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Students Design ‘Warehouse of the Future’ at Leeds Sustainability Case Competition

Kelsey Cipolla — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:54:26 +0000

Students Design ‘Warehouse of the Future’ at Leeds Sustainability Case Competition Kelsey Cipolla Tue, 02/10/2026 - 13:54

Grace Garfoot , Photos by Nathan Thompson

Graduate students put their problem-solving skills to the test at this year's Leeds Sustainability Case Competition.

UCLA Anderson School of Management's Sustain Chain Solutions won first place, receiving $10,000.

Thirty-one teams from across the country converged at the Leeds School of Business on Jan. 31 to envision the "Warehouse of the Future."

Hosted by the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR), the annual Leeds Sustainability Case Competition challenged graduate students to pitch sustainable business solutions to industry sponsor Iron Mountain.

Students were tasked with helping the digital and physical asset management company design sustainable, physical spaces to house information in an evolving technological landscape, taking into consideration legal, regulatory and reporting requirements.

The event provided a platform for teams from С�� Boulder, UCLA, University of California Berkeley, Duke University and other leading institutions to test their skills in a realistic business environment. Participants were tasked with designing sustainable warehouse concepts, which ranged from file digitization and embedded carbon in construction to using mycelium for insulation.

The winners of this year’s Leeds Sustainability Case Competition were:

First place: Sustain Chain Solutions, UCLA Anderson School of Management

Second place: Project Evergreen, University of Rochester Simon Business School

Third place: Lean Clean Consulting Machine, University of Rochester Simon Business School

Finalists: Savvy Sustainable Strategists, University of California, San Diego Rady School of Management; and Warehouse Grounds Group, University of Washington Foster School of Business

Beyond the competition

While the competition is a test of strategy, it also emphasizes the private sector's role in addressing global environmental challenges.

“The private sector is fundamental if we’re going to be meaningfully addressing climate change or biodiversity loss or any of the huge environmental issues that we are facing today,” said Alex Hamman, a Master's of the Environment student who competed on one of С�� Boulder’s teams. “We need to know how to dialogue with people who don't share the same educational background as us and still be able to find common ground.” 

In addition to pitching their ideas, students had the opportunity to network with peers, faculty and competition partners, including Janus Henderson Investors.

“We think it’s great to see what the next generation thinks about, cares about and to make sure that they’re coming in with this mindset of ‘business isn’t just about profits,’” said Demesha Hill, head of diversity and community relations at Janus Henderson Investors and president of the Janus Henderson Foundation. “You can make profits and you can also protect the environment. You can make profits and you can do it in a way that’s right for humanity.”

Kristi Ryujin, associate dean for graduate programs, noted that the competition aligns with the university's broader mission. "This case competition is just one example of the many hands-on experiences that CESR offers to students throughout the year to advance our business school’s vision of elevating business as a force for good in a rapidly changing world," Ryujin said.

"Here at С�� Boulder, sustainability is the number one priority for our chancellor, and it is a key priority here at Leeds."

Graduate students put their problem-solving skills to the test at this year's Leeds Sustainability Case Competition.

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After the Boom: Colorado Craft Beer Enters Its Next Chapter

Kelsey Cipolla — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:47:31 +0000

After the Boom: Colorado Craft Beer Enters Its Next Chapter Kelsey Cipolla Tue, 02/10/2026 - 13:47

Colorado's craft beer scene is heading into a new phase. As growth slows, breweries focus on taprooms, community and authenticity.

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Can a Chatbot Make You Feel Less Lonely?

Kelsey Cipolla — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:16:20 +0000

Can a Chatbot Make You Feel Less Lonely? Kelsey Cipolla Mon, 02/09/2026 - 16:16

Information systems expert Jason Thatcher explores how emotionally intelligent chatbots could support users and why it’s important to design them with clear boundaries.

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С�� Boulder Partners With Denver International Airport on New Travel Index

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:08:52 +0000

С�� Boulder Partners With Denver International Airport on New Travel Index Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 02/04/2026 - 14:08

Leeds' Business Research Division is partnering with Denver International Airport (DEN) to launch a new quarterly survey focused on how travelers across the region expect to fly in the months ahead.

