Lauren Guthrie wasn't much of a trekker or backpacker, but there she was, climbing 9,000 feet to reach the base camp at Mount Everest. The opportunity to join an all-Black team of climbers was too good to pass up—plus, it taught her valuable lessons about diversity in the corporate space. Guthrie is the vice president of global inclusion, diversity, equity and action (IDEA) and talent development at VF Corporation, the company behind big-name outdoor brands like The North Face and Smartwool. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, she explains what it takes to create DEI initiatives that work and how to practice DEI on a global scale.

1:16 Adding "action" to DEI • 4:26 From merchandising to the IDEA sphere • 10:24 DEI work at home • 12:19 "Global" DEI work vs. domestic DEI work • 15:50 What makes a DEI initiative work? • 19:04 Climbing Mount Everest • 22:06 Extending an "invitation to participate" • 26:06 The power of partner dancing • 28:36 "Don't be fearful of being expansive" • 30:00 Show notes and credits

Leigh Hitz is a strategic advisor in the hospitality industry that retired as CEO of Stout Street Hospitality in 2016. Hitz worked at Stout Street for nearly three decades, learning to manage all aspects of the hotel space, from the front of the house to the penthouse. In 2008, Hitz and her husband, James, established a scholarship fund for female students pursuing a hospitality degree at the University of Denver’s School Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management.

Table of Contents

1:04 How growing up in Aspen led to a hotel career

2:25 The changing tides of the hospitality industry

4:45 Building relationships first

8:48 Learning to become a leader

9:44 Differentiation in a competitive market

11:48 Rebranding a historic hotel

13:43 "If I had a crystal ball"

16:15 Scholarship for female students in the hospitality industry

18:21 Becoming one of the first female GMs

24:39 Show notes and credits

It was once the stuff of sci-fi stories, but in 2023 the metaverse is very real. Virtual reality, mixed reality and extended reality come together for an immersive experience that an increasing number of businesses are dipping their toes into. Colleen Reilly, senior vice president of business development for ImmersiveWorlds, explains how the metaverse works, how companies are putting it to use and what it means for the future.

Table of Contents

1:10 What the heck is the metaverse?

2:16 "You could be wherever you want"

6:11 VR vs. AR vs. MR vs. XR

7:26 Metaverse in business

11:06 Trouble in (virtual) paradise?

12:23 The future of metaverse technology

15:43 Show notes and credits

Jodie Antypas (MBA 2005) didn't grow up playing video games. They weren't expressly forbidden in her house, but they also weren't encouraged. So, how does a non-gamer end up leading large teams at Nintendo and Electronic Arts (EA) in the consumer marketing space? Antypas isn't quite sure, but she's quickly become an expert in the field, using player data and consumer opinions to drive the past, present and future of the video game industry. Now, Antypas is walking down a new path that she couldn't predict. She's a newly published children's book author, taking an adapted bedtime story she told her daughters and repackaging it for the world to enjoy. The Daniels alumna joined the Voices of Experience Podcast to share how she ended up leading 100 person teams in the video game industry, what drove her to write her new book and why she's taking a leave from her current role.

Table of Contents

1:10 A non-gamers journey to gaming

3:16 Deciding against law school for an MBA

8:03 "Games are constantly evolving"

12:54 From Pong to the modern era

15:06 Key management skills for large teams

17:35 Leveraging your objective mindset to lead

18:52 "I finally gave myself permission that I could take a break"

21:44 Pivoting to children's books

25:29 Be open to twists and turns

26:47 Show notes and credits

Watching George Floyd's murder on TV shook Rob Cohen to his core. He was well aware of racial injustices and inequities; he had already implemented diversity, equity and inclusion policies at IMA Financial Group, where he serves as chairman and CEO. But he realized he needed to step up to create even greater change. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Cohen explains the "listen, learn, then lead" approach he used in response, the best way for a company to build a healthy culture, how he juggles competing priorities and how he keeps things interesting, 34 years into a job.

Table of Contents

1:14 "No Way in Hell"

3:02 Keeping it interesting after 34 years

6:15 Reacting to George Floyd's murder

8:59 Approaching DEI as a white person

12:34 What's next for DEI at IMA

14:47 Creating a good culture

20:34 Balancing life's "platter"

24:08 Attracting today's new, talented workers

27:54 "Write your dreams down"

29:54 Show notes and credits

When people think of philanthropy, they often think of wealth—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Alan Frosh (BA 2005, JD 2011, MBA 2020) calls himself a “next-generation philanthropist,” and he’s spreading the word about how to make an impact on a smaller budget. Frosh is co-owner of Denver’s Tattered Cover Book Store and the Denver market director at Notley Ventures, where he supports people, businesses and nonprofits striving for social change. On the Voices of Experience podcast, Frosh explains his philanthropic philosophy and how he’s rebuilding the community’s trust in Tattered Cover.

Table of Contents

0:59 Three tours of DU-ty

2:57 A not-dirty or not-flirty 30th birthday

4:34 What is a "next generation philanthropist?"

6:28 Where to start your philanthropic journey

7:03 "American-style" philanthropy

8:42 Taking over at Tattered Cover

11:28 Rebuilding trust in Tattered Cover

15:27 How to support social change

16:57 Serving communities as an "outsider"

19:26 Keys to career success

22:18 Show notes and credits

With a lifetime spent in real estate and development, Chris Frampton has seen and built it all. From a bustling transit hub like Denver's Union Station to a village at an internationally known ski resort like Steamboat, Frampton has managed a variety of projects in his career as CEO of East West Partners. On the Voices of Experience podcast, Frampton shares the path that led him to a top Denver-based developer, his thoughts on the current state of the city and what the future of development may hold.

