Faces of Leeds

Monica Rowand (MBA’17)

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:11:59 +0000

Monica Rowand (MBA’17) Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 09/10/2026 - 11:11

Anneli Gray

Monica Rowand has spent her career betting that sports can impact sustainability faster than any grassroots campaign. A Waste360 40 Under 40 honoree, she’s spent over a decade putting that bet to work—first at Ralphie’s Green Stampede, later across pro and collegiate sports properties, and now leading the Sports & Entertainment division as a senior manager of Advisory Services at WM.

Before Leeds, you were doing grassroots environmental work in New Orleans. What sent you toward business school instead of a straight environmental degree?

My 'lightbulb moment' happened while I was doing community advocacy and environmental education for a nonprofit in New Orleans. I spent my days tabling and giving presentations to neighborhood associations, and I kept thinking: 'Imagine if the Saints told their fans about these energy efficiency programs. The impact would be massive compared to our grassroots reach.' I realized then that if you want to move the needle at scale, you have to leverage the powerful platforms.

In the spring of 2013, I was preparing to start a master’s program for environmental education and management. However, after speaking with sustainability leaders at the MLB and NHL, their advice changed my entire trajectory. They told me plainly: 'You already know the environment side. If you want to actually affect change in this industry, you have to speak our language—you have to understand business.'

Why Leeds specifically?

I chose the MBA at Leeds because of a unique opportunity CU could offer me. The Buffs are home of the award-winning collegiate athletics sustainability program, Ralphie's Green Stampede, founded and led at the time by Dave Newport. He told me that if I came to CU, I could work part-time at the intersection of sport and sustainability while in school. Dave and I even started a business together while I was still in school to help other organizations replicate the successes we were seeing in CU Athletics.

Was there a moment in the MBA itself that changed how you saw the problem?

The turning point for me was definitely the Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Venturing classes with George Deriso and Jeff York. Coming from a nonprofit background, those classes shifted my perspective by proving that I could maintain my values while operating in a world that wasn't reliant on the next grant or donation. I realized that business was just a more permanent way to solve problems.

A single game can leave a stadium with a week's worth of trash. That's a logistics problem as much as an environmental one—how did the MBA change how you approached it?

I'd like to think I understood these concepts fundamentally before coming to Leeds, but the MBA provided the specific details of how businesses and operators function. This allowed me to tie requests for sustainable change to a grounded business case. The MBA provided exposure to business considerations beyond the immediate P&L, including risk mitigation, reputation management, marketing and long-term asset value. It taught me to think more comprehensively and on a longer timescale.

Fans are there for the game, not a sustainability pitch. How do you change fan behavior without getting in the way of that?

One of the most effective ways to drive change is by making the desired action as easy and convenient as possible. In the case of choosing to recycle at a sporting event, we use system design techniques that make the choice virtually nonexistent—and operations plans to catch the rest.

Ralphie's Green Stampede, for example, made a concerted effort to develop an identity for CU Football around sustainable waste management. It became a normalized part of the experience, to the point where tailgaters explained in one research study that while they might not recycle all the time at home, they did it at Folsom Field because 'that's what Buffs do here.' I've seen this same shift in identity play out with the staff at the zero-waste stadiums I've gotten to work with. When that 'how we do it here' culture takes root internally, the operational success follows.

How does that same instinct show up in your current role, on the sponsorship side?

My work involves both the operational side—improving the actual environmental footprint of a property—and the sponsorship side, where we ensure partnerships are built on shared sustainability values. Our philosophy at WM is distinct because we aren't just a passive sponsor interested in putting a name on a sign. We look for partners who are actually looking to drive sustainability—because when we align our values-driven marketing efforts with operations … we don't just change behavior for one afternoon; we normalize a mindset that fans and leaders alike take with them to where they live, work and play.

As a senior manager with WM's Advisory Services group, Monica Rowand (MBA’17) is hitting sustainability goals out of the park, helping major sports venues chart a practical path to zero waste.

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Shaun Davies, Associate Professor of Finance

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:11:53 +0000

Shaun Davies, Associate Professor of Finance Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 08/19/2026 - 15:11

Jane Majkiewicz • Photo by Nathan Thompson

For Shaun Davies, the starting place for understanding finance has nothing to do with finance at all and everything to do with understanding yourself.

The last day of every semester fills Shaun Davies with both dread and joy.

The joy comes from seeing his undergraduate and graduate students reach the finish line. The dread comes from the anticipation of knowing he will share a deeply personal story. He tells it because he believes it will help students confront two questions he asks them to wrestle with:
“Who are you?” and “What are you doing here?”

Davies believes the answers serve as an anchor, especially during moments of adversity. For him and his wife, Kjerstin, a defining moment came in 2017 when they lost their son Charlie at nearly 2 years old. The family found a way to transform their profound grief into purpose. They established Charlie’s Guys, a charity that offers solace to children who have lost a sibling or parent.

