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Leeds is at the forefront of data analytics with two new innovative master’s programs—supply chain analytics and marketing analytics.

Data is everywhere. The challenge isn’t collecting it but turning it into actionable insights and informed business decisions. That’s the vision behind Leeds’ new master’s programs in supply chain analytics and marketing analytics, beginning in 2025.

“Being able to launch marketing analytics and supply chain analytics degrees is exciting and supportive of the growth of the school and the opportunities we provide as students consider the changes occurring in business careers,” said Kristi Ryujin, associate dean for graduate programs at Leeds. During her 11-year tenure, she has witnessed seismic changes in these two major areas of global business.

Transforming supply chain operations

Supply chains became a household topic during the pandemic, as shortages, price surges and logistical bottlenecks exposed vulnerabilities in global systems. Today, organizations must grapple with growing amounts of data to answer critical questions: Where should products be stored? How should production be timed? How can pricing and overhead be optimized? How will changing tariffs and regulations affect operations and revenue?

“These are the kinds of questions we’re hearing,” Ryujin noted. “Discussions with industry partners show how far supply chain operations have come from the days of literally walking the lines in the warehouse. Now, we’re looking at things like performance over time, and it’s all data driven.”

Leeds’ new Supply Chain Analytics master’s program builds on 10 years of expertise in core supply chain topics including procurement, logistics, inventory management and programming skills in Python. The new program replaces and updates the existing supply chain management degree, incorporating new technologies including AI and machine learning, and advanced technical skills.

The ability to predict demand, address inefficiencies and reduce risks can translate into significant cost savings and operational improvements for organizations. For example, supply chain analytics can help a food manufacturer forecast ingredient needs to avoid spoilage, streamline delivery schedules and align with sustainability goals in packaging and production.

“Leeds is seen as a leader in sustainability,” Ryujin said. “Having a sustainable supply chain is part of the opportunity we have in guiding students.”

“There will be consistent demand for people with this skillset.”—Kristi Ryujin, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs

Expanding career opportunities

As supply chains grow more complex, so does the demand for skilled professionals. The new master’s program is tailored to both full-time students and working professionals, offering flexible formats to accommodate busy schedules.

“One of the things we pride ourselves in is that we develop talent,” Ryujin said. “If someone was an undergraduate psychology major, for example, and really likes numbers and data, we will prepare that student for success in the program.”

High-demand roles in supply chain analytics include:

→ Demand Planner
→ Logistics Analyst
→ Operations Analyst
→ Procurement Agent
→ Quality Control Analyst

“We learned so much during COVID. And now we must think about the complexities and volatility of supply chain markets based on government changes, leadership changes, climate change and more,” Ryujin said. “Our ability to address these challenges is what makes our supply chain analytics degree so interesting and exciting,” she said. “There will be consistent demand for people with this skillset.”

The growing role of marketing analytics

Leeds’ new Marketing Analytics master’s program builds on Leeds’ foundation of excellence in marketing research and teaching. The program is designed to prepare students for roles that require translating data into actionable insights, understanding customer behavior and optimizing marketing effectiveness.

The new program will expand upon Leeds’ breadth of marketing courses with the added technical skills to address evolving and emerging roles. These roles are becoming vital in helping companies understand their audiences, drive revenue growth and solidify their reputation as purpose-driven, sustainable organizations.

High-demand roles in marketing analytics include:

→ Marketing Analytics Manager
→ Marketing Analytics Senior Lead
→ Senior Manager, Marketing Insights and Analytics
→ Senior Manager, Digital Marketing
→ Senior Digital Engagement Administrator

Flexible learning options and the Leeds difference

Both new master’s programs offer full-time, in-person formats as well as an “Online Plus” option, which combines high-quality, customized videos, synchronous remote sessions and in-person faculty office hours. This flexibility makes it possible for working professionals to reskill, upskill or pivot their careers.

