and managerial economics. He has received three awards for teaching excellence from the students of the Leeds School. Wobbekind has lived in Colorado for more than 44 years and has spent much of his time studying the development of the Colorado and regional economies. He received a BA in economics from Bucknell University and an MA and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Hazards and Disasters in the Context of COVID-19: Implications for Marginalized Communities
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 12pm MT
Description:
As is often true of disasters, COVID-19 has brought to light the many ways in which existing social inequities are amplified in times of crisis. Marginalized communities have borne a disproportionate burden from the pandemic, with higher rates of illness, death, and economic loss. These realities have intersected with environmental hazards in the past year, with devastating—and generally avoidable—consequences. In this webinar, we will examine the social underpinnings of disaster vulnerability while reflecting on extreme events that have occurred during the public health emergency caused by the novel coronavirus.
Presenter Bio:
Nnenia Campbell is a research associate with CU Boulder’s Natural Hazards Center (NHC) and Deputy Director of the Bill Anderson Fund (BAF). Her research interests center on the intersections between social vulnerability and resilience, particularly among marginalized communities. With funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, she leads an initiative at the NHC to develop rapid expert consultations related to COVID-19 and concurrent disasters for the Societal Experts Action Network, which is coordinated by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Her work with the BAF supports inclusion and leadership among historically underrepresented minorities pursuing doctoral degrees in fields related to hazards and disaster research and practice.
Previous COVID-19 Webinars
Death, Discipline and Digital Resistance: How Black Youth Leverage Technology to Survive and Resist Anti-Black Racism
Friday, April 16, 2021 at 12pm MT
Description:
In this webinar, I will discuss the various ways Black girls leverage digital media and computer science technologies to challenge and dismantle systems of anti-Black racism in their lives and schooling experiences. Hashtag activism, youth-led digital platforms, co-constructed websites and e-textile projects are just the few of the projects that will be covered in this talk.
Presenter Bio:
Dr. Tanksley earned her PhD from the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies within UCLA’s Urban Schooling program. Broadly, her research examines the intersectional impacts of race, gender, class and age on the experiences of Black girls in media, technology and education. Grounded in Black feminist technology studies and critical race theory, her robust research agenda sheds light on the ways Black girls intersect with and are intersected by media and technology systems as they attempt to navigate K-16 educational institutions. Designed in response to #BlackLives Matter and the growing presence of racialized violence online, Dr. Tanksley’s dissertation research examines the socio-academic consequences of witnessing viral Black death for the internet’s most vocal and visible users: Black women and girls. Her newest strand of research examines the ways Girls of Color leverage computer science technologies, including virtual reality software, e-textiles and robotics, to engage in political resistance within and beyond the school setting. Overall, Dr. Tanksley’s scholarship responds to calls for more intersectional analyses of digital technology that can recognize the lived experiences, modes of resistance and technological contributions of Black girls and women around the globe.
Why GameStop? Why now? A theory of all-in investors and unstable asset prices
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 12pm MT
Description:
The rapid rise in the price of GameStop shares in early 2021 was, to many, a surprise. How could disparate small investors muster the capital to force share prices up 20-fold? To answer this question, we develop a theory of retail investor trading behavior that causes asset prices to be unstable when investors are allowed to buy shares with borrowed funds or purchase highly risky options. We define an investor to be all in if she borrows as much as possible and continues to borrow more when prices rise. We show that when enough investors are all in, demand for shares can be upward sloping. That is, investors buy more shares when the price is higher. When demand is upward sloping, prices are unstable and can quickly ratchet to sky-high levels.
Presenters Bios:
Van Wesep is an associate professor of finance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Brown University in 2003 and a doctorate in economics from Stanford University in 2007. His research spans several areas of economics, including asset pricing, contract design, employee compensation, and microeconomic theory. He teaches graduate-level economics courses in the Leeds MBA, evening MBA, masters in finance, and masters in real estate programs.
Waters is an assistant professor of finance. He teaches investment and portfolio management at the undergraduate level and teaches a graduate-level course in financial theory. He earned a doctorate in finance from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and bachelor’s degrees in economics and in human and organizational development from Vanderbilt University. His research interests include corporate finance and microeconomic theory with a focus on the design of incentive and screening contracts.
Self-Amplifying RNA Vaccine for Prevention of COVID-19
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 12pm MT
Description:
The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 into a global pandemic within a few months of onset necessitated the production of a rapidly scalable vaccine. In this presentation, we'll explore the preclinical development of a self-amplifying RNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein encapsulated within a lipid nanoparticle as a vaccine. We observed remarkably high and dose-dependent SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody titers in mouse sera as well as robust neutralization of both a pseudo-virus and wild-type virus, which facilitated initiation of a combined Phase I/II first-in-human clinical trial. These data provide insight into the vaccine design and evaluation of immunogenicity to enable rapid translation to the clinic in the event of an outbreak.
Presenter Bio:
Dr. Anna Blakney is an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia in the Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering. She completed a BSc in Chemical and Biological Engineering at University of Colorado at Boulder, a PhD in Bioengineering at University of Washington, and then a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Imperial College London under the supervision of Prof. Robin Shattock and Prof. Molly Stevens. Her laboratory seeks to gain a better understanding the immune mechanisms of RNA formulations in order to design the next generation of vaccines and therapies.