“Had I not known my answers to those two questions, I would not have been able to navigate that tragedy. Nor would I have ever really been able to live life and find joy in life,” said Davies.

Lessons in uncertainty

Davies worries that many of today’s students tether their identity to things that may turn out to be fleeting, whether it’s an internship, a salary or a romantic relationship.

“I want students to know that they have so much more value than a paycheck,” he said. He encourages them to maintain perspective. Attending a university like CU �Ǹ�Թ� places them among the world’s fortunate few, he believes, and it's a reality that he hopes fosters both gratitude and humility.

Davies’ own path was shaped by both and was less formed by careful planning than by a willingness to embrace uncertainty. During his senior year as a double applied math and economics major at CU �Ǹ�Թ�, a classmate alerted Davies to a job board. On a whim, he submitted his resume for a job in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

“I want students to know that they have so much more value than a paycheck.”

—Shaun Davies, Associate Professor of Finance

Fate intervened. The person reviewing applications happened to be someone Davies had played intramural soccer with at CU �Ǹ�Թ� two years earlier. “They hired me because I could do math and I could code, even though I didn't know anything about finance.”

Things got off to a rocky start, and Davies “didn’t understand anything anyone was talking about.” He distinctly remembers wandering around the trading floor sipping a Snapple, “feeling the worst imposter syndrome of my life … After a year, I kind of felt like I was finally giving some value to the firm.”

That uncertainty created something surprising: momentum. The more Davies stuck with it, the more he found himself drawn to finance. His boss encouraged him to consider pursuing a doctorate. Davies applied to several PhD programs and chose UCLA.

He still has his microeconomics midterm from 2008; he was dismayed to learn he got the second lowest grade in the class. That fueled a change in the way he studied and approached his work. His low score wasn’t due to a lack of effort, he said. “I was naive and didn’t realize that with undergrad exams, you get taught ‘A, B and C’ and get tested on ‘A, B and C.’ With a PhD exam, I quickly learned that they teach you ‘A, B and C’ and then test you on ‘X, Y and Z.'" His persistence paid off, and after that first year, he loved the PhD program.

Another love also entered his life. At a friend’s wedding, he reconnected with Kjerstin, whom he first met when they were CU �Ǹ�Թ� undergraduates. When Davies received an offer in 2013 to teach at Leeds, he and Kjerstin came back to Colorado “with the hope of never leaving.” Their license plates demonstrate their Buff pride: One reads “SHOLDR2” and the other “SHOLDR,” so when they’re parked next to each other, they showcase the line from the “CU Fight Song.”

Making finance human

Through his own experiences, Davies understands how finance can feel intimidating. “We use all these complex terms, but oftentimes they mean very simple things.” What’s more confusing, he added, is that there may be five terms that all mean the same thing. He strives to distill information to make finance accessible and understandable, whether he's speaking to students or the media.

Whether it's saving for college, planning for retirement or understanding a mortgage, Davies ultimately sees financial literacy as liberating. And while markets continue to evolve, he believes one lesson is timeless: “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

He often returns to the idea of stewardship as a guidepost. The way forward comes from knowing what you value and where you place your sense of worth.

Opening doors

That mindset influences Davies' work as faculty director of the Burridge Center for Finance. He praises his colleagues who oversee the center, connecting students with real-world experiences that prepare them for careers in a demanding and rapidly changing industry.

“It helps us make sure students are ready to hit the ground running.”

Writing letters of recommendation is also something he values. “To have the opportunity to open a door or help open a door, it’s incredibly gratifying.”

On two occasions during our conversation, Davies’ daughters opened the door to his home office, prompting a smile from him and a gentle response of “I’m on a call right now, sweetie.” That felt fitting. While he’s earned honors and awards for his teaching and research—in topics ranging from asset management to socially responsible investing—Davies never mentioned those accolades.

Instead, he recited his six children’s names and ages: Scott (almost 13), Charlie (would have turned 11 this year), Victoria (almost 9), Charlotte (6), Annabelle (5) and Max (3). On any given day, their home is filled with kids, friends, neighbors and activity, what Davies affectionately calls “a circus.”

For him, the answers to those two essential questions will always be based on a clear formula, which works in both life and finance: “faith and family.”

Shaun Davies sees financial literacy as liberating, enabling us to clarify our values and make more intentional decisions about how we live.

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Katherine Ratledge, Program Manager for the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:08:56 +0000

Katherine Ratledge, Program Manager for the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 08/03/2026 - 14:08

Jane Majkiewicz • Photo by Nathan Thompson

As a child growing up in Virginia, Katherine Ratledge remembers always being outside. That was the root of her deep connection with nature, which has never left.

“My favorite thing is to be outside. I love to watch birds, to be in the mountains, to smell things …”

That love of nature has surfaced throughout Ratledge’s academic and professional life. An undergraduate history major with a Spanish minor, she discovered a passion for teaching through English as a Second Language instruction and as a ski instructor. As a self-proclaimed history nerd, Ratledge went on to teach high school AP history and government classes for nine years, often bringing an environmental lens into the classroom.

