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Startups & Sandwiches: A Virtual Visit with Best-Selling Author and Leading Entrepreneur Eric Ries

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:37:15 +0000

Startups & Sandwiches: A Virtual Visit with Best-Selling Author and Leading Entrepreneur Eric Ries Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 04/02/2026 - 09:37

Jane Majkiewicz

Ries joined the Leeds community virtually to discuss entrepreneurship, values, and his forthcoming book on building enduring companies that help human society flourish.

The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship concluded its Startups & Sandwiches series for the spring 2026 semester on a high note with a virtual visit from Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, The Startup Way, and The Leader’s Guide. Students filled Koelbel 218 to hear Ries’ insights on business and to learn about his forthcoming book, Incorruptible : Why Good Companies Go Bad ... and How Great Companies Stay Great.

Ries shared his journey from earning a degree in computer science to being “swept up in the dot-com bubble,” which he amusingly described as fun at first, but then humiliating. Over the course of his career, he has studied management and worked on innovation across big companies, governments and NGOs—learning along the way how to master key business skills like accounting and governance.

A thought-provoking conversation covered a range of topics. Here are some of Ries’ insights.

On the reason for his new book.
“Most of the ways that I was taught about how companies should be run and structured ultimately leads to them being corrupted.” The reality, he said, is that there are many ways to make money without creating any value at all. “It turns out that there’s actually good evidence that we know how to build organizations that stay true to human flourishing over the long-term.” It’s time to define new best practices—replacing the old ones that don’t work—“that will leave the world better than we found it.”

The Defining Questions for Modern Business

In the Deming Center newsletter, "The Entrepreneurship Pulse," Executive Director Erick Mueller highlighted the central questions Eric Ries posed for tomorrow’s business and thought leaders—questions that push us to rethink the purpose of business and how it creates value.

How do we build companies that are additive rather than extractive?
How do we align AI creators with human thriving over "profit at all costs?"
How do we dismantle shareholder primacy in favor of organizational purpose?

On the realities of entrepreneurship.
Ries drew laughs when he noted that entrepreneurship in the movies is often about a “plucky protagonist with a great idea.” As an example, he cited Ghost Busters, one of his favorite films. In real life, it’s very different. The hardest work is the foundational decisions, like what features to include in a product and defining customers. But in the movies, “that stuff is so boring it’s limited to a two-minute montage.”

Seeing thousands of startup stories throughout his career, Ries understands the dark side of entrepreneurship. “It’s not all puppies and rainbows. There’s also a lot of misery in the startup world,” much of it driven by the misguided best practices we’ve been indoctrinated into that cause us to deviate from what we know to be right, he believes.

That tension often leads to decisions that are misaligned with personal values. “It’s time for this to end—we have to reconcile the formal definitions of what business is with our intuitive understanding of what business is for.”

On founding the Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE).
“The nice thing about doing something so impossibly difficult is that nobody expects you to succeed.”

On the soul of a company.
“It takes me in the book 11 chapters to give the concept of a corporate soul.” Organizations, he explained, function like super organisms. He pointed to a study in which the researchers measured the ethical character of different organizations and used the assessments to accurately predict the organizations’ behavior in future situations. “If you are a cog in that machine, what you do is not entirely in your own control, and often you end up creating effects that are contrary to your own values. And if that sounds scary to you because you’re thinking of starting an organization, then good, it should scare you.”

On mission-driven organizations.
While avoiding traditional buzzwords, Ries emphasized that true mission-driven organizations stand apart. “It turns out we have great evidence that people love working at companies like that, buying from companies like that and love investing in companies like that.” Their advantage, he said, comes from the most underrated aspect in business—trustworthiness.

”We have to reconcile the formal definitions of what business is with our intuitive understanding of what business is for.”

Eric Ries, author and entrepreneur

On optimism and what’s next for business.
Though clear-eyed about current challenges, Ries manages to stay hopeful. “I think the era of shareholder primacy is actually already over … it’s an idea that has basically caused its own intellectual collapse.” Change, he believes, will come through generational turnover and a compelling alternative vision. “If you've ever been navigating somewhere and you make a wrong turn, it’s not like you say, ‘Blow up the car, we’ll never get there; we’re all doomed.’ As long as people wake up out of … unconscious behavior, then I think we’ll be able to get people to recognize the need for this change and turn the car around.”

