Snapshots

Samuel Iannone (IBE’30)

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 18:51:45 +0000

Samuel Iannone (IBE’30) Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 09/15/2026 - 12:51

Georgia Horan

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Samuel Iannone (IBE’30)
Major: Integrated Business and Engineering (emphasis in Entrepreneurship in Tech)
Hometown: Arvada, Colorado

You’ve worked on projects ranging from a biomedical device with NASA engineers to an avalanche detection system. What sparked your interest in entrepreneurship and innovation?

My love for innovation and entrepreneurship starts with people. In everything I do, my goal is to help people and feel like I can make somebody’s life that much better. The feeling of seeing somebody smile after using a product you made is something that is unlike no other.

As a member of the inaugural IBE cohort, what drew you to the program, and what are you most excited about?

IBE bridges the gap between skillsets that are so often separated from each other. IBE teaches kids how to be good businessmen while also leaving the door open to innovation and engineering expertise. I truly believe that this major is the best thing anybody can do to improve their hard and soft skillsets, and it gets me excited to enhance my abilities in entrepreneurship and technology as one.

If you had a Post-it note with three goals you hope to achieve during your time at Leeds, what would those goals be?

Say yes—from day one—keep my doors open to that club, that group, or a trip that may not be something I’m good at.
Spread my love for entrepreneurship and design.
Stay curious. Being intellectually curious about my classes, about my professors and about my peers gets me excited to be in such a wonderful place.

Innovating and creating will always be my way of giving back to society and leaving an impression on people that I can be proud of.

Excited to join Leeds’ inaugural Integrated Business and Engineering cohort, first-year Sam Iannone pairs a love of design with an entrepreneurial spirit.

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Sneha Patil (MBusAna’27; MCompSci’27)

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:32:41 +0000

Sneha Patil (MBusAna’27; MCompSci’27) Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 09/15/2026 - 11:32

Georgia Horan

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Sneha Patil (MBusAna’27; MCompSci’27)
Major: Business Analytics (healthcare emphasis); Computer Science (AI emphasis)
Hometown: Karad, India

As a former Oracle software engineer, what inspired you to pursue your master's degree in business analytics (MSBA)?

I realized I wanted to understand the other side of the problems I had spent my career solving. I loved building technology, but I became just as curious about the questions behind it: What should we build, why does it matter, and how can data help people make better decisions? The MSBA felt like the perfect bridge between the two worlds I’ve grown to love—technology and business.

What is something your classmates might be surprised to learn about you?

A fun fact: During high school, I trained in kickboxing and competed in cycle polo at the state level. These days, I’ve traded some of that intensity for Vinyasa yoga and hiking.

If you had a Post-it note with three goals you hope to achieve during your time at Leeds, what would those goals be?

Learn. Connect. Explore.
Turn ideas into impact.
Leave Leeds having built something I’m proud of.

For me, there’s something incredibly rewarding about taking what I’ve learned along the way and helping someone else find their next step.

Software engineer Sneha Patil came to CU �Ǹ�Թ� for computer science and doubled down, earning a second master’s in business analytics.

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Molly Sapienza (Mktg’29)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:46:00 +0000

Molly Sapienza (Mktg’29) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 09/02/2026 - 13:46

Georgia Horan

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Molly Sapienza
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Castleton, New York

What are you most looking forward to exploring outside the classroom?

I am most excited to explore Colorado while pursuing my extracurricular interests! I want to step outside of my comfort zone to better understand my values, so that I can eventually incorporate them into my career and future goals. It’s exciting to be able to explore the areas surrounding campus by hiking, skiing, and taking advantage of the many outdoor opportunities Colorado has to offer.

What stood out to you about Leeds during the transfer process?

Leeds stood out to me because it offers the flexibility to shape my education around my own interests and career goals.

As a transfer student, finding a school where I could feel a strong sense of community while continuing to grow personally and academically was especially important to me. Through Leeds’ career development opportunities, student organizations, and academic support, I saw many ways to become more involved, build meaningful connections, and gain experience beyond the classroom.

If you had a Post-it note with three goals you hope to achieve during your time at Leeds, what would those goals be?

Discover my true passions and aspirations while staying true to myself and treating others with kindness.
Do at least one thing a semester that takes me outside of my comfort zone.
Approach each day with an open mind and a willingness to learn, so that I can make the most of every opportunity and leave knowing I am ready for my future endeavors.