Tax Relief and the Pandemic: Year One
Monday, April 12, 2021 at 12pm MT
Description:
Taxes have been integral to Congress’s COVID-19 relief packages under the Trump and Biden administrations. This webinar explores three important tax-related components of these relief packages: the multiple rounds of stimulus checks issued to individuals, the tax consequences of loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program, and the temporary expansion of tax rules governing net operating losses. After one year of the pandemic, how effective were these relief programs? Answering this question requires an understanding of how these programs fit with traditional metrics of tax fairness, as well as a framework of policy alternatives. Congress may revive these programs in future crises, which raises the stakes of identifying effective policies now.
Presenter Bio:
Sloan Speck is Associate Professor of Law at the University of Colorado Law School. Professor Speck’s research interests are in tax law and policy, with an emphasis on corporate and international tax, legal and business history, and the ways in which taxation informs relationships between state and society. Before joining Colorado Law, Professor Speck taught at New York University School of Law and practiced in the Chicago office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. Professor Speck has a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law.
COVID-19 Hot Topics for Employers in 2021
Friday, February 19th, 2021 at 12pm MT
Description:
Please join two leading Colorado employment lawyers for COVID-19 Hot Topics for Employers in 2021. Barbara Grandjean and Jessica Brown will share the latest information and trends relating to workplace vaccination policies and programs, including whether to mandate vaccinations or merely encourage them; relevant EEOC, OSHA, and CDC guidance; how to minimize obstacles to employee vaccination; issues relating to incentives; how to handle employees who cannot be, or claim they cannot be, vaccinated; and how to build employee buy-in and plan for conflict resolution. They also will discuss how and when vaccination may affect workplace mask and social distancing requirements; COVID-19 leave requirements, including the potential expansion of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA); and whether there is a role for waivers or risk disclosures to reduce potential liability.
Presenter Bio:
Jessica Brown, Partner, Gibson Dunn
Jessica Brown is a partner in the Denver office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups. Ms. Brown advises corporate clients regarding COVID-19 liability risks, workplace vaccination policies, return-to-work protocols, whistleblower complaints, reductions in force, mandatory arbitration programs, noncompete agreements, and trade secrecy programs. She also has defended nationwide and state-wide class action and individual lawsuits alleging, for example, gender discrimination under Title VII and failure to compensate workers properly under the Fair Labor Standards Act. She has been ranked by Chambers USA as a leading Labor & Employment lawyer in Colorado for 16 consecutive years and is currently ranked in Band 1. She also is the President of the Colorado Bar Association.
Barbara Grandjean, Partner, Husch Blackwell
Barb represents employers and employees inside and outside the courtroom. She consults proactively with employers regarding workplace issues, such as hiring, discipline and terminations, harassment, discrimination and retaliation, privacy and social media, medical and non-medical leave, reductions in force, executive employment, wage and hour matters, drug testing and cannabis, and employment handbooks, policies and training.
Managing a High Growth, Better-For-You Snack Company During COVID
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 | 12pm MT
Description: For the two years prior to COVID, Lily’s Sweets, a line of low sugar chocolate bars, candies, and baking chips, was the largest contributor to specialty chocolate bar growth (more than big brands like Lindt and Ghirardelli) and the largest contributor to baking chips growth (more than Nestle Tollhouse). When COVID hit, the company was faced with a number of challenges: consumers were returning to eating lots of sugar, the supply chain was under stress due to absenteeism and illness, customers were not taking in-person meetings, and employees were working from home for the first time in their careers. This webinar will outline the steps the company took to continue its momentum while providing a safe and secure environment for its employees.
Presenter Bio: Jane Miller, CEO of Lily’s, is a long-time food industry executive with experience from Fortune 100 companies (PepsiCo, Heinz) to natural industry icons (Rudi’s Organic Bakery) to start-ups. She is also the founder of a career advice website, janeknows.com, and the author of a sassy business book, Sleep Your Way to the Top (and other myths about business success). She is on the board of CU’s Leeds Business School and Watson Institute.
The Epidemiology of COVID-19: One Year Later
Friday, February 12, 2021 | 12pm MT
Description: On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced “COVID-19” as the official name associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak that first emerged in Wuhan, China. Since that announcement, we’ve learned a tremendous amount about the virus, how it spreads and who is most vulnerable. During this webinar, we will look back on this tumultuous and tragic year of lessons learned while also peering into the immediate future of what may come.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Matthew McQueen (ScD) is an Epidemiologist and Professor of Integrative Physiology and Director for the Public Health Certificate Program on the CU Boulder campus. Dr. McQueen is engaged in a highly interdisciplinary research program and is the Director of Epidemiology for the CU Boulder Pandemic Response Office. He teaches Introduction to Epidemiology for the public health certificate program as well as introductory and advanced biostatistics for the Department of Integrative Physiology.