On aligning your decisions with your values.
“If you want to make change, the first step is to make sure that the actual decisions you make—no matter how immaterial they may seem—are in fact aligned with your values. That’s your surprising power in your life and career.”

Eric Ries joined the Leeds community to discuss entrepreneurship, values, and his forthcoming book on building enduring companies that help human society flourish.

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Career Paths: How Jonathan Buckingham Strengthened His Calling at Leeds

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:10:51 +0000

Career Paths: How Jonathan Buckingham Strengthened His Calling at Leeds Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 04/01/2026 - 13:10

Jane Majkiewicz

Jonathan Buckingham's secret to his success? Doing what he loves. Photo by Leeds friend, photographer Matan Coll (Mgmt’25).

Even as graduation nears, it’s likely that Jonathan Buckingham (Mktg’26) has spring cleanups on his mind more than walking across the stage to receive his diploma. That’s because, after commencement, he plans to continue building the landscaping business he launched at age 10 in his hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut. His dream? “To have a massive landscaping empire.”

Since arriving at С�� Boulder, Buckingham and his high school friend and business partner, Rudy Carpio, have grown J&J Lawncare LLC to 13 full‑time employees and $2.1 million in revenue last year. During college, they generated more than $7 million and secured more than 200 maintenance clients.

So how did Buckingham manage to run a business from thousands of miles away?

Business school as the backup plan—until it wasn’t

“When I decided to attend С�� Boulder, I came to Colorado with the mindset that earning my degree would be a backup plan in case the business didn’t succeed,” he said. He also knew he wanted to be in Colorado. “I’ve always had my mind on С��, as I’m a big skier.” He also wanted to fulfill his parents' aspirations for him to earn a college degree. But he didn't want to give up his business.

The logistics seemed daunting. “I knew if I was going to college, I had to have someone who could do in‑person estimates, get our crew set up every morning, and understand the landscaping knowledge that I have.” Carpio was the answer. Buckingham knew they both loved landscaping and shared a similar work ethic, mindset, and passion for the business. Carpio, who was attending college locally, could be the boots on the ground, while Buckingham could focus on the work he could accomplish remotely.

And it worked. But instead of business school being a “backup,” it turned into an engine for growth. “I was able to focus on building stronger systems, improving client communication and developing better financial management practices,” Buckingham said.

But it wasn’t easy. Freshman year was stressful—full of late‑night FaceTime calls and constant coordination—but the business kept growing.

We were starting to gain clients, and I realized that was because I was spending four or five hours each day strictly focusing on making sure we popped up No. 1 on Google.

At the same time, he was expanding the company’s reach on social media, regularly posting to Instagram and TikTok to showcase their work. The TikTok account has now grown to more than 40,000 followers, fueled by energetic videos of projects underway, how-to tips, and landscaping designs coming to life.

To keep up with that momentum, Buckingham realized he needed better systems to manage the workload from afar. He adopted Jobber for project management, strengthened his QuickBooks skills, and built more efficient processes. “All the workers have the Jobber app on their phone … I can review every job remotely and update clients,” he said.

Standing out through service

By the time he arrived at Leeds, Buckingham had already taught himself payroll, taxes and basic accounting. He had a clear goal to make client management the company’s differentiator in a crowded market.

“The reason we grew so fast is because we are very on top of our clients and any concerns they have about their property,” he said.

Stepping back from day‑to‑day labor let him refine branding, marketing and financials. His coursework often aligned with what he was doing.

I could compare what I was learning in class to what was happening in my business. That kept me engaged in college.

He and Carpio also broadened service offerings, adding gutter cleaning, junk removal, masonry and snow management, while avoiding categories like painting that didn’t fit their strengths. This created stable year‑round revenue.

Leadership lessons

Over time, Buckingham realized that strong systems are essential for both efficiency and leadership.

“You absolutely have to have systems in place,” he said. “Everything has to be organized.” Detailed historical data lets his team deliver consistent work and helps him produce accurate estimates. It also helped him learn that he should be charging higher rates, especially as they sought to make higher-end properties their major customer base.

