Snapshot

Ava Kics (MSupCha’25)

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:46:24 +0000

Ava Kics (MSupCha’25) Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 11/20/2024 - 12:46

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Ava Kics (MSupCha’25)
Hometown: Master’s in Supply Chain Analytics
Position: Palatine, Illinois

After studying at ��Ƶ for her undergraduate in environmental studies, Ava Kics believes that continuing to pursue a master’s in supply chain management has been the best decision she’s made to date. In her career, she hopes to combine the knowledge and skills learned from both her degrees to help organizations minimize their environmental impact while supporting a growing economy. High personal expectations along with a wide plethora of travel experiences—Costa Rica, Spain and Japan—have helped her grow into the person she is today.

“Being able to learn so much about the world’s dynamic supply chains in such a short period of time helped me gain stronger time management and teamwork skills, both of which are vital for successful futures in this industry.”

Learning about the world’s dynamic supply chains in a short period of time has helped Ava Kics gain stronger skills in time management and teamwork.

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Amruta Kelshiker (Fin, Mgmt’24)

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:30:29 +0000

Amruta Kelshiker (Fin, Mgmt’24) Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 11/06/2024 - 10:30

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Amruta Kelshiker
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
Major: Finance and Management
Upcoming job: Incoming analyst at Black Rock

When deciding to come to Leeds, Amruta Kelshiker was interested in a collaborative environment, practical experience, and, of course, the location. As she finishes up her last year, she has benefitted from supportive faculty and gaining skills she’s confident will take her far into her finance career, where she aspires to integrate sustainable practices into investment strategies. She wants to help clients navigate the financial market’s complexities while promoting responsible, long-term growth. This past year, she lived in Seville, Spain, and San Franciso, two cities where she didn’t know anyone—a testament to her spirit of personal and professional growth.

“Navigating life in a different culture and environment was both challenging and rewarding. It taught me resilience, adaptability and how to embrace new experiences. This period significantly broadened my perspective and helped me grow personally and professionally.”

As she prepares to launch her career at BlackRock, Amruta Kelshiker says the supportive faculty and collaborative environment at Leeds helped her step out of her comfort zone.

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Trace Grain (Acct’17, MAcct’18, MFin’19)

Kelsey Cipolla — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 16:27:22 +0000

Trace Grain (Acct’17, MAcct’18, MFin’19) Kelsey Cipolla Mon, 10/28/2024 - 10:27

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Trace Grain (Acct’17, MAcct’18, MFin’19)
Hometown: Port Huron, Michigan
Position: Graduate Student Instructor at the University of Michigan School of Information

Applying and getting into Leeds was Trace Grain’s “most successful blunder” after accidentally checking the wrong box on his college application. He thought he was following his brother Chris’ footsteps at ��Ƶ in studying economics. Now three degrees later, he’s back in his home state of Michigan, where he’s found his passion in teaching data science at the University of Michigan.

Grain also works as a part-time data scientist for two family businesses: the pediatric practice of his mother, Dr. Annette Barnes, and the estate of his late relative Thelonious Monk. He does all that while volunteering as a member of the Leeds GOLD Board and SONS (Save Our Neighbors and Streets), and while pursuing further graduate studies in the MBA and MS in information science programs at the University of Michigan.

In his future, he wants to be a leader helping small businesses level the playing field using AI technology.

“What I loved most about being a student and studying at ��Ƶ Boulder was that the Leeds community made my large college feel small. It’s not easy to find people that are willing to be and stay in your corner. There were many faculty, staff and students (now alumni) at Leeds that had my best interest in mind.”

Applying and getting into Leeds was Trace Grain’s “most successful blunder” after accidentally checking the wrong box on his college application.

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Sarah Reice (Fin’18)

Kelsey Cipolla — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 16:24:25 +0000

Sarah Reice (Fin’18) Kelsey Cipolla Sat, 10/26/2024 - 10:24

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Sarah Reice
Major: Finance
Position: Sustainability Manager at Anthropologie

Named to the GreenBiz 30 Under 30 list for 2024, Sarah Reice (Fin’18) has been paving a path in the field of sustainability. She gained confidence at Leeds earning the Social Responsibility and Ethics (SRE) Certificate and getting encouragement from professors and peers that she could apply her finance knowledge to a science-oriented field even without a science background. Now in her role at Anthropologie, she’s worked on a wide variety of projects, including her favorite one to date—helping launch a line of clothing featuring natural dyes and cotton from farms that use regenerative practices.

“With the SRE Certificate, I was challenged to envision a career that created value and aligned with my own, and approach business in a way that could be beneficial to the world. That’s kind of the Boulder way.”

Named to the GreenBiz 30 Under 30, Sarah Reice has been paving an inspiring path toward a sustainable future in her role at Anthropologie.

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Marionne Sevilla (PhD’29)

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:21:03 +0000

Marionne Sevilla (PhD’29) Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 10/23/2024 - 10:21

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Marionne Sevilla
Hometown: San Mateo, California
Major: Organizational Behavior

Marionne Sevilla was drawn to Leeds because of its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, giving her the confidence that she can be her authentic self here. She’s expecting to earn her doctorate in organizational behavior in 2029. After taking singing lessons for 10 years, she knows what it’s like to dedicate herself to a passion.