“For recent graduates or career changers, these programs offer a pathway to advanced opportunities,” Ryujin explained. Many of Leeds’ undergraduate students take advantage of accelerated pathways, earning both undergraduate and master’s degrees through 3+1 or 4+1 programs. “The important thing for students is to come in with curiosity, interest and a willingness to learn.”

By solving critical business challenges and identifying opportunities to improve business processes and mitigate risks, these programs shape students into strategic thinkers in their industries. Leeds’ graduates not only leave prepared to adapt to ever-evolving business demands, but they’re also equipped with a competitive edge in anticipating future challenges and driving innovation—skills that set them apart as leaders.

At a Glance

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Hundreds of industry leaders and alumni visited Leeds last fall to coach, teach and get to know students.

Every semester, business leaders come to Koelbel to share their expertise and stories with students. This fall was no different—Leeds saw hundreds of executives, trailblazers and influencers visit classrooms, events, case competitions and more.

“We’re so lucky to have countless accomplished professionals come to speak at Leeds,” said Katherine Ratledge, a program manager for the Center of Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR). “It is enormously valuable to our students who use the opportunity to network and ask questions, hear new perspectives and—most importantly—see an example of what they could be in the future.”

Guest speakers are often alumni, board members and Leeds‘ corporate partners—the best and brightest minds from the Leeds community. From sustainability to sports or banking, these speakers share their knowledge of modern business and provide students with inspiration and resources for their future careers.

"A great speaker can change a career trajectory, and that’s exactly what happens when leaders come to Leeds to share their expertise,” noted Amanda Hansen, director of the Career Development Office.

Organic advice

CESR, in partnership with the Burridge Center for Finance, hosted Geneviève Piché (pictured above left), the head of sustainable finance at Wells Fargo. At a pivotal moment in her career, Piché launched Wells Fargo's sustainable finance division, focused on creating positive impact through finance.  She stressed the need for businesses to use inclusive language when communicating about climate and sustainability and emphasized the need for investments across ecosystems.

Supported by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, Techstars co-founder David Brown—one of the most influential figures in the entrepreneurial world—visited Leeds for a fireside chat. A lifelong entrepreneur and investor, he talked about his 40-year career of starting and building sustainable companies, including Pinpoint Technologies, Techstars and Zintinus. He stressed the importance of learning from failure, balancing risk and rewards, and advocating for DEI at small companies.

Organized by Leeds Student Government and in partnership with the CU Freeride club, CEOs and founders of POWDR advised students on ways to break into the outdoor industry. This leader-packed event featured John Cumming (founder and chairman), Justin Sibley (CEO), Raj Basi (vice president of sustainability), Maria Guarnieri (chief of staff) and Megan Fearnow (vice president of marketing). They discussed how everyone’s path to success is different, and even if you don’t start in the outdoor industry, it doesn’t mean you can’t end up there. They also advised students on networking with the right people and surrounding themselves with those who have similar interests.

Other influential leaders who visited this fall included:

• Matt Pozzi, BAE Systems

• Jeff Brown, BlackRock

• James Calano, Boulder Investment Group

• Angela Schwartz, Danone North America

• Ben Lerman, Danone North America

• Regan Ebert, Danone North America

• Samantha Cotlov, Danone North America

• Arden Gehl, Deloitte Consulting

• Carson Smail, Deloitte Consulting

• June Yuan, Deloitte Consulting

• Lindsay Determan, Deloitte Consulting

• Shreya Naik, Deloitte Consulting

• Zachary East, Deloitte Consulting

• David Williams, Fisher Investments

• Erica Brown, Fisher Investments

• Karson Jones, Fisher Investments

• Chris Fogler, FTI Consulting

• Claire Schaffer, FTI Consulting

• Francheska Pokora, FTI Consulting

• Leanne Sigman, FTI Consulting

• Ryan Rule, FTI Consulting

• Siobhan Cleary, FTI Consulting

• Jamie Gardner, Google

• Brandon Wilcox, KPMG

• Colin Ellis, KPMG

• Hope Cahoon, KPMG

• Jordan Akiyoshi, KPMG

• Jorge Velasquez, KPMG

• Mat Groh, KPMG

• Malcom Craig, McCaffery Interests

• Michael Hovey, Morgan Stanley

• John Cumming, POWDR

• Jane Miller, Rudi’s Organic Bakery

• Amy Halvorson, Starbucks Coffee

Get connected with opportunities to influence and inspire students.

