VOE Season 2 Articles

In a thick, well-loved, black sketchbook, Kirsten Benefiel keeps the lessons she’s learned over her career as an executive. Benefiel’s resume includes stops at Accenture, Newmont Mining, ViaWest and HSS, where she recently served as CEO. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Benefiel cracks open her notebook and shares her advice for stepping off the corporate ladder, communicating and selling a vision, navigating an unfamiliar industry, and the importance of the word “and” in leadership.

Table of contents • 1:14 Using PR in a non-PR career • 3:02 Selling your ideas to your employees • 5:24 Becoming CEO in an unfamiliar industry • 9:05 It’s lonely at the top • 11:14 The future of manned security • 12:26 Creating equity through Colorado Inclusive Economy • 14:49 Stepping off the corporate ladder • The power of “and” • 18:09 The entrepreneurial mindset—and what people forget about it • 23:08 Inside Kirsten’s notebook • 26:13 “You can choose your own career” • 27:40 Show notes and credits

Lauren Guthrie wasn’t much of a trekker or backpacker, but there she was, climbing 9,000 feet to reach the base camp at Mount Everest. The opportunity to join an all-Black team of climbers was too good to pass up—plus, it taught her valuable lessons about diversity in the corporate space. Guthrie is the vice president of global inclusion, diversity, equity and action (IDEA) and talent development at VF Corporation, the company behind big-name outdoor brands like The North Face and Smartwool. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, she explains what it takes to create DEI initiatives that work and how to practice DEI on a global scale.

1:16 Adding “action” to DEI • 4:26 From merchandising to the IDEA sphere • 10:24 DEI work at home • 12:19 “Global” DEI work vs. domestic DEI work • 15:50 What makes a DEI initiative work? • 19:04 Climbing Mount Everest • 22:06 Extending an “invitation to participate” • 26:06 The power of partner dancing • 28:36 “Don’t be fearful of being expansive” • 30:00 Show notes and credits

Leigh Hitz is a strategic advisor in the hospitality industry that retired as CEO of Stout Street Hospitality in 2016. Hitz worked at Stout Street for nearly three decades, learning to manage all aspects of the hotel space, from the front of the house to the penthouse. In 2008, Hitz and her husband, James, established a scholarship fund for female students pursuing a hospitality degree at the University of Denver’s School Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management.

Table of Contents

1:04 How growing up in Aspen led to a hotel career
2:25 The changing tides of the hospitality industry
4:45 Building relationships first
8:48 Learning to become a leader
9:44 Differentiation in a competitive market
11:48 Rebranding a historic hotel
13:43 “If I had a crystal ball”
16:15 Scholarship for female students in the hospitality industry
18:21 Becoming one of the first female GMs
24:39 Show notes and credits

It was once the stuff of sci-fi stories, but in 2023 the metaverse is very real. Virtual reality, mixed reality and extended reality come together for an immersive experience that an increasing number of businesses are dipping their toes into. Colleen Reilly, senior vice president of business development for ImmersiveWorlds, explains how the metaverse works, how companies are putting it to use and what it means for the future.

Table of Contents

1:10 What the heck is the metaverse?
2:16 “You could be wherever you want”
6:11 VR vs. AR vs. MR vs. XR
7:26 Metaverse in business
11:06 Trouble in (virtual) paradise?
12:23 The future of metaverse technology
15:43 Show notes and credits

Jodie Antypas (MBA 2005) didn’t grow up playing video games. They weren’t expressly forbidden in her house, but they also weren’t encouraged. So, how does a non-gamer end up leading large teams at Nintendo and Electronic Arts (EA) in the consumer marketing space? Antypas isn’t quite sure, but she’s quickly become an expert in the field, using player data and consumer opinions to drive the past, present and future of the video game industry. Now, Antypas is walking down a new path that she couldn’t predict. She’s a newly published children’s book author, taking an adapted bedtime story she told her daughters and repackaging it for the world to enjoy. The Daniels alumna joined the Voices of Experience Podcast to share how she ended up leading 100 person teams in the video game industry, what drove her to write her new book and why she’s taking a leave from her current role.

