Business Symposium

Annual JayTalks - Wednesday, October 23

Hear from some of our outstanding student leaders here at Creighton and their leadership strategies.

Creighton Business Symposium - Friday, October 25

View Creighton Business Symposium Schedule

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Jess Ekstrom

Bestselling author, speaker, and creator helping women uncover and own their stories

Jess is a serial social entrepreneur and bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and Create Your Bright Ideas, She has been featured in major media outlets such as the Today Show, TIME, Good Morning America, The View, Vanity Fair, People Magazine, Business Insider, Huffington Post and Forbes. After starting and growing her multi-million dollar company, Headbands of Hope, in her dorm room, her speaking and writing career took off. But Jess realized that her success wasn’t about how far she can reach—but how far she can help other women reach. Today, through her writing, and her uber popular Mic Drop Workshop®, she helps women uncover the value in their story so they can make a living and a difference at the same time. She, her husband and her 70lb fur baby reside in Raleigh, NC.

View LinkedIn profile

Breakout 1: Panel Topics

Investment Banking

• Join our Investment Banking Panel to learn from experienced professionals about the industry’s current trends, career trajectories, and key skills for success. Discover the challenges and opportunities within investment banking, and engage with experts for valuable insights.

Sales

• Sales play a huge role in our lives without us even knowing it! This insightful session is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the competitive world of sales. Panelists will discuss effective digital marketing techniques, proven sales strategies, and the latest industry trends.

Legal Literacy in the Corporate World

• This panel brings together experts from diverse legal backgrounds to explore the vital role of legal knowledge in business. This discussion will examine why legal literacy is essential for navigating complex corporate environments and how a strong understanding of legal principles can empower professionals to address business challenges, make informed decisions, and protect organizations in today’s dynamic landscape. The panelists will offer insights into the intersection of law and business, highlighting the value of legal expertise in the corporate world.

Women in Business

• An inspiring and informative panel where accomplished and influential women from various industries come together to share experiences, insight, and strategies to success. The discussion will explore challenges and triumphs of women in business, offering key takeaways on leadership.

Breakout 2: Panel Topics

Marketing

• Join the dynamic team from 402 Social as they share insights into the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. In this panel, they'll cover the latest trends in social media strategy, influencer marketing, and data-driven campaigns. Learn how their unique approaches help engage audiences and drive measurable results.

Entrepreneurial Healthcare

• This panel will explore the intersection of healthcare and business with healthcare professionals, focusing on private practice ownership. The discussion will highlight how these professionals merged their clinical expertise with entrepreneurial strategies, offering insights into balancing patient care with the demands of managing a successful business.

Interviews and Internships

• Interviews and Internships will present students the keys to a successful hiring process from innovative and accomplished business professionals. The topics covered include networking, resumés, conversational interviewing, preparation, and how to stand out. The goal is to help elevate students that are applying and interviewing for both internships and full time jobs! Set yourself up ahead of the pack by learning from fantastic leaders who are invested in the next generation!

Accounting vs Finance

• Accounting and finance are frequently linked, both in academic settings and in practice. This panel aims to help you determine which career path is the right fit by showcasing real-world opportunities in each field. Our panelists will highlight the key differences and similarities between accounting and finance, offering insights into both classroom learning and practical applications.

International Business: US-Japan Economic Relations

• This session will delve into the economic ties between Japan and the United States, including the current dynamics and future prospects of this critical relationship. Our speakers will discuss recent geopolitical shifts affecting bilateral trade, emerging sectors for collaboration, and the challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic landscape. Gain valuable insights into how this partnership shapes the broader Asia-Pacific economy and what it means for global business and policy in the coming years.

Breakout 3: Panel Topics

Strategic Business Leadership in Healthcare

• Discover how business and healthcare intersect in this insightful panel discussion. Learn how essential business functions like marketing, operations, and technology are driving innovation and improving patient outcomes in the healthcare industry. This session will highlight the diverse and impactful career opportunities available for those with business expertise in the healthcare field. Perfect for anyone looking to make a difference at the crossroads of business and health!