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Why We Love Watching the Super Bowl Live

Kelsey Cipolla — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 22:31:29 +0000

Why We Love Watching the Super Bowl Live Kelsey Cipolla Tue, 02/03/2026 - 15:31

New research from Leeds Alix Barasch explains why real-time viewing creates a powerful sense of presence and connection.

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С�� Boulder Students Offer Free Tax Help Through Revived VITA program

Kelsey Cipolla — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 22:33:41 +0000

С�� Boulder Students Offer Free Tax Help Through Revived VITA program Kelsey Cipolla Thu, 01/29/2026 - 15:33

Starting in mid-February, trained students—many from the Leeds School of Business—will offer free, in-person tax preparation through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, known as VITA.

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Champion Skier Bobby Brown’s Tips for Staying Focused and Fearless

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:10:19 +0000

Champion Skier Bobby Brown’s Tips for Staying Focused and Fearless Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 01/28/2026 - 15:10

Jane Majkiewicz

Olympic skier and filmmaker Bobby Brown encouraged Leeds students to embrace patience, harness pressure and trust their own ideas.

Angie Vermillion, associate director of Employer Relations at Leeds, spoke with Bobby Brown about the lessons learned throughout his award-winning career.

It seemed surprising coming from an eight-time X Games medalist and international freeskiing champion, but one of the first things Bobby Brown told a roomful of Leeds students was simple: “Slow down.”

Brown visited Leeds as a spokesperson for Red Bull, kicking off an ideation session for the 2026 Red Bull Basement, a competition for innovative ideas that make an impact. Brown has spent his career bringing ambitious ideas to life, including becoming the first skier to land multiple variations of a triple flip.

Since shifting into filmmaking, he has produced five feature films garnering millions of viewers. The transition forced him to rethink success: turning obstacles into opportunities, overcoming self-doubt, building the right team, and staying grounded in authenticity.

A pivotal moment came in 2021, when a ski accident in Switzerland left him with a broken back. Misjudging the timing of a jump, he lost focus, shattered three vertebrae and required emergency surgery. "I wasn’t present,” he recalled. Recovery brought waves of doubt, and his desire to ski again “ebbed and flowed.”

“I was so used to skiing and doing tricks, contests, getting results … it got totally messed up. And then I found this other avenue to explore. It’s when things became more clear and I got more excited for the future.”

From that experience, Brown gained a deeper understanding of using pressure as a tool and presence as an advantage. “Everyone can feel that little bit of anxiety and pressure, but when you’re able to harness it, you can do things you never thought you could do.”

"When you’re able to harness pressure, you can do things you never thought you could do."

Bobby Brown, international freeskiing champion

Pressure can elevate performance, he said, but excitement and fun are still more powerful motivators. When enjoyment and inner calm align, he said, “your skill just goes through the roof.” Though he no longer competes, Brown still seeks to improve his craft and avoid injury—what he calls “good pressure.”

Red Bull Cascade was a catalyst for his forward momentum. He wanted to fill a gap in mainstream ski competitions. Four years later, the event has grown into a hub for riders and youth—a way that Brown enjoys giving back to the community that has supported him.

Filmmaking has also taught Brown to be patient with the creative process. “Don’t let time dictate every idea,” he said, admitting he’s still learning the lesson. Some ideas click immediately, while others need time to evolve.

Throughout his career, Brown has credited the people around him. “Everything I have done has been teamwork, whether it’s a video, a contest … I can think of every single moment and there were like 25 people who made it possible.”

Takeaways for Future Innovators

Slow down and stay present—focus improves decisions.
Use pressure as fuel—channel nerves into energy and clarity.
Give ideas time—some concepts need space to develop.
Build your team—surround yourself with people who elevate your work.
Protect quiet time—step back from noise to find your original ideas.
Take creative risks—trust your instincts and back your ideas with confidence.
Don't forget the basics—sleep, nutrition, mindfulness and friendship all boost balance.

Sharing ideas may feel risky, he said, but it’s essential. “Find the people who listen to you and build a symbiotic relationship. Don’t underestimate the power of your contemporaries.”

Brown encouraged students to stay open to feedback and keep a beginner’s mindset. “Put yourself out there,” he said, warning that comparison is rarely productive. “You have to silence the noise,” he said. While it’s helpful to survey the landscape of ideas, he also deliberately steps back. “Give yourself a chance to have quiet so you can actually come up with the idea that’s true to you,” he advised.