Table of Contents

1:10 A non-gamers journey to gaming
3:16 Deciding against law school for an MBA
8:03 “Games are constantly evolving”
12:54 From Pong to the modern era
15:06 Key management skills for large teams
17:35 Leveraging your objective mindset to lead
18:52 “I finally gave myself permission that I could take a break”
21:44 Pivoting to children’s books
25:29 Be open to twists and turns
26:47 Show notes and credits

Watching George Floyd’s murder on TV shook Rob Cohen to his core. He was well aware of racial injustices and inequities; he had already implemented diversity, equity and inclusion policies at IMA Financial Group, where he serves as chairman and CEO. But he realized he needed to step up to create even greater change. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Cohen explains the “listen, learn, then lead” approach he used in response, the best way for a company to build a healthy culture, how he juggles competing priorities and how he keeps things interesting, 34 years into a job.

Table of Contents

1:14 “No Way in Hell”
3:02 Keeping it interesting after 34 years
6:15 Reacting to George Floyd’s murder
8:59 Approaching DEI as a white person
12:34 What’s next for DEI at IMA
14:47 Creating a good culture
20:34 Balancing life’s “platter”
24:08 Attracting today’s new, talented workers
27:54 “Write your dreams down”
29:54 Show notes and credits

When people think of philanthropy, they often think of wealth—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Alan Frosh (BA 2005, JD 2011, MBA 2020) calls himself a “next-generation philanthropist,” and he’s spreading the word about how to make an impact on a smaller budget. Frosh is co-owner of Denver’s Tattered Cover Book Store and the Denver market director at Notley Ventures, where he supports people, businesses and nonprofits striving for social change. On the Voices of Experience podcast, Frosh explains his philanthropic philosophy and how he’s rebuilding the community’s trust in Tattered Cover.

Table of Contents

0:59 Three tours of DU-ty
2:57 A not-dirty or not-flirty 30th birthday
4:34 What is a “next generation philanthropist?”
6:28 Where to start your philanthropic journey
7:03 “American-style” philanthropy
8:42 Taking over at Tattered Cover
11:28 Rebuilding trust in Tattered Cover
15:27 How to support social change
16:57 Serving communities as an “outsider”
19:26 Keys to career success
22:18 Show notes and credits

With a lifetime spent in real estate and development, Chris Frampton has seen and built it all. From a bustling transit hub like Denver’s Union Station to a village at an internationally known ski resort like Steamboat, Frampton has managed a variety of projects in his career as CEO of East West Partners. On the Voices of Experience podcast, Frampton shares the path that led him to a top Denver-based developer, his thoughts on the current state of the city and what the future of development may hold.

Table of Contents:
0:57 Finding a solution
3:55 A commitment to quality
5:00 The changing real estate world, or not?
6:29 Creating a “pedestrian paradise”
8:10 A return to Denver’s Downtown
11:25 Developing without gentrifying
13:27 The current state of Union Station
17:38 How East West thinks bigger
19:20 Maintaining employee trust
21:20 Sustainability and design trends
25:56 “Do great work”
27:20 Show notes and credits

She had a comfortable job with a six-figure salary in a familiar industry, but Taylor Iascone (MS 2017) wasn’t happy with where she was. Her gut told her she needed to do more for herself—and for the environment. So Iascone changed course, moving to Denver to pursue a degree from the Burns School of Construction Management and a career in sustainability. As the senior ESG manager at Verdani Partners, she works with companies, investors to decarbonize the built environment. On the Voices of Experience podcast, Iascone reflects on the politicization of ESG, the future of sustainable building and finding the courage to change course.

Table of Contents

1:14 What is ESG?
3:02 Changing careers
7:30 Refusing to settle
10:19 Working at Verdani Partners
11:31 The future of sustainable building
14:10 SEC regulations, preventing greenwashing
18:09 The politicization of ESG
20:45 Advice for starting over
23:13 Finding the right career
27:11 “Follow your instincts”
27:52 Show notes and credits