“I really wanted students to understand how much our natural resources have an influence, not only on our cultural history, but also on our wealth as a nation, as a society, and on our world.”

She helped students see how major moments in American history were often connected to weather events, from the Dust Bowl to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and Hurricane Katrina. “These shifted the economy, migration and the way people live.”

The desire to broaden that perspective eventually led Ratledge into higher education. Her master's degree in sustainable development and Latin American studies at New York University deepened her understanding of the connections between environmental, economic and social systems, including research focused on clean energy in Brazil.

Changing the message

Ratledge helped launch Energy Smart Colorado, a residential energy-efficiency program designed to help homeowners reduce energy use. A small team built the program from the ground up, securing funding, developing workforce training and engaging homeowners. The experience taught her a lesson she didn’t expect.

Despite incentives and growing evidence of climate challenges, it was often difficult to persuade people to make changes. “I suddenly realized that it’s not that people don’t care—it’s just that there are so many other priorities demanding our attention first,” she said.

Becoming a working mother of three and a homeowner transformed her perspective. “The shift for me was recognizing where people are at and helping them make the connection to whatever it is that’s impactful for them.”

That realization changed how she thought about sustainability work. “It helped me understand that we were saying the wrong things, that we had to change our messaging,” she explained. “It’s not about people not caring. It’s about equipping them with the right tools.” For Ratledge, two of those tools are business and something that sometimes feels in short supply: hope.

“Leeds has always led as a school in seeing business as a force for good. When you think about restructuring society or a changed world from AI and climate change, that’s where the business community can be extraordinary.”

—Katherine Ratledge, Program Manager for CESR

Business as a force for good

As program manager for the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility since 2023, Ratledge understands that “things have to make business sense for people to do them.” She recognized an important opportunity when Breakthrough Energy approached CU �Ǹ�Թ� about joining its University Climate Ventures network. CU �Ǹ�Թ� is one of a handful of schools globally in the initiative.

Launched in 2025, �Ǹ�Թ� Climate Ventures brings together CESR, the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and the College of Engineering and Applied Science to help move climate innovations from research labs into the marketplace. In its second year, with renewed funding from Breakthrough Energy, this fall will bring new Executive-in-Residence Alice Havill of Fractal Climate; a fall seminar series that can be taken as a for-credit class; and the spring Clean Tech Venture Discovery course, also for credit.

“�Ǹ�Թ� is a desirable location not just to live but also a great place for research and innovation, thanks to university and national labs. There is a great clean tech ecosystem as well as a robust startup culture here,” Ratledge explained.

“Leeds has always led as a school in seeing business as a force for good,” she added. “When you think about restructuring society or a changed world from AI and climate change, that’s where the business community can be extraordinary.”

Policy makers and scientists alone won’t move the needle, Ratledge believes. “It’s the business community that can be a catalyst on how to move forward.” As we enter what she calls a fifth industrial revolution, business will play a central role in turning innovation into real-world impact.

Restoring faith in the human spirit

For Ratledge, her favorite part of the job is the people: “Working with, talking to, hanging out with and mentoring students.”

“I always knew I wanted to do something that had some sort of impact. I wanted to work with people, but I’m a 5,000-foot person, rather than a 30,000-foot person.”

When it comes to hope, Ratledge doesn’t call herself an eternal optimist. She acknowledges today’s realities while resisting what she calls the “doom loop” of negative news and social media. That overlooks “that humans are extraordinarily ingenious and resilient,” as history has repeatedly shown us.

“I recognize that these students are truly going to be tomorrow’s leaders of Colorado and beyond. I feel very much like I can make these relationships with them and help them on their journey, and then they will go on to those 30,000-foot impacts.”

If we pair hopelessness with apathy, she argues, the result is a blight on the human spirit. The antidote? Community. Everything that CESR does is underscored by connection. Ratledge saw it firsthand last year, for example, during a Sustainability Scholars “Colorado by Bus” trip.

“That was so energizing for students, and that’s exactly what they saw on the trip—community. Three little towns with outsize impact.”

For Ratledge, connecting those dots means showing that business as a force for good isn't abstract or out of reach. At its best, it’s simply what comes naturally.

As program manager for the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, Katherine Ratledge is a conduit for hope, empowering students to take meaningful steps to foster a just and sustainable world.

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Brett Bolton (Fin, Acct’28)

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:26:59 +0000

Brett Bolton (Fin, Acct’28) Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 07/14/2026 - 13:26

Jane Majkiewicz

Photo above and of Brett Bolton with the Dalai Lama by Vishan Singh. Other photos supplied by Brett Bolton.

Talking with Brett Bolton, it’s clear why seeing him in front of the Himalayas feels symbolic. He has faced a series of uphill climbs in his life, particularly in 2025 when he was cut from the World Championship sled hockey team—a devastating blow.

