BYU Management Society

🌐The BYU Management Society is a global network of individuals dedicated to professional development.

Each of our 10 regions across the globe consists of chapters that provide opportunities for growth and connection. Through entrepreneurial support, webinars, in-person networking, and mentorship events, chapters meet the diverse needs of their members.

🤝Join our global network and accelerate your career growth!
Become a member of the BYU Management Society: https://byums.byu.edu/accounts/signup

Letvin Lozano, a member of the BYU Management Society Colombia Chapter, recently wrapped up a four-year tenure as BYU Management Society Regional Director for South America. Letvin's leadership was marked by significant regional expansion and a commitment to the BYU Management Society vision of career development.

Key Achievements:
- Chapter Growth: Reactivated chapters in Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador, while strengthening operations in Colombia, Peru, and Uruguay.
- Program Expansion: Successfully implemented the Launching Leaders program throughout Latin America.
- Strategic Unity: Integrated efforts with the Central America region and organized the 2025 Regional Conference in Lima.
- Sustainability: Focused on developing local leadership teams to ensure long-term chapter health.

Letvin brought over 30 years of top-tier industry experience to this role, including executive leadership at IBM, NCR Colombia, and Unisys. He is also the founder of the Valor para Crecer (VPC) Foundation, an initiative dedicated to reducing social inequality through education. BYU Management Society is grateful for Letvin's dedication to building a stronger professional community in South America.

👉 Looking to connect with a global community dedicated to professional growth? We invite you to join us!
Find your local chapter here: byums.byu.edu/chapters

$82,500 in business grants awarded to scale African enterprises!

🌍The 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐁𝐘𝐔 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 has officially concluded, and the results are inspiring. We are proud to announce that $82,500 in business grants has been awarded to winners from 18 nations across the African continent.

Beyond the funding, the impact is multi-layered:
• Mentorship: 1st-3rd place winners will receive additional mentorship through Mentors International.
• Feedback: Hundreds of applicants received personalized judge insights to refine their business models.
• Growth: Operations across the continent are now poised for significant scaling.

👏Congratulations to every winner and participant who entered this year. The future of African enterprise is bright! 📈

How to get involved for next year:
Begin preparing now! Joining a local chapter is the best way to get the updates, resources, and networking you need to launch your career.

🔗 Find your local chapter: byums.byu.edu/chapters

📢New South America Regional Director

BYU Management Society is pleased to announce that Yaninna Mella has been appointed as the new South America Regional Director and will serve on the BYU Management Society Global Board.

Yaninna Mella is the CEO of ANDA, one of the largest civil organizations in Uruguay, a role she has held for more than a decade. She also serves as Board President of a local fintech company. She has an extensive background in the banking sector, where she held senior leadership positions including Chief Financial Officer, as well as head of Marketing, Risk, and Strategic Planning. Yaninna is a Certified Public Accountant and earned her MBA from Brigham Young University. She also completed executive management programs at the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics. She is actively involved in teaching and community service. Yaninna served as President of the BYU Management Society Chapter in Uruguay from 2022 to 2024 and currently acts as an advisory board member for Fulbright Alumni. She has served as Relief Society President at both the ward and stake levels and currently as Ward Primary President. Yaninna is married to Ariel and the mother of Brianna (20) and Amelia (4).

👏 We are grateful to Letvin Lozano, who previously served as South America Regional Director. Join us in thanking Letvin and welcoming Yaninna Mella to the Global Board!

Building the future of business in Africa 🌍 2026 BUILD Conference, cohosted by BYU Management Society and BYU-Pathway Worldwide

BYU Management Society members, BYU Pathway Worldwide students and graduates, local professionals, and visiting businesses all gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa on February 6-7 to network, develop professional skills, and receive entrepreneurial support. It was an incredible opportunity for international connection with several hundred attendees from countries across Africa and the United States.

💫Conference Highlights
Inspiration: A powerful keynote from Nathaniel Ramabulana
Insight: Panels with experienced business owners and professional development workshops
Impact: Remarks from Elder Vaiangina Sikahema and Elder Carlos A. Godoy

🏆The Big Moment
We celebrated the winners of the BYU Management Society 2026 Africa Business Plan Competition and the Johannesburg Great Idea Competition in an exciting awards ceremony! In total, over $100,000 was awarded to growing businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs.

A huge thank you to leadership teams at BYU Management Society headquarters Jason Brown and Nicol Legakis and the Africa region David Rupper, Joseph Yaw Bentum, Gwendolene Adu-Tutu - and our partners from BYU Pathway-Worldwide Briton Moffitt, Zanele Duma Ngubane, Victor B. Ukorebi, Yonelani Qinisile, and many volunteers who made this conference a success. We are grateful for all who organized and attended the BUILD Conference!

💡 If you attended BUILD Conference 2026, what was most impactful for you? Let us know in the comments!👇
📈Follow our page to stay updated on future Business Plan competitions and visit byums.byu.edu to find events in your region.

📢New United States Regional Director

BYU Management Society is pleased to announce that Stephanie Cooley has been appointed as the new US Regional Director and will serve on the BYU Management Society Global Board.

Stephanie Cooley is an accomplished technology leader with deep experience in core banking systems, enterprise operations, and financial technology management. She began her career after earning a BS in Information Management from Brigham Young University, joining Electronic Data Systems (EDS) as a System Engineer supporting General Motors, and later worked on EDS’s Credit Union Services Account in Salt Lake City. Following EDS's contract transitions, Stephanie joined Zions Bancorporation as a Senior Mainframe Developer for Deposits Core applications. In 2015, she earned her EMBA from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business and became the Enterprise Technology Operations (ETO) Finance Manager, partnering with the CIO across eleven technology divisions. In 2019, she returned to ETO to lead the Core Deposits team, and in 2023 was promoted to BaNCS Technology Senior Manager, where she oversees the enterprise’s new Core BaNCS application. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys a full life with her husband, Frank; their three married children; and five young grandchildren. Her favorite place to be is with her family. She also loves hiking, exercise, fishing, camping, gardening, quilting, and giving back through community service.

👏 Join us in welcoming Stephanie Cooley to the Global Board! We look forward to building on the society's momentum together.

"It is often in the middle of our ordinary lives that His miracles quietly unfold. He truly is the light of the world." - BYU President Shane Reese

Best wishes for a joyful Christmas and holiday season from BYU Management Society!

Watch President Reese's Christmas message here ⬇️

Finding Christ in Christmas: President and Sister Reese Share a Message of Light "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." -Luke 2:14BYU President C. Shane Reese and Sister Wendy Reese share an invitation to...

Dean Madrian's address is an impactful reminder that values-driven leadership is transformative. BYU Management Society is grateful for its members worldwide who seek to lead with light.

Last night, Dean Brigitte Madrian addressed students, faculty, and staff at the 2025 BYU Marriott Christmas Devotional. She focused her message on the Savior, Jesus Christ—His role as the light of the world and the ultimate example of leadership.

“Our vision at BYU Marriott is to transform the world through Christlike leadership. To transform the world through Christlike leadership is to transform the world through Christ-light leadership, by leading with and through the light and power of Jesus Christ.”