“Big ideas take time,” he reminded students. “Don’t rush things. When there’s real gravity behind your ideas and products, people feel that.”

To stay balanced, Brown focuses on the basics: sleep, nutrition and meditation. Competing in the 2014 Olympics—“a crazy month of his life”— mindfulness calmed his nerves. Having a close friend on the team made all the difference. “Having his support definitely kept everyone sane.”

Turning inspiration into action

This year, Red Bull partners Microsoft and AMD are equipping students with AI tools and mentorship to bring their ideas to life. After Red Bull Basement applications close at the end of March, a small group will advance to the national final—and potentially the world final, where the global winner will receive $100,000 from Red Bull in equity-free funding.

Leeds junior Chaya O'Grady (Fin, Mgmt, BusAna ’27) found the event energizing, pushing her to think beyond her textbooks. "Hearing Brown talk about finding excitement and fulfillment through creative pursuits like filmmaking reminded me how important it is to make time for creative outlets. I felt inspired to pick up my passion for drawing again, something I've always loved but never prioritized."

She was equally motivated by the venture concepts generated during the ideation session. "One memorable prompt asked us to intentionally 'break' our ideas, which pushed us to identify weaknesses and external threats early on. In doing so, a lot of people were able to think of risk mitigation strategies early in the ideation phase," O'Grady said.

That mindset is already proving useful in her own entrepreneurial journey. O’Grady is developing a startup focused on wearable assistive technology for people who are blind and who have low vision. "Events like this create space for interdisciplinary thinking, creativity and real-world problem solving. Leeds offering these opportunities inspires students, and for me, it reinforces why I’m excited to pursue entrepreneurship as a career path."

Olympic skier and filmmaker Bobby Brown encouraged Leeds students to embrace patience, harness pressure and trust their own ideas.

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From Real Estate to AI: How One Leeds Grad Student Has Built a Smarter Way to Study

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:26:36 +0000

From Real Estate to AI: How One Leeds Grad Student Has Built a Smarter Way to Study Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 01/26/2026 - 12:26

Jane Majkiewicz • Photo by Nathan Thompson

After more than a decade in the workforce, Alex Corren (MRelEst’26) returned to college to pursue his master’s in real estate—and in the process he has built Lobe, an AI-powered, real-time learning assistant.

Alex Corren (MRelEst’26) came to Leeds for his master’s in real estate, but his pursuits took a surprising turn last semester when he invented Lobe, an AI-powered tool designed to maximize studying. Using himself as the platform’s first test case, the results were clear: Corren earned a 4.0 GPA last semester. A “Get Seed Funding” micro-grant from the Deming Center helped him dive further into development—and validated that his concept had real potential.

Next steps? Corren hopes to test the platform with a substantial number of users (know anyone at Leeds who wants to improve their grades?). He also hopes to tap into students’ marketing expertise to raise awareness through social media and other channels.

From necessity to invention

The proverb “necessity is the mother of invention” held true for Corren as he entered his master’s program at Leeds after more than a decade away from college. The timing coincided with the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence—something he found impossible to ignore.

“The AI coding tools were really starting to get good enough where people were talking about them,” he said. “I've been attracted to frontier technologies my whole life, and this felt like a very significant moment with a very disruptive technology. I made a conscious decision that I could either sit on the sidelines or start experimenting and get my hands on these tools.”

While Corren never considered himself a programmer, building has long been a theme in his life—whether developing professional projects, expanding his skillset, or even constructing his own home. Not knowing how to code always nagged at him. As an “idea guy,” he could envision countless digital products and services.

“I've been attracted to frontier technologies my whole life, and this felt like a very significant moment with a very disruptive technology. I made a conscious decision that I could either sit on the sidelines or start experimenting and get my hands on these tools.”

Alex Corren (MRelEst’26)

“Although I was very comfortable with technical things, I never learned to code. And that always felt like a blocker for me. Programming isn’t something you can casually pick up—it’s a pretty big commitment.” But when coding in plain English emerged, a light bulb turned on.

“It was like, oh wow, this is almost made for people like me … Now I can action and iterate and prototype these ideas really quickly.”

