McCombs Made

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin isn’t just one of the top business schools in the country. It’s a place where chances are taken, dreams are born, and boldness is celebrated. Perseverance, drive, and a welcoming sense of encouragement are at the center of Texas McCombs. To celebrate that spirit of ingenuity, the McCombs Made podcast features interviews with trailblazing McCombs alumni and friends, highlighting successes, reflecting on mistakes, and sharing advice for the next generation of world-changers.

Episode 24: Alissa Bayer 12/04/2025

Episode 24: Alissa Bayer Alissa Bayer graduated with her MBA from McCombs in 2004 and quickly launched Milk and Honey Spa. After over 20 years in business and 10 locations nationwide, in this episode she reflects back on the lessons she learned at McCombs, what it's been like to navigate changing social norms and how she hopes her business sparks joy in the wider community. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/39269650

Episode 23: Albi Zoga 11/06/2025

Episode 23: Albi Zoga Albi Zoga graduated with his BBA from McCombs in 2022, and inside of the last three years, opened not one, not two, but three restaurants at the ripe old age of 25. A graduate of the entrepreneurship program, he has taken what he learned at McCombs and parlayed it into three thriving restaurants, the last of which just opened in Boerne recently. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/38937805

Episode 22: Jeremy Tsui 10/01/2025

Episode 22: Jeremy Tsui Jeremy Tsui graduated in 2015 with a BBA from McCombs as part of the honors program. He had a startup with friends before he even graduated and now is the CEO and co-founder of Finley, which is a tech company redefining the ways startups get funding. In this episode, he talks with host Miranda Bradley about his journey from cellist to business mogul, wannabe to McCombs, grad to young CEO, and exactly what that experience has taught him. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/38401015

Episode 21: Gilbert Aranza 09/04/2025

Episode 21: Gilbert Aranza Gilbert Aranza (BBA '74) is the President and CEO of Star Concessions, Ltd., which owns and operates food and beverage and retail concessions at airports, primarily Dallas Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/38085850

Episode 20: Chris Bake 07/11/2025

Episode 20: Chris Bake In this episode, host Miranda Bradley chats with Chris Bake, who retired in 2024 from his executive duties on the board of Vitol, a global energy and commodity trading company. Bake is also the founding donor of the Global Sustainability Leadership Institute at UT. He received his BBA in international business and marketing from McCombs in 1988. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/37376940

Episode 19: John Harkey 06/24/2025

Episode 19: John Harkey John Harkey, BBA '83, is the founder of JDH Investment Management, LLC and the Harkey Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. Host Mahlah Freeman sat down with John to discuss building businesses with purpose, his journey from law to restaurants and the arts, and the value of saying "yes" to every opportunity. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/37137335

Episode 18: Alana Williams 05/01/2025

Episode 18: Alana Williams Alana Williams is the founder and Chief Financial Officer of Founding Principals. Previously, she worked in investment banking and business development at companies like Apple, Evercore, and Whole Foods. After receiving her JD from the University of Baltimore, she joined McCombs to attain her MBA in 2018. In this conversation, host Firdous Khezrian spoke with Alana about her personal and professional career, the wisdom she's gained along the way, and how minority women can overcome the challenges of working in the business and financial industries. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/36471690

Episode 17: Marcie and Bob Zlotnik 04/03/2025

Episode 17: Marcie and Bob Zlotnik Energy moguls Marcie and Bob Zlotnik are invested in student success at McCombs, with their names on spaces in UT's Rowling Hall and the AT&T Center. In this episode, host Miranda Bradley speaks with Marcie and Bob about their time in the energy industry, their relationship and family, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/35992695

Episode 16: Marissa Jarratt 03/06/2025

Episode 16: Marissa Jarratt Marissa Jarratt is currently the chief marketing and sustainability officer at 7-Eleven. She's also a two-time graduate from the McCombs School of Business, obtaining both a BBA in Finance and an MBA in Marketing. She also received a BA in Spanish. Among her many accolades and roles, she is currently a member of the Dean's Advisory Council for the McCombs School of Business. She is also a member of the Executive Committee for the Dallas Regional Chamber and the Dallas Museum of Art. In this lively conversation, host Firdous Khezrian speaks with Marissa about her upbringing, her approach to innovation and creativity, and the lessons she's learned as a student of both UT and of life. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/35576285