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Colorado is at the forefront of the AI revolution, adopting applications across industries and leading with the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act. This topic was a spotlight at the 60th annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum.

After 60 years of forecasting economic trends in Colorado’s mainstay industries, something that couldn’t have been predicted even two years ago took center stage at the December 2024 Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum: artificial intelligence.

The topic warranted a dedicated pre-conference workshop: “AI in Action: Transforming Business and Education in Colorado.” About 150 attendees participated in the workshop led by Jeremiah Contreras (pictured below on the left) and David Kohnke (right). Contreras, a teaching assistant professor at Leeds, won a teaching award for integrating AI into the classroom. Kohnke, Leeds’ senior IT director, has been assisting staff and faculty in developing best practices for integrating AI into the workplace to realize efficiency gains. 

Their presentation ranged from the history and practical applications of AI to its future directions, ethical considerations and legal implications.

Colorado in a leading role

Like the rest of the world, AI is transforming Colorado’s industries. Compared to other states, Colorado has emerged as a and regulation.

This leadership is exemplified by the , passed in May 2024, demonstrating Colorado’s proactive approach to safeguarding the responsible use of AI. It’s the first comprehensive state law in the U.S. regarding AI development and deployment. The law, which takes effect in February 2026, aims to prevent algorithmic discrimination in AI systems used for job screening.

Understanding the landscape

Since the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, Contreras has studied how society and businesses are responding to the rapid evolution of AI. He has spearheaded initiatives to train Leeds faculty and students, ensuring that future leaders are equipped to navigate this transformative era.

“After I got over the fear, there was excitement,” said Contreras, reflecting on the initial reactions to AI’s rapid advancements.

AI adoption is accelerating, with statistics underscoring its explosive growth. Large companies have been the frontrunners, but are now adopting AI at a faster rate than medium-sized enterprises, Contreras explained. For these smaller businesses, AI offers efficiencies and automation that level the playing field.

“To put it into context, ChatGPT had 1 million users in the first five days of release,” said Contreras. “Today, there are 300 million new users every week, with about a billion messages being transacted daily.”

Real-world applications of AI

Kohnke and Contreras gave examples where AI applications are already in play. 

• Energy and sustainability
  The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is leveraging AI to forecast energy demand and optimize smart grids, resolving faults in real-time and enhancing use of alternative sources like solar panels. On an individual level, tools like Google Nest thermostats use AI to adapt to user preferences and weather conditions, providing energy savings.
• Healthcare
  AI is revolutionizing healthcare through predictive tools that analyze medical imaging for early disease detection. Helping medical practitioners capture notes in real-time and assist with diagnoses—even for veterinary care—are just the beginning of AI’s potential.
• Finance
  AI is enhancing fraud detection, streamlining audits and providing personalized financial advice. Major firms, including the Big Four accounting firms, are investing billions in AI over the coming years.
• Education
  From K-12 to higher education, AI is enabling personalized learning experiences and transforming the way students and educators interact with information.
• Real Estate
  AI tools are refining property valuation and helping people find and purchase their dream homes.
• Agriculture  
  AI is enabling precision farming, from advanced weather forecasting to plant disease identification. Autonomous farming equipment, like John Deere’s AI-powered tractors, are on the horizon.

AI’s evolution

From early human-based algorithms and neural networks to today’s generative AI, including large language models (LLMs), the progression has been rapid. These models rely on vast datasets for training, enabling them to perform increasingly complex tasks. 

However, the reliance on data also raises concerns about privacy, bias and ethical use.

Ethical implications and challenges

AI’s imperfections are a key consideration. Kohnke noted that AI still frequently produces hallucinations, meaning it can generate incorrect information or misleading results.