Another lesson: communication is key. “As a leader, you can’t take frustrations out on your workers,” said Buckingham. “If you’re only saying negative things, it creates a bad work environment.” Leeds helped him strengthen those communication skills.

Leeds has so many group projects and presentations. It really helped my confidence—especially thinking on my feet.

Future possibilities

Despite his workload, Buckingham made time for college life—joining a fraternity and squeezing in about 40 ski days a year. Planning ahead was essential; he learned to set up each day’s schedule by planning the night before.

Professors also shaped his perspective. Assistant Professor of Marketing Elmer Ramos encouraged him to diversify income streams. After graduation, Buckingham plans to purchase his first rental property and explore real estate opportunities.

He has also grown as a partner. “Most partnerships fail. But Rudy and I learned to be very transparent and honest. We say things how they are and talk it out.”

Now, as he turns the page on college, Buckingham isn’t trying to prove his business can succeed—it already has.

“It kind of sounds crazy, but I made it work. I think the reason I was able to make it work is just how much of a passion and drive I have for this.”

Thanks to his parents, he’s leaving college debt‑free. “All my life, I've been saving and investing, so I have a big head start compared to the average college graduate.” But he’s quick to note that he didn’t pursue landscaping to make a lot of money, and initially, college was also a way for him to understand how to make more than just a living wage.

I did it because I loved it. If you love what you do, you'll figure out a way to make the money you want to make.

And while the company may now be firmly established, Buckingham is just getting started.

Friends and partners Rudy Carpio (left) and Jonathan Buckingham have been able to grow and operate a thriving lawncare and landscaping business, even while attending college. Photo by Matan Coll (Mgmt’25).

College may have started as a “backup plan” for Jonathan Buckingham (Mktg’26), but it ultimately reinforced his calling and helped him grow a multimillion-dollar landscaping business.

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Inside the Burridge Discussions Dinner: How Benchmarks and Behavior Are Shaping the Future of Investing

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:15:35 +0000

Inside the Burridge Discussions Dinner: How Benchmarks and Behavior Are Shaping the Future of Investing Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 04/01/2026 - 12:15

The Burridge Center for Finance hosted its annual Discussions Dinner, with this year’s theme centered on the complexities of investment strategy in a benchmark‑driven environment.

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Highlighting the New WISE Scholarship at Leeds: A Roundtable with the Founders

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:10:26 +0000

Highlighting the New WISE Scholarship at Leeds: A Roundtable with the Founders Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 03/30/2026 - 12:10

Jane Majkiewicz

When four members of the Leeds MBA Alumni Board set out to imagine the future of sustainable business, they didn’t stop at ideas—they created impact. Their collaboration sparked the Women Investing in Sustainability Education (WISE) Fund, a new scholarship for graduate students dedicated to driving sustainability in business.

Scholarships will support MBA students who demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability in business and are actively engaged in student clubs at Leeds, such as Women in Business or the Net Impact Club, said Kristi Ryujin, associate dean for graduate programs.

Leeds connected with WISE founding donors Nancy Schoemann (MBA’16), Mary Boling (MBA’24), Grace Dennis (MBA’21) and Hilary Corsi (ChemEngr’11, MBA’18) to learn more.

Why WISE?

Meet the WISE Founders

Nancy Schoemann (MBA’16)

As an operations leader, Nancy Schoemann champions integrating sustainability into all aspects of business. She has worked at Natural Habitats, an organic palm oil company, and most recently at Optera, a climate-tech startup helping companies measure and reduce GHG emissions.

Mary Boling (MBA’24)

As an associate at the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), Mary Boling specializes in clean energy market analysis and develops resources to help stakeholders better understand and engage with energy markets to advance affordable, reliable, carbon‑free electricity systems worldwide.

Hilary Corsi (ChemEngr’11, MBA’18)

As an applications engineering manager at Water Remediation Technology, Hilary Corsi explores innovative solutions to meet growing water resource needs, particularly through drinking water treatment systems for small and disadvantaged communities.

Grace Dennis (MBA’21)

As impact manager at The Hain Celestial Group, Grace Dennis develops sustainability and social impact strategies for natural and organic food brands. She focuses on responsible sourcing and sustainable packaging.