But instead of dwelling on obstacles, Bolton focuses on opportunities. This year has brought plenty of them, from winning Paralympic gold in Milano Cortino to meeting the Dalai Lama in India. He also completed his first 14er, reaching the summit of Mount Sherman.

“If I told someone what this year would have looked like, I think people would have called me crazy,” he said.

Making it to the 2026 Winter Paralympics was no accident. Bolton spent seven months transforming himself, dropping 40 pounds. While most students were hitting the snooze button, he was at the gym by 5 a.m. Before classes even began, he’d already spent hours training on and off the ice. When friends were out late indulging in fast food, you’d find Bolton eating a protein bar and broccoli, hitting the pillow by 10 p.m.

In other words, he’s willing to sacrifice and do what it takes. Born without a leg, abandoned in China, and adopted by parents in the United States, Bolton's determination has defined him. He competed in gymnastics as early as age 6. Today, he said he even often forgets that he doesn’t have a leg.

Turning setback into motivation

This year began with uncertainty as Bolton waited to hear whether he’d earned a coveted spot on Team USA.

“It was a lot of up in the air, and that was very uncomfortable, but it was something I had to deal with. Coming off a huge loss from last season was definitely a driving factor in what made me push so hard for this season.”

A summer of reflection forced him to confront where he fell short. “A lot of that came down to a lack of discipline," he said. When he finally made the team, he called his mom first. “She's one of my biggest supporters and has told me to take risks and reach far.”

Bolton discovered he loved sled hockey in 2014 after Paralympian Greg Shaw introduced the sport near Bolton's hometown in Florida. “I loved being on the ice. I loved the physicality of the game. You know, a lot of people used to treat me as someone with a disability who couldn’t be touched … And I was like ‘I'm not fragile. I'm here to play.’”

“One of the things I have struggled with as an athlete and student is staying present. I’ve needed to consider how I can really enjoy the moment and still set myself up for success tomorrow.”

—Brett Bolton (Fin, Acct’28)

Making the team this past winter was only one milestone. “It was the most amazing feeling, but then I was like, it's not done until we win gold.” For him, the win was “exhilarating” and “surreal.”

His sights are already set on 2030. “I want to handle more responsibility and take more leadership roles within Team USA. Being able to grow the sport has been a sidebar mission of mine—really showing what accessibility, inclusion, disability and sports equity look like on a global scale.”

Success on and off the ice

Elite athletics haven’t stopped Bolton from achieving academically. “It's been challenging, but all my professors at Leeds have been incredibly supportive.”

Because Paralympic athletes don’t receive the same university support as NCAA student-athletes, Bolton says he has had to advocate for himself and invest in planning. “I really have to take the initiative before the semester starts.”

That mindset carries over into finance. “It's cliché, but it's compound interest. What you put in today affects tomorrow, and it adds up and builds over time.” Goal setting and positivity matter to Bolton in every facet of his life. He manages his own finances and funding for both college and his training, learning how to be strategic and creative with the resources he has.

Playing the long game

Strategic thinking is what drew Bolton to finance. “What I really like about finance is that it’s about projecting and making sure the numbers add up.”

But Bolton also knows that the sum of a life is more than just numbers. “One of the things I have struggled with as an athlete and student is staying present. I’ve needed to consider how I can really enjoy the moment and still set myself up for success tomorrow.”

As a leadership minor and Dalai Lama Fellow, meeting the Dalai Lama this past spring—who gave Bolton a personal blessing—left a lasting impression. “I don't have words for it. It was surreal to meet such a respected global figure.”

“Life will never be 100% the way you want it, but if you can control your anger and frustration, it'll make you unstoppable.”

—Brett Bolton (Fin, Acct’28)

Two lessons from the experience of traveling to India and Nepal, and meeting the Dalai Lama, have stayed with him. First, a revelation: Anger comes from selfishness, said Bolton. “Life will never be 100% the way you want it, but if you can control your anger and frustration, it'll make you unstoppable.”

Second: It’s all about perspective. “If the Dalai Lama can be content after being exiled from his own country and family, and he is still able to live without distractions—that shows what we can do in our own lives.”

And Bolton should know. He keeps pushing forward, refusing to be restricted by circumstances. But for him, success isn’t only about reaching the summit. Sometimes it’s just about pausing long enough to appreciate the view.

Brett Bolton has had quite a year—from winning Paralympic gold to meeting the Dalai Lama—and he's only just getting started. He wants to show “what accessibility, inclusion, disability and sports equity look like on a global scale.”

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Declan Woods (Fin’26)

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:44:57 +0000

Declan Woods (Fin’26) Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 07/09/2026 - 15:44

Jane Majkiewicz • Photo by Nathan Thompson

Don't love school? Declan Woods (Mktg'26) didn't always love the classroom either. But that didn't stop him from loving Leeds, learning a few hard-earned lessons about success and failure, and finding his own path to graduation. For anyone who doesn't think of themselves as a stellar student, Woods has a simple message: Prevail.