Transfer student Molly Sapienza is excited to join the Leeds community in Colorado and plans to push herself beyond her comfort zone.

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Zhouhang Ye (PhDFin’30)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:42:03 +0000

Zhouhang Ye (PhDFin’30) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 09/02/2026 - 12:42

Georgia Horan

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Zhouhang Ye
Hometown: Wenzhou, China
Doctoral Program: Finance

You’ve studied mathematics, economics and finance across several institutions. How has each step shaped your research interests?

As an undergraduate, the math program at George Washington University was demanding, and it gave me a strong foundation that I still rely on. As a graduate student, Georgetown opened up a much wider world of economics and research, helping me see how ideas that once felt abstract could be used to answer real questions. Now at Leeds, I’m excited to bring those pieces together as I explore household finance.

I especially value the combination of high research standards and a collaborative, supportive atmosphere at Leeds.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Leeds research environment?

I enjoy how easy it is to have a good research conversation at Leeds. Faculty and PhD students are curious, approachable and generous with their feedback. Even though I’m still new, I already feel comfortable sharing ideas that aren’t fully formed and working through them with others.

If you had a Post-it note with three goals you hope to achieve during your time at Leeds, what would those goals be?

Ask important questions and produce research that matters.
Make difficult ideas easier to understand, as a researcher and a teacher.
Build lasting collaborations and enjoy the journey.

PhD student Zhouhang Ye is committed to making difficult ideas easier to understand—as both a researcher and teacher.

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Garmai Matthew (MBA’25, Chin’20)

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 19 May 2026 19:33:56 +0000

Garmai Matthew (MBA’25, Chin’20) Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 05/19/2026 - 13:33

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Garmai Matthew
Majors: Hybrid MBA, Chinese Language and Literature

Garmai Matthew (MBA’25, Chin’20) says people are often surprised by how deeply connected she is to the history of streetwear—not just as a consumer, but as a cultural archivist. Growing up studying the brands that shaped early-2000s streetwear inspired her startup, The Swap, a streetwear rental brand.

“They’re also surprised by how much of my entrepreneurial drive comes from my Liberian heritage—the creativity, the resourcefulness, the community‑centered mindset. It all shows up in how I build,” she said.

Matthew studied Mandarin as an undergraduate and traveled to China through a global seminar, visiting Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou. The experience deepened her passion for sustainable fashion.

“I studied up-and-coming designers at Hebei Normal University and learned the zero-waste method, where designers use every ounce of fabric in the design process. My first venture, Guwala da Nele, was inspired by that. In 2017, I won a New Venture Challenge grant to travel to Liberia and produce 50 garments with local tailors using the zero-waste method.”

Leeds caught up with Matthew to learn more about her journey since graduating in 2025.

How have you continued to evolve The Swap since earning your MBA, and what’s been the most exciting shift so far?

The biggest evolution has been transforming The Swap from a local streetwear rental concept into a regionally curated, culture‑driven platform. We introduced regional boxes—West Coast Cool, Mile High Hype, and Custom Coast‑2‑Coast—designed to reflect the energy, history and style codes of the communities that shaped streetwear.

We’ve also expanded our network by building relationships with heritage streetwear brands like Baby Phat, FUBU and Karl Kani. Bringing their legacy pieces into a modern rental ecosystem allows us to bridge nostalgia with sustainability and give a new generation access to iconic fashion moments.

Another milestone has been developing Swap‑branded merch with new colorways and a refreshed logo. For the first time, our community can wear the brand beyond the rental experience, and the response has been incredible.

Looking back, what’s one lesson or experience from Leeds that still shapes how you think or work today?

Leeds taught me the power of designing with intention, mentorship and purpose. As the only African American woman in my cohort, and the first Black woman to graduate from the Hybrid MBA program at Leeds, I had to step into my calling and bring something to market that the fashion industry needed and the streetwear culture yearned for.

I am also a newly minted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first African American sorority, founded in 1908 (photo below). I take pride in being the first: pioneering streetwear in a clothing rental model and trailblazing a path for Black women at Leeds who want to elevate their business acumen.

Whether I was building a business model, analyzing a case or presenting a strategy, Leeds pushed me to ask: What problem am I solving, and who am I solving it for? That mindset is embedded in The Swap. Every box, every partnership, every drop is rooted in understanding culture, community and behavior, not just trends.