Creating a Dynamic LinkedIn Profile that Encourages Engagement in the Midst of COVID-19
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 12pm MT
Description: Given this crazy time we're experiencing; you may be considering reinventing yourself and/or rethinking what kind of impression your LinkedIn® profiles makes on those who see it. With LinkedIn being a go-to site for networking and career advancement, now is the time for you to explore what it means to create a robust, optimized, and engaging profile. Seasoned marketing professional Debra Jason delivers an information-packed program designed to help you transform your LinkedIn profile from mediocre to marvelous. During this interactive session, you'll explore how to:
Presenter Bio: Debra Jason is a professional marketing speaker, author, direct response copywriter and multi-faceted marketing mentor, Debra Jason started her entrepreneurial journey when she opened her doors for business as a writer in 1989. Since then she has personally written thousands upon thousands of words for hundreds of clients around the country (and some overseas).
She is the author of the award-winning book Millionaire Marketing on a Shoestring Budget™: How to attract a steady stream of happy clients, make more money and live your dream. She is also a contributing author with New York Times best-selling author Joel Comm, of So What Do You Do? Discovering the Genius Next Door with One Simple Question.
Characterization and Control of Bioaerosols in the Built Environment in the Age of COVID
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | 12pm MT
Description: While conventional air pollutants have received much attention over the last generation, aerobiology has been largely ignored by the engineering community until the age of COVID. Certainly, this is not consistent with the Civil Engineers’ charter to protect public health. This presentation will give an overview of the most modern methods for determining the identity, distribution, and abundance of the airborne microbes that we encounter indoors and the persistence of airborne viruses.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Mark Hernandez attained all his degrees from University of California at Berkeley and is beginning his 25th year on the CU faculty. He is a registered professional civil engineer and an expert on the characterization of bioaerosols – both indoors and out. His research leverages forensic science and engineering for wide area surveillance and aerosol disinfection systems for the built environment.
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): Just one in a series of viruses jumping from animals to humans
Monday, February 1, 2021 | 12pm MT
Description: We all eat and breathe animal viruses every day, and 99.99% of these just safely pass through our bodies. Pandemics begin when one of these viruses begins to copy itself in one person’s body. How does this process work? Why is it so rare? What can we do to tip the balance against these events? Come hear Dr. Sawyer, who teaches the course “Emerging Infectious Disease” at the University of Colorado Boulder, discuss these topics.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Sara Sawyer is a Professor in the BioFrontiers Institute at CU Boulder. Dr. Sawyer has received numerous prestigious awards, including national and international prizes in virology. In 2011, she was awarded a PECASE award from President Obama at the White House. She holds a Ph.D. in Genetics and Development from Cornell University. In 2020, she started Darwin Biosciences, which develops infectious disease diagnostics. She serves as a Senior Editor at the journal eLIFE, and serves as a government consultant on the topic of pandemic defense.
2021 Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forecast
Monday, December 7, 2020 | 12pm MT
Description: The Leeds Business Research Division’s annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook, now in its 56th year, provides professionals across nearly every industry in the state with a forecast of Colorado’s economy by sector. Each December, the Center presents its forecast for the following year during its annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum.
This economic forecast was developed in partnership with 125 private and public leaders across Colorado and will be presented by Dr. Rich Wobbekind of Leeds and Kelly Brough of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Presenters Bios: Dr. Rich Wobbekind and Kelly Brough
Associate Professor Richard Wobbekind holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder and is, amongst many roles at the University, Associate Dean for Business & Government Relations, Senior Economist, and Faculty Director of the Business Research Division. As Faculty Director of the Business Research Division, his responsibilities include developing an annual consensus forecast of the Colorado economy and performing various economic impact assessments of the Colorado economy. Wobbekind also produces the quarterly Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado.
As president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Kelly Brough is focused on putting more Coloradans to work – in really great jobs. It’s a clear call to action that’s driven this CEO from higher education to City Hall to the Chamber. Kelly has worked to advance our state and find opportunities for improvement, whether it’s advocating for P-20 education reform, implementing ground breaking programs like 3-1-1 and pay for performance for the City and County of Denver or consulting on dispute resolution for local governments. She’s directed an internationally recognized leadership program, been the chief of staff to then-Mayor John Hickenlooper and was the first female director of human resources for the City and County of Denver – in a common theme, she was also the first female snow plow driver at Stapleton International Airport and the first female CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber. Though born and raised in a small town in Montana, she’s Colorado to the core. In fact, you’re just as likely to catch her testifying at the capitol as you are to find her climbing mountain passes on her road bike.
COVID-19 in the State of Colorado: Models, Warnings, and Protecting Our Neighbors
Friday, November 13, 2020 | 12pm MT
Description: The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused worldwide societal disruption. In response, governments have implemented mitigation strategies to prevent significant loss of life. In this talk, Dr. Bortz will present the approach taken by the state of Colorado COVID-19 modeling team to study the disease trajectory. He will also describe the analysis tools available which are used to provide daily information to the State. In particular, he will describe the overall framework as well as estimation of transmission reduction, basic reproductive number, herd immunity level, infection peak, and ventilator needs, as well as uncertainty in the model predictions. Dr. Bortz will also discuss how our approach compares with other popular models and frameworks.
