Whether you’re a business major or simply curious about the transformative power of a Baker education, come find inspiration from area business leaders who are also Baker grads.
Free lunch is provided.
The Searls Speaker Series is made possible through a generous gift from Fred E. Searls Jr., an alumnus of the College of Arts and Sciences and member of Kappa Sigma. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1962.
Searls Speaker Series
Semester’s Speakers
Location: Mabee 100
Details: Enjoy complimentary pizza while you hear from outstanding alumni and industry leaders!
October 28: Simeon Windibiziri ’20, Retail Category Development Manager, Hill’s
November 4: Mike Rethman ’98, VP – Execution, Rosen
November 11: Scott Hughes ’03, Audit Partner, KPMG
November 18: Martin Radosevic ’20, Director of Community Engagement, Rockhurst High School
November 25: Abby Bird ’21, Financial Planning & Analysis Manager, AssuredPartners (A Gallagher Company)
Spring 2025
Cedric Williams, ’16
Founder Evolving Digital Media
A digital media visionary, Cedric Williams blends expertise in business management, marketing, and accounting with a creative genius for digital storytelling and strategy. His innovative approach to media has helped shape the way brands and individuals connect in the digital world.
Brandy (Broce) Alexander, ’04
Vice President of Human Resources Eurofins PSS Insourcing Solutions
Brandy Alexander is a highly experienced leader on the people side of business. In her current role and during her previous career path, she has demonstrated skill in the health care IT and laboratory services industries. Alexander is a passionate human resources professional skilled in strategic planning, coaching, risk management, data analysis, and organizational development. She earned a master’s in economics from the University of Kansas and has taught economics at Baker’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies.
Charley Puhr, ’02
Owner & Operator Midwest Games and Entertainment
Charley Puhr always wanted to be involved in sports and entertainment and parlayed those interests into a career filled with both. After working in his family’s bicycle store through college, he made the leap into casinos and hospitality with Caesars Entertainment for 17 years, eventually serving as regional VP of marketing for the Southeast and Midwest markets. A lunch with a friend from grad school led to his opening Fōwling Warehouse KC, an event venue featuring the sport of Fōwling (football + bowling, pronounced foe-ling). When not throwing footballs at bowling pins, Puhr spends time with his wife, Allison, who is also a member of the class of ’02.
Olivia (Beins) Cartwright, ’17
Senior Product Manager Nirvana Insurance
Olivia Cartwright serves as a senior product manager at Nirvana Insurance, a company revolutionizing commercial auto insurance through AI-powered underwriting, dynamic pricing, efficient claims processing, and proactive safety insights. In her role, Cartwright leads the development of risk and underwriting products that are essential for accurately assessing risk and providing tailored insurance solutions, enabling fleet operators to enhance safety and operational efficiency. Before joining Nirvana, Olivia was a product manager at C2FO, a Kansas City-based company specializing in working-capital solutions. She believes that a Baker business degree can open doors to unexpected career paths—just as it did for her, leading to a career in product management.
Darren Beck, ’91
Founder Ingenuity LLC
Darren Beck’s passion is finding the sweet spot between profitability and a positive return for our world. A transformative leader with deep experience in environmental and social innovation, he helped establish one of the country’s premier corporate sustainability programs at Sprint and led a vanguard of global brands toward good growth at Sustainable Brands. His latest venture is founding Ingenuity LLC, a sustainability consultancy that advances health, wealth. and harmony in the Heartland. His recent work includes teaming up with the Foundation for Regeneration and Metabolic to produce the region’s first material flow analysis, and collaborating with the MARC Solid Waste Management District, ReUseFull, and others to establish Kansas City’s first circular economy network.
Sam Vossen, ’13
Director of Financial Planning & Analysis Traliant
Sam Vossen spent the first 10 years of his career working for the Federal Reserve System in a variety of analyst and management roles. Since September of 2023 he has been with Traliant, a compliance training company. At a high level, his role as director of FP&A entails working with the executive team and the board to analyze and report on the financial performance of the company as well as project future performance. Vossen is married to Teresa Drovetta, who is a member of the class of ’14.
Josh Vossen, ’13
Senior Vice President, Finance Spring Venture Group
Josh Vossen specializes in helping operational leaders gain insight into business performance and trends and making data-driven decisions. After graduating from Baker, he completed a master’s in economics from the University of Kansas. For the last decade, he has built and led the financial planning and analysis function at Spring Venture Group, a direct-to-consumer health insurance company in Kansas City. In this role, Vossen focuses on financial reporting, modeling, and analysis as well as supporting the company’s short- and long-term strategic planning.
Fall 2024
Zach Aldrich, 2015, Senior Business Specialist, Deloitte
Laura Peek, 2002, VP Laboratory Operations De Soto at Biodesix
Jason Schnellbacher, 2001, Technology Development Strategist, T-Mobile USA
Lauren Freking, 2017, Senior Internal Auditor, JE Dunn Construction
Patti Phillips, 1988, Chief Executive Officer, Women Leaders in Sports
