Alumni News
Stories from McCombs alumni. Search & filter these stories →
Hegi Family Gift Finances One-of-a-Kind Private Equity Course
Brian Hegi, MBA ’04, is the co-founder and managing partner of Crossplane Capital, a private equity firm. The Hegi family,…
Texas McCombs Business Outlook Event in San Antonio To Focus on Defense
AUSTIN, Texas — Experts on national security will discuss pressing issues for the defense sector at the 2024 Business Outlook meeting Feb.…
McCombs Made Podcast: Billy Freed
In this conversation, investor and philanthropist Billy Freed learned about entrepreneurship, the role that family has played in his career, and the most important qualities of successful entrepreneurs.
Texas McCombs Business Outlook in Houston to Focus on Health Care
AUSTIN, Texas — Health care industry experts will explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead during the 2024 Business Outlook meeting…
McCombs Made Podcast: Phil Canfield
Phil Canfield generously donated $20 million to the Business Honors Program at the McCombs School of Business. The program was renamed after him. In this episode, hear about his career as an investor, his time as a student at McCombs and his connection to the city of Austin.
Texas McCombs Business Outlook Event in Dallas To Focus on Geopolitical Risk
Experts will explore paths forward in today’s complex geopolitical climate at the 2024 Business Outlook meeting Jan. 18 at the…
McCombs Made Podcast: Kendra Scott
In 2019, Kendra Scott created a $13.25 million endowment to start the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, which is now part of the McCombs School of Business.
McCombs Made Podcast: Swapnil Agarwal
Since Swapnil Agarwal graduated from McCombs in 2003, he’s grown a real estate investment empire. In this episode, hear how Agarwal’s upbringing as an Indian immigrant influenced his personal and professional life, the role intention plays in all of his pursuits, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
McCombs Made Podcast: Tiffany and Leon Chen
Tiffany and Leon Chen started their groundbreaking cookie business, Tiff’s Treats, when they were just 19-year-old sophomores at the University of Texas at Austin. In this episode, Tiffany and Leon speak about the drive they’ve carried throughout their careers, the pillars of partnership and the value of kindness in community-based businesses.
McCombs Made Podcast: Gary Kelly
Gary Kelly, former CEO and current executive chairman of Southwest Airlines, shares a glimpse into his indelible 35-year tenure at the company.
Melba on the Rise
Keep Swimming Mentoring helped first-generation student Melba Tellez, M.S. ’18, stay afloat. Now she’s a beacon for other young women. by…
Empowering the Next Generation
Empowering the Next Generation From virtual programs to on-campus initiatives, these alumni, faculty, and students make a difference through mentorship.…
Voices of McCombs
In 19 conversations with 37 people from the McCombs community, the award-winning oral history platform StoryCorps reveals the human side…
Food as Medicine
Manasa Murthy, MBA ’19, is reimagining wellness at Texas retail giant H-E-B Manasa Murthy oversees H-E-B’s innovative venture into health care.…
Following Her Passion for Community Broadcasting Television
Dustin Dumas, MBA ’96, pivots from a finance career to new creative outlet Dustin Dumas, MBA ’96 Working in banking, finance,…
New Undergrad HQ in the Works
Brainstorming begins for Mulva Hall, a future center of business education, faculty research, and academic programs at the gateway to campus…
Creating a Legacy
Holly Goodrich, MBA ’04, shows how estate planning benefits students of tomorrow Holly Goodrich, MBA ’04, nourishes a steady loyalty…
What Would You Do with $20 Million in Seed Funding?
