Ivy Emerging Leaders

Business students gain leadership skills during winter break

During winter break, 25 business students completed the annual Ivy Seminar Series for Emerging Leaders. This webinar series connects Ivy College of Business undergraduate and graduate students with current and former C-suite executives.

The program was led by Bobbi Sullivan, director of undergraduate business career services; Olivia House, employer engagement specialist; Wei Zhang, Kingland Systems Business Analytics Faculty Fellow; and Tabatha Carney, director of graduate business career services.

“Students selected for the Ivy Seminar Series for Emerging Leaders represented the college with pride by conducting research in advance of the sessions, actively listening, and asking thoughtful questions. They established their foundation as leaders by sharpening skills in professionalism, communication, and relationship building. I am confident students in the audience will someday be speakers sharing their wisdom,” said Sullivan.

For a select group of students, four-hour virtual sessions were held over two weeks, featuring current or retired business executives as speakers. The executives shared insights on specific aspects of leadership and led personal discussions with students to answer questions and further explore topics of interest.

“The impact I hope this seminar had on students is for them to choose themselves. To understand that leadership isn’t a single style, but an evolving journey shaped by growth, experience, and authenticity. Hearing directly from executives and alumni allows students to see how real leaders learn from others, adapt over time, and lead in ways true to who they are. As students move into internships, graduate programs, and full-time roles, I want them to leave knowing their unique leadership approach can create meaningful, positive impact, just as the leaders they witnessed modeled for them,” said Carney.

The series was offered to highly motivated students, ensuring a personal and focused setting for those dedicated to their academic and professional development.

Lucy Gannon, a freshman from Waukee, Iowa, studying actuarial science, said, “This seminar reshaped how I see myself as a leader. The speakers showed how powerful, effective communication and emotional intelligence can be, and their journeys — rooted in the same Iowa State experience I’m living now — made leadership feel personal and attainable. I’m leaving more intentional about how I engage with the networks around me and how I grow into the leader I want to become.”

The connection between participants and speakers was deepened by their shared ties to the Ivy College of Business. The speakers were personally invited by Raisbeck Endowed Dean, Raj Agnihotri and provided a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged stronger networking and mentorship. Speakers included:

• Matt Bilunas, chief financial officer, Best Buy.
• Kirt Walker, CEO, Nationwide.
• Dan Burns, co-founder and former CEO, Optiv.
• Scott Leith, vice president of global strategic communications, The Coca-Cola Company.

The eagerness and excitement of the executives, faculty, and staff members involved helped create an engaging learning environment, leaving a lasting impact on the students.

After the series concluded, students submitted written reflections on their experiences and key takeaways, then received their certificates of completion.

Carly Peterson, junior from Minneapolis, Minnesota, studying accounting and finance, said, “This experience pushed me to rethink what leadership really means for me. I realized how essential it is to build relationships, communicate intentionally, and stay open to unexpected opportunities. Hearing executives share their own beginnings, especially Matt Bilunas’s shift from auditing to finance, reminds me that every career is shaped by the connections we make and the chances we’re willing to take. Moving forward, I’m committed to strengthening my communication skills and expanding my network as I work toward my goals for 2026.”

February 16, 2026