Episode 15: Arthur Mills 02/06/2025

Episode 15: Arthur Mills In this episode, hear from Arthur Mills IV, who graduated from the McCombs School of Business with his BBA in 1996 and his MBA in 2004, before graduating from the Yale School of Management in 2012. His passion for giving back has led him to serve on the McCombs Advisory Board, for which he serves as Chair Emeritus. Arthur talks about his many different career pathways, the importance of education and how he is paving the path for others to succeed. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/35167945

Episode 14: Gay Gaddis 12/06/2024

Episode 14: Gay Gaddis Gay Gaddis is a proud Longhorn who received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in commercial and advertising art in 1978 at the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating from UT, she founded the Think Tank, also known as T3, a digital marketing agency which she grew for 30 years, leading it to be the largest independent female-owned agency in the United States. Among her many titles and accomplishments, Gay is the author of the inspirational book Cowgirl Power; a McCombs Hall of Fame honoree; lecturer in the McCombs Women Who Mean Business program; and an accomplished artist. In this conversation, host Firdous Khezrian spoke with Gay about her upbringing and the inspiration she has called upon throughout her life to become the successful woman she is today. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/34321020

Episode 13: Bill Cunningham 11/07/2024

Episode 13: Bill Cunningham Bill Cunningham has worn many important hats as a Longhorn leader, like chancellor of the University of Texas Systems and president of the University of Texas at Austin. In this episode, host Mahlah Freeman talks to Cunningham about his time at UT, the many influential leaders he met as president of the University and what he wants his legacy to be. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/33830222

Episode 12: Kelly Steckelberg 10/02/2024

Episode 12: Kelly Steckelberg For this episode, host Mahlah Freeman spoke with Kelly Steckelberg, a powerhouse McCombs alumnae who earned her MBA in 1991. She went on to become the CFO of Zoom and a staunch McCombs supporter. We talked about how philanthropy plays a role in her life, how the lesson she learned at McCombs shaped her, and how she’s paying it forward for the next generation. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/33306112

Episode 11: Neal Golden 09/05/2024

Episode 11: Neal Golden For the first episode of season two of "McCombs Made," hear from Neal Golden. He's a University of Texas alumnus who continues to be a guiding force at McCombs. Mr. Golden is a very active Texas Ex and holds leadership roles with the McCombs BBA Board and Dean's Advisory Board. In this episode, Mr. Golden discusses how his parents helped shape his career, his latest foray into the beverage business and the importance of giving back. /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/32901197

Episode 10: Dean Lillian Mills 06/13/2024

Episode 10: Dean Lillian Mills For the final episode of season one, hear from Lillian Mills, the dean of the McCombs School of Business. In this episode, you’ll hear her thoughts on how to build community in business, what she would say to the undergraduate version of herself, and the legacy she hopes to leave in her position as dean. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28475330

Episode 9: April Underwood 05/07/2024

Episode 9: April Underwood April Underwood has worked at Google, Apple, Twitter, and Slack. She’s the co-founder of #ANGELS, the investment collective focused on restructuring the ways in which we look at gender inequality, not just in wage gaps, but in financial equity. Most recently, she co-founded the venture capital firm, Adverb Ventures. In this conversation, you’ll hear about the ways in which communication and relationships play a role in successful workplace teams, the importance of financial and social equity for the fields of business and technology, and what characteristics she looks for when investing in people and ideas. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28445438

Episode 8: David Druley 04/18/2024

Episode 8: David Druley David Druley received his BBA and MBA from McCombs and currently serves as chief executive officer of Cambridge Associates. He interned as an investment analyst at the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and started his own investment management firm, Druley Investment Management, which he operated for 9 years. In this episode, host Firdous Khezrian spoke with Druley about risk management and tolerance in business and life, the traits of some of the best portfolio managers, and the legacy he hopes to leave as a Longhorn. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28445408