Presenter Bio: David Bortz is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder in the Department of Applied Mathematics. His research is in mathematical biology, specifically population dynamics, infectious diseases, and methodologies for model creation and analysis in the biological sciences. He has collaborated with epidemiologists, physicians, biochemists, microbiologists, and bioengineers and his work has been supported by NSF, NIH, DOD, DOE, and NVIDIA. Prior to his 2006 appointment at CU Boulder, Dr. Bortz was a postdoctoral assistant professor in the Mathematics Department at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Before that, Dr. Bortz earned a PhD from North Carolina State University in Applied Mathematics (2002) and a BA from Rice University in Computational and Applied Mathematics (1997).
Making Music During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Friday, November 6, 2020 | 12pm MT
Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges and obstacles for the performing arts. For many artists, creativity is uniquely tied to their sense of identity and purpose. The nature of music making requires performers to gather in groups of various sizes and work together. Through research and innovation our students and faculty have worked collaboratively to create a space for music making. This webinar will discuss how CU Boulder is a leader in solutions to effectively engage our student musicians, continue their progress in the performing arts, and make music during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presenter Bio: Donald J. McKinney is Director of Bands and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. He conducts the CU Wind Symphony, guides the graduate wind-conducting program, and oversees the university’s comprehensive band program. The CU Wind Symphony has collaborated with numerous artists & composers and most recently performed for the CBDNA Southwestern Division Conference on the CU Boulder campus. Prior to his 2013 appointment at CU Boulder Dr. McKinney was the Director of Wind Ensembles and Associate Professor at Louisiana State University. While teaching at LSU the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform for the 2013 CBDNA National Conference in Greensboro, NC.
Fake News: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
Friday, October 30, 2020 | 12pm MT
Description: Recently, substantial attention has been paid to the spread of highly partisan and often factually incorrect information (i.e., so-called “fake news”) on social media. In this webinar, we will discuss the various approaches to defining fake news, explore contemporary research on the topic, and talk about ways that social media users can help mitigate the spread of fake news.
Presenter Bio: Toby Hopp is an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design in the College of Media, Communication and Information at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research interests are broadly related to the uses and effects of digital and interactive media, the social and motivational factors that underlie uncivil online communication, and organizational transparency.
Mobilizing a Statewide Manufacturing Response to COVID-19
Thursday, October 29, 2020 | 12pm MT
Description: How can local and regional manufacturing ecosystems be leveraged during a crisis? As part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Emergency Response Team (MA M-ERT) was established to mobilize, organize, and operationalize critical path work streams necessary for Massachusetts manufacturers to pivot their operations to produce needed FDA compliant medical devices and supplies at scale. Join Ben Linville-Engler (Mechanical Engineering’07), now at MIT, to learn more about mobilizing a statewide manufacturing response to COVID-19.
Click here to access the docuseries trailer that includes the work of the M-ERT.
Presenter Bio: Ben Linville-Engler (Mechanical Engineering’07) is the Industry and Certificate Director for MIT System Design and Management (SDM) where he first joined as a Fellow in 2016.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Voting Rights
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 | 12pm MT
Description: Politicians often tell us that elections have life-and-death consequences, but that may be more true than usual in 2020. Voters could face serious—even fatal—health risks due to COVID-19 just by showing up at a polling place. Restrictive voting rules have always disadvantaged vulnerable communities and restrictive rules in 2020 are on a collision course with COVID-19. Millions of people, many in some of the most vulnerable communities in the country, will be forced to either risk their health to vote in person or relinquish their right to vote. In this talk, we will discuss how COVID-19 is disrupting the administration of the 2020 election and also how it has exposed the fault lines of a long-standing debate about voting rights in the United States.
Presenter Bio: Doug Spencer is Professor of Law and Public Policy at the University of Connecticut. During the 2020-2021 academic year he is visiting Colorado Law as Distinguished Faculty Fellow at The Byron R. White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law.
The Complexities of Trauma and Education in the Time of COVID-19
Thursday, September 24th, 2020 at 12pm MT
Description: Addressing trauma in schooling is always complex and certainly more so in the context of COVID-19. In this webinar, we will examine the social, cultural, and emotional complexities of trauma in classrooms, the highly varying impacts of the pandemic on students’ and teachers’ lives, and how educators are approaching trauma within the convergence of COVID-19 and recent movements for racial justice.
Presenter Bio: Elizabeth Dutro, PhD, is professor and chair of literacy studies in the School of Education. She has published extensively on issues of equity in relation to policy and practice in K-12 classrooms and conducts her research in close collaboration with teachers and students. Her research examining how children draw on their life experiences, including trauma, as resources for their learning has been featured in several media outlets, including The Washington Post, Facing History and Ourselves, Colorado Public Radio, and the National Education Policy Center. Dr. Dutro is the author of the recent book The Vulnerable Heart of Literacy: Centering Trauma as Powerful Pedagogy (Teachers College Press). She welcomes connection and can be contacted at: Elizabeth.dutro@colorado.edu and @lifeasstory on Twitter.
The Knowledge Illusion: Our Current Political Climate During COVID-19
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020 at 12pm MT
Description: Humans have built hugely complex societies and technologies, but most of us don’t even know how a pen or a toilet works. How have we achieved so much despite understanding so little? Dr. Fernbach explores the communal nature of intelligence and why we often assume we know more than we really do. The webinar will focus on connections to our current political climate.
