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�鶹��Ѱ��Real Estate Forum March 5 to Feature Sundance Institute Board Chair

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:58:38 +0000

�鶹��Ѱ��Real Estate Forum March 5 to Feature Sundance Institute Board Chair Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 02/18/2026 - 11:58

Ahead of a fireside chat at the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Real Estate Forum, Sundance Institute Board Chair Ebs Burnough discusses how the Sundance Film Festival’s move to Boulder will have ripple effects in business, development and real estate.

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‘Cash is Queen’: A Fireside Chat with Natalie Levy and Dean Vijay Khatri

Jane Majkiewicz — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:06:09 +0000

‘Cash is Queen’: A Fireside Chat with Natalie Levy and Dean Vijay Khatri Jane Majkiewicz Wed, 02/18/2026 - 09:06

Grace Garfoot

Author and entrepreneur Natalie Levy and Dean Vijay Khatri recently explored how leading with values can transform investing into a tool for empowerment.

On Feb. 12, Leeds Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean Vijay Khatri sat down with author and investor Natalie Levy to discuss her book, Cash is Queen: A Conscious Journey in Angel Investing. The event, hosted by the New Venture Challenge in partnership with the Deming Center and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, quickly expanded beyond investing. Levy and Khatri explored values, boundaries, feminine energy and broader life lessons.

Khatri shared how his mother and grandmother shaped his relationship to money, making Levy’s stories about women in finance especially meaningful to him.

“I’m very grateful to be in this conversation with you,” he said. “There were parts of the book that made me audibly gasp, and I’m excited to share them with you.”

Energy as a guiding principle

Levy wrote her book after leaving Wall Street, shifting from a high-pressure career as a derivatives trader toward a life more aligned with her values. A central theme of her work is the idea that money, time and opportunity are all forms of energy. Acknowledging that transformed how she lives and invests.

“When investing, you have to ask yourself: What is the energy behind the business? Who are the people? What are they going to bring into the world?” she said.

She emphasized the importance of tapping into feminine energy, something she struggled to do in “the boys’ club” on Wall Street. Her title phrase “cash is queen” is a play on the more common version “cash is king."

This awareness led her to create She’s Independent, a women-first investment group centered on financial empowerment through investing and education.

“I’ve grown so much more in this feminine space. When you’re just in one energy space, to me that was sickness. If you just focus on one thing, are you alive?”

Experiencing loss of family members to suicide also propelled her to dig deeper into energy, grief and a purpose-driven life. “If you sit in that pain, with that darkness, it allows you to unlearn the projections and expectations of the world and figure out who you are.”

Your Values, Your Power

Author and investment firm founder Natalie Levy shared guiding principles for shaping a life of true wealth.

Set and maintain your boundaries.
Define your values and let them guide you.
Make time to rest.
Trust your intuition. It gets stronger the more you use it.
Don’t support companies whose values don’t align with yours.
Know that wealth is found in your health, community and how show up—not just money.
You have agency in your decisions and actions. Use it.

Investing in conscious capital

Levy’s trajectory moved her into “conscious capital,” which she defines as investing in companies that reflect the values you want to see in the world. But investing, she noted, is only one form of influence. Caring about ownership and personal connections is also important.

“What I will say as a woman: When you go through tough things, the opportunity is limitless. Having different people at the ownership table changes so much. The boardroom matters. Ownership matters.”

Levy noted that women control about 85% of consumer spending—something not to ignore. Women can use that power to either support or withhold support from companies.

Setting boundaries based on your values has a greater influence than you might realize, she emphasized. “If you don’t agree with what companies stand for, don’t shop there,” she said.

Author Natalie Levy and Dean Vijay Khatri recently explored how leading with values can transform investing into a tool for empowerment.

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The Walkability Paradox: Why Being Close Isn't Enough to Get People Out of Cars

Kelsey Cipolla — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:09:00 +0000

The Walkability Paradox: Why Being Close Isn't Enough to Get People Out of Cars Kelsey Cipolla Mon, 02/16/2026 - 11:09

Nathan Thompson

New Leeds research analyzes millions of data points to optimize city layouts for "walk appeal" and urban vibrancy.

While urban planners have long chased the "15-minute city," proximity alone doesn't always lead to more pedestrians. Research from Leeds School of Business Assistant Professor of Operations Management Sentao Miao utilizing data from millions of travel records in Beijing reveals that the arrangement of facilities—not just their distance—is the true driver of walkability.

By applying advanced discrete choice modeling and optimization algorithms, this study provides a blueprint for cities to transition from car-centric designs to vibrant, pedestrian-first neighborhoods.

Video transcript

Sentao Miao: Have you ever wondered if the true secret to walkable neighborhoods is not just about how close things are—but how the experience of walking is designed to invite you out of your car and onto the street?

For decades, urban planning has focused on car-centric development, leading to congestion, pollution and less healthy lifestyles. The “15-minute city” concept—where daily needs are within a short walk—has gained traction. But traditional planning tools often focus only on accessibility: how close are shops, services, and amenities? Our research, however, asks a deeper question: what makes people actually choose to walk? To answer this, we developed a data-driven framework that goes beyond simple distance metrics.

We partnered with a major map service provider in China, analyzing millions of anonymized travel records from Beijing. This allowed us to observe real-world walking and driving patterns across the city. We used a latent class logit model—a type of discrete choice model—to estimate how different facility layouts influence people’s decisions to walk, accounting for the fact that not all trips are the same. Some trips are utilitarian, like commuting or errands; others are hedonic, like leisure or shopping. Our model captures this heterogeneity by classifying trips into these categories based on land use and temporal patterns. Our model predicts the probability of a resident choosing to walk for a given trip as a function of both objective factors—like distance and public transit—and subjective factors—such as the density and type of facilities along the route. We found, for example, that shopping facilities strongly increase walk appeal for leisure trips, while dining facilities can sometimes have a negative effect due to sidewalk crowding.

We formulated a choice-based facility layout optimization problem. This is a complex, nondeterministic polynomial time problem, so we developed an efficient greedy algorithm with provable performance guarantees, leveraging the concept of weak submodularity. Our approach allows us to determine the optimal placement of different facility types to maximize the aggregate walking probability of all residents. We tested our framework in the Wudaokou neighborhood of Beijing. Compared to traditional distance-based methods, our approach significantly improved walk appeal, with minimal impact on accessibility.

Interestingly, we found that in already walkable environments, dispersing facilities leads to higher walk appeal. But in less walkable areas, clustering amenities along central streets is more effective. Our results also revealed a “wisdom of crowds” effect in existing layouts and emphasized the importance of neighborhood context in shaping optimal design patterns. Our research demonstrates that designing for walkability requires more than just proximity. By integrating large-scale mobility data, advanced choice modeling, and optimization algorithms, we can create neighborhoods that not only function well, but also feel inviting and vibrant for pedestrians.

So, the next time you walk through your neighborhood, consider: is it designed for cars, or for people? With data-driven tools, we can help cities make walking the easy—and enjoyable—choice.

More Leeds research >>

Leeds researcher Sentao Miao explains how different amenities influence walking choices.

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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 �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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 �鶹��Ѱ��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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�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Partners With Denver International Airport on New Travel Index

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

�鶹��Ѱ��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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�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Students Offer Free Tax Help Through Revived VITA program

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

�鶹��Ѱ��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.”

Future Innovators, Take Note

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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