Woods always wanted to be featured in “Faces of Leeds.” The only problem? He didn't think he was the typical candidate. So, like any resourceful Leeds student, he made his own luck. He designed a “Faces of Leeds” poster featuring himself and hung it up in Koelbel (for the record, our building managers don't recommend this strategy).

“The universe rewards bold action.”

—Declan Woods (Fin’26)

After posting a video on Instagram, Woods’ story took off. More than 30,000 likes later, he returned to �Ǹ�Թ� after graduation to visit Leeds and reclaim his masterpiece. While he was here, he connected with us and—at long last!—he let us interview him for his official "Faces of Leeds" profile.

Now, Woods is working with a startup in Los Angeles, proving that even students who don't necessarily fit the mold can still find their way to success.

Turns out he was a great "Faces of Leeds" candidate after all. Watch the videos below—and kudos to Woods for indulging our impromptu interview with considerably more grace than we deserved. His wit, spontaneity and authenticity show he's a natural.

Declan Woods Returns to Leeds

Why Faces of Leeds?

An Unconventional Tour

Declan Woods didn't think he'd make a great Faces of Leeds subject, but he took action anyway, earning the support of more than 30,000 Instagram followers.

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Oksana Terletska (Fin’26)

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:44:48 +0000

Oksana Terletska (Fin’26) Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 06/22/2026 - 14:44

Jane Majkiewicz

Oksana Terletska is all about showing up as her best self and motivating others around her. That’s been true in her academic journey, as a student-athlete, and now as she starts her career as an institutional equity trading analyst at Morgan Stanley—a role she describes as her dream job.

She had another goal, too: being featured in “Faces of Leeds” before graduation. Her women’s hockey teammates made it happen with a surprise nomination.

Mia Fiscelli (StrEnt’27), president of the Women’s Ice Hockey team at CU �Ǹ�Թ�, wrote: “[Oksana] truly represents exactly what it means to be a leader, a trailblazer, and an inspiration within the Leeds community. … She is a first-generation college student who has already broken barriers and created opportunities for herself and every girl on her team who looks up to her.”

Engaged. Driven. Thoughtful. Genuinely committed. Those are the words her teammates used to describe her, and the recognition means a lot to Terletska. She calls her hockey teammates her second family.

Finding her edge

Terletska fell in love with hockey while watching the Chicago Blackhawks with her father. After the team's 2013 Stanley Cup win, she wanted in.

Her father had always dreamed of playing but never had the opportunity growing up in the Soviet Union. When she was 9, she convinced him to get her on skates. “My mom wanted me to do figure skating. I said, ‘Absolutely not. I want to play hockey.’”

She went on to play on Chicago’s first girls hockey team and continued through high school. CU �Ǹ�Թ� stood out as a place where she wouldn’t have to choose between hockey and her future.

For Terletska, the game has always been about more than competition.

“Hockey offers life lessons that can’t be taught in a classroom,” she said. “How do you handle tough losses? How do you keep moving forward? How do you show up as the best version of yourself for your teammates?”

Those lessons stay with her. “There aren't always good seasons, there aren't always good practices, but it’s staying committed even when it gets really hard.”

Carving a path in finance

While hockey shaped her approach to challenges, Terletska was equally focused on her future.

Originally interested in accounting and operations, she was increasingly drawn to finance and economics. Inspired by her father’s entrepreneurial background, she became fascinated by how financial markets connect industries around the world. “There are always questions to ask,” she said, “which leaves room to grow.”

She interned at Morgan Stanley last summer, crediting Susan Brodnicki, assistant director of student programs at Leeds’ Burridge Center for Finance. “She guided me to opportunities she believed would be great for me and that I would be interested in.”

During her internship, Terletska rotated through cash trading, algorithmic trading, futures, and securities lending—gaining a firsthand look at the trading floor’s rhythm and pressure. The environment felt like a natural fit. Having grown up in Chicago, she has always been drawn to the energy of big cities and is eager to begin her career in Manhattan.

“People say it’s the city that never sleeps. I think that’s very true.”

Aligning actions with values

What ties it all together for Terletska is discipline.

As a student-athlete, she balanced academics, practices, travel and leadership responsibilities, including serving as the team’s treasurer—a role she describes as both demanding and rewarding. The experience sharpened her ability to prioritize and stay organized, even when competing demands pulled her in different directions.

With family split between the U.S. and Ukraine, she has also learned to navigate uncertainty and stay grounded in the face of it. It all shapes how she leads.

“I’ve always been a firm believer that the best leaders lead through their actions, not their words,” she said. “They don’t always need to be the loudest person in the room.” As a senior leader on the hockey team, she focused on setting a positive example through preparation, accountability and consistency.

“I’ve always been a firm believer that the best leaders lead through their actions, not their words. They don’t always need to be the loudest person in the room.”

—Oksana Terletska (Fin’26)

“My dad always taught me to carry yourself with integrity,” she said. “If you don’t have integrity or a purpose behind your actions, how can you expect others to do the same?”

