Two Carlson School MBA Students Receive National Awards

Liz O’Brien, ’20 MBA, and Kevin Bubolz, ’21 MBA, were recently recognized for their innovation and leadership.

O’Brien became the first Carlson School student to be honored with the Edie Hunt Inspiration Award from the Forté Foundation. This annual award recognizes a woman who aligns with Forté’s mission to launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education and professional development, as well as candidates who exhibit a track record of working to increase and/or encourage women’s interest in business school or business careers through innovation and leadership.

At the Carlson School, O’Brien was involved in the Graduate Women in Business Board and the Forté Foundation, served as a diversity graduate assistant, and was selected to co-chair the Carlson School Women’s Leadership Conference. O’Brien was also named one of the “2020 MBAs to Watch” by Poets & Quants.

Bubolz, a former Army helicopter pilot, became the first Carlson School student to be named a Tillman Scholar. He was among 60 U.S. service members, veterans, and military spouses named to the Pat Tillman Foundation’s 12th class of scholars. Tillman Scholars are selected based on their high potential for impact, demonstrated through a proven track record of leadership, continued pursuit of education, and commitment of their resources to service beyond self.

Bubolz, who discovered a passion for therapy dogs while serving in Afghanistan in 2014, says his goal is to help children develop their reading skills through increased access to therapy dogs.