Hosted in partnership with William & Mary鈥檚 Raymond A. Mason School of Business, the summit invited participants to think not only about how AI is changing higher education, but also what should remain central to the student experience: judgment, curiosity, ethical decision-making, human connection and the ability to keep learning.

The summit opened Friday evening with a program that blended student innovation, music and conversation about AI鈥檚 role in business education. Haya Ajjan, dean of the Love School of Business, welcomed attendees before Margarita Kaprieylan, associate dean of the Love School of Business, guided the event as the program鈥檚 main host.

The evening featured student AI tool showcases, AI Fellows presentations, a performance by Vital Signs, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 a cappella group, and a fireside chat with higher education leaders.

Student presentations highlighted a range of AI applications, from financial education and career preparation to human resources and access to technology. Projects included a gamified credit simulation that helps students practice financial decision-making and GRIFFIN, an AI-powered tool designed to support human resources classification and pay decisions.

The fireside chat was moderated by Casey Evans, associate dean for undergraduate programs and student services at American University, who also joined the discussion alongside Stephen Walls, assistant dean at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, and Hussein Issa, associate professor of accounting information systems at Rutgers Business School.

Saturday began with a keynote conversation between Anuj Mehrotra, dean of Georgia Tech鈥檚 Scheller College of Business, and Jeff Sanders 鈥�00, chief architect at Microsoft.

鈥淓ven a year ago, people were still doubting whether AI is here or not,鈥� Mehrotra said. 鈥淎t this point, AI is here.鈥�

For Mehrotra, the question is no longer whether students should use AI, but what business schools are preparing them to do in a world where AI can already summarize, create, analyze and simulate.

鈥淲hat has not changed is curiosity, the value of integrity, judgment and the importance of human relations,鈥� Mehrotra said.

He challenged business schools to think beyond content knowledge and focus on the value students bring when information is abundant.

鈥淲e have to figure out what that North Star is going to be,鈥� Mehrotra said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not going to be simply knowing something or being able to analyze something, because AI can do it for them.鈥�

That theme continued during the 鈥淲hat Industry Wants Now鈥� panel, which brought together leaders from Microsoft, Gartner, Bank of America and OpenAI.

鈥淯niversities now have the task not just to prepare students for a first job anymore,鈥� said Nicole Perrelle, head of AI executive advisory service at Gartner. 鈥淚t is to prepare them to have that life of continuous learning.鈥�

For panelists, that preparation includes more than technical fluency. It also requires judgment, communication and the ability to use AI responsibly in complex workplaces.

鈥淗ow do we accelerate the adoption of AI but do it in the right way?鈥� said Danielle Nashold 鈥�04, head of AI monitoring and controls strategy at Bank of America. In a highly regulated industry, Nashold discussed the importance of building governance, monitoring and control structures that allow organizations to use AI responsibly.

Amy Robbins 鈥�14, brand insights lead at OpenAI, said AI fluency was expected when she interviewed for her role, but the conversation focused more on the human skills she would bring to the work.

鈥淭hey were much more interested in how I think, how I approach complex problems, how I communicate,鈥� Robbins said.

For Robbins, that human perspective remains essential, even inside an AI company.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not layering AI into existing systems for us,鈥� Robbins said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 layering the human into the AI systems.鈥�

Jeff Sanders 鈥�00, chief architect at Microsoft, added that higher education and industry will need to learn together as AI continues to change careers and roles.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 have all the answers,鈥� Sanders said. 鈥淲e know that careers are going to change. We know jobs are going to change.鈥�

During the AI Fluency Mapping session, Tawnya Means, founding partner and principal of Inspire Higher Ed, helped prepare participants for the afternoon design sprint by walking them through ways to use AI with more purpose.

Casey Evans, associate dean for undergraduate programs and student services at American University鈥檚 Kogod School of Business, offered examples from Kogod鈥檚 redesigned curriculum, where students learn to evaluate AI critically and understand where their own judgment adds value.

鈥淪tudents really need to learn how they are adding value, not just cutting and pasting,鈥� Evans said.

Means then introduced tools participants could use in the design sprint, including the CRAFT framework, which helps users build stronger prompts by defining context, role, action, format and tone.

The summit also featured faculty pitches from 黑料不打烊 and William & Mary, giving participants examples of how instructors are already experimenting with AI in their classrooms.