What inspired the creation of the WISE Scholarship?

Nancy: Leeds’ efforts to create 60 new scholarships for the MBA program’s 60th anniversary initially sparked the idea. As women working in sustainability, we wanted to support students with a similar passion for creating positive change, and we suspected other alumni would also be interested in contributing. None of us were in the position to endow a scholarship individually, but through a collaborative effort we were able to get the fund off the ground. As a scholarship beneficiary during my MBA, I know how impactful financial support can be and I wanted to pay that support forward.

Hilary: Nancy reached out to me about her idea to start a scholarship focusing on women in sustainability. Thinking about how great it would be to be part of an endowed scholarship—I was eager to collaborate.

Was there a moment when you realized this scholarship needed to exist?

Mary: When Nancy first approached me about creating this scholarship, I immediately felt energized by the vision behind it. I have met many alumni who are committed to sustainability and eager to support the next generation, but they are not always sure how to channel that support in a meaningful way. This scholarship provides a clear path—offering both financial relief and a structured way to stay connected to students entering the field. It’s about building lasting relationships between passionate, like-minded students and alumni. To me, that spirit of connection and shared purpose is what Leeds is all about. I am very excited to be a part of this and hope it inspires others to rally around causes they care deeply about.

What WISE supports

What are the qualities you are seeking in scholarship recipients?

Hilary: When making the decision to pursue a graduate degree such as an MBA, it is usually to further one’s career or to make a career pivot. We are particularly interested in MBA students who wish to further pursue or pivot into a sustainability career—either in an alternative energy field or an industry where they are integrating sustainability.

What do you hope this scholarship makes possible for future Leeds students?

Nancy: I’m hopeful that this scholarship will allow students to pursue careers they are passionate about, rather than feeling forced to take a position to pay off student loans. I also look forward to scholarship recipients connecting with WISE donors to grow their network and explore career opportunities. The vision of WISE is to provide students with both scholarship and mentorship support.

Grace: I’m hopeful that this scholarship and mentorship opportunities will help students who are passionate about sustainability pursue a field that is not yet as well defined as other common business school pathways. And by supporting students who are underrepresented in the sustainability field, I hope we will empower Leeds students to bring their diverse perspectives to sustainability challenges.

It takes a village

What was it like coming together to launch this scholarship?

Hilary: Nancy did an amazing job leading the charge to get this scholarship off the ground. She put in a lot of time and effort, working with С�� employees, then looped us in on how to proceed. As members of the Leeds MBA Alumni Board, we all look forward to continuing our involvement with Leeds through the WISE scholarship.

Nancy: This wouldn’t be possible without the support of alumni. We want to extend a huge thank you to those who have already pledged multiyear donations to the scholarship. We also wish to invite anyone interested in joining the WISE giving community to connect with us to learn more.

How do your different professional backgrounds shape the direction of the fund?

Grace: While we all work on different aspects of sustainability, we all see common challenges. Our diverse perspectives help us understand the current gaps in the industry and how they can be addressed by encouraging more students to enter the field.

Sustainable Leeds

Through a wide range of initiatives, С�� Boulder and Leeds have become recognized leaders in sustainability. Leeds’ Social Responsibility and Sustainability Division, the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, the Sustainability Case Competition, and Boulder Climate Ventures all reflect this commitment.

Leeds’ undergraduate Sustainable Business area of emphasis and the new Master’s in Sustainable Business highlight how sustainability is integrated across the curriculum.

The WISE Scholarship extends this work by supporting future leaders who will help drive sustainability forward in business.

Looking ahead

What gaps are you hoping this fund helps address?

Grace: The sustainability field is a very diverse industry with constantly evolving needs. By supporting students, we hope this scholarship will bring more diverse perspectives and innovation into the field to address critical global challenges.

What qualities or mindsets do you believe the next generation of sustainability leaders need most?

Nancy: Integrating sustainability into all aspects of a business is critical. If sustainability exists in a silo at an organization, the ability to influence real change becomes limited. With that in mind, I hope this next generation of MBA students remembers that you don’t need to have “sustainability” in your title to be a sustainability leader. Individuals who are focused on finance, marketing, operations and more can all have a huge impact on sustainability.