Over time, she has come to see that while technical skills can be learned, character is built through challenges and choices. “It’s about developing as a holistic person,” she said. “And I think Leeds does a phenomenal job in fostering that.”

Looking ahead

On the team, Terletska became known for sharing motivational quotes. One has become a guiding principle: “The answer will always be no if you don’t ask for the opportunity and put in the work to get there.”

Success, she believes, is not about avoiding failure. It’s about pursuing opportunities, learning from setbacks and moving forward. “The quote also reminds me that you have to put yourself out there,” she said. “Everyone brings something unique to the table, and you can't count yourself out before the race has even begun.”

While the trading floor may feel different from the hockey rink, some things will remain familiar: showing up when it’s tough, staying dedicated to a purpose and uplifting the people around her.

She’s ready to take the shot in New York.

“Everyone's super ambitious in their respective careers, and that keeps you pushing alongside the city's hustle.”

From the hockey rink to the trading floor, first-gen college graduate Oksana Terletska doesn't back down from challenges.

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Ethan Miller (MBA’23)

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 22 May 2026 18:51:08 +0000

Ethan Miller (MBA’23) Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 05/22/2026 - 12:51

Jane Majkiewicz • Photos by Nathan Thompson

Ethan Miller stepped into his role as CEO of Meisinger USA in 2023, but in some ways, he had been preparing for it since childhood. At just 6 years old, he remembers answering the family’s home phone with practiced professionalism: “Hello, thank you for calling the Miller residence. Is this for Meisinger, or for the Millers?”

Growing up, the family business was simply part of everyday life. He helped assemble small display wallets with miniature rotary instruments—tools the company has manufactured since 1888 in Düsseldorf, Germany, for the dental and medical industries.

Now, Meisinger is firmly a family operation. Miller serves as CEO, his brother Dillan as COO, and his parents remain involved—his father, Alex, in a consulting role, and his mother, Stacy, in HR after many years as vice president. The company has steadily grown since its inception, moving into expanded facilities in Centennial, Colorado. In 2025, Canada was officially added to the company’s name.

Finding his own path

Miller wasn’t always sure he’d follow in his parents’ footsteps. Early on, he was drawn to dentistry, but that plan shifted when he enrolled at Colorado State University and chose business administration as a major. What began as a practical decision turned into a genuine passion. Miller was fascinated by the strategic and operational side of organizations.

When Miller formally joined Meisinger in 2018, his business focus allowed him to step quickly into meaningful conversations. “I was able to work alongside top-level doctors, and with the product management and development teams and quality management—having to understand and know all of the background.”

As his father decided he had “run his course” in leading Meisinger, Miller was appointed CEO in 2023, just as he completed his MBA from Leeds. While he hasn’t entirely abandoned his interest in dentistry, he maintains a close connection to the industry through the friendships he’s developed with dentists, oral surgeons and others in the field. “Working alongside them is a pleasure.”

“[The Leeds MBA] wasn’t just learning to learn. I knew where and how to apply it.”

—Ethan Miller (MBA’23)

Making an impact

For Miller, the impact of Meisinger’s work goes far beyond growth metrics.

“From where we are today—with strong financial performance and continued growth—it’s important to recognize the amount of effort and commitment that made it possible,” he said.

Helping teams understand how their work connects to a larger mission is central to his leadership. “At the end of the day, we provide healthcare. That’s one of the most unique opportunities because we’re changing people’s lives.”

Through partnerships with organizations such as the Brighter Way Institute, Mission of Mercy, and Kids in Need of Dentistry, Meisinger supports efforts that deliver dental care to underserved communities.

“You see people with a terrible smile or missing teeth—maybe they can’t afford care. And then you see how much a smile can change someone’s whole outlook,” he said. “It’s always good to show our employees that this work has a purpose, and this is what it leads to.”

A Legacy of Precision: Founded in Germany in 1888, Meisinger has been a pioneer in dental rotary instruments. Today, CEO Ethan Miller—who grew up in the family business—continues that tradition, polishing his leadership with an MBA from Leeds as he guides the company into its next chapter.

Leadership in an era of rapid change

A sense of mission also guides Miller as the company navigates rapid technological change, including AI.

“Anything that helps people be more productive and creative, while improving patient outcomes, is worth looking into,” he said. But he remains cautious. “I’ll always be skeptical until something is proven, especially when we’re talking about patients or healthcare.”

As an example, Miller points to advances such as AI-supported 3D printing of dental crowns as promising. “They’re utilizing AI in a way that allows the doctor to be more intentional,” Miller said. “That might help bring healthcare costs down and expand access.”

Still, he’s wary of losing human connection along the way. “Sometimes, it’s OK to have a few errors in an email instead of something perfectly polished with emojis and em dashes,” he said with a laugh.

Why Leeds made sense

Miller began the Leeds Hybrid MBA during the pandemic. The format fit his need for flexibility.

“We had people from all kinds of backgrounds—not just business degrees—and all across different industries,” he said. “It made everything more real-world.”