In the afternoon, participants applied ideas from the summit during the 鈥淗ack the Business Curriculum鈥� design sprint.

The design sprint concluded with three winning teams.

First place went to Calibra, a classroom tool designed to help faculty evaluate and strengthen assignments for AI resilience, critical thinking, curiosity, metacognition and career development.

Second place went to Essentials of Business Reimagined for AI, which proposed redesigning an introductory business course around a semester-long AI-powered simulation.

Third place went to Roast My LinkedIn, a career-readiness tool that uses humor to review LinkedIn profiles before offering practical feedback.

The summit concluded with remarks from Katherine Guthrie, associate dean at William & Mary鈥檚 Raymond A. Mason School of Business.

鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 end here,鈥� said Guthrie. 鈥淭his collaboration started after William & Mary hosted an AI summit last year, and it has grown into a shared effort to create space for educators, students and industry leaders to think more intentionally about AI in higher education. We鈥檙e looking to next year, where the summit will continue at William & Mary and build on what has been started here.鈥�

The summit was supported by sponsors including Quinncia and Global Academic Ventures. Quinncia provides career-readiness tools that support students in the job search process. Global Academic Ventures supports study abroad programming and international learning opportunities.

Additional sponsors included Breakout Learning, Interpretive Simulations, McGraw-Hill, QuantHub and GMAC.

A full list of award and scholarship recipients appears below.

Academic Achievement Award Recipients

Academic Excellence Award in Accounting
Kirsten Myburg
Allie Rosinger

This award is given to a senior Accounting major who has demonstrated superior academic achievement, provided significant contributions to the department, and possesses potential for intellectual growth.

Challenge and Expect Award in Accounting
Kate Rohan
Zachary Taylor

This award is presented to a senior Accounting major who has demonstrated excellent growth in academic achievement and in contributions to the department.

Earl D. Honeycutt, Jr. Sales Leadership Award
Alex Scheinler

This award recognizes a senior majoring in marketing or minoring in professional sales who has shown leadership in the sales program, has the potential to positively impact their future organization, and has demonstrated an overall positive attitude in supporting their fellow sales students.

Excellence in Financial Education Student Award
Justin Betts
Andrew Glas
Em Orendorff

This award is given to a senior finance major who has demonstrated excellent academic achievement and possesses potential for professional growth in financial services.

Goldstein Family Award
Maggie Blakeney

This award is for a graduating senior who, after transferring to 黑料不打烊 (and the LSB) earlier in their academic career, has established a record of sustained engagement and high academic success and who embodies the university鈥檚 engaged learning focus through participation in high-impact learning activities.

Walter Hattenbach Award
Kaila Burke

The senior marketing major with the highest GPA receives this award, which Dr. and Mrs. James W. Johnston established in honor of their friend, Walter Hattenbach.

John Kappas Economics Award
Quinn Faller

This award goes to the senior economics major who best demonstrates enthusiasm for economics, potential for leadership聽and classroom excellence. It is named in honor of the late John Kappas, a 1985 黑料不打烊 graduate.

Love School of Business Academic Excellence Award
Greta Hessenthaler
Kirsten Myburg
Katrina Papierman
Anthony Vozella

This award is presented to the student with the highest GPA among those graduating with a major in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

Love School of Business Courageous Leadership Award
Noah Biggers

This award is given to a student who exemplifies courageous leadership within and outside of the Love School of Business.

Love School of Business Responsible Leadership Award
William Foster

This award is given to a student who exemplifies leadership, service and academic achievement within the Love School of Business.

Perseverance Award in Accounting
Ben Lyons

This award is presented to a graduating accounting senior whose resilience and commitment led to significant improvement while successfully navigating the rigors of the four-year curriculum.

Student Achievement in Business Analytics Award
Greta Hessenthaler

This award is given to a senior business analytics major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her courses as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in Economics Award
Jin Kobes
Daisy Martinez-Jimenez

This award is given to a senior economics major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her courses as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in Economic Consulting Award
Sivan Danziger

This award is given to a senior economic consulting major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her courses as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Award
Juan Daniel Chiriboga
Taylor Sluss

This award is given to a senior entrepreneurship & innovation major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in Finance Award
Liam Becker
Emily McAninch
Asa Traylor

This award is given to a senior finance major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in Human Resource Management Award
Maddy Shapiro

This award is given to a senior human resource management major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her courses as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in International Business Award
Melena Hasskerl-Friedrich

This award is given to a senior international business major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in Marketing Award
Rachel Buckle
Lauren Kulda

This award is given to a senior marketing major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in Project Management Award
Anna Johnson

This award is given to a senior project management major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.