Presenter Bio: Phil Fernbach is a professor of marketing in the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a cognitive scientist who studies how people think, and he applies insights from his research to improve public discourse and help consumers and managers make better decisions. He is co-director of the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making, an affiliate of the Institute of Cognitive Science, and the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, and an external advisory board member for McKinsey & Company. He teaches data analytics and behavioral science to undergraduate and Masters students.
Fernbach is the co-author with Steve Sloman of the 2017 book, The Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone, which was chosen as an Editor’s Pick by the New York Times. The book explores why we think we know so much more than we do, and the profound implications for individuals and society. He has written popular press articles for outlets such as the New York Times, Quartz, MarketWatch, and Harvard Business Review, and he regularly gives public talks about his research.
Fernbach received his Ph.D. in cognitive science from the Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences at Brown University in 2010. Prior to pursuing his Ph.D. he worked with consumer goods companies as a strategy consultant for two boutique firms in Boston. Before that, he did his undergraduate studies at Williams College in the mountains of Western Massachusetts where he studied philosophy.
COVID-19 Surveillance Testing: A Way Out?
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 at 12pm MT
Description: Even though many SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infections produce no symptoms or mild symptoms, they are still capable of passing the virus to their contacts. Surveillance testing is an umbrella term describing the ways in which we might use widespread testing—of people with and without symptoms—to catch silent cases and suppress the ongoing epidemic. In this webinar, Dr. Larremore will discuss research on the effectiveness of broad, frequent, rapid testing in settings like workplaces, campuses, and even cities.
Presenter Bio: Daniel Larremore is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and the BioFrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is also an affiliate of the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder, and is a member of the external faculty of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His research develops mathematical methods using novel combinations of networks, dynamical systems, and statistical inference to solve problems in two main areas: infectious disease epidemiology and computational social science. This work focuses on generative models for networks, the ongoing evolution and genomic epidemiology of the malaria parasite, and the origins of social inequalities in academic hiring and careers. Prior to joining the University of Colorado faculty, he was an Omidyar Fellow at the Santa Fe Institute 2015-2017 and a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 2012-2015. He obtained his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2012, and holds an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis.
How Can Airborne Transmission of COVID-19 Indoors be Minimized? What We Know Now
Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 at 12pm MT
Description: In this webinar, we will summarize some of the recent scientific information that has been accumulating to support that COVID-19 transmission occurs via the airborne exposure route; crowded, poorly ventilated environments are particularly at risk. We will also discuss what can be done in buildings during pandemics to minimize airborne transmission risk.
Presenter Bio: Jose Jimenez specializes in atmospheric chemistry, field measurements, aerosol mass spectrometry, and advanced instrument development. He holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and amongst many accolades, he is the 5th most cited scientist worldwide in the geosciences.
Personal Financial Planning During the COVID-19 Crisis
Wednesday, July 22 at 12 p.m. MT
Description: Your ability to effectively manage cashflows, limit risk exposures and adapt to the ever-changing economic environment directly impacts your future financial well-being. In this webinar, we’ll examine personal financial planning strategies and proactive mindsets that will help you navigate the unique economic stressors and uncertainly caused by COVID-19. Additionally, we’ll look at how to leverage CARES Act relief.
Presenter Bio: Harry Starn, Jr. is a Senior Instructor at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder and serves as the Director of the Personal Financial Planner Program. He holds industry certifications as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He served on the CFP Board’s Council on Education from 2012-2015 and co-authored the 11th Edition of “Practicing Financial Planning for Professionals.”
The Business of Journalism: Keeping Communities and Employees Informed and Safe During Times of Crisis
Wednesday, July 15 at 12 p.m. MT
Description: Local journalists are a community’s eyes and ears, reporting the facts and shining a light on important issues. In this webinar, Dave Lougee, president and CEO of TEGNA Inc., will provide key lessons learned from covering the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide protests that have erupted after the killing of George Floyd. From managing COVID-19 restrictions across 51 local markets to ensuring employee safety during civil unrest, we’ll hear how companies can succeed by staying true to their core mission, embracing innovation and fostering an inclusive company culture.
Presenter Bio: Dave Lougee is president and CEO of TEGNA Inc., one of the most geographically diverse broadcasters in the U.S. He also serves on the company’s Board of Directors.
Prior to becoming CEO, Lougee spent 10 years as president of TEGNA Media. During that time, the company acquired Belo Corp. and London Broadcasting, nearly doubling its broadcast portfolio.
Prior to joining TEGNA, Lougee served as executive vice president, media operations for Belo. He also served as senior vice president and president and general manager of TV and cable operations in Seattle/Tacoma. Earlier in his career, Lougee was vice president, news at WRC, the NBC owned and operated station in Washington, DC and vice president, news director at TEGNA’s KUSA in Denver.
Lougee is the immediate past chairman of the NBC Affiliates Board and is a past chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) Board of Directors. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) and the Broadcasters Foundation of America.
Lougee graduated with a degree in English from the University of Colorado Boulder and attended the Stanford Executive Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He serves on the advisory board for CU Boulder’s College of Media, Communication and Information, as well as on the University of Colorado Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Dani, reside in Northern Virginia. Their son Nash is a rising sophomore at CU Boulder.
