Upcoming Events
ELS: Heather Mason
Panel Discussion/Presentation
Heather Mason founded Caspian Agency in 2005 to bring a strategic discipline to high-level gatherings and convenings for good. Caspian has produced conferences for the Hewlett Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Omidyar Network, as well as the Skoll World Forum for the past 19 years. Prior to launching Caspian, she worked in TV and film development and was the first Director of the Student Program at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997. She also created and produced the largest non-official event at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000. In 2024, she debuted The Impact Lounge at the Sundance Film Festival, bringing changemakers together with filmmakers to shine a light on the ecosystem of impact filmmaking and content creation. The Impact Lounge has traveled to the Cannes Film Festival, the United Nations, Oxford in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Austin, TX for South by Southwest. Heather is an instructor in the Master’s Hospitality program at San Diego State University, and she serves on the boards of Women Founders Network, Utah State Alumni Foundation, the Board of Utah State University, and is a former Board Trustee and member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. She was a consultant on convening design for the Rockefeller Foundation and the editor and key contributor for their Convening Guide.
Ideas and Connections
Social/Networking
Come with a random business idea and leave with a connection to someone with knowledge in that industry.
Learning Staircase Series - Huntsman Scholars
Social/Networking | Student Recruiting
Join us on Wednesday, February 11th at 12 pm for Student TED Talks, where peers share inspiring ideas and personal stories in short, powerful presentations. Come for the insights, stay for the conversation, and spark your own curiosity.
ELS: DR. Lyle Barbour
Panel Discussion/Presentation
Dr. Lyle Barbour is a dedicated equine veterinarian and the proud owner of Mountain Point Equine Hospital in Bluffdale, Utah. His journey began as a pre-veterinary student at Utah State University (1998–2001), followed by earning his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2005. In 2007, he founded Mountain Point Equine Hospital, where his team strives to provide the most optimal customer/patient experience in equine veterinary medicine. Beyond his professional expertise, Dr. Barbour is known for his deep commitment to his clients, valuing the personal relationships he builds as much as the animals he treats. He brings authenticity and heart to his work every day, both in the clinic and out on the ranch. More than just a practitioner, Dr. Barbour is a passionate advocate for personal growth through adversity. His approach is deeply influenced by principles of stoicism—choosing discipline over discouragement and clarity over chaos. He finds meaning in his daily work not just through veterinary medicine, but through the strong personal bonds he builds with his clients. Outside of his career, Lyle is equally devoted to life on the land—raising cattle and growing hay on his 420-acre ranch—and to his growing family, spending time with his wife as they prepare to welcome their first child. Whether he’s in the field, the clinic, or speaking to a room full of aspiring professionals, Dr. Barbour brings an honest, grounded perspective rooted in hard work, humility, and the belief that failure is not the end—it’s the beginning of something better.
E-Center Game Night
Student Activities
Come with fellow and future entrepreneurs for a night of fun.
ELS: Daphne Blanchard
Panel Discussion/Presentation
Daphne Blanchard has spent her career building businesses and social enterprises across borders, believing that entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to fuel self-sufficiency and address pressing global challenges. Since 1999, when she became the first female sales representative for Pro Look Sports, she has launched and led ventures in diverse industries and communities. These include designing an educational system for a factory in Tijuana, developing social enterprises in Ecuador, and co-owning a yellow dragon fruit farm in the Amazon region.
Through her company, Zelano International, Daphne also oversees ZConnect (a global outsourcing initiative), Neeyo Green Clean (a Latin American service company), and international product sourcing. In addition, she directs Kovê International, working alongside community leaders in Ecuador to provide construction projects, medical trainings and clinics, immigrant services, and educational scholarships.
Today, Daphne serves as a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Director of the Bingham Entrepreneurship Center at Utah State University’s Uintah Basin campus. She holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of San Diego, where she specialized in economic development in Latin America. Her combined experience in education, business, and non-profit leadership equips her to collaborate across sectors, expand markets, and create meaningful social impact.
After several years living in South America, she is excited to once again enjoy paddleboarding and biking in Utah’s mountains.
Pitch Competition
Special Event | Competitions
Come with a business idea to pitch and see where that pitch could lead you in the future.
Learning Staircase Series - Conner Hobbs
Social/Networking
Conner Hobbs is the co-founder of Keva. Keva focuses on creating smart locks that work without WIFI. This helps property managers mange their properties remotely. Conner has learned many valuable leadership skills through Utah State's Covey Leadership Center. Conner is currently studying finance at USU with a passion for building and leading. As a founder and project manager, Conner bring a strong finance background and I would considers himself a story-teller. His personal mantra is "just enough is not enough". Conner is active in the Huntsman Business Scholars, USU Financial Investment Club, USU Honors Program, and the Covey Leadership Center.
ELS: Alex Swanson
Panel Discussion/Presentation
Alex Swanson credits his success to his wife, three children, and his passion for entrepreneurship. He loves entrepreneurship and encourages it to anyone seeking career advice. While studying accounting at the University of Utah, Alex found himself learning more from podcasts and books than from his classes. After graduation, he took a job at the front desk of a dental office to put that knowledge into practice. Alex has built his career on curiosity, resilience, and an endless appetite for reading and learning. Entrepreneurship has transformed his life, and he believes its future is brighter than ever. With instant access to the wisdom of the world’s greatest minds, he sees unlimited opportunity for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Using his entrepreneurial skills, Alex founded Nuvia Dental Implant Centers. The clinics specialize in giving patients permanent zirconia teeth in 24 hours, eliminating the need for temporary dentures. They offer transparent pricing, flexible payment plans, and emphasize patient eligibility, clinical experience, and the promise of restoring function and confidence through a permanent smile. Alex is also a staunch advocate for eliminating social media, attributing much of his focus and success to staying clear of its distractions. He firmly believes that the defining strength of America—and a gift to humanity—is entrepreneurship: risk-takers betting on themselves, building a better future for their families, communities, and society as a whole.
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