Student Achievement in Supply Chain Management Award
Maylee Clerici

This award is given to a senior supply chain management major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.

Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean鈥檚 Awards for Faculty and Staff

Excellence in Teaching
Jose Cerecedo Lopez

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies the 黑料不打烊 teacher-scholar model. This person is outstanding in the classroom, engages students in the learning process, maintains academic rigor, and provides evidence of commitment to the intellectual development of students through mentoring and related activities.

Excellence in Scholarship
Feng Dong

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Scholarship recognizes one or more faculty members each year whose scholarly work has a significant intellectual impact in keeping with the 黑料不打烊 scholar-mentor model. Selection factors for this award include publication or presentation of peer-reviewed research in quality outlets and evidence that the faculty member engages in scholarship-related activities. These activities might include supporting the scholarly endeavors of colleagues, advancing the school鈥檚 reputation, and mentoring students in undergraduate research.

Exemplary Service – Faculty
John Wimmer

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean鈥檚 Award for Exemplary Service-Faculty recognizes one or more faculty members each year who have contributed in meaningful ways to the ongoing welfare and betterment of the college, university and profession. This award follows from the 黑料不打烊 servant-leadership model. Selection is based on service in the preceding year, plus overall willingness to volunteer one鈥檚 time when needed and to carry new ideas to reality.

Exemplary Service – Staff
Sara DeVane

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean鈥檚 Award for Exemplary Service-Staff recognizes a staff member who has contributed in meaningful ways to the ongoing welfare and betterment of the LSB.聽 This contribution includes performing duties above and beyond the staff member鈥檚 regular functions to support and advance the LSB.

Exemplary Service – External
Rob Springer

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean鈥檚 Award for Exemplary Service-Staff recognizes a member of the larger 黑料不打烊 community who has contributed in meaningful ways to the ongoing welfare and betterment of the LSB.聽 This contribution can take the form of assisting the LSB with a specific program or project or providing ongoing support for LSB activities.

LSB Sophomore Recognition

Benjamin Grover Johnston Award
Andrew Abraham
Logan Brzezanski
Lindsay Butkus
Izzy Butler
Gabrielle Evans
Addie Gilner
Henry Ginsburg
Dylan Golden
Isabella Johnson
Avery Launer
Jordyne Lewis
Ben Peake
Hope Rosen
Isaiah Scott
Greta Smith
Casey Steinert
Dani Stuart
Ben Waechter
Ellis Weber-Provost
Sophia Winston

This award honors the sophomore(s) with the highest GPA in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Dr. and Mrs. James W. Johnston established this award in memory of Dr. Johnston鈥檚 brother, Benjamin Grover Johnston.

2026-27 Endowed Scholarships and Awards

The Andras Family Award
Abigail Mulvaney

The A. Vance Beck, Sr. and Gwendolyn D. Beck Scholarship
Virginia Manning

The Calvert C. and Margaret H. McGregor Scholarship
Maximiliano Camacho Garcia

The Charles David Smith Endowed Scholarship
River Cranford

The David A. Stevens 鈥�81 Internship Scholarship
Chaise Hannibal
Winter Oaster

The David O. Bowden Economics Scholarship
Ellis Weber-Provost

The Department of Economics Endowed Scholarship
Sophia Winston

The Don S. and Margaret M. Holt Scholarship
Ashley Valency
Skylar Zimmerly

The Dudley Ray Watson Memorial Scholarship
Mackenzie Ross

The Frechette Family Foundation Fund for Global Engagement
Madisen Groff
Brennan Higgins

The Frederick K. Gilliam, Sr. Scholarship
Sophia Arminio
Lauren Beckman
Colleen Bolger
Elizabeth Moores
Anna Rubino
Jesse Sherrill

The Humphries Achievement Award
Loren Palma

The J. Harold Smith Scholarship
Jordyne Lewis

The James T. Toney Endowment Fund
Madeline Dolan

The Janie E. Council Scholarship
Patrick Drury

The John and Helene Sparks Scholarship for Business
Dulio Sorel di Donato

The John L. Sills, Jr. Scholarship
Benjamin Peake

The John R. Hill 鈥�76 and Lesley W. Hill Endowed Fund for Engaged Learning in Business
Marlie Barhorst

