Meet the 2024-2025 Barney Ford Fundraising Team!

Maggie, a second-year MBA and ME student at ²ÊÃñ±¦µä, is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals to pursue higher education without financial burdens, a drive rooted in her personal experiences growing up in areas of inequality. As president, she leads the planning, organization, and execution of the Barney Ford Gala, a fundraiser aimed at embracing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity. Maggie coordinates team efforts, manages event logistics, and engages with stakeholders such as administration, corporate sponsors, and alumni to maximize the event's impact. She hopes to build on past successes, making this year’s gala a memorable experience that strengthens community support. Beyond her leadership role, Maggie finds joy in literature, having read over 50 books last year.

 

 

 

Natalie brings her expertise in collaboration and strategic planning to the Barney Ford Fundraising Committee, working closely with the president to ensure a successful and impactful event. She oversees budget allocation, task delegation, and key decision-making, fostering a cohesive effort among all sub-committees. With a background as a healthcare clinician and graduate-level instructor, Natalie has gained deep insights into diversity and inclusion, shaped by her work with clients from varied backgrounds and abilities. She is passionate about using her role to further DEI initiatives at the Leeds School of Business and within her local Colorado communities. Outside of her leadership work, Natalie enjoys sewing, often tailoring her own clothes and crafting squeaky toys for her dog, Archie.

 

 

 

Katie plays a key role in securing sponsors and donations for the Barney Ford Gala and scholarship, using her organizational and communication skills to keep the team aligned and maximize its impact. Her involvement with the Barney Ford Diversity Scholarship Committee stems from a desire to work with friends to create meaningful change in the community. Passionate about fostering a sense of belonging for people from all backgrounds at Leeds, she views this role as an opportunity to contribute to a more inclusive and welcoming environment. A fun fact about Katie: she and her sister were once featured on a billboard in Times Square!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson focuses on building relationships with local businesses and corporate organizations to support the mission of the Barney Ford Scholarship. His goals include securing exciting donations, such as items and experiences for the gala auctions, and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with corporate donors. Jackson is passionate about the value of embracing diverse perspectives, especially in an academic setting, which inspired him to join the effort to promote diversity within the Leeds community. Outside of his work, Jackson is an avid fly fisherman and rafter, spending over 100 days on the water in 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brett takes the lead in requesting sponsors and donations for the Barney Ford Gala through emails, cold calls, and visits to local businesses. He is deeply committed to promoting diversity in all settings and joined the team to help advance efforts to diversify the MBA program. Brett’s dedication to creating an inclusive community aligns with the mission of the Barney Ford Scholarship. A fun fact about Brett: although he’s from Idaho, he doesn’t like potatoes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethan works to secure sponsorships and donations that support the Barney Ford Gala and scholarship, helping to forge meaningful connections with businesses and organizations. This role aligns with his strong belief that diversity and inclusion initiatives within higher education deserve far greater emphasis. Ethan is proud to contribute to efforts that make Leeds a more accessible and welcoming place for individuals from all backgrounds. A fun fact about Ethan: as a child, he played bagpipes in a highland band!

Lindsay is dedicated to securing sponsorships and donations to support the Barney Ford Gala and scholarship. She joined the team to help increase funding for underrepresented MBA students, recognizing the importance of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds. Having personally benefited from scholarships, Lindsay understands the impact of financial aid in making education accessible. Outside of her work, Lindsay has a passion for solo travel—this past year, she explored Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia on her own, including a road trip through the region.

Franco plays a vital role in organizing and preparing for the Barney Ford Gala, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day of the event. His involvement stems from a desire to give back to a school and program that has provided him with so much. Franco is passionate about supporting scholarship programs like Barney Ford, which make Leeds accessible and welcoming to talented individuals from all backgrounds. A fun fact about Franco: he and his wife share their lives with horses and donkeys!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alfred plays a crucial role in organizing the Barney Ford Gala, focusing on ensuring the event runs seamlessly while advancing its mission. He joined the team out of a deep passion for making a difference by giving a voice to the underrepresented and creating opportunities for those who haven’t always been given a fair shot. Through this event, Alfred aims to contribute to meaningful change by raising support for initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, helping future leaders from all backgrounds access the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Nick is focused on selecting the perfect venue for the Barney Ford Gala by researching, pricing, touring, and evaluating options. Once the venue is chosen, his efforts will shift to sourcing materials, contracting service providers, and coordinating logistics, including the event theme, to ensure smooth execution. Nick joined the Barney Ford Scholarship Committee to support the continuation of this vital program that advances graduate education at ²ÊÃñ±¦µä. Inspired by Mr. Ford’s legacy and the values he championed, Nick is dedicated to creating an event that is both enjoyable and impactful, furthering the cause of education and opportunity. A fun fact about Nick: he won a BBQ competition in college!

Chirag is responsible for creating and executing promotional strategies to raise awareness about the Barney Ford Gala and its fundraising goals. His role involves managing social media campaigns, collaborating on content creation, and engaging with the community to maximize the event’s reach and impact. Chirag joined the team to contribute to the meaningful work of the Barney Ford Fundraiser Committee, inspired by the opportunity to use his marketing expertise to drive awareness and engagement for its mission. He is passionate about amplifying the event’s message, fostering community connections, and helping the fundraiser reach its full potential. A fun fact about Chirag: he loves cooking spicy curries and is an avid snowboarder who enjoys hitting the slopes whenever he can.

Paula oversees the creation and execution of promotional strategies, including managing social media campaigns, crafting compelling content, and developing outreach initiatives to maximize awareness for the Barney Ford Gala. As an international student, she deeply values the importance of celebrating diverse perspectives and joined the team to help spread awareness and teach others about the significance of embracing diversity. Paula is committed to ensuring that people from all backgrounds feel seen, accepted, and welcomed. Through her work, she hopes to amplify the message of inclusivity and encourage meaningful connections within the community. A fun fact about Paula: she attended the World Cup in Russia!