The Gies Download

Gies College of Business
  • 5.0 (1)
  • BUSINESS

A podcast from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  1. Episode 29 - Marketing alum and Illini football standout Hank Beatty

    FEB 4

    Episode 29 - Marketing alum and Illini football standout Hank Beatty

    In the history of Illinois football, only 26 players had ever been named an Academic All-American...until Hank Beatty made it 27. In this episode of The Gies Download, former Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty talks about his success in the classroom and on the football field...and explains why he sees a lot of similarities between the two.

    27 min
  2. Episode 28 - Experiential Learning with Assistant Dean Andrew Allen

    12/02/2025

    Episode 28 - Experiential Learning with Assistant Dean Andrew Allen

    At Gies College of Business, students don’t just learn about business — they do business. From day one, they’re working with real companies, solving real problems, and gaining real experience. In the latest episode of the Gies Download, Assistant Dean Andrew Allen shares how experiential learning is embedded into every year of the student journey — transforming education into action and helping students build meaningful skills before they ever graduate.

    27 min

  3. 08/27/2025

    Episode 27 - Julie Fussner

    In the latest episode of the Gies Download, Gies alumna and Culver's CEO Julie Fussner talks about her unexpected path from marketing to the C-suite. From discovering a passion for organizational behavior to navigating uncertainty after graduation, she shares how a strong foundation at Gies Business helped guide her journey.

    28 min

  4. 08/19/2025

    Episode 26 - Tatyana Deryugina

    After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast 20 years ago this summer, many expected long-term economic and health struggles for survivors. But the data tells a surprising story. In this episode of The Gies Download, Gies Business Professor Tatyana Deryugina shares what her research reveals about disaster recovery, resilience, and the unexpected outcomes of forced relocation.

    23 min

  5. 07/21/2025

    Episode 25 - Jan Slater

    Branding a business school isn’t about marketing buzz—it’s about authenticity and purpose. Chief Marketing Officer Jan Slater joins The Gies Download to reveal how - and why - the Gies Business brand was built. From in-depth research to the bold launch of "Business on Purpose," hear how Gies Business became a brand that reflects pride, innovation, and purpose.

    29 min

  6. 06/03/2025

    Episode 24 - Sam Skinner

    From humble beginnings at Illinois to high-stakes decision-making in Washington, Gies Business alumnus Sam Skinner shares candid stories about leadership, public service, mentorship, and the power of surrounding yourself with good people. With humor and wisdom, he reflects on pivotal career moments, including an unforgettable wake-up call from the President himself.

    22 min

  7. 04/01/2025

    Episode 23 - Lester McKeever

    In the latest episode of the Gies Download, Gies Business alumnus Lester McKeever (ACCY '55), shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Chicago to becoming one of the first Black CPAs in the United States. He reflects on overcoming racial challenges in the accounting field, his lifelong dedication to his alma mater, and how mentorship, hard work, and resilience have shaped his success.

    21 min

  8. 02/07/2025

    Episode 22 - Oscar Ybarra

    Oscar Ybarra is passionate about finding the answers to questions--important questions--that impact our daily lives. As a professor of business administration at Gies, as well as the director of the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society, Oscar has co-authored a new study on workplace well-being. The goal is to answer the question, "Are people flourishing or languishing at work?" And the results are...somewhat surprising.

    27 min
See All (29)

About

A podcast from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Information

  • Creator
    Gies College of Business
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gies College of Business
  • Show Website
    The Gies Download

You Might Also Like