Corren spent all of 2025 experimenting and building. Lobe wasn’t necessarily his initial goal—it evolved naturally as he looked for ways to better manage his coursework. He was juggling Canvas assignments, downloading course documents, and experimenting with a patchwork of tools from his professional life, such as Otter, Notion and Granola.

“Since I had been in the career world before coming back to school, and through my previous entrepreneurship efforts, I had been really into digital systems, organization, productivity, workflow management, and personal knowledge management,” he said.

“It occurred to me that there had to be a better way.” Lobe was the answer. The breakthrough was realizing that he had access to open APIs—just like traditional developers—to make it all possible.

“So much of this infrastructure is widely accessible,” he said. A bit of sleuthing later, he had built the prototype. Securing the Deming Center micro-grant gave him the confidence to keep going—and positive feedback that his approach was viable.

Turning a prototype into a practical tool

The Lowdown on Lobe

Lobe is Corren’s vision of an always available teaching assistant—one that understands your classes, your professor’s examples, your materials, and even lectures as they are happening in real time.

Here’s a summary of Lobe’s features.

~ Live lecture transcription
Lobe “sits in” on class, transcribing every word and turning lectures into polished notes. Students can even ask mid-class, “What was that example the professor just gave?” because Lobe hears it in the moment.

~Concept extraction and the Study Hub
The system identifies key ideas from each lecture and compiles them into a dynamic Study Hub—an evolving map of concepts rather than static flashcards.

~Spaced repetition learning
Lobe resurfaces concepts at optimized intervals, similar to memory tools like Duolingo or Quizlet, reinforcing longterm retention.

~Document and resource uploads
Students can upload PDFs, slides and course materials, which Lobe incorporates into its context for more accurate help.

~Conversational studying
A built-in chat lets students practice material in multiple formats—multiple choice, open-ended, or through explanations. “It’s not static,” Corren said. “You can say, ‘Give me another question,’ or, ‘Explain that differently—I didn’t get it.’”

~A longterm archive of your education
Corren said one of his realizations while building Lobe was just how much learning gets lost once a semester ends. “College is expensive, and the knowledge you gain is really valuable,” he said. “I didn’t want any of it disappearing.”

His own experience drove the point home. “My undergrad notebooks are probably still sitting in a box at my mom’s house in New Jersey,” he said. “I don’t have access to any of that now. With Lobe, you keep what you learn—forever.”

Of course, obstacles remain. For example, while Canvas—the platform С�� Boulder uses for course management—has an API, permission requirements may pose a challenge. Corren is in conversation with С��’s IT team to explore solutions.

He’s also aware of the broader debate surrounding AI in education. But for him, Lobe has enhanced his learning, not hindered it. AI transcription, for example, allows him to stay fully present in lectures.

“It’s helped me be super present and lock in. I don’t have to worry about taking manual notes because I know that Lobe is capturing every word.”

He’s found that many students still use AI in scattered, inefficient ways—dabbling without integrating their work into a cohesive system. And while some observers warn that AI may undermine genuine learning, Corren sees a fuller spectrum.

“A hammer can be used to bash something, or you can use it to build a house,” he quipped. “It’s the same with AI tools. You can outsource your thinking and fake your way through to a certain degree. Or you can use it to deepen your learning, deepen your understanding, and pay more attention.”

The bigger divide, he argues, will come from differences in adoption.

“The divide people talk about in the workforce isn’t ‘AI is going to take your job.’ It’s ‘Somebody using AI effectively is going to take your job.’ I think that starts in school.”

He also noted that exams—remote or in person—still require real comprehension. “You can’t fake your way through.”

What’s next for Lobe?

Corren’s immediate priority is connecting with marketing savvy interns.

“The reality is, I'm a 33-year-old dude who's never been on TikTok,” he said with a laugh. “I know there are people who are TikTok natives who could do a really good job marketing this. It's OK if I ask for help—I don’t have to do everything myself.”

He is also applying to the New Venture Challenge as he enters the next phase of testing.

His graduation dream? “Lobe is big enough that I can go full-time working for myself.”

At the same time, Corren hasn’t abandoned his passion for real estate and regenerative communities—a field he entered Leeds to pursue, taking advantage of the resources available through the Klump Center for Real Estate and Leeds' other Centers of Excellence. His own sustainably built home was just the start.