Why We Must Inclusify Now
Monday, July 13 at 12 pm MT
Description: In this presentation, Dr. Johnson will discuss why inclusion is so important amidst COVID-19 and some of the unique challenges and opportunities that COVID-19 has created for inclusion and belonging. She will explain the two most essential human needs: to be unique and to belong. Finally, Dr. Johnson will discuss strategies to build more inclusive meetings, clean up office housework, and create culture swaps. The focus will be on creating actionable steps to increase inclusion ranging from increasing transparency, improving selection, and creating more equitable promotion practices.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson is an associate professor at CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. She holds the Andrea and Michael Leeds Research Fellowship, is member of the MG 100 Coaches, and was selected for the 2020 Thinkers50 Radar List. Dr. Johnson’s first book, Inclusify: Harnessing the power of uniqueness and belonging to build innovative teams (Harper Collins) is National Bestseller, hitting #5 on the Wall Street Journal’s Bestseller list. She has presented her work at over 170 meetings around the world including at the White House for a 2016 summit on diversity in corporate America. Media outlets featuring Stefanie’s work include: The Economist, Newsweek, Time, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, HuffPost, Washington Post, Quartz, Discover, CNN, ABC, NBC, CNBC. She has appeared on Fox, ABC, NBC, CNN, and CNN International.
COVID-19 Economic Discussion: What We Have Learned Over the Past 4 Months
Presented on July 9 | 12pm MT
Description: This webinar will present observations on the current impact and future expectations for the national and Colorado economies.
Presenters Bios: Associate Professor Richard Wobbekind holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder and is, amongst many roles at the University, Associate Dean for Business & Government Relations, Senior Economist, and Faculty Director of the Business Research Division. As Faculty Director of the Business Research Division, his responsibilities include developing an annual consensus forecast of the Colorado economy and performing various economic impact assessments of the Colorado economy. Wobbekind also produces the quarterly Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado.
Brian Lewandowski is the executive director of the Business Research Division at Leeds. Brian specializes in economic and revenue forecasts, policy studies, and economic impact analyses.
COVID-19 Webinar: Legal Ramifications of the Nation’s Response to the Pandemic
Friday, June 5th | 12pm MT
Presenter: Craig Konnoth (Law)
Description: COVID-19 raises numerous law and policy issues. In what ways can the government restrict our liberties to prevent its spread? What are the steps the government can take to alleviate the effects of its restrictions (e.g., halting evictions)? This seminar will answer some of these questions and more.
About the Presenter: Professor Konnoth writes in health and civil rights, as well as on health data regulation. His publications have appeared or will appear in the Yale Law Journal, the Stanford Law Review, the Hastings Law Journal, the Penn Law Review, and the Iowa Law Review. He is also active in LGBT rights litigation and has filed briefs in the Supreme Court and the Tenth Circuit on LGBT rights issues. At the University of Colorado, Professor Konnoth teaches Health Law, and runs the Health Law Certificate Program. He also teaches Sexuality and the Law, and Property. Craig is formerly a Deputy Solicitor General with the California Department of Justice, where his docket primarily involved cases before the United States Supreme Court and also before the California Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Cases involved the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act, Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Facebook privacy policies, and cellphone searches.
Before arriving at the University of Colorado, Craig was a Sharswood and Rudin Fellow at Penn Law School and NYU Medical School, where he taught health information law, health law, and LGBT health law and bioethics. Before moving into government, Craig was the R. Scott Hitt Fellow in Law & Policy at the Williams Institute at UCLA Law School, where he focused on issues affecting same-sex partners, long term care, and Medicaid coverage issues, and drafted HIV rights legislation. He holds a J.D. from Yale, and an M.Phil. from the University of Cambridge. He clerked for Judge Margaret McKeown of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Disinformation During a Pandemic: The Politics of COVID-19
Thursday, May 28th | 12pm MT
Presenter: Dr. Liz Skewes (CMCI)
Description: The political polarization in the U.S. is shaping how media outlets are covering the COVID-19 crisis and how the public is responding to information and disinformation. In this webinar, we’ll look at how major news organizations are framing the pandemic, how social media is contributing (or not) to the public conversation, and what can be done to better inform citizens about this coronavirus.
About the Presenter: Associate Professor Elizabeth Skewes is the chair of the Department of Journalism. Her research focuses on media sociology and news practices, the media’s role in electoral politics and politics in popular culture. She also is working on new research involving media coverage of mass tragedies and the victims of those events. She is the author of Message Control: How News Is Made on the Presidential Campaign Trail, and the author or co-author of book chapters and journal articles on journalistic norms, values and practices. She was a working journalist for nearly 20 years, was a reporter for newspapers in West Virginia and Florida, and also worked as a freelance reporter for newspapers in New York and Colorado.
COVID-19 Webinar: Lessons from the 1918-19 Influenza Pandemic
Wednesday, May 27th | 12pm MT
Presenter: Dr. Susan Kent (A&S)
Description: Susan Kent will discuss the origins, spread, impact, and consequences of a disease that killed more than 50 million people in the space of six months. She will also discuss lessons learned as they apply to COVID-19.
About the Presenter: Susan Kingsley Kent is a Professor of Distinction in the Department of History. She has written numerous books treating gender, war, politics, and culture in Britain, the British Empire, and across the globe.
How is COVID-19 Affecting the Electric Power Grid?