“The secret is data. LLMs need a lot of data to train,” said Contreras. This dependency introduces risks, however, including potential misuse of sensitive or proprietary information. 

Both Contreras and Kohnke also pointed out potential issues with an overreliance on AI, which can compromise critical thinking and creativity.

Trust, ethics and privacy remain essential areas that demand ongoing scrutiny and will guide emerging regulations and standards.

Key recommendations for using AI now

Kohnke and Contreras shared actionable insights for navigating the AI landscape.

• Validate your results: Always verify the outputs of AI tools.
• Challenge assumptions: Use generative AI to test hypotheses and refine ideas.
• Leverage AI as a thought partner: Generative AI excels at synthesizing large datasets, summarizing and brainstorming new ideas.
• Break traditional search habits: Experiment with AI’s unique capabilities, such as asking it to generate questions.
• Keep a human-in-the-loop approach, always integrating human oversight of AI-generated results to ensure accuracy.
• Be curious: Try low-stakes projects to explore AI’s potential without significant risks.

The path forward

“It’s impossible to keep up with everything that’s going on in the AI space right now,” said Kohnke. He noted that the pace of change is staggering, with breakthroughs occurring on an hourly, daily and weekly basis.

Education plays a crucial role in preparing future leaders to harness AI’s potential, said Contreras. “We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate. That has to be how we move forward in understanding how to help businesses. No one has all the answers.”

As the world navigates the complexities of AI, Contreras invoked a guiding principle from Albert Einstein: “I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious.” 

Apropos of this topic, this article was enhanced by the use of OpenAI’s ChapGPT.

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Ying Zeng, Michael Gropper, Xiaobo Yu and Rodrigo Dias joined Leeds’ faculty this fall, bringing fresh ideas, diverse expertise and a shared passion for shaping future business leaders. Leeds asked them to share their reflections about their journey so far.

What has been the most rewarding or surprising aspect of teaching at Leeds so far?

Leeds students are truly motivated 
Ying Zeng, assistant professor of marketing, has been impressed with the way students dedicate time to their courses, even if they are also working and fulfilling extracurricular duties. “They are active, persistent, careful and professional—important qualities to grow as future business leaders.”

Michael Gropper, visiting assistant professor of finance, agrees. “One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching at Leeds has been the students’ engagement and curiosity regarding the connections between classroom content and what goes on in the financial industry.”

Teaching and learning
Xiaobo Yu, assistant professor of finance, has appreciated the challenge of figuring out what students already know and what they don't—“what we economists call ‘higher-order beliefs,’” he said. It gave him the opportunity to break down concepts into “unambiguous steps,” reconsider assumptions and make things simpler. “Realizing this indeed improved my understanding of the basic principles of corporate finance."

Exploring rapid market changes
“Marketing has been evolving rapidly as a discipline, reflecting various technological changes in the marketplace, such as the rise of AI, the increasing importance of social media and the focus on data-driven decision-making,” said Rodrigo Dias, assistant professor of marketing. He’s excited to teach Principles of Marketing this spring and looks forward to the enriching experience that students from diverse disciplines and intellectual backgrounds will provide as they reflect on these changes.

How will you continue to build relationships with students, faculty and the broader Leeds community for the spring semester?

Research collaboration
After a rewarding semester with undergraduate students, Zeng looks forward to spending more time with graduate students on research collaborations. She’s also excited to have more time to connect with faculty and the wider Leeds community to “reciprocate the kindness and help I have received from this big family during my first semester as a faculty member."

Gropper looks forward to continued collaborations with Leeds community members as part of the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making. “The work done to understand how households make their financial decisions is important and can have wide-ranging policy implications.”

Talking more with students
With the experience gained from his first semester, Yu is excited to earmark more time before class to get to know students better. “I believe that will be a way to encourage more student participation in the class as well.”