Rather than learning concepts in isolation, he could directly connect class discussions to his work experiences. “It wasn’t just learning to learn. I knew where and how to apply it.”

The cohort experience also forged lasting connections. “You really got to know people’s strengths,” he said. “Even now, I’ll think, 'This person would be perfect to talk to about this—or for that role.'”

Looking ahead, and keeping things in balance

In 2026, Miller was named to the Denver Business Journal's “40 Under 40” list—an honor that “felt like the culmination of a lot of things,” he said: “hard work, opportunity, and being blessed with people who built something strong before me.”

The Denver Business Journal recognition "was the culmination of a lot of things—hard work, opportunity, and being blessed with people who built something strong before me."

—Ethan Miller (MBA’23)

He’s quick to credit his parents, his brother and company partners for creating a foundation that allowed him to step in and advance the company’s next chapter. He especially points to his brother’s efforts to expand new opportunities, including internships.

Despite his professional accolades, Miller is also quick to credit the person he calls “the real superhero”: his wife, whom he says keeps their household running—juggling three kids, two dogs, and daily life—often while he’s on the road.

“I don’t know how she does it,” he wondered aloud. “We’re very blessed. We started young, so we get to be the young, fun parents.”

That perspective—grounded in gratitude and balance, alongside ambition and purpose-driven work—reflects the kind of leadership Miller embodies. Those values align with Leeds' mission to cultivate next-generation business leaders who use business as a force for good.

All in the Family: What Alex Miller (left) started in Florida more than 20 years ago has expanded into something much bigger. Now led by his sons, Ethan and Dillan (center and right), Meisinger USA & Canada is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, outgrowing two previous buildings before landing in its current location.

It may be all in the family for Ethan Miller (MBA’23), but as CEO of Meisinger USA & Canada, business is anything but routine.

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Ali Jafarzadeh (PhDFin’28)

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 15 May 2026 03:30:44 +0000

Ali Jafarzadeh (PhDFin’28) Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 05/14/2026 - 21:30

Grace Garfoot • Photos by Nathan Thompson

As doctoral candidate Ali Jafarzadeh completes his third year at Leeds, his academic interests and long-term goals are coming into sharper focus. He chose to pursue a PhD in financial economics to study questions with real-world relevance. His dissertation examines corporate finance, innovation and creative destruction—how new technologies, products and business models replace less efficient ones and shape economic outcomes. His work draws on both social science and his background in engineering.

“I wanted to learn more deeply about how economic systems—and, more broadly, societies—work,” Jafarzadeh said. “In economics, marginal analysis studies the incremental effects of decisions. That perspective led me to financial economics, where many of the most interesting decisions tend to be financial ones.”

“I wanted to learn more deeply about how economic systems—and, more broadly, societies—work.”

—Ali Jafarzadeh (PhDFin’28)

Using history to chart the future

Originally from Iran, Jafarzadeh completed his undergraduate degree in engineering at the University of Tehran before moving to the United States to pursue his doctorate. When reflecting on the decision to leave Iran in pursuit of his education, he often frames it through a historical lens—imagining what his life might have looked like had he lived centuries earlier.

“If I was a prince of Persia in the 18th century, I probably would have been sent to a good school in the West, and I would be paid to study something very important for the country. And that is exactly what I’m doing now,” he said.

“I want to understand how nations become prosperous, and that motivation comes from growing up in Iran—a country with so much potential yet so little growth,” Jafarzadeh added. “The situation in Iran is complex at the moment, but I believe that, at some point, there will be a transition to a more democratic and liberal system, creating opportunities for people like me to contribute meaningfully.”

After completing his doctorate, he hopes to return to Iran to contribute to his home country. His goal is to teach at the University of Tehran or pursue a path that allows him to have a broader social impact.

Celebrating culture and community

Beyond his academic work, Jafarzadeh has played an active role in strengthening the Persian community at CU �Ǹ�Թ�. As president of the Iranian Students Organization, he has worked to create a space for people who share his identity to come together and celebrate their culture.

“Throughout this past year, I tried to make sure everyone in our community had a place to connect to talk with peers and celebrate our culture,” Jafarzadeh said. “When people go through difficult times, those with shared experiences understand each other much better. I saw it as a responsibility to help sustain that community. We have a deep, ancient history and a culture with meaningful traditions. I tried to respect that and keep it alive—even far from home.”

Graduate Student Excellence

In recognition of his academic achievement and leadership, Ali Jafarzadeh was awarded the 2026 Summer Graduate School Fellowship by the CU �Ǹ�Թ� Graduate School. This selective, campuswide honor includes $7,500 in funding for exceptional doctoral scholars.

Balancing commitments

Balancing his dissertation, his role as president of the Iranian Student Organization, and family life has required Jafarzadeh to manage competing responsibilities. He views this as a skill that improves with practice, but it requires setting priorities and knowing when to seek support.