Tuesday, May 26th | 12pm MT
Presenter: Dr. Kyri Baker (Engineering)
Description: Increased residential electricity consumption and decreased commercial electricity consumption due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing is dramatically changing the way the grid operates. Not only do weekdays now appear as weekends to the grid, but changes in demand patterns are changing which power plants are generating electricity, how much renewable energy is being utilized within the grid, and more. In this talk, we will discuss how COVID-19 is affecting the electric power grid, from exploring the impacts within neighborhoods all the way up to electricity markets.
About the Presenter: Dr. Kyri Baker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering and Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering (by courtesy) at the University of Colorado Boulder. Previously, she was at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in both the power systems and buildings centers. She received her B.S., M.S., and PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2009, 2010, and 2014, respectively. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on developing techniques to improve renewable energy integration within the electric power grid, with an emphasis on optimization, machine learning, and intelligent building control.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Professional Sports
Thursday, May 21st | 12pm MT
Presenter: Tom Garfinkel (CU Boulder alumnus)
Description: This webinar will discuss the financial, community, and human impact of the sports stoppage and what the future might hold for professional sports.
About the Presenter: Tom Garfinkel serves as Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. Since his hire, Garfinkel has led the business turnaround of the Dolphins, highlighted by: • The initiation, creation and execution of a plan to privately fund a more than $770 million renovation of a 27-year-old stadium. • The sale of more than $600 million in future contractually obligated suite and sponsorship income, including the in- house sale of naming rights to “Hard Rock Stadium.” • Unprecedented ticket sales revenue growth and four years of consecutive regular season sell-outs. • The creation of an in-house creative content team that resulted in more than 200 million social media video views in 2018, the most in the NFL, as well as five Emmy Awards and two Clio Awards. • The winning bid for both the 2020 Super Bowl and 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. • The highest grossing soccer event in U.S. history in July of 2017 (El Clasico Miami: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona). The continuation and growth of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, which has garnered more than $38 million to date in donations for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. • The culmination of a partnership with IMG/WME to bring the Miami Open tennis tournament to Hard Rock Stadium, with the 2019 debut event setting record attendance numbers and increasing total revenue by nearly 25%. His operating experience includes serving as president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Padres, chief operating officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks and executive vice president of Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR, IndyCar and Grand-Am racing teams. Prior to working in sports, Garfinkel held different leadership roles in sales, marketing and branding with Miller Brewing Company and Texaco, Inc. Garfinkel serves on the board of the National Football Foundation, Dolphins Cancer Challenge, the Gulliver School’s Board of Trustees and the Sports Management Advisory Board and Ross School of Business Advisory Board at the University of Michigan. Garfinkel graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and earned his MBA at the University of Michigan. Garfinkel and his wife, Allison, live in Coral Gables with their three sons.
Entrepreneurial Approaches to COVID-19: Plan, Pivot, and Persist
Tuesday, May 19th | 12pm MT
Presenter: Dr. Jeffrey York and Brad Werner (Leeds)
Description: Jeff York (Research Director, Deming Center) and Brad Werner (Faculty Director, Deming Center) will cover lessons learned from their podcast Creative Distillation. Since the pandemic began, they have interviewed multiple entrepreneurship researchers about entrepreneurial approaches to COVID-19, focusing on actionable, research-backed solutions. This webinar will present a framework and examples of how entrepreneurs can plan, pivot, and persist during, and beyond, the pandemic.
About the presenters:
Jeffrey G. York is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Research Director for the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, and Shane Faculty Scholar at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He received his PhD from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. Professor York’s teaching and research are focused on environmental entrepreneurship and the simultaneous creation of ecological and economic goods. He is interested in how and why entrepreneurs create new products, services, and industries that reduce environmental degradation. He teaches classes in business planning, entrepreneurial thinking and environmental ventures at the undergraduate, MBA and PhD levels. Professor York has published research in journals such as the Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Business Venturing, Organization Science, and Strategic Management Journal. He serves as a Field Editor for the Journal of Business Venturing and on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Journal, Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal.
Brad Werner is an instructor in the Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Operations Division at the Leeds School of Business. He is a commodity futures trader and investor. He has been a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for over 30 years, specializing in agriculture, energy, and currency products. While at the CME, he served on multiple regulatory committees. He has since moved his operations to Colorado and continues to actively trade a broad suite of futures products. Brad also has an active career angel investing in the energy, technology, real estate, and hospitality sectors.
The Epidemiology of COVID-19: Where Do We Go from Here?
Monday, May 18th | 12pm MT
Presenter: Dr. Matthew McQueen (A&S)
Description: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly impacted our personal and professional lives. We take a moment to step back to explore where we are currently at with this virus and what scenarios may lie ahead.
About the Presenter: Dr. Matthew McQueen (ScD) is an Associate Professor of Integrative Physiology and Director for the Public Health Certificate Program on the CU Boulder campus. Dr. McQueen is an epidemiologist by training and is engaged in a highly interdisciplinary research program. He teaches Introduction to Epidemiology for the public health certificate program as well as introductory and advanced biostatistics for the Department of Integrative Physiology.
How Can Airborne Transmission of COVID-19 Indoors be Minimized?