“I can’t wait to delve into some of the questions I’ve been holding onto for years. The conversations I’ve had with faculty members and other students have been engaging and energizing, and the prospect of those conversations for the next five years is thrilling!”

Marionne Sevilla understands the time it takes to pursue a passion. At Leeds, she can’t wait to delve into questions she has been curious about for years.

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Jesus Soto (Mgmt, Fin’26)

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:16:10 +0000

Jesus Soto (Mgmt, Fin’26) Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 10/23/2024 - 10:16

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Jesus Soto (Mgmt, Fin’26)
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Major: Information Management and Finance with a minor in Data Science

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Jesus attended Boulder High School with dreams of going to Leeds after being exposed to financial markets and startups. Support from the Leeds EXCEL Scholars Program has been instrumental in his educational journey. His future career aspirations? To work with tech-focused growth equity firms in the Bay Area of California.

“As an immigrant, I once viewed college as a distant dream, and there were times I doubted I could achieve it. I’m truly grateful for the chance to study here and connect with like-minded individuals. The genuine support from faculty, alumni and fellow students has been invaluable.”

“As an immigrant, I once viewed college as a distant dream, and there were times I doubted I could achieve it.”

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Qian Su (PhD)

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 16:07:34 +0000

Qian Su (PhD) Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:07

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Qian Su
Hometown: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Major: Operations Management

First-year doctoral student Qian Su understands precision: She reports waking up every morning with a heart rate of 38 bpm. Over the summer, she biked 100 kilometers in five hours, completing a full loop around her hometown. That kind of attention to detail should help her accomplish her goal this year to improve her research skills.

“I am most excited about learning new knowledge and meeting new people. People are amazing here.”

First-year doctoral student Qian Su biked 100 kilometers over the summer, but her bigger trip was coming to Leeds all the way from China.

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Connor Van Kirk (MBA’26)

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 16:03:01 +0000

Connor Van Kirk (MBA’26) Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:03

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Connor Van Kirk
Hometown: Arlington, Virginia
Major: Master of Business Administration
Most excited about at Leeds: The community

Over the summer, the Van Kirk family reunion had more than 50 attendees, so Connor Van Kirk felt right at home “surrounding himself with a really diverse cohort” at Leeds. Two weeks of solo travel in Europe over the summer pushed him out of his comfort zone, which he found rewarding. A highlight was paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland.

“This year I’m really focused on being intentional and getting the most out of this experience. I want to be active in student clubs, show up to professors’ office hours, and build some hard skills with Excel and data analysis.”

Connor Van Kirk is excited to take advantage of every opportunity at Leeds to get the most out of his experience.

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Jaidyn Shirley (Mktg’28)

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:57:48 +0000

Jaidyn Shirley (Mktg’28) Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 10/09/2024 - 09:57

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Jaidyn Shirley (Mktg’28)
Hometown: Castle Rock, Colorado
Major: Marketing

Just starting her first year at ��Ƶ, Jaidyn Shirley has already taken advantage of many opportunities: She joined the Leeds Residential Academic Program community, is involved in the Dean’s Leadership Fellows Program, is a member of Chi Omega and is also a ��Ƶ cheerleader. Her adventures of climbing Machu Pichu and Mt. Kilimanjaro have fueled her hope to live and work abroad.

“In the Cheyenne Arapahoe RAP, I’m constantly surrounded by hardworking, friendly individuals that all share the same passions as I do for business. In the future, I would love to take my business skills abroad. I’m in the process of getting my Italian citizenship, so it would be a great experience to live and work there someday.”

Jaidyn Shirley has just launched her college career, but she’s already diving into lots of activities to shape her dreams for the future.

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Sena Kavi (Fin, BusAn’26)

Kelsey Cipolla — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 15:55:45 +0000

Sena Kavi (Fin, BusAn’26) Kelsey Cipolla Thu, 09/26/2024 - 09:55

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: Sena Kavi
Hometown: Superior, Colorado
Major: Finance and Business Analytics
Leeds Activities: Leeds Scholars; Leeds Consulting Group; Leeds Student Government; Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility
Upcoming Job: Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company

As a junior, Sena Kavi credits her experiences at Leeds for the job she already has lined up after graduation. Growing up as a second-generation Turkish immigrant has inspired her dedication to global human rights.

She already puts that passion into practice every weekend by mentoring her sister, 7 years her junior, along with a group of middle-school-aged girls in the Turkish community. “I may be too old to understand the Generation Alpha memes and jokes, but I don’t let that barrier get in the way of being the best older sister figure that I can be to all of them.”

“My dream is to pursue a career in international human rights law or within a philanthropic or humanitarian relief organization. I am devoted to global service, and I plan to realize this dream after dedicating time to my personal development as a leader and changemaker.”

“My dream is to pursue a career in international human rights law or within a philanthropic or humanitarian relief organization after dedicating time to my personal development as a leader and changemaker.”

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Snapshot

Ava Kics (MSupCha’25)

Faces of Leeds Snapshot

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