Mary: Next-generation sustainability leaders will need both conviction and adaptability. A growth mindset is essential—not only to navigate constant change, but to connect ideas across industries and bring diverse stakeholders together. Because the impact of sustainability efforts is often long-term and not always immediately measurable, leaders must be creative in making the case and patient in building buy-in. At the same time, rapid shifts in policy, markets and technology require agility. Aligning the right people around a shared vision before scaling will be critical to drive lasting, meaningful impact.

What advice would you give to the first WISE scholars?

Grace: The sustainability field is a relatively small and close-knit community full of passionate and inspiring professionals. When beginning a career in sustainability, be sure to prioritize building your network. The relationships I’ve built in the field have been some of the most impactful parts of my career and have shaped who I’ve become as a sustainability professional. Everyone is very collaborative and supportive. When you face challenges in your work, know that you can lean on your peers for support. This work can sometimes feel like a marathon, and it’s important to stick together.

Mary: Relationships will be one of your greatest assets. Seek out conversations and attend events focused on the topics that genuinely interest you. It can feel intimidating to put yourself out there, but that initial discomfort is well worth it. The connections you build and the insights you gain will shape your perspective, open doors, and strengthen your impact over time.

It’s Hip To Be WISE

The WISE founders are actively seeking donors to grow the scholarship and expand its impact. Learn more about joining the WISE community by contacting Leeds Advancement team member Jordyn.Johnson@colorado.edu or make a donation online.

Four Leeds MBA Alumni Board members have partnered to establish a new scholarship fund designed to empower MBA students with a passion for sustainability.

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Funny Business: Humor Scholars on Whether Jokes Help or Hurt at Work

Kelsey Cipolla — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:24:13 +0000

Funny Business: Humor Scholars on Whether Jokes Help or Hurt at Work Kelsey Cipolla Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:24

Leeds researchers Tony Kong and Peter McGraw agree humor has real workplace benefits, but pulling it off can be tricky.

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Gas Prices Are Rising. Here’s Why, and What Drivers Can Expect Next

Kelsey Cipolla — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:30:18 +0000

Gas Prices Are Rising. Here’s Why, and What Drivers Can Expect Next Kelsey Cipolla Thu, 03/19/2026 - 10:30

Finance professor Edward Van Wesep explains why producing more oil doesn’t shield U.S. drivers from higher prices.

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When Climate Risks Hit Home: What It Means for Housing, Insurance and Your Wallet

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:09:30 +0000

When Climate Risks Hit Home: What It Means for Housing, Insurance and Your Wallet Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 03/18/2026 - 12:09

From insurance costs to home values, a Leeds finance professor explains how weather extremes are reshaping everyday financial decisions.

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С�� Real Estate Forum Offers First Look at Sundance Film Festival in Boulder

Kelsey Cipolla — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:43:58 +0000

С�� Real Estate Forum Offers First Look at Sundance Film Festival in Boulder Kelsey Cipolla Fri, 03/13/2026 - 08:43

Kelsey Cipolla • Photos by Nathan Thompson

Ebs Burnough, chair of the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees, and Paula DuPré Pesmen, managing director of Sundance Film Festival Relocation, joined John Tayer, president and CEO of the Boulder Chamber, for a conversation on the festival's impact on Colorado.

Boulder stepped into the spotlight, getting an early preview of the 2027 Sundance Film Festival during the 2026 С�� Real Estate Forum.

The forum, hosted by the Leeds School of Business Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate on March 5, featured a fireside chat with Ebs Burnough, chair of the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees, and Paula DuPré Pesmen, managing director of Sundance Film Festival Relocation.

An economic and cultural shift

In a discussion moderated by John Tayer, president and CEO of the Boulder Chamber, the panel detailed the festival’s 2027 move and its projected impact on the local economy. Burnough estimated the festival had a state economic impact of $156 to $195 million in recent years.

“I have no doubt that it should be equal, if not more, especially as we grow the audience base,” Burnough said, citing Boulder’s size and ease of access compared to Park City, Utah.

