Spotlights

Before even stepping foot on BYU campus, GSCM senior Kennedy McMullin knew she was interested in business. What she didn’t know was the complex—and sometimes comical—situations she would find herself working in.

BYU Marriott alumnus Taylor DeHart says that investing in emerging restaurants might not be viewed as the most exciting job, but helping founders build their own version of the American dream makes it deeply fulfilling.

In accepting the MPA Alumnus of the Year award, Derek Miller shared how gospel principles have guided his views of leadership.

Graciela Massey thought her dream of coming to BYU Marriott had gone up in flames. But she made her way to the MBA program, and is now working to help others find the same path.

Of all the awards he earned and titles he held at the BYU Marriott School of Business—from PhD prep track coordinator to director of the School of Accountancy (SOA)—Doug Prawitt says mentoring students and helping them improve their lives is his proudest accomplishment.

As a senior in high school, Christian Dahneke decided to be a better example to the younger members of his congregation, and he says he’s carried a passion for building people up ever since: “I learned in that really small example that I can be a leader, and that I can help people feel the love of the Savior and grow closer to Him.”

With the end goal of becoming a lawyer, earning an MPA for John Lidang is less about his career aspirations and more about his desire to become a Christlike leader.

Finance alumnus Andres Aleson had one goal in mind when he pursued a college education at BYU Marriott: “I wanted to become a leader in whatever career I pick, where I can make a positive social impact in people’s lives.”

Nate Mortensen, cofounder of drone-show company Open Sky, transforms dark skies into shared experiences—from Stadium of Fire to small-town rodeos.

The following are students who were highlighted in BYU Marriott's 2025 Annual Report on page 9.

The following are alumni who were highlighted on page 10 of BYU Marriott's 2025 Annual Report.

Emma Nisbet began her career amid the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic—an experience she describes as “terrible and amazing and bittersweet.”

As a practicing attorney for six years, Taeya Howell used her voice to help others. “I did a lot of negotiating,” she says. Now, as an associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources at BYU Marriott, Howell has swapped courtrooms for classrooms, but her role as an advocate continues to shape her career.

Dale Tolley is a creative powerhouse who is redefining HR at Procter & Gamble. Whether rocking a costume, belting out parody songs, or designing games that teach policies, Tolley turns HR tasks into full-blown productions.

MBA students. Career-builders. Mothers. Friends. Megan Eliason Shaw and Noelle Christensen Perkins have worn all these hats while forging a friendship that has spanned decades, states, and family milestones.

Jon Richards is a compulsive experimenter. “Whether business, health, or personal-growth related, I’m constantly testing ideas,” he says. “Trying new things helps me progress.” That mindset has propelled Richards as he’s grown Nomatic, a travel-gear company, with his cousin Jacob Durham.

In a room full of healthcare veterans, experience design and management senior Emily Weber challenged herself to speak up. Weber says it's important to push herself to grow—even when she feels inexperienced, intimidated, or uncertain.

For BYU Marriott Assistant Professor Mark Johnson, the decision to come to BYU Marriott to teach finance wasn’t driven only by a love of numbers or research—it was the chance to pair those interests with the opportunity to build lasting relationships with students and colleagues.