Fulfilling goals
Having spent the fall semester focusing on research, Dias is excited to teach his first class this spring, learning about students’ career goals and exploring how Leeds can help them achieve those goals. He’s also eager to collaborate on research with Leeds’ “extremely talented PhD students” and mentor them through their academic journeys.

What’s your go-to spot to unwind after a busy day at Leeds?

Pensive on Pearl
Yu has found his sanctuary at the Boulder Bookstore on Pearl and the gym in his apartment (depending on whether he is physically or mentally exhausted!). Meanwhile, Dias enjoys strolling along Pearl Street Mall, “observing the charming atmosphere with the view of the mountains in the background.”

Staying active
After teaching her classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, you’ll find Zeng attending adult swim classes at The Rec. You'll also find Gropper walking with his dog along Boulder's wonderful trails. Dry Creek Trail in East Boulder is one of his dog's favorites.

Do you have any goals or resolutions for the new year?

Moving mountains
From plans to exercise each month (Zeng) to getting a driver’s license (Yu), and delving into research projects (Dias), one unanimous goal is to keep exploring Colorado’s majestic mountains and outdoors. 

Gropper wants to learn how to cross-country ski; the others are eager to hit the slopes!

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Anna Bedell (Mktg’25) and Spencer Taliaferro (Mgmt’24) have managed to do something that many students dream of—head into graduation with a job offer already in hand. 

Anna Bedell (Mktg’25) and Spencer Taliaferro (Mgmt’24) share a few things in common: They both came to Leeds with an interest in marketing, they’re both student workers at Leeds, and they both managed what many students dream of—getting full-time jobs even before they don their graduation caps.

Bedell will graduate this spring with a marketing major and journalism minor. After that, she’s headed to Europe for a month, and then on to Austin, Texas, where she’ll join IBM in marketing. Meanwhile, Taliaferro, who majored in business analytics and information management, will step into Boeing as a competitive intelligence specialist after he graduates this December.

Their secret? Internships.

Starting early to build experience

Students at Leeds hit the ground running, and Bedell and Taliaferro are no exception.

Bedell started working part-time as a Leeds ambassador freshman year. From her sophomore year on she has built a portfolio of published articles working with Leeds’ marketing team. On top of academics and student government, she’s also done “almost every Leeds’ abroad experience possible,” including a  First-Year Global Experience and a semester abroad, adding to her resume and worldview.

Bedell talked with mentors each year, and one alumni mentor connected her with Assistant Teaching Professor Meg Winter. “She had a lot of insightful things to say to give me advice on what could be best for me,” Bedell said.

Taliaferro has worked at Leeds in various capacities since the first time he stepped into Koelbel, where he now works with the Advancement team. He considers his student employment to be the biggest influence on his work experience.

“It has really helped evolve my professional development,” he said, listing essential skills: how to talk with colleagues, manage deadlines and collaborate with a team. “So that's been very monumental, not just to me getting the job, but to the success of my internship last summer,” he said.

He also credits his success to three interview prep sessions with the Career Development Office, two of which involved behavioral interviews. “I sometimes ramble, and the biggest practice I learned was how to be concise with my answers. Career services was great at teaching me the STAR [situation, task, action, result] method." (See "Ace Interviews with the STAR Method.")

A foot in the door

Bedell’s proactive approach led her to IBM’s , a virtual career readiness program. After that, securing an internship with IBM the following summer was a natural next step.

“They already knew me as a person. They already knew the effort I'd put in for the project that we had. I was one of the presenters for our final project as well, so it put me on the radar at IBM.” Her internship led to her job offer without even having to interview.

“They already knew me as a person. They already knew the effort I'd put in ... so it put me on the radar at IBM.”

Anna Bedell (Mktg’25)

Taliaferro was seeking an internship in a STEM-based organization where he could enhance his knowledge of data analytics. Working in a well-established industry like aviation, known for its great opportunities for advancement, appealed to him.