Episode 7: Cindy Lo 03/14/2024

Episode 7: Cindy Lo Cindy Lo is the founder, CEO, and chief event strategist of Red Velvet, a renowned full-service and independent event planning agency. She’s also a 1998 McCombs graduate. In this conversation, hear about her unexpected path to a career in event planning, her approach to planning her personal and professional life, and the ways in which she has carried herself throughout her career. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28370489

Episode 6: Billy Freed 02/15/2024

Episode 6: Billy Freed Billy Freed has been investing in entrepreneurial innovation for years. In 2023, Mr. Freed generously donated $1 million dollars to the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center at McCombs. As a result, the pitch competition was renamed the Freed Family Pitch Competition. In this conversation, you'll hear about the lessons he's learned about entrepreneurship, the role that family has played in his career, and the most important qualities of successful entrepreneurs. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28399871

Episode 5: Phil Canfield 01/18/2024

Episode 5: Phil Canfield In 2018, Phil Canfield, BBA Finance ’90, generously donated $20 million to the Business Honors Program at the McCombs School of Business, and subsequently the program was renamed after him. In this episode, hear about his career as an investor, his time as a student at McCombs, his connection to the city of Austin, and why inspiring the next crop of business honors students is so important to him. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28365230

Episode 4: Kendra Scott 12/06/2023

Episode 4: Kendra Scott Kendra Scott founded her namesake jewelry company in Austin, Texas, in 2002. In the more than two decades since, the jewelry brand has grown into a household name. In 2019, Scott created a $13.25 million endowment to start the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, which is now part of the McCombs School of Business. In this conversation, you’ll hear about the lessons she’s learned from her career as an entrepreneur, the importance of philanthropy in her personal and professional life, and the legacy she hopes to leave on the global community. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28365218

Episode 3: Swapnil Agarwal 11/16/2023

Episode 3: Swapnil Agarwal Since Swapnil Agarwal graduated from McCombs in 2003, he’s grown a real estate investment empire. In this episode, hear how Agarwal’s upbringing as an Indian immigrant influenced his personal and professional life, the role intention plays in all of his pursuits, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28105787

Bonus: 10 years of New York for McCombs 10/26/2023

Bonus: 10 years of New York for McCombs New York for McCombs is a leadership program designed to strengthen the business school’s network, increase student career opportunities, and encourage alumni engagement. In 2023, the program marked its tenth anniversary. In this special bonus episode, host Firdous Khezrian sits down with Paul Aaron and Dean Tom Gilligan, two founding members of the New York for McCombs council. Tom Gilligan is a former dean and clinical professor of finance at the McCombs School of Business. Paul Aaron is a McCombs 1985 graduate. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28169930

Episode 2: Tiffany and Leon Chen 10/19/2023

Episode 2: Tiffany and Leon Chen Tiffany and Leon Chen started their groundbreaking cookie business, Tiff’s Treats, when they were just 19-year-old sophomores at the University of Texas at Austin. In this episode, Tiffany and Leon speak about the drive they’ve carried throughout their careers, the pillars of partnership and the value of kindness in community-based businesses. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/28048218

Episode 1: Gary Kelly 09/21/2023

Episode 1: Gary Kelly In the first episode of McCombs Made, host Firdous Khezrian sits down with Gary Kelly, BBA ’77, former CEO and current executive chairman of Southwest Airlines to get a glimpse into his indelible 35-year tenure at the company. Gary and his wife, Carol, discussed Gary’s transformative career, the importance of functioning as a team, and persevering through challenging times. This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/27983196

Introducing 'McCombs Made' 09/06/2023

Introducing 'McCombs Made' The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin isn’t just one of the top business schools in the country. It’s a place where chances are taken, dreams are born, and boldness is celebrated. Perseverance, drive, and a welcoming sense of encouragement are at the center of Texas McCombs. To celebrate that spirit of ingenuity, the McCombs Made podcast features interviews with trailblazing McCombs alumni and friends, highlighting successes, reflecting on mistakes, and sharing advice for the next generation of world-changers. This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? Reach out . /episode/index/show/4379fa81-de11-4c28-a9c7-7eec1dbbfff4/id/27947220

McCombs Made

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