Alumni
Where will your BYU Marriott degree take you? Read about the careers our alumni are in and the interesting things they are doing.
data-content-type="article"
Giving When It Hurts
EMBA graduate Tema Hunkin Laussen had a lot to smile about in 2023. Her company, closed $20 million in residential real estate sales last year. But as much as she loved closing each deal, Laussen’s real highlight of 2023 was opening doors for students through her family’s charitable foundation.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
The Beauty of Community amid Tragedy
Two months after Katie Cherrington moved to Maui, the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century struck her family’s neighborhood. In the aftermath of Lahaina’s tragedy, Cherrington has observed a community banding together and has seen principles in action that are taught at BYU Marriott.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Changed for the Better
After being surprised by a question in class that told him he might be in the wrong place, Norm Smallwood traded law school for the MOB program which ended up creating the perfect path for him.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
The Power of an Open Heart
Justin Weiss, EMPA alumnus, has lived a life full of unexpected triumphs and hardships that have led to opportunities for personal development.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
From Patient to Healer: MPA Alumnus of the Year
Dale Hull, the 2023 MPA Alumnus of the Year, credits his time in the Executive MPA program for giving him the confidence he needed to help people with paralysis.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
The Practicality of Passion
Art student Laurel Galli-Graves never imagined working as a data scientist for the Department of Defense. But her time in the MPA program helped her combine her artistic creativity, passion for public service, and love of analytics and machine learning to help further the public good.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Creating Value through Inspired Leadership
Awarded a BYU Homecoming 2023 Alumni Achievement Award, MBA alum Christopher Clason explained how inspired leaders create value in their professional and personal lives.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Degrees of Impact
With two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees, Tricia Seguine is no stranger to learning. She’s learned that she can use her unique educational blend to make a positive impact.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
A Business School Ballad
You could say that Gerald “Jerry” Petersen earned his master’s degree in marketing from BYU because he loved to sing.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Mountain Biking and Moving Forward
Sterling Petersen has such a passion for mountain biking, he decided to make it his day job. Since graduating from BYU Marriott’s entrepreneurship program, he’s created multiple startups focused on mountain biking products and has built a collaborative work environment in the process.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Prioritizing People
Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in information systems from BYU Marriott, John Koelliker has relied on authentic relationships in his life to help start his own company.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Mentoring, Money, and an MPA
David Tanner brings the skills he gained through BYU Marriott's MPA program to the state of Georgia, where he consults state leaders, community organizers, and county and city elected officials.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
A Stack of Experiences
Embracing diverse business experiences has given alumna Mallory Stack versatility and a vision for the future of women in business.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Peaks & Plummets, Slopes & Summits
As he reflects on his life journey, emeritus general authority and MOB grad Larry Kacher says the unexpected stops have been most meaningful and the bumps along the way have proved most beneficial.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
From Accountant to Agent
BYU Marriott's accounting program helped Curt Haralson take his first steps to the bureau and beyond.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
The Determination of a Diplomat
Clark Pew has learned over the course of his life that persistence pays off. The EMPA alumnus now lives in India working for the Department of State.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Waste Not, Want Not
Passionate about garbage and eliminating solid waste pollution in the developing world, Ryan Caplin is not wasting his time. Now an Oxford Pershing Square Scholar, Caplin credits the Ballard Center at BYU Marriott for giving him the tools to take on trash.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
data-content-type="article"
Hurricane Heroism
Global supply chain graduate Parker Teshima works to ensure that shelves stay stocked when natural disasters strike.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=
overrideTextColor=
overrideTextAlignment=text-left
overrideCardHideSection=
overrideCardHideByline=
overrideCardHideDescription=
overridebuttonBgColor=
overrideButtonText=