The Linda Thompson Weavil Endowed Scholarship
Kristen Covington
Jasmine Newkirk

The Mark A. Horsburgh Study Abroad Scholarship
Michael Dumiec
Peyton Jones

The Mary C. Bullock 鈥�47 and George P. Bullock 鈥�47 Business Scholarship
John Cirelli
Jane McNeil
Avery Wilson

The Mills Family Endowed Scholarship
Tristan D鈥橝damo
Sahrahie Enamorado

The Myers Family Endowed Scholarship in Business
Aidan Roche

The Park Business Scholarship
Alyssa Adams

The Peter L. Tourtellot Endowed Scholarship in Business
Emma Cincotta

The R. Alston Team III Endowed Scholarship in Business
Eli Karpas
Emma Meunier

The R. Cruse Lewis Master Pools Guild/Love School of Business Endowment Scholarship
Gabriela Maldonado Alvarez
Ashlyn Wenner

The Rehnert Family Business Internship Award
Rita Ho
Korey Philpot
Fanyu Sha
Abigail Wong

The Rose Family Endowed Fund for Engaged Learning in Business
Samuel Bernard

The Samuel L. Burke Endowed Scholarship
David Graves
Elizabeth Shum

The Sirabella Family Scholarship for Engaged Learning in Business
Alison Whipple

The Taylor S. Davis Scholarship for Engaged Learning in Business
Anna Maddox

The Troy Family Endowed Scholarship for International Study
Shannon Cross
Jack Miller

The Waesche Engaged Learning Scholarship
Luke Shatkin

The Wells Fargo Scholarship
Jackson Steiner

The William A. Klopman, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Megan Abbot

The Yearwood Family Scholarship
Bong Realiza

An accomplished business leader whose career spans global technology, consumer brands and corporate turnarounds, Findley accepted the university鈥檚 top award for entrepreneurship on April 22 inside LaRose Digital Theatre.

Findley currently serves as president, CEO and director of Sleep Number and has held leadership roles at Alibaba, Etsy and Blue Apron.

黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book presented the medal alongside Haya Ajjan, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

The ceremony opened with a video tribute featuring remarks from Book, Ajjan, Elizabeth Caran and Jeffrey Pugh, former Distinguished University Professor and Maude Sharpe Powell Professor of Religious Studies at 黑料不打烊, both of whom were in attendance.

Caran, Findley鈥檚 sister, emphasized her sibling鈥檚 commitment to making people feel heard and included. Pugh described Findley as someone who 鈥渕akes everything better wherever she goes,鈥� guided by both intellect and a strong moral compass.

In her remarks, Findley reflected on what entrepreneurial leadership has come to mean in her own life and career.

鈥淲hen you told me I was receiving the medal for entrepreneurial leadership, I鈥檒l be honest, I had a moment of pause,鈥� said Findley. 鈥淏ecause when I think about entrepreneurs, I think about founders. People who start companies from scratch. And that鈥檚 not my path.鈥�

Instead, Findley said, her career has been defined by stepping into companies in moments of change and choosing to lead with ownership, resilience and a willingness to act before feeling fully ready.

鈥淓ntrepreneurial leadership isn鈥檛 really about whether you started something,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about how you show up, the risks you take, the responsibility you assume and how you bring people along with you.鈥�

Findley, who grew up in nearby Greensboro, told students that 黑料不打烊 played a transformative role in helping her see herself and her future differently. She described struggling academically and socially in high school before arriving at 黑料不打烊, where she found an environment that encouraged exploration, curiosity and growth.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� didn鈥檛 just teach me what to learn,鈥� Findley said. 鈥淚t taught me how to think.鈥�

She credited the university鈥檚 interdisciplinary approach, study abroad opportunities and especially a set of religion courses with Pugh for reshaping her perspective.

鈥淭hose classes exposed me to such a broad world of ideas, perspectives, modern views on longstanding concepts,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat changed everything about how I thought of myself and what I could do in the world.鈥�

That openness to possibility would later shape major decisions in her career, including a move to Hong Kong without a job lined up after finding it difficult to break out of communications roles in the United States. The leap eventually led to a role at Alibaba and marked a major turning point in how she thought about risk.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 wait until you鈥檙e ready,鈥� Findley said. 鈥淵ou go. You do. You open yourself up to learning. And that鈥檚 what makes you ready.鈥�

Throughout the evening, Findley returned to the idea that leadership is less about titles and more about how people are treated along the way. She said one of the reasons she wanted to become a CEO was her belief that companies can succeed without losing sight of the people who make that success possible.