Table of Contents:

0:57 Finding a solution

3:55 A commitment to quality

5:00 The changing real estate world, or not?

6:29 Creating a "pedestrian paradise"

8:10 A return to Denver's Downtown

11:25 Developing without gentrifying

13:27 The current state of Union Station

17:38 How East West thinks bigger

19:20 Maintaining employee trust

21:20 Sustainability and design trends

25:56 "Do great work"

27:20 Show notes and credits

She had a comfortable job with a six-figure salary in a familiar industry, but Taylor Iascone (MS 2017) wasn't happy with where she was. Her gut told her she needed to do more for herself—and for the environment. So Iascone changed course, moving to Denver to pursue a degree from the Burns School of Construction Management and a career in sustainability. As the senior ESG manager at Verdani Partners, she works with companies, investors to decarbonize the built environment. On the Voices of Experience podcast, Iascone reflects on the politicization of ESG, the future of sustainable building and finding the courage to change course.

Table of Contents

1:14 What is ESG?

3:02 Changing careers

7:30 Refusing to settle

10:19 Working at Verdani Partners

11:31 The future of sustainable building

14:10 SEC regulations, preventing greenwashing

18:09 The politicization of ESG

20:45 Advice for starting over

23:13 Finding the right career

27:11 "Follow your instincts"

27:52 Show notes and credits

The first time the spotlight found Arjun Murti, he didn't like it very much. An analyst at Goldman Sachs, Murti (BSBA 1992) had made a bold—but ultimately correct—prediction about a "super spike" in the price of oil, and his career would never be the same. He shied from the limelight and finished his career in mostly private-facing roles. But now, he's raising his voice, hoping it can change the way the country talks about a transition away from fossil fuels. On the Voices of Experience podcast, Murti explains what the labels "clean" and "green" energy overlook, dissects the Inflation Reduction Act, and offers advice on starting a career and finding a mentor in the business world.

Table of Contents:

1:47 From Cornell to DU

2:19 The "Super-Spiked" prediction and its aftermath

9:34 What's wrong with the energy transition discussion?

13:43 "Nothing is clean, green or brown."

15:45 Evaluating the Inflation Reduction Act

19:27 The importance of mentorship

21:14 Picking your career path

25:29 Choosing work-life balance

28:24 Show notes and credits

Steve Lucas

Korn Ferry estimates that by 2030, 80 million high-skilled jobs will go unfilled globally. This means companies will have to compete for talent—more than they already are. Yet, the CEO of ICIMS says there's currently a lack of qualified employers. What does CEO Steve Lucas mean? And, what does he think companies should do to attract high-quality talent? 

Steve Lucas joined the VOE Podcast to talk about talent acquisition and retention, and what ICIMS has to offer. With 25 years of leadership experience, Lucas has a strong message for fellow leaders, employees and students: Be curious. 

The VOE Podcast is an extension of Voices of Experience, the signature speaker series at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. Keep tuning in each month for more business insights from Daniels’ alumni voices of experience.

Transcript:

Kristal Griffith:

Hello and welcome to the VOE Podcast,

Nick Greenhalgh:

An extension of Voices of Experience,

Lorne Fultonberg:

The signature speaker series at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.

Kristal Griffith:

We’re your hosts, Kristal Griffith,

Nick Greenhalgh:

Nick Greenhalgh, 

Lorne Fultonberg:

And I’m Lorne Fultonberg from the Daniels Office of Communications and Marketing.

Kristal Griffith:

We’ll be unpacking topics at the intersection of business and the public good with CEOs and other business leaders from the Daniels community.­ Let’s dive in.

Joining me today is Steve Lucas, CEO of iCIMS. Steve has extensive leadership experience in companies like Adobe, SAP and Salesforce. Before iCIMS, he was the CEO of Marketo. In his many leadership roles, he's been a great partner to the Daniels College of Business, consistently recruiting our students, providing feedback on curriculum and sponsoring student projects.

If you’re not familiar with iCIMS, it’s a recruiting software, so we look forward to visiting with Steve about his perspectives on the labor crisis. Steve, welcome to the VOE Podcast.

Steve Lucas:

Oh, thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.

Kristal Griffith:

Let's start with your background. You have more than 25 years of leadership experience with cutting-edge software companies. Tell us about your journey to become the CEO of iCIMS.

Steve Lucas:

Every time I hear I've got more than 25 years of experience, I'm genuinely terrified. I don't recognize myself anymore. But yes, it's been fantastic, journey-wise. I started my career working for Microsoft and my title, which was a big deal, was demo rep. And so it was kind of the "Let's name the job, exactly what it is. Demo rep." And I demoed the heck out of software, but actually I demonstrated compelling Microsoft titles, like Microsoft Dogs and Encarta, which was a CD-based encyclopedia before the internet. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so all these years later, now you're probably thinking, "How is this guy, a CEO." But I've always wanted to be a CEO. And I love software. I feel like I get paid to play baseball. It's just so fun. And for me, I'm a naturally curious per person and anytime I've been thrown into a situation, I've always wanted to understand more than just, "What's my job? How does it work? Why is it this way?" These are just the innate things that well up within me. And it turns out there is a really good job for that. It's called CEO.

Kristal Griffith:

That's terrific.

Steve Lucas:

And so my journey's been Microsoft. And then I worked with an amazing company, Crystal, which made Crystal Reports and then Business Objects, Salesforce, SAP. I jumped in as CEO of Marketo back in 2016. And I worked with a private equity firm, Vista Equity Partners, to take Marketo private, which we did for $1.6 billion. My job was to grow the company, improve it, build the software. And Adobe acquired the company 24 months after I started for about $5 billion. So we did a good job in terms of growing the company and returning equity to our shareholders.