Impact MBA at CSU's College of Business

Cohort 19 came together last week for a little Friendsgiving magic! 🍁✨

Proud moment for our Impact MBA crew at the Graduate Student Showcase! 🌟
Abir Mymuny, Diuelin Napoleon, and Claudia Tryon introduced Creasti, their fun and rewarding app that helps people save smarter. And Sebastian Vizarreta Luna presented his research on a Sustainable Promotional Marketing Certificate, paving the way for a greener future in marketing.

🍃 Join us for with for a “Day in the Life” of an Impact MBA student.

AnnMarie is in her final semester at Colorado State University in the Impact MBA program. Throughout her time at CSU, she has strengthened her expertise through coursework, networking, workshops, and professional credentialing programs, including the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) where she earned her Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) certificate.

🏫 AnnMarie earned her business degree from in 2004. After moving to Colorado, she joined the non-profit travel organization Mountains and Plains, where she guided trips and later took on program management.

She also played a key role in making the programs more sustainable, before transitioning to the City of Fort Collins, joining the FC Moves department. There, she manages signature community events such as Open Streets and Bike to Work Day. These programs encourage active modes of transportation and integrate education with everyday sustainability practices.

♻️ Now, as she completes her MBA, AnnMarie is eager to blend her real-world experience with her academic training to develop sustainable business models that create lasting impact.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and running.

Exciting Fellowship Highlight!!
Kevin De La Haye (Cohort 17) has been working hard with Evergreen Park and Recreation District, and received this lovely feedback from his supervisor, Maddy Evans:
"In just the first few weeks of Kevin's internship with Evergreen Park & Recreation District, he has helped EPRD take tremendous strides towards more sustainable operations. Through his expertise in corporate sustainability and political science, Kevin has helped identify and create reduction practices, developed repeatable utility tracking methods, and has even helped us qualify to get recognized as a certified Green Business in the state of Colorado! Kevin is creating the foundation that will pave the way for EPRD's sustainable functions for years to come."
Go Kevin! We love to see the amazing impact that our Fellows have on their hosts and their communities!

Some of our Cohort 17 students went to the Rockies game to connect over the summer, and enjoy a classic Colorado outing. They are all busy working on their Sustainability Fellowships this summer, but still found the time to gather. One thing we have learned about our students over the years is that they love making an impact almost as much as they love each other... The connection is strong! Happy Summer to you all!

Let the countdown begin! One of our incoming students is counting down the weeks until the Fall semester begins, and she joins Cohort 18. (For all our alumni out there, can you believe we are at C18?!) We love the energy and enthusiasm that the Fall brings as we meet all our amazing new students. More students = more impact, so let's do this!

Impact MBA Director met with David Griswold, founder of Sustainable Harvest Coffee, in Fort Collins a few months ago. David sold Sustainable Harvest and is working on new endeavors that continue his focus on supporting small-holder farmers around the world. When Kat was a student in the Impact MBA (it was called GSSE at the time), she had to do a thesis, and she chose to write a case study on Sustainable Harvest exploring the ways the business supported farmers using a for-profit model and unique supply chain engagement strategies. After meeting all those years ago, it was wonderful to reconnect!

Celebrated the end of the Spring semester with Cohort 17 a couple weeks ago - and sent them off into the summer for their Corporate Sustainability Fellowships! This incredible group of students are already beginning their own impact journeys, and we can't wait to follow their progress this summer, and into their careers. Cheers, C17!

At this year's Earth Day fair, hosted by the Sustainable Living Association, Impact MBA alumni were there in force. Kat even managed to snag a photo with Cohort 1 alumni Pat Flynn and Cohort 6 alumni Andy Kumar. As President of the Board of the Sustainable Living Association, it was fun for Kat to see her worlds collide in this wonderful community.

Earlier this year, our Director Kat met with not one, not two, but three Impact MBA alumni who all work in the same department at Platte River Power Authority! Platte River was one of the first power authorities in the US to set an ambitious Net Zero goal, and we are so proud of the work these alumni are doing in support of that.

When Cohort 14 alumni Andreas Koumato walked into our office this year, we couldn't believe our eyes! In his new role as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Chad, he had flown halfway around the world with his government's delegation to work in DC, and took the extra step to make his way to Colorado. We are so proud of his work - not only with the Prime Minister, but also continuing the solar panel company he started during the program, bringing solar energy to his country. Thank you for the visit, Andreas, and we wish you the best of luck in your future!

Join us in Denver at Raices Brewing for an Impact MBA Alumni Happy Hour! Catch up with your cohort-mates, expand your network, and hear a few brief program updates from Impact MBA staff. All are welcome - we hope to see you there. Please RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/4LvPNUDr0p