DENVER – The University of Denver athletic department hosted its third 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.
"Our Third Annual Leadership Institute was the best yet for the Pioneers. Year over year, this seminar serves as an opportunity for our student-athletes to be exposed to some of the most accomplished leaders in our athletic department's history, and incredible business leaders in our greater community," Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations Josh Berlo said. "The opportunity to learn from individuals outside of their professors and coaches provides an essential perspective to help prepare our student-athletes to strive for success in life after college building on the life lessons of sport.
"I'd like to thank our former Pioneers, as well as the community leaders and business executives that attended for donating their valuable time on a Sunday to provide this amazing learning opportunity for our student-athletes."
Following an intro from DU's athletic director that set the stage for the enlightening event, a sports leadership panel highlighted the morning session.
Returning to campus to sit on the panel were 1,000-point women's basketball scorer Brianna Culberson ('11), Major League Soccer Draft pick Liam Girard ('06), three-year gymnastics All-American Maddie Karr ('20) and former Denver hockey All-American and athletic director Ron Grahame ('73). The group of five former Pioneers were joined by Kate Dougherty (current DU administrator, Bucknell women's basketball '19) and Doug Mirabelli (DU student-athlete father, former Major League Baseball catcher and two time World Series Champion) on the sport leadership panel.
The second panel focused on leadership from the professional standpoint to help prepare the student-athletes for what leadership looks like in life after college. Serving on the second panel were Pepsi Beverage Company GM and Market Director in Colorado Shawn Early, former DU men's basketball student-athlete and banking Senior VP and Regional Bank District Manager Derrick Fuller, Closet Factory owner Polly Lestikow, former Denver Post editor (2002-16) Greg Moore, Huntington Bank Colorado Region President Joe Nimmons and former longtime public servant and current University of Denver Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations Stephanie O'Malley.
Sunday's Denver Athletics Leadership Institute also included individual presentations from Dr. Brooke Lamphere (DU women's soccer '10) on mental health, DU Alumni Council member Maggie Kirchhoff (DU women's soccer '05) on financial literacy and the University of Denver Burwell Center's own Dr. Sarabeth Wolbrom on career development.
Business leaders interested in volunteering for future sessions are encouraged to email Kate Dougherty (Kathryn.walker@du.edu).
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