Showing 20 of 52 articles
Alumni Community
Andria Seneviratne: A Leap of Faith
Andria Seneviratne, a 2010 and 2011 graduate of Mendoza, has been honored with the Recent Alumni Service Award for her dedication to business and community service. Leaving a position at Deloitte, she took a leap of faith to serve as senior vice president of the Community Wealth Building Initiative at City First Enterprises, focusing on job creation and increasing financial access in low-wealth communities. Seneviratne emphasizes the role of business as a tool for positive change, advocating for strategies that address societal needs while fostering profitability.
Mendoza News
Chopstick Negotiations
Father Eric Zimmer's EMBA Negotiations class features a unique trade-up assignment where students start with simple items like a pencil or chopsticks and aim to negotiate for more valuable goods. The exercise exemplifies the "bigger pie" theory, engaging students in win-win negotiations that have led to incredible outcomes, including a riding lawn mower and a suite at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Maria Bailey's team took the initiative further by auctioning their traded items to raise funds for Pulse, a company providing life-saving medical trailers in Uganda, resulting in a successful auction that raised $21,000 and generated significant interest
Climate Investing: Transition to a Low-Carbon World
Business, often seen as a culprit in environmental issues, may also hold the keys to solutions for climate change. At Mendoza's Climate Investing Conference, experts from various fields discussed the urgent need for new investment strategies and collaborative approaches to address the challenges posed by fossil fuels and carbon emissions. With insights from over 200 attendees, including business leaders, scientists, and students, the conference aimed to foster a comprehensive understanding of climate investing and explore avenues for financial returns that also benefit the planet.
Editor's Letter
Editor's Letter
Over the past year, the Salt & Light series has evolved from a single idea into a heartfelt collection of stories spotlighting how Mendoza faculty, staff, students, and alumni embody the mission of the college. Featuring personal testimonies of resilience, faith, and community spirit, the series has resonated deeply, leading to multiple installments filled with inspiring journeys. The Peggy Cry-O-Meter, a testament to the emotional impact of these narratives, reflects the profound connection each story has fostered within the Mendoza community.
Alumni Community
Eric Huang: Fitting
Eric Huang and Steven Mazur, both under 5'8", launched Ash & Erie to address a common issue faced by shorter men: ill-fitting clothing. Their first product, the Everyday Shirt, offers better proportions specifically designed for those who struggle to find stylish, well-fitting options. With plans to expand their line to include jeans and athletic wear, Huang emphasizes their focus on providing improved off-the-rack fits rather than custom clothing.
Everything is Connected
In an insightful excerpt from his essay "Francis Challenges Us All," Finance Professor Martijn Cremers reflects on Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si', and its message that "everything is connected." He examines how this principle invites us to rethink our roles, whether as Christians, professionals, or environmental advocates, urging a holistic view towards business practices. Cremers emphasizes the importance of impact investing, advocating for a model where financial success aligns with social and environmental responsibility, reminding us that profit can't be the only goal in business.
First Person
Gulf Coast Motels and the Second Coming
Growing up in Florida's Gulf Coast, experiences on the beach and interactions with local tourism revealed an underlying current of anti-Semitism in the 1950s, despite the civil rights advancements of the 1960s. This reflection connects to the enigmatic portrayal of Jesus in art, who has been depicted in numerous ways across cultures, emphasizing his humanity and Jewish identity. The article invites contemplation on the historical context of Jesus and the implications of his heritage for understanding the New Testament.
Mendoza News
Happy Feat
Matt Bloom's research program investigates ways to improve workplace satisfaction by focusing on the human experience behind job roles. Drawing from his own challenging corporate background, he founded the Wellbeing at Work Program to study the happiness of individuals in "helping professions" and found that a sense of meaning and purpose greatly contributes to job satisfaction. Bloom argues that recognizing the full humanity of employees—including their spiritual needs—could transform how we approach work in all sectors, helping to foster a more rewarding environment for everyone.
Salt and Light
Holly Powers: The Power of One
Holly Powers (MBA '11) reflects on her experiences in South Africa, where she witnessed the devastating stigma surrounding HIV and the hesitance of individuals to seek treatment. After seeing this firsthand during her consulting work in 2011, she returned in 2014 and noticed some progress, although the disparity between infections and treatment still loomed large. Inspired to shift the narrative, Powers launched a photo essay series titled "Positivity — Living with HIV in South Africa," aiming to portray the daily lives of those living with HIV and challenge the misconceptions surrounding the disease.
If I Ruled the World
A diverse group shares their thoughts on modern inventions they would ban. Donna Vu reflects on how a Netflix ban could impact college students, offering insights on productivity versus sanity. John F. Manion recalls a time without cell phones, cherishing the peace of uninterrupted travel. Elizabeth Tuleja questions the need for constant texting, urging people to appreciate the beauty of the world around them. Each perspective highlights the complexities of our relationship with technology.