AI In the Workplace

• "AI In the Workplace" is a dynamic panel discussion that explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on careers and workplaces. Four industry professionals will discuss how AI is reshaping job roles, skill sets, and the future of employment across various sectors. This panel will provide students with valuable insights on how to prepare for a rapidly evolving job market influenced by emerging AI technologies.

Entrepreneurship

• The entrepreneurship panel focuses on growth, innovation, and the challenges of scaling a business. Panelists will share their insights about experiences from their respective fields while also advising students in attendance.

Personal Finance

• The Personal Finance panel will feature a group of financial planning professionals who will guide students in making informed financial planning decisions at a critical point in your life. Learn essential strategies and gain valuable insights that will help students successfully navigate their financial journey as young adults.

Student organizers oversee fundraising upwards of $50,000 a year, obtaining corporate sponsorships and choosing the theme of the symposium. Students also help recruit panel participants and keynote speakers.

The 2024 Business Symposium Student Organizers Team includes:

Co-coordinators

• Katie McGuire
• Matthew Tanner

Sponsorship Team

• Tate Engleson
• Jeevita Ashokprabhu
• Andrew Triplett

Marketing Committee 

• Teresa Payne
• Makenzie Solma
• Ainsley DeLockroy

Operations Team

• Abe Cardinal
• Sophie Hustedde
• Carson Holt

Creative Team

• Anna Nagus
• Riley Weedman

Outreach Team

• Colin Gates

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Past Speakers have included: 

• William Fox, BA’84, JD’87, Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Crimes Compliance for Bank of America
• Debra Moritz, BSBA’84,  U.S. Head of Business Consulting for Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.
• Dr. Peter Leddy, BA’85, Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources at Life Technologies
• Sheila Nix, BSBA’83, Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden

2019
Theme: Curiosity Inspires Confidence
Keynotes: Ron Carson, founder and CEO of Inc. 5000 firm Carson Group; Jane Miller, a thought leader in performance management, leadership and organizational identity; Judith Kohoskie Ricketts, Managing Director of Investor Services at TD Ameritrade.

2018
Theme: Collaboration: Risk: The Foundation of Growth
Keynotes: Emily Belden BA’08, Author, Harlequin and Mark Beam BSBA’80, MBA & JD’83, Director of Innovation/Design in Entrepreneurship, Kauffman Foundation

2017
Theme: Collaboration: The Fast Track to Innovation
Keynotes: Healey Cypher, Co-Founder and CEO, OAK Labs Inc. and Hans Hartman, Former COO of Fitbit & Oculus, a Facebook Company

2016
Theme: Matching Passion with Profit
Keynotes: Jayme Martin, VP and GM of Global Categories, Nike Inc. and Jeanne Sullivan, Founder and Chief Inspirational Officer of Sullivan Adventures

2015
Theme:  Bridging Business with the World Around Us
Keynotes: Tom Copeman, Vice President, Business Development, Air Weapons Systems, Raytheon Missile Systems, Tom Weir, Vice President & Treasurer American Airlines Group, Inc

2014
Theme: Inspiring Ethical Leadership for a Changing World
Keynotes: William Fox, ’84 and JD’87, Managing Director, Global Head of Financial Crimes Compliance, Bank of America
Debra Moritz, ’84, U.S. Head of Business Consulting, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.

2013
Theme:  A Decade of Excellence
Keynotes: Nick Ghoussaini, Senior Operating Partner, Triton
Bruce Rasmussen, Director of Athletics, Creighton University

2012
Keynotes: Peter Leddy, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources at Life Technologies,
Jenny Hansen, West Corp.

2011
Theme:  Emerging Leaders.  Educating Change.
Keynotes: Steve Luczo, CEO, Seagate Technology
Shelia Nix, United States Executive Director, ONE.org
Symposium hosts its first workshop, “Ready, Set, Pitch,” where students were able to market a product in front of a panel of judges.

2010
Theme:  Learning with Passion, Leading with Excellence
Keynotes: Tony Audino, CEO, Conenza, Inc.
Mr. Donald Bisenius, Executive Vice President of the Single-Family Credit Guarantee (Freddie Mac)
Conversations:
Ms. Abby Bruning, Footwear Merchandiser at Nike
Special Agent Bob Herndon, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Mr. Mike Rock, Vice President of External Relations at Union Pacific