鈥淐ustomers and teams matter most, and you could build a successful company while still treating people like humans,鈥� she said.

That people-first approach also shaped how she described her leadership style during a question-and-answer session with students. Rather than entering organizations assuming she has all the answers, Findley said she tries to create the conditions for others to do their best work.

鈥淢y assumption is that everyone else in the room knows more than I do,鈥� Findley said, 鈥渁nd my job is to get out of their way and get everything else out of the way so they can do it.鈥�

Students asked Findley about topics ranging from career pivots and leadership style to failure, resilience and decision-making. In response, she emphasized the importance of core values, communication and internal resilience, especially when navigating uncertainty.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e never going to please everyone,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e never going to make everyone happy, and you鈥檙e never going to have respect from everyone. But you will get respect for actually making a decision and making a change and taking action when people don鈥檛 like it.鈥�

She closed her remarks by offering students three challenges: take one real risk in the next 30 days, put yourself in rooms where you are not the most qualified person, and act like an owner before you ever receive the title.

鈥淓ntrepreneurial leadership isn鈥檛 about starting companies,鈥� Findley said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about taking responsibility for outcomes, for people and for your own path.鈥�

About the 黑料不打烊 Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership

The 黑料不打烊 Medal Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership is co-presented by the Love School of Business and the Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Since 2009, the award has been given to an entrepreneur who is a leader in industry and who exemplifies the values of 黑料不打烊. These values include integrity, innovation and creativity, passion for lifelong learning, and a commitment to building a dynamic community.

About the Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship was established by an endowment gift from Ed and Joan Doherty, entrepreneurs from Saddle River, N.J., and parents of Kerry Doherty Gatlin 鈥�07. The Dohertys have served on the university鈥檚 Parents Council, and Ed Doherty currently serves as an 黑料不打烊 Trustee. Their company, Doherty Enterprises, Inc., is one of the nation鈥檚 leading franchise operators of quality family restaurants, including Applebee鈥檚 Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Panera Bread and Chevy鈥檚 Fresh Mex.

Twenty Fellows collaborated on developing a U.S. market-entry strategy for Uniwellsity, a European digital wellness company focused on emotional learning and mental well-being. As the project progressed, eight students traveled to Prague to represent the team and deliver the final presentation to the client.

鈥淭hroughout the year, I stretched my global business perspective by thinking critically about how a Czech-based company could successfully integrate into the U.S. market,鈥� said Maren Giambanco, a marketing major from Norwood, Mass. 鈥淏eing able to then fully immerse myself in Czech culture during our visit made the entire experience even more unique and eye-opening.鈥�

Her experience reflects the broader scope of the project, which required students to move beyond theory and into the complexities of entering a highly competitive market.

As the work progressed, teams analyzed positioning, refined strategy and collaborated across time zones to ensure the final deliverable reflected the full group鈥檚 efforts.

鈥淢eeting with Czech Founders, a venture capital firm in Prague, was incredibly insightful, especially in understanding how they assess pitch decks and the qualifications that determine which ideas are strong enough to be part of their portfolio,鈥� said Em Orendorff, a finance major from Annapolis, Md. 鈥淚 also found it interesting learning about how the startup environment in the EU differs from the U.S.鈥�

Those interactions offered additional context for the team鈥檚 recommendations and expanded their understanding of global business practices.

鈥淧resenting in Prague made everything feel real,鈥� said Jack Poulos, an economics major from New Albany, Ohio. 鈥淚t was the first time I could clearly see how the work we do in the classroom translates directly into real-world impact.鈥�

The experience reflected the expectations of a professional consulting environment, where preparation, adaptability and clear communication shaped every stage of the project.

鈥淭he presentation wasn鈥檛 just the end of two semesters of hard work,鈥� said Jadon Dorsey 鈥�26, an economic consulting major from Charleston, W.Va. 鈥淚t showed how confidence, teamwork and believing in something can come together to create something meaningful.鈥�

The event, 鈥溾�� will take place on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina and is hosted by the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

The session is open to the public and designed for working professionals interested in strengthening their data and analytics skills in a rapidly changing environment.