Enduring Lessons

Garmai Matthew says her Leeds experience continues to guide her vision for The Swap in three ways:

Strategic thinking. I learned how to build systems, not just products.
Sustainability frameworks. Leeds reinforced that circularity isn’t a trend; it’s the future.
Leadership development. The program taught me how to lead with clarity, empathy and data.

What are you excited to build or explore next, and how does your Leeds experience continue to play a role?

I’m excited to scale The Swap into a national streetwear rental ecosystem that champions underrepresented designers, preserves cultural archives, and redefines how people access fashion. Next, we’re expanding our regional boxes, deepening partnerships with vintage and emerging designers, and building a scalable operational model supported by the right investors.

From a mentorship perspective, I founded the Black Women’s Alliance (BWA) at CU �Ǹ�Թ� in 2016 and continue to be involved as graduate chair. This past spring we held several successful events, including a panel that featured African American women leaders from the Denver business community. BWA was a vital support network throughout my undergraduate and graduate experience, helping foster mentorship, professional development and entrepreneurship to help young women in Leeds thrive. This year marks 10 years of its impact.

A year after completing her MBA, Garmai Matthew is still drawing on lessons from Leeds to advance her clothing rental venture, The Swap.

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Mason Bell (MAcct’26; Fin’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 01 May 2026 20:45:54 +0000

Mason Bell (MAcct’26; Fin’25) Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 05/01/2026 - 14:45

Georgia Horan

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Mason Bell
Major: Accounting; Finance
Hometown: San Rafael, California

Mason Bell marked two milestones at Leeds—crossing the stage in 2025 for his undergraduate degree in finance and returning in 2026 to earn his master’s degree in accounting.

For Bell, a passion for numbers goes beyond calculations; it’s about deeply understanding how organizations work and helping them make smarter decisions. “I’ve really enjoyed learning not just how to analyze numbers, but how those numbers connect to strategy and long‑term business success.”

Originally from San Rafael, California, Bell chose to remain at CU �Ǹ�Թ� after completing his bachelor’s degree, drawn by the way Leeds blends financial insight with real‑world application. "Leeds felt like the right place to continue my education because it gave me a strong foundation during my undergraduate experience,” he said. Over time, he began to see how “closely finance and accounting connect in the real world.”

Pursuing a master's in accounting allowed Bell to deepen his technical expertise while building on what he valued most from his undergraduate years: “Leeds' career‑focused approach that prepares students to step directly into a profession.”

Studying both fields has influenced how Bell approaches challenges more broadly. “One skill I have that doesn’t fully show up on a resume is my ability to connect ideas across different areas of business,” he said. “Studying both finance and accounting has taught me to look at problems from more than one perspective.”

An early undergraduate experience ultimately defined his academic and professional path. “One moment that has stayed with me was in my first accounting class, when my professor said that accounting is the language of business.”

That perspective now shapes Bell’s goal of becoming a CPA. He approaches numbers as a universal language, translating complexity into clarity.

The work is never just about calculations, but about helping make informed decisions and understanding the bigger picture.

For Mason Bell, numbers aren’t just calculations—they’re the language of business and the foundation of smart decisions.

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Bryce Kallio (Fin’28)

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:14:56 +0000

Bryce Kallio (Fin’28) Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 04/23/2026 - 17:14

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Bryce Kallio
Major: Finance
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Whether he’s running a marathon in under four hours, competing on the pickleball court or leading CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s AI Club, Bryce Kallio (Fin’28) approaches life with discipline, curiosity and an entrepreneurial spirit—qualities he says are deeply supported at Leeds.

Leeds, he believes, encourages students to define success for themselves—“whether you want to change a school organization, travel to a new country for a class, host a campus-wide event or seek advice from alumni.” That freedom is paired with a strong sense of community shaped by diverse ambitions. “There’s no mold that you feel forced to fit into or group you have to be in. Everyone here is pursuing their own version of success, and they respect each other's various interests."

Outside the classroom, Kallio values CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s setting and culture. “Being located between the Flatirons and the �Ǹ�Թ� Creek has given me numerous opportunities to enjoy the weather and find moments of clarity and gratitude during stressful times."

As president of the AI Club at Leeds, Kallio is focused on long-lasting impact. “I want to bridge the gap between AI theory and practice by educating students on real-world use cases and then placing them in hands-on engagements outside the classroom. By establishing a peer-to-peer mentorship cycle, I aim to ensure that each cohort trains the next, creating a self-sustaining culture of innovation that keeps our students competitive in an AI-driven business world.”