“I’m not banking on Lobe and putting aside the real estate opportunities. But working for oneself and the capacity for growth is promising.” Apps like Lobe can scale quickly, he said, making it an attractive option over other career pathways. He also sees Lobe as a strong portfolio piece. “Going into any career, people are looking at AI skills.”

Corren knows the technological landscape is evolving quickly.

“Software is fundamentally changed forever. There’s a window of time right now. Whether it lasts 12 months, 18 months, three years … who knows? For large incumbent technology companies, the purely technical moat is disappearing … these companies are actively under attack by indie hackers like me.”

In the end, he believes distribution and taste will matter most.

“If we’re inundated with AI slop, what’s going to stand out is high-quality, tasteful products.” Corren hopes Lobe will be one of them.

Alex Corren (MRelEst’26) returned to college to pursue his master’s—and in the process he has built Lobe, an AI-powered, real-time learning assistant.

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Building a Career with Purpose: Why Eliza Homorodi Chose the Master’s in Sustainable Business

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:25:45 +0000

Building a Career with Purpose: Why Eliza Homorodi Chose the Master’s in Sustainable Business Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 01/22/2026 - 15:25

Jane Majkiewicz

Leeds senior Eliza Homorodi (Mktg, Fin’26) will join the inaugural cohort of the Master’s in Sustainable Business program this fall. The program’s focus on sustainable business strategy, ESG principles and real‑world application aligns directly with her long‑term goals to become a leader in sustainability‑focused consumer products.

Homorodi was eager to apply to the new graduate program and recently shared on LinkedIn why she’s looking forward to continuing her academic journey at Leeds.

“I’m excited to deepen my knowledge in sustainable business strategy and ESG principles while applying these concepts to real-world business challenges,” she said. “This next step aligns closely with my goal of building a career in the health and wellness industry after graduation. I'm looking forward to continuing my academic and professional journey with a focus on purpose, not just profit.”

Leeds caught up with Homorodi to learn more about what drew her to this sustainability-focused graduate degree, how it connects to her career goals and what she’s most looking forward to as she enters the program.

What are your career aspirations in health and wellness, and how do you see this graduate degree helping you get there?

Within the health and wellness industry, I am striving to work in consumer packaged goods in healthy/organic foods, or for a company prioritizing sustainability initiatives. I see this degree opening my knowledge to ESG and sustainability in business and providing me with a solid background in sustainable business to pursue this goal.

How do you see this degree complementing your double major in marketing and finance, and your minor in media studies?

With my double emphasis in marketing and finance, I am able to view business from a more well-rounded perspective and factor in both profit and consumer insights within my business decisions. My minor in media studies allows me to more deeply analyze the different mediums in which marketing can reach consumers. By adding a sustainable business degree to this mix, I believe I will bring versatile skills and knowledge from multiple perspectives into industry post-graduation.

When you look at the curriculum, which courses in particular excite you?

I am most looking forward to taking the following classes:

ENVS 5005 (Sustainability Systems and Natural Processes)
I have always had an interest in natural systems, science and planetary boundaries, so I'm looking forward to diving deeper into these topics to reinforce my background knowledge of sustainability.

MBAX 6368 (Consumer Packaged Goods)
This is the class I am most excited to take because it will provide me with a strong foundation in consumer packaged goods, which is aligned with my career goals, and I can connect my background in marketing and finance.

MSBC 5710 (Assessing Sustainability Performance)
I have always been curious about how companies assess their performance regarding sustainability with various metrics and data analysis. I'm excited to fill that gap in my curiosity and develop a deeper understanding of sustainable analysis.

What was the application process like?

Being a current Leeds student, the application process was fairly simple. I had to submit my education transcripts, resume and letters of recommendation.

Interested in joining the next wave of purpose‑driven business leaders?

Visit the Master’s in Sustainable Business program page >>

Get a quick summary of the program's highlights >>

Eliza Homorodi (Mktg, Fin’26) sees Leeds’ new Master’s in Sustainable Business program as the ideal way to build a purpose-driven career in health and wellness.

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Why Anti-Asian Discrimination Often Goes Unnoticed at Work

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:56:59 +0000

Why Anti-Asian Discrimination Often Goes Unnoticed at Work Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 01/21/2026 - 09:56

A new study from Leeds' Tony Kong finds bias is often overlooked when people aren’t seen as likely targets of discrimination.

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News

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