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New panel features CU Â鶹ӰԺ alumni discussing how they have translated their degrees into successful careers

Join a panel discussion featuring tales of personal tribulations and triumphs as three alums work to change the world with innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. 

This discussion will feature the stories of three alums who will discuss the paths they took to careers in entrepreneurship. From their experiences, learn how to kick start you own innovative career journey. 

This digital event, moderated by David Brown, the divisional dean for the social sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences and a political science professor at the Â鶹ӰԺ, will be held Nov. 11, at 6 p.m. over Zoom.

This panel is in partnership with CU Research and Innovation Office.

Â鶹ӰԺ the presenters:

As a founder of , Francois Baptiste has focused his 27-year entertainment career on a progressive and innovative approach for concerts, nightclubs, comedy and fashion. His ethos is to always provide the best possible experience for patrons, creating a unique experience and cultural foundation for hip-hop in Denver. Francois’s successful career began at the University of Colorado in 1991. His personal mission is to innovate, create and execute.

Daniel Gonzales Jr. (Mesa, AZ) currently works as the Regional Director of Inc., serving the states of Colorado, Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia. As Regional Director, he works with schools to increase accessibility, reduce student borrowing and drive down the cost of financial aid administration. He is the former Director of Student Services for Carrington College and has held multiple leadership positions in higher education over the last decade. Daniel currently sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the CU College of Arts and Sciences. Daniel earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2008, and a BA in Economics at CU Â鶹ӰԺ in 2006. Daniel is a former CU student athlete having played football for Coach Gary Barnett. 

Missy Kelly is the co-founder and CEO of , preventing unnecessary slips since 2017. CatTongue Grips is the world’s leader in providing non-slip solutions for virtually anything on which you want to get a grip. Her mission is to improve the lives of millions of people with her CatTongue Grips products, specifically those with disabilities, on a daily basis. This passion fuels her, knowing her products have become "life hacks" for people, improving their day to day living. Kelly is inspired and lifted on a daily basis by the people she is helping and the incredible female entrepreneurs that are out there in the world doing amazing things. Her motto is to "live life, love hard and do epic sh*t."