Friday, May 1st | 12pm MT
Description: Dr. Miller will summarize some of the recent scientific information that has been accumulating to support that COVID-19 transmission occurs via the airborne exposure route; crowded, poorly ventilated environments are particularly at risk. Dr. Miller will also discuss what can be done in buildings during pandemics to minimize airborne transmission risk.
Presented by: Shelly L. Miller, Ph.D., is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and faculty in the Environmental Engineering Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, holding an M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of California, Berkeley and a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College. Dr. Miller teaches about and investigates urban air quality and works diligently to understand the impact of air pollution on public health and the environment. She is also an expert on indoor environmental quality including air cleaning technologies. Dr. Miller is a member of the Academy of Fellows of the International Society for Indoor Air and Climate (ISIAQ). Dr. Miller has published over 70 peer reviewed articles on air quality, authored a Chapter on Indoor Air Quality in the Environmental Engineering Handbook, is an active scientist on twitter, and publishes open access as often as possible.
COVID-19 Economic Discussion: What we Know
Thursday, April 30th | 12pm MT
Description: This webinar will present observations on the current impact and future expectations for the national and Colorado economies.
Presented by: Richard L. Wobbekind is Associate Dean for Business & Government Relations, Senior Economist and Faculty Director of the Business Research Division and at the University of Colorado Boulder. He joined the faculty at the Leeds School of Business in 1985, and has served as an Associate Dean since 2000.
As Faculty Director of the Business Research Division his responsibilities include developing an annual consensus forecast of the Colorado economy and performing various economic impact assessments of the Colorado economy. Wobbekind also produces the quarterly Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado.
Rich is the past president of the National Association for Business Economics. He participates annually in the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Regional Economic Roundtable, and is a contributor to the Western Blue Chip forecast newsletter and the National Association of Business Economists Economic Outlook and Policy Surveys.
Rich is a member of the Governor’s Revenue Estimating Advisory Committee and the Boulder Economic Council. He is an advisory board member for the Western Regional Science Association.
Practical Strategies for Supporting Mental Health During COVID-19
Wednesday, April 29th | 12pm MT
Description: Many people are experiencing mental health difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Feelings of grief, fear and anxiety are common, along with sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating and more. In addition, social distancing requirements can be emotionally challenging, potentially increasing feelings of loneliness and undermining social support. However, each of us can put coping strategies in place to help us manage such challenges. During this brief webinar we will discuss detrimental effects of chronic stress, and will encourage identification of preferred coping strategies. In addition, we will review innovative ways to connect to and grow our social support networks. Resources will be provided for those interested in follow up services. .
Presented by: Courtney Welton-Mitchell is a mental health clinician and social psychologist. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Public Health, where she teaches several courses, including a Disaster Mental Health course. She is also a Research Associate with the Natural Hazards Center, CU Boulder.
Job Searching during COVID-19
Monday, April 27th | 12pm MT
Description: Job searching is a challenge on its own, let alone during a global pandemic. Join CU alumnus and Leeds Advisory Board Emeritus Member, Alan Arney (PolSci'85), for an informative look at insights and lessons from his work with senior executives in job search in Colorado. Alan will discuss the major changes you may be facing as a jobseeker in the current market and provide tips on researching available opportunities, networking, and positioning yourself for success.
Part of the webinar will also focus specifically on executive roles and the job search.
This webinar is appropriate for job seekers at all levels and on how the job search process has changed in light of COVID-19.
Presented by: Alan Arney is a Senior Career Consultant in the Denver office of Lee Hecht Harrison, where he coaches senior corporate executives going through career transition. Alan previously served as Vice President of Global Learning & Development at Western Union where he was responsible for managing the development and delivery of learning programs to Western Union’s 8,500 employees.
Prior to Western Union, Alan was a Director in the Denver office of Accenture and worked for the company for 21 years. At Accenture, Alan worked with global and domestic companies to deliver management consulting and business process outsourcing services.
Alan began his career in Operations at Bank Western Federal Savings Bank following his graduation in 1985 from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Political Science. Alan served on the Board of the Leeds School of Business from 2012-2019, and previously served on the Board of the Boy Scouts of America, Denver Area Council and the YMCA of Southwest Denver.
Understanding the Societal Impacts of COVID-19: Convergence Research in a Pandemic
Friday, April 24th | 12pm MT
Description: This webinar will describe the efforts of the Natural Hazards Center – one of the nation’s oldest social science hazards and disaster research centers – and its CONVERGE initiative. The Center and the CONVERGE team are funding novel research on the social, behavioral, and economic impacts of COVID-19 and supporting a global network of research Working Groups in the social sciences and public health. The Center and CONVERGE have also launched the first global registry for COVID-19 related research. Please attend this webinar to learn more about these efforts and how they are making a difference in terms of informing decision-making.
Presented by: Lori Peek is Director of the Natural Hazards Center and Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder. She is author of Behind the Backlash: Muslim Americans after 9/11, co-editor of Displaced: Life in the Katrina Diaspora, and co-author of Children of Katrina. Peek also helped develop and write school safety guidance for the United States, Safer, Stronger, Smarter: A Guide to Improving School Natural Hazard Safety. Peek is the principal investigator for the National Science Foundation-funded CONVERGE facility, which is dedicated to improving research coordination and advancing the ethical conduct and scientific rigor of disaster research.