Entrepreneur John Winner, BBA ’11, hopes to lead an AI-driven revolution John Winner, BBA ’11 When John Winner, BBA ’11, was…
Entrepreneurial Journey
The Harkey Match invites alumni to inspire student innovators across campus. John D. Harkey, BBA ’83, and his wife, Peni Barfield John…
Enterprising Longhorns See Big Business in Little Hands
School spirit inspired Alex Bourdeau, BBA ’09, and Woody Apfel, BBA ’11, to launch line of college-themed baby apparel Samantha…
Career Success
Father-and-son duo Ron Kurtz, BBA ’64, and Jason Kurtz, BBA ’90, share their advice in new book Ron and Jason Kurtz…
Gift Advances McCombs Center for Leadership and Ethics
Houston energy finance leader Marshall Eubank gives $1 million for programming that affects every student at Texas McCombs Marshall Eubank,…
McCombs Alumni Dominate Longhorn 100 Awards
30 McCombs business leaders honored at inaugural Texas Exes celebration of business excellence. Left to right: Catherine Cruver; Longhorn 100…
The Kozmetsky Effect
How a tech visionary transformed McCombs and helped create the modern Austin By Steve Brooks To keep track of his…
Humble Beginnings, High Ideals
UT’s business school is born in a modest setting with a visionary dean In 1926, business faculty members with expertise…
A $1 Million Boost to UT’s Venture Culture
San Antonio entrepreneur and investor Billy Freed and family donate to support students’ business efforts at Texas McCombs William “Billy”…
Big Dreams and Red-Hot Connections
How 25 years of entrepreneurial energy changed the trajectory and brand of business at McCombs Fireworks light the sky over…
The Family Business
From Siete Family Foods to 7-Eleven, McCombs entrepreneurs create family legacies in the business world. Story by Sharon Jayson | Illustrations…
She Changed the World
Civic activist Shudde Bryson Fath, BBA ’37, was role model for leadership Shudde Bryson Fath, BBA ’37, legendary Austin activist,…
Sold on the Future
Serial entrepreneur Matt Chasen, MBA ’04, chases ‘flying cars’ with his startup, LIFT Aircraft As a lifelong fan of science fiction…
Recycling for Change
Haley Lowry, MBA ’13, directs global sustainability at Dow Haley Lowry’s focus at Dow is to help create a more…
Refining the Perfect Pitch
Rebecca Otis Leder, BBA ’07, wrote Knock and created The Knock Method Rebecca Otis Leder wrote a book on the…
Scouting Europe’s Scene for Startups
Alex von Frankenburg, MBA ’92 , directs High-Tech Gründerfonds Alex von Frankenberg funds innovative startups at a German venture capital…
Alumni Boom
New and revived alumni chapters ignited during pandemic By Gretchen M. Sanders McCombs’ Philadelphia alumni chapter met in September. Those…
Designing for Joy and Confidence
Saba Kamaras, MBA ’18, co-founded Spoonie Threads Saba Kamaras combined her business acumen and love of fashion to co-found an…
Investing in Students
UT System Regent and McCombs Hall of Famer Steve Hicks sees radio’s future—and social work’s power Steve Hicks, executive chairman,…
Disrupted New World
How the pandemic is altering the way we do business, the office culture, and our work lives. By Sharon Jayson |…
Embracing Change in Challenging Times
Letter from Dean Lillian Mills of the McCombs School of Business Dean Lillian Mills On June 1 I became the new…
Creating the Workplace of Tomorrow
Serial entrepreneur Brett Hurt, BBA ’94, sees flexible work environments and inclusivity as keys to success. A conversation with the…
Giving the Texas Challenge Twice the Impact
The memory of his first Texas friends moves one international alumnus to help future students By Judie Kinonen Chester Liu, MBA…
Alumni Profile: Life-Saving Messages
Terry Pence, BBA ’77, directed the Texas Department of Transportation’s Behavioral Traffic Safety Section By Sharon Jayson After nearly 40…
Alumni Profile: Helping Women Ascend
Melba Tellez, M.S. ’18, founded Mujeres on the Rise By Gretchen Sanders Melba Tellez, M.S. ’18, started Mujeres on the…
Alumni Profile: Heeding a Call for Libations
Quentin Cantu and Brian Murphy, both MBA ’18, founded Ranch Riders Spirits By Gretchen Sanders Brian Murphy and Quentin Cantu,…
Pandemic Pivots
How McCombs students, faculty, and alumni changed during uncertain times By Sharon Jayson and Matt W. Turner | Illustrations by…
World Traveler
Kelly Steckelberg, MPA ’91, has always looked for opportunities to learn something new. Here’s how the CFO managed Zoom’s whirlwind…
Women Who Mean Business
In a new leadership training program, veteran CEOs offer their entrepreneurial and corporate expertise to keep beleaguered career women from…
Poised Pioneer
First African-American BBA graduate recalls tougher times By Selah Maya Zighelboim Peggy Drake Holland, BBA ’63, says she stepped onto the…
Paying It Forward
McCombs alumni establish endowments for the school John C. Goff, BBA ’77, shared with Mark Roberts, the new executive director of…