Addressing 400 commercial real estate professionals and Leeds students, Burnough said the city should expect a surge in seasonal staff when the festival runs from Jan. 21-31, 2027. Organizers also project that as many as 80,000 visitors will flock to Boulder.

Burnough emphasized that while workforce, transportation and lodging needs and development will evolve, the move involves more than just a 10-day event. The Sundance Institute—the nonprofit that provides year-round support for storytellers—will also be showing up throughout Colorado.

“We have to figure out what long-term sustainability and synergy between the city, state, business and the institute are,” Burnough said.

One of the ways Boulder’s business community can immediately get involved is through activations—brands and companies hosting events in local spaces during the festival. The Boulder Chamber launched the Sundance Film Festival Partner Hub, a site connecting organizations seeking space with available commercial properties across the city.

There are also opportunities for Colorado residents to enjoy the festival. DuPré Pesmen noted that in Utah, nearly 70% of attendees were state residents. She expects a similar trend in Colorado, where she’s lived for more than 30 years.

Chad Yoshinobu, principal and design director for Gensler, and Angela Loder, director and principal Researcher of Greening the City Consulting, discussed the neuroscience and design behind successful office spaces in the panel, "Why Place Matters: Rethinking the Role of the Office," moderated by Andrew Blaustein, executive managing director of Newmark.

“It is a treasure, and I know that our community will really embrace that and help this organization grow and thrive,” she said.

Industry and AI

The forum also explored trending topics such as rethinking the role of the office and how AI can solve real estate problems. Themes overlapped in surprising ways.

Panelist Chad Yoshinobu, principal and design director for Gensler, noted that as workplaces are designed with AI and automation in mind, “It’s going to get a little weird.”

Angela Loder, director and principal Researcher of Greening the City Consulting, said as AI takes on more mundane tasks, relationships and human creativity—and the spaces that facilitate them—become even more important.

“I think it’s so interesting that we started this session with Sundance, because movies and art remind us of what it means to be human,” Loder said.

Boulder stepped into the spotlight, getting an early preview of the 2027 Sundance Film Festival during the 2026 С�� Real Estate Forum.

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Leeds Climbs in UTD Rankings in Four Disciplines

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:52:27 +0000

Leeds Climbs in UTD Rankings in Four Disciplines Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 03/12/2026 - 14:52

Jane Majkiewicz

Leeds faculty research continues its upward trajectory, with four disciplines achieving notable gains in the 2023–2026 University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) research rankings. The school’s performance rose in accounting, finance, management information systems, and operations management.

Over the past three years, Leeds scholars produced 272 publications across disciplines, reflecting both the breadth and depth of the school’s research strength, noted Dan Zhang, associate dean for research and academics. “Of these publications, 99 appeared in UTD journals, 146 in Financial Times journals, and 124 in UTD/other A-level journals—demonstrating consistent success in top-tier outlets.” In 2025, Leeds achieved its highest UTD performance ever.

“Overall, the research distribution highlights both depth in elite journal placements and breadth across disciplines, with strong contributions from all areas of research,” Zhang added.

The full breakdown of Leeds’ rankings across disciplines appears in the table at the end of this article.

Real-world impact

Recent examples of faculty influence highlight how Leeds research is shaping business practice and public policy:

Övünç Yılmaz contributed insights on revenue management and pricing to The Denver Gazette in coverage of a proposed Colorado bill aimed at reducing high concession prices.
Research by Nicholas Reinholtz and coauthors was featured in the UCLA Anderson Review, examining how metrics shape uncertainty when individuals make predictions about future events.
Amit Bhattacharjee was interviewed by Newsday for an article on New York Mayor Mamdani’s proposed ban on junk fees.

These examples showcase the school’s growing visibility and relevance as a source of timely, evidence-based perspectives on complex economic and consumer issues.

