Alumni Happenings: Fall 2025

With an adjusted series format and Minnesota Public Radio as a new media partner, the 2025 season of the 1st Tuesday Speaker Series has hit on hot-button issues and inspiring stories. Corie Barry, CEO of Best Buy, spoke in February and discussed timely topics like tariffs, adjusting to new consumer habits, and integrating AI into company strategy. In April, Tim Cofer, ’92 MBA, CEO of Keurig Dr Pepper, addressed how TikTok trends like “dirty sodas” can influence his product lineup and shared about his extensive international and cross-cultural professional experiences. Christy Sovereign, ’89 BSB, currently president and CEO of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games as an executive-on-loan from Accenture, visited in June along with Special Olympics athlete Abby Hirsch (see above). Sovereign shared her personal passion for the Games and pulled back the curtain on the “beautiful symphony” that comes together to pull off the event, which will be hosted by the University of Minnesota next summer. Each executive was interviewed by MPR News and Marketplace’s Chris Farrell, which attendees shared resulted in more dynamic events and lively conversations.

Welcome, New Alumni!

This spring, Minnesota Carlson excitedly welcomed 1,583 new graduates into the alumni community, including graduates from Twin Cities–based programs, online, and global MBA programs in China and Vienna. Graduates were celebrated at a variety of events, including the school-wide commencement ceremonies in May and program-specific receptions. The Carlson Veterans Alumni Network hosted a celebration for military and veteran graduates, and Carlson Women Global Connect welcomed Executive and Global Executive MBA graduates into the community. The Alumni Relations office gave coveted alumni mugs to graduates as a parting gift to recognize their new status as alumni of Minnesota Carlson.

Inclusion and Impact: Women’s Leadership Conference 2025

Minnesota Carlson once again welcomed a sold-out crowd to the 2025 Women’s Leadership Conference in March. The speaker lineup was packed with corporate and community leaders, faculty and subject matter experts, and thought leaders. University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham was joined by Kathy Schmidlkofer, former president and CEO of the University of Minnesota Foundation, for an insightful keynote session about building a career based on impact. Jacqueline Williams-Roll, ’95 MHRIR, chief human resources officer at General Mills and the conference’s honorary chair, and Linh Peters, ’05 MBA, former senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Walgreens, had a memorable conversation about their experiences as women in the C-suite. All members of the community are invited to join next year’s conference on March 6, 2026.

Ongoing Job Search Support

Since February, Carlson’s Alumni Career Services team has been hosting virtual three-week job search group sessions every other month. The groups, hosted and facilitated by Alumni Career Coach Nicole Centanni, provide helpful tools for preparing for, launching, and undertaking a job search. Participants are informed of the many ways that Minnesota Carlson can support an alum’s career journey, while building a supportive community of fellow Carlson alumni. All alumni who are job-seeking are welcome to attend. Small breakout groups are created based on years of experience.

Learn more about Alumni Career Resources.

Carlson Women Global Connect Book Club: Author Edition

In August, Carlson Women Global Connect (CWGC) held a special summer edition virtual book club on The Myth of the Fearless Leader, joined by author Tonya Jackman Hampton. Hampton discussed the message in her inspiring work: a powerful call to redefine what leadership truly looks like, which challenges outdated notions of strength and fearlessness in leadership and celebrates authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence. Held quarterly, CWGC book clubs are open to everyone.

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