Alumni

Auriemma Leadership Conference: ‘Do the Brave Thing’

Posted on by Claire Hall

Lucy Gilson (left), Associate Dean of the UConn School of Business and Geno Auriemma (right), Head Coach of UConn Women's Basketball, speak during the first day of the Leadership Conference. This year's program focused on leading through complexity and uncertainty. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)
Lucy Gilson (left), Associate Dean of the UConn School of Business and Geno Auriemma (right), Head Coach of UConn Women’s Basketball, speak during the first day of the Leadership Conference. This year’s program focused on leading through complexity and uncertainty. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

Embrace disruption or be left behind.

That was one of the powerful messages shared by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Co-President George Barrios ’87, ’89 MBA, one of the keynote speakers at the Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference in Stamford, Conn.Continue Reading

Former NBA Executive Says Diversity is the Key

Posted on by Claire Hall

Patrick Harris ’70 (BUSN) returned to UConn this week to speak about diversity at the Rosenberg-McVay Business Leadership Luncheon, as well as to address students from UConn’s Scholars House. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)
Patrick Harris ’70 (BUSN) returned to UConn this week to speak about diversity at the Rosenberg-McVay Business Leadership Luncheon, as well as to address students from UConn’s Scholars House. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

As a 10-year-old boy, Patrick Harris ’70 (BUSN) cried when he realized his dark skin prevented him from being served at a Woolworth lunch counter in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

But the racial discrimination he encountered didn’t derail his spirit for long. He went on to become one of the most powerful executives in the NBA, as Vice President, CFO of the Los Angeles Lakers.Continue Reading

Karen Munson Savors the Sweet Taste of Success

Posted on by Claire Hall

Karen Munson, the president of Munson's Chocolates, in her retail store in Bolton, CT. At this location, Munson's produces 350,000 pounds of chocolate per year. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)
Karen Munson, the president of Munson’s Chocolates, in her retail store in Bolton, CT. At this location, Munson’s produces 350,000 pounds of chocolate per year. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

Karen Munson is the president of Munson’s Chocolates and a third-generation chocolatier. Her paternal grandparents founded the Dandy Candy Co. in Manchester, Conn. in 1946, using sugar rations from the end of WWII to create ribbon candy and other treats.Continue Reading