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Industries came to life last fall when high-profile visitors shared unfiltered accounts and perspectives from the front lines of their careers.

Former Microsoft sustainability leader Mark Kroese shared practical insights on innovation, skills and market-driven solutions for climate progress at CESR’s Sustainability Bootcamp.

Some of the most powerful lessons often come straight from the people shaping the business world. Last semester, influential executives, bold entrepreneurs and accomplished alumni filled the halls of Koelbel, bringing real stories from the leading edges of industry to students.

They shared the moments that defined their careers—the risks, the setbacks, the breakthroughs—transforming business concepts from abstract ideas into lived experiences. In all, Leeds hosted over 300 leaders—some of whom took part in multiple engagements—providing students with a total of 432 guest-speaker events to benefit from.

These weren’t just guest appearances; they were sparks of inspiration. Students gained unfiltered insight into what it takes to lead, adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing world, while discovering new paths they may never have considered—fueling ambition and preparing the next generation of business leaders to step more confidently into what comes next.

Human sparks

Former Microsoft sustainability leader Mark Kroese (pictured above) delivered the keynote at Leeds’ Sustainability Bootcamp in November, sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR), speaking to a packed room of more than 180 students. Drawing on his experiences at the intersection of technology, leadership and environmental advocacy, Kroese urged students to continue innovating in the area of climate change and reminded them that their personal values and human qualities will ultimately set them apart: “We are, after all, called human beings—not human doings.”

Wendy Lea (pictured right) is a nationally recognized CEO, board director and ecosystem builder with over 30 years of experience leading technology companies, advising Fortune 500 firms, shaping public-private innovation economies, and serving on influential state and federal boards driving entrepreneurship and emerging technologies.

As Leeds’ first Community Leader-in-Residence, she met with students to reflect on the pivotal turning points that shaped her career and shared practical, relatable guidance: reflection, risk-taking and adaptability can unlock unexpected and rewarding career paths. Lea encouraged students to challenge their boundaries and embrace innovation and reinvention: “Break out in any way you can from the mold you have created for yourself.”

Marketing professor Tuba Koc invited ���������� alumnus Max Bissell, president of product at BISSELL Homecare Inc., to her Pricing and Channels of Distribution class. Carrying on the success of his family’s almost 150-year-old business, which is the No. 1 brand in the world by volume, Bissell energized the students with an insider’s view of global marketing and overseas expansion, sharing real-time lessons from his leadership as the company’s international business has scaled over the last decade.

“It was great being on campus learning from the next generation of shoppers and future homeowners. We talked about how students are using AI, particularly how they’re using it to learn about brands and products,” said Bissell.

By diving into hands-on breakout sessions around pricing, competition, go-to-market strategy, and the pros and cons of different types of international expansion, Bissell transformed course concepts into dynamic, real-world challenges and invited students to think and debate like executives. His enthusiasm, appreciation for student perspectives, and clear passion for building what’s next made the experience both inspiring and unforgettable.

“Bissell showed a refreshing openness to student feedback and pushback. He inspired students to raise their own ambitions. The way he showed up—prepared, present and genuinely interested in their perspectives—set a powerful example of professional excellence,” said Koc.

Katie Kruger (pictured left), Colorado market leader and principal at Avison Young, spoke candidly to a crowd of real estate students about her remarkable journey from cleaning turbine models in the rural ice flats of an Alaskan oil camp to leading a tier-one market for a global real estate company. She drove home the idea that where you start doesn’t limit where you can go, and that courage, grit and knowing your “why” are what open doors. Students gained practical advice on how to walk confidently into intimidating rooms, get unstuck in their careers, and out-network everyone simply by being themselves. Her real-world insights and generosity in mentoring inspired students to take tangible steps toward landing their first professional roles.

“Kruger was one of the most inspirational speakers we’ve had. She talked about how her lived experience was a driver toward her success. She intentionally carves out time to speak with over 100 young people and students a year, and she deeply cares about helping advance the next generation of real estate leaders,” said Julie Gibson, the Sherman R. Miller Executive Director of the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate.

Todd Tobin (Fin’95), the CTO and founder of MagicSchool AI, one of the fastest growing edtech companies in history, brought firsthand experience to the Business Minor Competition last semester, where he served as a judge and mentor to seven student teams immersed in the realities of entrepreneurship. As a seasoned technology leader, Tobin offered thoughtful evaluations that challenged students to think bigger, sharpen their assumptions and clearly articulate the value of their ideas.

His feedback went beyond scoring: Tobin shared candid insights on entrepreneurship, scalability and decision-making that gave students a rare look into how business plans are evaluated outside the classroom. Hearing directly from a leader who has built and scaled successful companies made the competition both more rigorous and more rewarding for them.

As students applied concepts from the business minor in a high-impact, competitive setting, Tobin drew on his experience to help them connect classroom theory to real-world execution. His perspective—and his deep ties to Leeds as an alumnus—reinforced the value of experiential learning and the powerful role alumni play in shaping future business leaders.