DENVER – The University of Denver athletic department hosted its second Leadership Institute on Sunday, an event designed to benefit student-athletes by providing them with different leadership strategies to enhance both their remaining time as a student-athlete and to prepare them for life beyond the college landscape.
"Sunday's Second Annual Leadership Institute was another exceptional opportunity for DU student-athletes to be exposed to some of the best leadership guidance and strategies from accomplished leaders in our region," Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations Josh Berlo said. "Our student-athletes will build upon what they learn in the classroom with enhanced leadership skills to help them reach their full potential today, tomorrow and beyond.
"Thank you to our former Pioneers, community leaders and business executives for donating their valuable time to support our impressive student-athletes."
The "captains" panel once again opened-up the event. This year's panel included six former student-athletes, including former Pioneers Geoff Snider (DU Athletics Hall of Fame, men's lacrosse '06), Alex Underwood (men's soccer '17) and current DU Deputy Athletic Director for Development Kacie Dohrmann (volleyball '11).
DU Assistant Director of Athletics for Administration Kate Walker (Bucknell women's basketball '19), DU Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations and Strategy Implementation (COO) Julia Richman (Dartmouth field hockey, '03) and Executive Director of Africa Development Promise Naz Medhanie (Duke women's basketball '99) joined the three former Pios on the six-person panel for the current DU student-athletes.
Following the 45-minute captains panel, the programming shifted to a leadership panel, providing a work-force perspective on the importance of effective leadership strategies on life after college. DU Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations Stephanie O'Malley, Chief Business Officer at Power2Go Derrick Fuller, GM Sr. Market Director at Pepsi Beverages Company Shawn Early, Colorado Region President at Huntington National Bank Joe Nimmons and former Pio women's soccer captain and Founder of True North Partners Maggie Kirchhoff ('05) all served on the leadership panel to provide their perspective.
In addition to leadership, the Sunday seminar also provided expertise to the student-athletes that were able to attend in three additional areas: mental health, financial literacy and career development. Dr. Megan LaVoy was this year's speaker on the importance of mental health, and how to best take care of oneself. Sandy Holobaugh of Huntington Bank took this year's discussion on financial literacy and for the second consecutive year, Dr. Sarabeth Wolbrom of DU's Burwell Center for Career Advancement handled the discussion on career development.
Business leaders interested in volunteering for future sessions are encouraged to email Kate Walker (Kathryn.walker@du.edu).
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