The program will focus on how AI tools are being used to move from raw data to usable insights more efficiently. Attendees will be introduced to practical approaches for working with data, building simple visualizations and generating summaries using tools such as ChatGPT, Power BI and Claude.

Participants will also explore how different prompting approaches can influence results, highlighting the role of prompting in shaping analysis, interpretation and communication.

Designed as an introductory, application-focused session, the program offers a practical look at how AI is being incorporated into workflows across analytics, strategy and operations roles, and how professionals can begin to build these capabilities in their own work.

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop to follow along during the session.

The session will be led by Mustafa Akben, assistant professor of management and director of artificial intelligence integration, in collaboration with 黑料不打烊 AI.

The three-day competition challenged students to navigate realistic sales scenarios, from networking with potential employers to role-play exercises that reflect the stages of technology sales.

Competition highlights include:

• Bronze (3rd place) overall team finish
• 2nd place in role-play competition
• Tyler Mastrangelo 鈥�28, Teamwork Award and Top Technology Student
• Max Houck 鈥�27, Teamwork Award

鈥淭he competition confirmed that sales is what I want to pursue,鈥� said Max Houck 鈥�27, a marketing major from Crofton, Md. 鈥淓very conversation felt like it was advancing my career, and I鈥檝e already made connections that led to interviews and networking opportunities.鈥�

Outside of the competition, students also made time for team bonding, including a visit to a local axe-throwing venue and rage room.

Students representing 黑料不打烊 included Gabriella Scales 鈥�27, Ashlee Brehio 鈥�26, Tyler Mastrangelo 鈥�28 and Max Houck 鈥�27.

The team was coached by Chris Nelson, associate professor of marketing and director of the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center, and Ann Fritchman, executive in residence, with additional support from alumni Dave Goltz and Gabi Drumm-Schwartz.

The two-day experience is designed to connect alumni working across the commercial real estate industry with students preparing to enter the field, creating space for insight, mentorship and conversation around how the industry is evolving.

The Summit begins Thursday, April 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. with a Kick-Off Reception at Hi-Wire Brewery. Programming continues Friday, April 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the 黑料不打烊 Charlotte Center, located at 330 W. Tremont Ave., with a keynote from Nicole Young, managing director and head of CRE portfolio management at Wells Fargo.

Throughout the day, attendees will engage in alumni speed networking and interactive discussions exploring key areas shaping the industry, including capital markets, development, asset management and major property sectors, along with broader trends across multifamily, industrial, office and retail markets. The day also includes opportunities for students to connect directly with alumni and gain perspective on navigating real estate careers across changing market cycles.

The Summit concludes with an applied AI workshop led by Assistant Professor of Finance Thibaut Morillon, highlighting how machine learning and generative AI are being used in real estate analysis, underwriting and day-to-day workflows.

The event, 鈥淐harlotte鈥檚 Next Competitive Edge: Decision Intelligence,鈥� will take place on April 15 at 6 p.m. at 330 W. Tremont Ave in Charlotte, North Carolina and is sponsored by the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business鈥� MSBA Flex program in Charlotte.

The conversation will focus on how AI is moving analytics from insight to action, and how organizations are adapting in response. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how AI is being used in practice, how roles and workflows are evolving, and what skills are becoming more important in a rapidly changing landscape.

Panelists include:

• Su Dong, associate professor of management information systems
• April Frazer ’03, CFO for Corporate and Investment Banking at Wells Fargo
• Eric Fender, enterprise transformation executive at Truist
• Danielle Nashold ’04, enterprise data, AI and data science technology strategy at Bank of America
• Derek Gould ’14, chief growth officer at Home Solutions

Designed as a candid and grounded conversation, the panel will highlight real-world examples, emerging challenges and the tradeoffs organizations are navigating as they integrate AI into decision making.

The program will include moderated discussion segments on analytics and judgment, organizational change and workforce readiness, followed by an audience Q and A.

The conference, sponsored by Issues in Political Economy, is an annual undergraduate research event that allows students to present their work while also serving as session chairs and discussants. The conference featured 46 presenters from 18 colleges and universities

The students were joined by Steve DeLoach, professor of economics, and Devon Hawkins, assistant teaching professor of economics.