Driving interdisciplinary innovation

Beyond journal productivity and media visibility, Leeds continues expanding its leadership in interdisciplinary research. The new Initiative for Global Business Impact and Citizen Well‑Being awarded its first round of grants to four projects that bring together Leeds faculty and collaborators across campus and around the world:

Entrepreneurial Ventures & Climate Change—Danielle Bovenberg, David Drake and Jeff York, with collaborators Claudia Doblinger and Isabel Schöberl from Technical University of Munich.
Housing Ladder—Asaf Bernstein, with Félix-Antoine Gaudreault, Matthijs Korevaar, and Peter Koudijs from Erasmus School of Economics.
Household Climate Risk Perceptions—Emily Gallagher and Nicholas Reinholtz, with Antonia Krefeld-Schwalb from Erasmus School of Economics.
Elder Fraud Planning & Coping—Tony Cookson and Michael Gropper, with Daniel Karpati from Erasmus School of Economics.

These projects demonstrate not only the interdisciplinary spirit of Leeds’ scholarship but also the school’s commitment to addressing global business and societal challenges through collaborative research.

Looking ahead

“Leeds’ continued rise in the UTD rankings reflects the strength and momentum of our faculty research,” said Sarah Zechman, senior associate dean of faculty. “Across disciplines, our scholars are producing work that advances knowledge while also informing business practice and public policy.”

Leeds’ 2026 UTD Research Journal Rankings by Discipline (North America)*

Discipline	2016–2020	2021–2025	Other Institutions
Accounting (TAR, JAE, JAR)	55	29	Northwestern #28 Yale #30
Finance (JF, JFE, RFS)	29	23	Cornell #20 Princeton #27
Marketing (JCR, JM, JMR, Marketing Science)	30	38	Stanford #31 Georgetown #45
Mgmt. Information Systems (JSR, JoC, MISQ)	57	24	Carnegie Mellon #23 USC #32
Management (AMJ, AMR, ASQ, OS, JIBS, SMJ)	25	41	MIT #35 Duke #42
Operations Management (MS, OR, JOM, MSOM, POM)	46	39	Berkeley #36 Notre Dame #44
OVERALL LEEDS RANKING		32

* (As of 3/11/2026)

Leeds faculty research continues its upward trajectory, with four disciplines achieving notable gains in the 2023–2026 University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) research rankings.

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Why Walkable Neighborhoods Aren’t Just About Distance

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:08:43 +0000

Why Walkable Neighborhoods Aren’t Just About Distance Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 03/11/2026 - 13:08

New research finds that the experience of a walk plays a major role in whether people leave their cars behind.

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News

Startups & Sandwiches: A Virtual Visit with Best-Selling Author and Leading Entrepreneur Eric Ries

The Defining Questions for Modern Business

Related Articles

Career Paths: How Jonathan Buckingham Strengthened His Calling at Leeds

Business school as the backup plan—until it wasn’t

Standing out through service

Leadership lessons

Future possibilities

Related Articles

Inside the Burridge Discussions Dinner: How Benchmarks and Behavior Are Shaping the Future of Investing

Related Articles

Highlighting the New WISE Scholarship at Leeds: A Roundtable with the Founders

Why WISE?

Meet the WISE Founders

Nancy Schoemann (MBA’16)

Mary Boling (MBA’24)

Hilary Corsi (ChemEngr’11, MBA’18)

Grace Dennis (MBA’21)

What inspired the creation of the WISE Scholarship?

Was there a moment when you realized this scholarship needed to exist?

What WISE supports

What are the qualities you are seeking in scholarship recipients?

What do you hope this scholarship makes possible for future Leeds students?

It takes a village

What was it like coming together to launch this scholarship?

How do your different professional backgrounds shape the direction of the fund?

Sustainable Leeds

Looking ahead

What gaps are you hoping this fund helps address?

What qualities or mindsets do you believe the next generation of sustainability leaders need most?

What advice would you give to the first WISE scholars?

It’s Hip To Be WISE

Off

Funny Business: Humor Scholars on Whether Jokes Help or Hurt at Work

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С���� Real Estate Forum Offers First Look at Sundance Film Festival in Boulder

An economic and cultural shift

Industry and AI

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Leeds Climbs in UTD Rankings in Four Disciplines

Real-world impact

Driving interdisciplinary innovation

Looking ahead

Leeds’ 2026 UTD Research Journal Rankings by Discipline (North America)*

Discipline

2016–2020

2021–2025

Other Institutions

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Why Walkable Neighborhoods Aren’t Just About Distance

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С�� Real Estate Forum Offers First Look at Sundance Film Festival in Boulder