“Managing multiple commitments is something you learn over time,” he said. “There’s a balance to maintain, and when things become too complex, I don’t hesitate to ask for help.”

Support from friends, family and the broader community has shaped his experience in �Ǹ�Թ�. He points to that network—along with time spent with his wife and their cat—as central to navigating the demands of doctoral study.

“My wife is incredibly supportive,” he said. “We both want the best for each other.”

For Jafarzadeh, a financial economist by training, the next step is clear: turning his vision into impact.

Leeds doctoral student Ali Jafarzadeh is studying economic systems so he can play a meaningful role in his home country’s future.

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Ryan Brace (Fin, Acct'26)

Kelsey Cipolla — Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Ryan Brace (Fin, Acct'26) Kelsey Cipolla Fri, 05/01/2026 - 06:00

Nathan Thompson and Grace Garfoot

What does it take to thrive under pressure in front of 50,000 fans? Ryan Brace's journey at Leeds prepared him to step up with confidence as the in-game host for the CU Buffs.

What does it take to thrive under pressure in front of 50,000 fans? Ryan Brace's journey at Leeds prepared him to step up with confidence as the in-game host for the CU Buffs.

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Ruby Batalla, Director of the Opening Doors to Achievement Office

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:20:40 +0000

Ruby Batalla, Director of the Opening Doors to Achievement Office Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 04/15/2026 - 15:20

Grace Garfoot

Little did Ruby Batalla know that the CU �Ǹ�Թ� Pre-Collegiate Development program she joined as a high school senior would become the doorway to her education, her career, and her second family. As a first-generation student, Batalla’s gaze only extended as far as high school. Now, as the director of the Opening Doors to Achievement Office (ODA) at Leeds, she helps support first-generation students like her through their university experience and beyond.

“As a first-generation student, I didn’t know that higher education could be a career space,” said Batalla. “I fell in love with it as an undergrad and have stayed ever since. Doors open for a reason.”

For Batalla, her identity has shaped the course of her academic and professional life, influencing the mission and values she brings to her role as director of the ODA Office.

“Being first-gen, being Latina, is such a big part of who I am,” said Batalla, pointing to physical, cultural and familial traits. “Helping students find space for themselves is so important, especially at a university. You have to learn the norms quickly, while not giving up so much of yourself and your identity. It’s about adapting but not conforming, which is always hard. I hope I am a model of that, especially for first-generation students.”

"Helping students find space for themselves is so important, especially at a university. ... It’s about adapting but not conforming.”

—Ruby Batalla

Unexpected changes and challenges

Batalla has been the director of the ODA Office since 2019, stepping into the role right before the pandemic hit. To her, quarantine and isolation proved to be the most challenging time in her career so far. She missed her community and the interactions she enjoyed with students and staff. Still, she and the staff strived to find ways to continue supporting students and one another.

“Most of my staff have always loved being here for students,” she said. “To be so far removed was the hardest part. We leaned on each other to create virtual events.”

Since stepping into the director role, Batalla has also overseen the office’s name change—a protective measure to ensure that the office could maintain its space and continue its work during a time of federally mandated cuts related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

ODA changed its name from the Office of Diversity Affairs to the Opening Doors to Achievement Office, keeping their well-known acronym while continuing to uphold their mission and work.

Batalla found the Leeds community and Dean Khatri extremely supportive throughout the entire transition. The school acted quickly to ensure that staff and students wouldn’t lose their support or resources from the office.

“We are, thankfully, very supported by the Leeds ecosystem,” said Batalla. “The cuts that have happened to other colleagues, and the dissolution of offices or programs, have not been a fear that the students, staff or I have ever had.”

Growth in a supportive community

Having spent her entire academic and professional career at CU �Ǹ�Թ�, Batalla continues to share how lucky she feels to have found a place that has supported her identity and her passions so fervently.

“I have been asked why I continue to stay, and if there is a detriment to CU being my only point of view,” she noted. “I always come back to the idea that CU is the state’s flagship university for a reason.

"As a CU alum, I know the impact of higher education. I know the power of what this degree means, and the power of the business school and the university as a whole.”

"As a CU alum, I know the impact of higher education. I know the power of what this degree means, and the power of the business school and the university as a whole.”

—Ruby Batalla, Director of the Opening Doors to Achievement Office

As a Leeds leader, a wife, a sports fan and a dog mom, Batalla moves through both her personal and professional life with that same sense of passion and purpose she first discovered when she came to CU as that hopeful high school student. Loving her interactions with students, as well as her role in connecting students to faculty and opportunities, she is determined and unwavering in her desire to integrate her values into everything she does.

“I didn’t change my last name when I got married. ‘Batalla’ in Spanish means ‘battle.’ I kept it because I tell people, ‘You need to know who you’re dealing with,” she explained.

“If you take away my last name, you don’t know who you’re dealing with—because I am warm and kind and helpful—but I am also relentless.”

A chance opportunity in high school launched Ruby Batalla’s journey as a first‑gen college student—and a career dedicated to helping others realize their dreams.

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