His marathon training reinforced the mindset he brings to leadership. A quote that kept him motivated during his training continues to resonate: “Confidence does not come from shouting affirmations in the mirror, but by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are. Outwork your self-doubt.”

Looking ahead, Kallio remains intentionally open-ended. "As a 20-year-old, I definitely have aspirations that continue to evolve and change every month or even every week.”

As he envisions his future self, the big picture highlights rewarding work in consulting and innovation while prioritizing travel, family, leadership and mentorship, leveraging his experience to help as many people as possible.

I want to be a lifelong learner, solve hard problems for those who cannot themselves, feel deeply fulfilled in the impact and legacy that I leave, and not take any of it so seriously.

From leading CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s AI Club to chasing marathon finish lines, Bryce Kallio balances discipline and ambition with a reminder not to take it all too seriously.

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Sahil Bhandari (Fin, Mktg’26)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:39:55 +0000

Sahil Bhandari (Fin, Mktg’26) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 04/15/2026 - 14:39

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Commencement Reflections

Because the people I met here pushed me to think bigger than I ever would have on my own, I'm especially excited about the direction of my career. 

One thing I learned about myself during college is that sitting with discomfort would become one of my strengths. I can be put in situations where I don't have the answer and can still figure it out anyway.

A Post-It note with my next three goals:

Change my community
Change the culture
Change the world

If future me sent a postcard from five years ahead, it would probably say: I'm busy doing exactly what I told myself I would, and it's harder and better than I expected.

A moment during college that really stayed with me was when I studied abroad in Milan, surrounded by students from different countries, all working through the same problems I was. Something about that moment made the world feel both bigger and more within reach at the same time.

One aspect of the Leeds experience that made a real difference for me was being around genuinely ambitious people who weren't cutthroat, because it taught me that drive and generosity aren't mutually exclusive.

One important lesson that Sahil Bhandari says he will take with him after graduation is knowing that drive and generosity don't have to be mutually exclusive.

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Alex Corren (MRelEst’26)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:52:34 +0000

Alex Corren (MRelEst’26) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:52

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Commencement Reflections

The kind of impact I hope to make early in my career is accelerating AI adoption in real estate, even if it starts small.

Looking back, I didn't expect that bridging AI and real estate would become one of my strengths. I came in as a real estate student who happened to know how to build software with AI, and that combination turned out to matter more than I anticipated.

College opened my eyes to how much commercial real estate shapes the built environment, and now it's something I aim to prioritize in my life.

Your Post-it note with a life's guiding principle: Relentless forward motion.

One aspect of the Leeds experience that made a real difference for me was the network, because the relationships I built here will outlast the degree.

A turning point for me in college happened when I stopped apologizing for my unconventional background and started leading with it, and it changed my perspective.

Unexpected turns in his master’s program helped Alex Corren unlock his background’s potential and see the intersection of AI and real estate.

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Sydnee Nguyen (Mktg, BusAna’26, Communications Minor)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:29:52 +0000

Sydnee Nguyen (Mktg, BusAna’26, Communications Minor) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:29

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Commencement Reflections

Because I've learned how to manage an accelerated academic path while working part-time and staying disciplined, I'm especially excited about the direction of my career.

A moment during college that really stayed with me was when I took Product Strategy and realized how unconventional ideas can turn into real opportunities, which shifted how I think about innovation and problem-solving.

If future me sent a postcard from five years ahead, it would probably say: I'm busy building a career that uses what I've learned at Leeds to solve real-world problems while continuing to grow and take on new challenges head-on.

A Post-It with three goals:

Build a strong foundation early in my career.
Apply my analytical and marketing skills in a full-time role.
Strengthen my ability to turn data into real-world impact.

One thing I learned about myself during college is that I am capable of more than I initially thought, especially when I stay disciplined and intentional with my time, and it continues to shape how I show up in the world.

One aspect of the Leeds experience that made a real difference for me was the emphasis on applying our learning, because it pushed my mindset beyond the classroom and helped me develop skills I can use in real-world situations.

Sydnee Nguyen is no stranger to hard work: She is graduating in three years, all while learning that unconventional ideas can turn into real opportunities.

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Snapshots

Samuel Iannone (IBE’30)

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