So, he attended career fairs to hone his networking skills and connected with a retired aerospace industry professional through Leeds’ Professional Mentorship Program. Those efforts helped him gain the confidence to connect with a recruiter on LinkedIn to express his interest in an internship at Boeing. Within four days, the recruiter responded, leading to the internship Taliaferro started last summer. He was excited to tackle three major projects that allowed him to gain real-world data analytics skills, and he has been interning since while completing his last semester.

For Taliaferro, the support from managers and colleagues won him over immediately. “I was very lucky to have the flexibility to be able to learn and to train myself, and I had a lot of opportunities to fail in a safe environment,” he said.

“I was very lucky to have the flexibility to be able to learn and to train myself, and I had a lot of opportunities to fail in a safe environment.”

Spencer Taliaferro (Mgmt’24)

Planning for work-life balance

As large employers call employees back to the office five days a week, both Bedell and Taliaferro are grateful they have hybrid options.

They both had a clear sense of their goals, including being able to consider further education through their employers if they choose to pursue graduate degrees.

By interning, they could get a sense of how their new work environments align with their values and goals.

“IBM is an old company, but it’s such a fun, youthful culture in its working environment,” said Bedell. She now is also familiar with what life will be like in her new home of Austin. That helped her weigh out the job offer in hand, adding, “There’s still so much room for mistakes and growth, and to know that I'm not pushed toward anything specific right now.”

Taliaferro is looking forward to settling in Denver and diving into his career, especially after moving every year of college. Grad school may be five years down the road, he said, and he may even go for his pilot’s license.

Keeping longer-term goals flexible

One of Bedell’s greatest discoveries during her college years is that the whole world is her classroom. It has led to a sense of optimism she hopes to share. “I want to tell other students not to put an exuberant amount of pressure on themselves … even if something doesn't go to plan, that just means there’s a new opportunity waiting for you elsewhere.”

As Taliaferro prepares to graduate in December, he’s realistic about the ups and downs of any industry but is also optimistic. Having witnessed his father go through two layoffs has steeled his reserve for facing unpredictable events. In fact, his manager at Boeing had informed him in October about the , although Taliaferro’s department, to date, has been unaffected.

Taliaferro remains confident about his future. “I'd love to be with Boeing for at least the next five years, because I love my team. I love my coworkers and I would love to be an expert in my field.”

The STAR method stands for "situation, task, action, result." It's a behavioral interview format that helps you frame a story by succinctly describing a situation, task, action and result. Jessica Baumgarten, assistant director of career coaching at Leeds, shared the following example.

Situation: In my XX class, my group was assigned a project centered on ABC. As my team delved into the project, I realized everyone had very different opinions on the direction we should take to complete the assignment.

Task: Due to the differing opinions, I realized we were not going to be able to successfully move the project forward.

Action: I stepped into the leadership role and asked each team member to come prepared with research to present why their idea would be the best approach to take. This gave each person the floor without interruption. We then asked follow-up questions and voted as a group once all the evidence was presented.

Result: Once we agreed on a direction, my team and I completed the project and earned an A.

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The 60th annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum will look ahead to what’s in store for 2025.

The 2025 Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum will be held on December 9, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Denver.

This year marks the 60th edition of the annual outlook, which forecasts Colorado’s economy for the next year, including projected job numbers, industry predictions and potential economic challenges. It provides analysis of 11 industries across the state.

The annual forecast is compiled by the Leeds Business Research Division (BRD) in partnership with several businesses, nonprofits and government entities.

This year’s event will feature a new, pre-conference workshop focused on artificial intelligence and its role in the state’s economic and educational landscape. Additional breakout sessions will look at key Colorado industry clusters, real estate and energy.

The annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum takes place Dec. 9 at the Grand Hyatt Denver. 

The event is free to attend, but .

Agenda
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.—Optional AI workshop
12:30 p.m.—Check in
1 p.m.—Opening remarks, Colorado economic outlook for 2025
2 p.m.—K���Դdzٱ�&�Բ�����;
3-4:30 p.m.—Breakout sessions: energy, key industry clusters, real estate
4:30-5:30 p.m.—Networking reception

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