鈥淧resenting at the Issues in Political Economy Conference in New York City pushes students to use economics, not just learn it,鈥� said Hawkins. 鈥淚t is also a strong way we champion our students by giving them a real platform to share their ideas, build confidence, and see that their work can contribute to conversations in policy and business.鈥�

黑料不打烊 student research

Jay Cornell 鈥�26
Major: Economics
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Research mentor: Katy Rouse

Abstract: Private equity involvement in the U.S. healthcare industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, drawing public concern over the quality of care provided by private equity-owned hospitals. This study examines whether private equity ownership can be associated with differences in 30-day risk-adjusted mortality rates for heart attack, heart failure, stroke, pneumonia and overall hospital mortality.

Quinn Faller 鈥�26
Majors: Economics and Psychology
Hometown: Wilmington, Del.
Research Mentor: Steve DeLoach

Abstract: There has been a recent trend in the reduction of labor force participation by young males. This study explores the possibility that the decline in hours worked may be partially explained by the popularity of video games as a form of entertainment, especially marketed to young men.

Sara Fritz 鈥�26
Majors: International and Global Studies
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
Research mentor: Brooks Depro

Abstract: Mining has long been associated with environmental pollution, ecological degradation, and adverse health outcomes in nearby populations. This study addresses whether proximity to the Yanacocha Mine, located in the province of Cajamarca, Peru, negatively affects child survival rates in surrounding communities.

Jin Kobes 鈥�26
Majors: Economics and Political Science
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Research mentor: Olivia Healy

Abstract: Sporting mega-events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics attract large audiences but provide minimal economic benefits to host countries. This study examines Qatar鈥檚 2022 World Cup, Russia鈥檚 2018 World Cup, and Japan鈥檚 2020 Summer Olympics, focusing on the concept of sportwashing, which is the use of sports to improve tarnished international reputations.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 feel like my career trajectory post-graduation is the norm for an MBA graduate,鈥� Dudash said. 鈥淚 had to do some soul searching and pursued something different that aligns with my values.鈥�

Before enrolling in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 MBA program, Dudash worked at Duke Regional Hospital as communications manager, serving as the only communicator on site for the entire hospital and supporting more than 2,000 employees.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped support emergency preparedness efforts, including a command center that operated for months, and later supported community vaccination clinics.

鈥淚 learned so much throughout that experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 saw the best of the best and the worst of the worst and saw health care workers give their all.鈥�

As the pandemic unfolded, mentors encouraged her to return to school. A nurse manager would ask her regularly, 鈥淲hen are you going back to school?鈥� Dudash also had two mentors who recommended 黑料不打烊鈥檚 MBA program.

鈥淪he would say, 鈥業t鈥檚 never a good time to go back to school,鈥欌�� Dudash said. 鈥淭hey encouraged me to take the step.鈥�

For Dudash, the MBA offered the flexibility to build leadership skills while keeping her options open.

鈥淚 can apply it across industries,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted to strengthen my leadership skills and get a broader view of how organizations operate.鈥�

She started the program in September 2020, a decade after graduating from the University of Florida with a journalism degree. Returning to school felt like a significant transition.

鈥淚 remember being nervous,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was 10 years out of school and didn鈥檛 know how it would feel to be a student again.鈥�

Rather than rushing through, Dudash took one class at a time and completed the program over four years, graduating in May 2024.

鈥淚 wanted to fully immerse myself in each course and build relationships with my classmates and professors,鈥� she said.

She also described the program as a place where she could participate fully and grow, especially in courses that challenged students to share ideas and respond to feedback.

鈥淚t opened up my confidence in pursuing new ideas,鈥� she said. 鈥淵our ideas are valid.鈥�

As graduation approached, Dudash began thinking more intentionally about what kind of work would be fulfilling.

That summer became an opportunity to reflect. Dudash leaned into theater, a longtime passion through improv, including teaching improv comedy and pursuing operations work in the arts nonprofit space.

This past year, she balanced roles between Durham arts nonprofit Mettlesome Theater and nationally recognized DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) while also serving as chair of the Meals on Wheels Durham board.

But most recently, she was appointed Mettlesome Theater鈥檚 first full-time operations director.

鈥淢y 黑料不打烊 MBA gave me the confidence to say, 鈥業 want to help with this, and I want to pursue this,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淢y dream job was to be an operations director or executive director of an arts nonprofit, and the program gave me the high-level perspective to lead that work.鈥