Nine MBA students from the BYU Marriott School of Business received the 2026 Hawes Scholars Award. The award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize, is one of the highest distinctions given to graduating MBA students at BYU Marriott.
The 2026 Hawes Scholars are Jacob Anderson, Christian Dahneke, Rory Doucette, Katie Edwards, Rebekah Koster, Lewis Larsen, Coleman Martinis, Jessé Poffo, and Jonathan Rollins.
“This year’s Hawes Scholars stand out among their peers for their impactful contributions to the MBA program,” says BYU Marriott MBA Director Daniel Snow. “They are all firmly committed to not only achieving academic excellence but also building up their classmates.”
About the 2026 Hawes Scholars
After earning a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from BYU, Jacob Anderson worked in healthcare actuarial consulting before coming to the BYU Marriott MBA program. A native of Holladay, Utah, Anderson served as vice president of the Graduate Finance Association, director of process and diligence for Cougar Capital, and a teaching assistant for several finance classes. After graduation, he will work as an associate consultant for Cicero Group in Salt Lake City.
From Chaska, Minnesota, Christian Dahneke graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in math education. During his time in the MBA program, he served as chief operations officer for the MBA Student Association (MBAA), a strategic HR track lead, and a senior consultant with Cougar Strategy. He also helped create a leadership coaching class for graduate students with Associate Professor of Management Taeya Howell. After graduation, Dahneke will work as a people business partner for PepsiCo in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rory Doucette earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Arizona State University before entering the BYU Marriott MBA program. A native of Mesa, Arizona, he served as managing director and director of professional seminars of Cougar Capital. He was part of the BYU Marriott MBA team that won the Mountain Regional Venture Capital Investment Competition and was also an active member of the Adam Smith Society.
Katie Edwards, from Ladera Ranch, California, earned a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Temple University. During the MBA program, she served as copresident of the Women in Management Association and vice president of the Healthcare Leadership Association. Edwards was also a leadership committee member for the BYU Marriott Faith and Belief at Work Case Competition. After graduation, she will begin her career as an administrative fellow with Select Health.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in experience design and management, Mesa, Arizona native Rebekah Koster returned to BYU Marriott for her MBA. She served as consulting mentor lead and chief student life officer for the MBA Association, marketing and communications lead for the Adam Smith Society, vice president of engagement for the Graduate Finance Association, and vice president of travel for Savage Consulting Group. After graduation, Koster will work full-time as a consultant at McKinsey & Company.
From University Place, Washington, Lewis Larsen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in global supply chain management from BYU Marriott before returning for his MBA. He served as project manager and mentor for Savage Scholars, as well as a supply chain and operations mentor and a teaching assistant for leadership and product management courses. Following graduation, he will join the Bank of America Global Operations Development Program in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Coleman Martinis, a native of Gaithersburg, Maryland, graduated summa cum laude in political economy from the University of California, Berkeley, before coming to BYU Marriott for his MBA. Martinis served as president of the Product Management Association, vice president of external relations for the Adam Smith Society, and director of conferences and reunions for Cougar Capital.
Jessé Poffo is from Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. During his MBA, he served as lead mentor for international students, MBAA vice president of social impact, and SCOA vice president of events. In addition to his MBA, he minored in information systems, received the global business certificate, and earned emphases in social impact emphasis and analytics. Postgraduation, he will take on a full-time strategic sourcing role with Honeywell in North Carolina.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in media arts studies from BYU, Jonathan Rollins worked in the local film industry for three years before entering the BYU Marriott MBA program. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he served as vice president of communications for the MBA Marketing Association, mentor for the marketing track, head of the sponsor team for the Faith and Belief at Work Case Competition, and a founder of Barricade, a tech startup centered around live-music experiences. After graduation, he will work full-time on Walmart’s e-commerce strategy team.
About BYU Marriott
The BYU Marriott School of Business aspires to transform the world through Christlike leadership by developing leaders of faith, intellect, and character. Named for benefactors J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, the school is located at Brigham Young University. BYU Marriott has four graduate and ten undergraduate programs with an enrollment of approximately 4,400 students.