Lacy School of Business - Butler University

Yesterday, our faculty and staff came together for our annual Advance—a chance to reconnect, reflect on the year ahead, and kick off a new academic year together.

We also had the opportunity to celebrate several members of our faculty whose work exemplifies the excellence, innovation and leadership that define Lacy.

Congratulations to our 2026 faculty honorees:
⭐️ Tom Faulconer JD,CFP(r) CASL,CLU,ChFC,CPCU, — Davey Professor of Risk Management & Insurance
⭐️ Jacob Lennard — Doty Professor of Accounting
⭐️ Sheryl-Ann Stephen, PhD — Faculty Teaching Award, recognizing expertise and creativity, student engagement, and innovation in the classroom
⭐️ Janaina (Jane) Siegler — Faculty Research Award, recognizing excellence in academic research and scholarly productivity
⭐️ Mauricio Melgarejo — James & Jill Due Faculty Excellence Award, recognizing excellence in teaching, research, and service-oriented leadership

We're proud to recognize the faculty who challenge our students, advance their fields, and continue to set the standard for real-world business education.

Here's to another year of learning, leading and doing business differently.

There’s something powerful about the moment a student realizes, "I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be."

For Citlaly Duran-Caballero, that realization came through showing up—at events, workshops, business pitches, and opportunities that pushed her outside her comfort zone.

Now a sophomore studying International Business, Citlaly is President of the International Business Organization, recently completed an administration internship at Butler’s Arts and Community Center, and will serve as an INCPAS student ambassador representing Butler University.

Her story is a great reminder that a business education is about more than what happens in the classroom. It’s about finding your voice, building confidence, meeting people who expand your perspective, and discovering what you’re capable of.

We’re proud to watch Citlaly continue to show up, step forward, and shape the future she wants to build.

Citlaly Duran-Caballero | Sophomore | International Business

A moment when my Butler experience truly “kicked in” happened during my first semester, when I realized I was slowly becoming who I was meant to be. Taking one of my first accounting classes and experiencing my first business pitch made me realize the great path that was ahead of me.

So, I started showing up. I went to events, workshops, and activities even when I felt shy or tired. I listened to speakers, met new people, and walked into rooms where I didn’t know anyone. Each time I pushed myself a little bit, I learned something new—about the world, about opportunities I never knew existed, and most importantly, about myself.
As I kept showing up, those choices led me to know I was in the right place—that Butler was meant for me, and I was meant for Butler. I became President of the International Business Organization, completed my first administration internship at Butler’s Arts and Community Center this summer, and I am an upcoming INCPAS student ambassador representing Butler University.

Butler prepared me for all of this in ways I would have never imagined. The community, the professors, the staff, and the students created a space where I felt safe to explore. That moment of realizing I was shaping my own future is something I carry with me, and it continues to guide the person I’m becoming.

When Jayden Norris came to the Lacy School of Business from Flower Mound, Texas, he knew he wanted a career in business. What he didn’t know yet was why.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4z6uANl

A senior Marketing major and Division I football player, Jayden has made the most of his time at Butler University—from launching a student-led business through the Real Business Experience to completing internships in sales and territory management.

But after losing his grandmother to cancer in 2025, his vision for his future changed.

Today, Jayden hopes to build a career in medical device sales, helping bring products to market that can give patients more time with the people they love.

His Butler experience has taught him that business is about more than closing a deal. It’s about relationships, trust, communication and, ultimately, people.

Read Jayden’s story and discover how his journey from Texas to Butler helped him find not just a career path, but a purpose ⤵️
https://bit.ly/4z6uANl

Last Wednesday, we brought together the people helping shape Indianapolis’ innovation ecosystem.

The 16 Tech x Butler Innovation Coffee & Community Gathering welcomed Butler MBA and graduate students, alumni, founders, investors, entrepreneurs and community builders for a morning of conversation, connection and ideas.

We were especially grateful to hear from Emily Krueger, President & CEO of 16 Tech Innovation District, who shared her perspective on entrepreneurship, innovation and what it takes to build a thriving community.

From there, the morning centered on what matters most: people connecting with people. Attendees shared experiences, exchanged ideas and built relationships across industries and backgrounds.

Hosted with the Butler MBA Entrepreneurship Club, the gathering was a great reminder that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows when the people building, investing in and supporting our community have opportunities to come together.

Most entrepreneurial journeys starts with a simple question: What if?

For Lacy School of Business student Miles O'Shea that question led him to the STARTedUP Challenge in high school, where he learned one of entrepreneurship's most valuable lessons: solving a specific problem can spark big opportunities.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4fK32FB

Today, Miles is pursuing a degree in Finance while continuing to develop his entrepreneurial mindset through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world experiences. From refining business concepts in the classroom to exploring a student-founded moving company, he's turning ideas into action.

"Focus on the little details and keep building. Don't worry about having everything figured out right away."

Read how STARTedUP helped launch Miles' entrepreneurial journey and how LSB is helping him take the next step.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4fK32FB

Connection changed Emma Parven's '18 career. Now it's the problem she's solving.

Today, Emma is the founder of Radius, a startup helping people turn real-life moments into meaningful connections. Recently named one of three winning companies at a pitch competition during NYC Tech Week, Radius is currently closing its pre-seed investment round.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4gAstdN

But one of the biggest lessons Emma learned along the way wasn't about technology, fundraising, or startups. It was about people.

The advisors, mentors, investors, and supporters who helped move Radius forward all came from one simple action: starting a conversation.

"Once you start putting yourself out there and talking about what you're building, the right people come into your life. That's when everything started to move."

Read her story ⤵️
https://bit.ly/4gAstdN