Trulaske alumni leading the way

Alumni from the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business have consistently played key roles on the Mizzou Alumni Association Board of Directors. 

Todd McCubbin, secretary of MAA, said Trulaske graduates contribute a wealth of leadership, innovation and global perspective to the volunteer board of 24 members. 

“It’s well documented that Mizzou and the Trulaske College of Business shape exceptional leaders and the Mizzou Alumni Association benefits greatly from it,” he said. “It’s important for us to build a board who support the best interests and traditions of our 365,000 alumni worldwide and our flagship university.”

McCubbin emphasized that their leadership skills combined with a passion for Mizzou make Trulaske alumni invaluable board members. 

Let’s meet the Trulaske alumni volunteering their time for Mizzou:

Renita Duncan

M.Acc. ’08
Partner
RubinBrown, LLP
St. Louis, Missouri 

Why is it important for you to give back to Mizzou and serve on the Mizzou Alumni Association Board of Directors? 

It's simple: I give back to Mizzou because Mizzou gave so much to me. The experiences and education I received at Mizzou has afforded me great opportunities and a wonderful career. Serving on the MAA board has allowed me to build incredible relationships with fellow Tigers across the nation while working together to enhance the alumni experience for all. 

What is your favorite Mizzou Homecoming tradition? 

My favorite Homecoming tradition has to be football at Faurot and tailgating with friends and family. I grew up in Columbia, so the Mizzou homecoming experience and what it means to me has evolved greatly over time. Now that I live in St. Louis, returning to Mizzou for homecoming with friends and colleagues I met while at Mizzou and afterwards, and bringing my future Tigers along for the ride, is a very different feeling.  

How did your college experience influence your career path or personal development? 

For me, Mizzou was full of experiences. There are so many different ways to get involved and stay connected at Mizzou, if you want to be engaged. Without a doubt, the diversity of experiences I had at Mizzou prepared me for my career in public accounting. From living in a Freshman Interest Group (FIG) community at Johnston Hall, which taught me valuable lessons about building community, to teaching an introductory accounting class as a graduate teaching assistant, which helped me develop my leadership skills and propensity to help guide others. 

Were there any professors, mentors or peers at Trulaske who played a significant role in your journey? 

The School of Accountancy has many gifted professors and administrators, some of which have earned national accolades for their accomplishments, and I was fortunate to have learned from many of them. I do remember early in my Trulaske years, having a professor – Dr. May Zhang – who I credit with giving me first glimpse into what a degree in accounting could mean for my future due to variety of career possibilities and evolving landscape (both things still true today!). 

How do you hope your contributions or involvement with MAA will impact current and future students? 

Our No. 1 job as board members of MAA is to foster engagement for our alumni and in our communities.  At the end of my term, I want to look back and know that I contributed to bringing our alumni closer to Mizzou by fostering inclusiveness and belonging. 

What advice would you give to current Trulaske students? 

Enjoy a variety of experiences and get involved in what interests you – it doesn't matter what it is! Just put yourself out there. Be open to the possibility of everything and try new things that will get you exposure to people with diverse backgrounds and ways of thinking.  Mizzou and Trulaske are full of opportunities for students to take advantage of if you're proactive and present.

Kevin Gibbens

B.S.B.A. ’81
Retired executive
Landmark Bank/Simmons Bank
Columbia, Missouri

Why is it important for you to give back to Mizzou and serve on the Mizzou Alumni Association Board of Directors?

I grew up in Columbia and was indoctrinated at an early age as a Missouri Tiger.  When it came time for college, I couldn't imagine going anyplace except MU. It's a place where I met lifelong friends, including my wife.  

Upon moving back to Columbia (after stints in Texas and North Carolina), my job as CEO at Landmark Bank was very time consuming and therefore, my contributions back to MU were often limited to being a fan, ticketholder and donor. As I approached retirement, I wanted to find a way to give back to the university in ways that I could make a difference. Applying for, and being invited to join, the MAA's Board of Directors was a way to offer my skill set, experience, time and perspectives to an organization that is important in upholding the best traditions of MU and serving the alumni, students, faculty and staff.  

What is your most cherished memory from your time at Mizzou?

Meeting my future (and still) wife would have to be No. 1!  And I built a number of life-long relationships with some very close friends. 

What is your favorite Mizzou Homecoming tradition?

The Homecoming parade and watching Marching Mizzou enter Faurot Field before the game. I can't think of anything that inspires a Tiger fan more than hearing the band play the Missouri fight song in the parade and as they march onto the field. 

How did your college experience influence your career path or personal development?

I knew early on that I was interested in a career in finance or banking, and I found the business school challenging which helped prepare me for my career. I learned the importance of studying, time management, being focused and working with others to achieve goals. The college years helped me to mature and develop skills that would be tremendously beneficial to me. 

Were there any professors, mentors or peers who played a significant role in your journey? 

There were several outstanding finance and accounting professors from whom I learned much; probably too many to list.  But one MU professor who stood out and really challenged his students was John Pascucci – he taught Investments. He was not only a finance professor but also an investment advisor who practiced what he taught. You NEVER dared to come into his class unprepared. I learned fundamental analysis – to analyze, assess and dig into financial statements. I learned the importance of being prepared so that you were confident in your answers, and to not just look at financial statements superficially but to ask the "why" about them. 

How do you hope your contributions or involvement with MAA will impact current and future students?

The Mizzou Alumni Association represents over 365,000 alumni across the U.S. and around the world. And in doing so, MAA the provides the greatest number of scholarships to current students, recognizes and honors outstanding alumni and faculty for their achievements, and upholds Mizzou's most important traditions that make our university a special place. I hope my involvement and contributions to the board helps MAA continue to build the Mizzou brand and make its students and alumni proud to be a part the Mizzou family.    

What advice would you give to current Trulaske students?

Enjoy your time at Mizzou —- it will be among the best years of your life and a chance to make great connections and lifelong friends. Once you start your career, it's important to do something you feel passionate about. I've known a lot of people who made big money but were very miserable. So do something you really enjoy that matters to you and where you feel you can make a positive difference.     

Christine Holmes

B.S.B.A.’10, M.B.A. ’17
Vice President – Transformation Office
Optimum (An Altice USA Company)
Heath, Texas

Why is it important for you to give back to Mizzou and serve on the Mizzou Alumni Association Board of Directors?

MAA is an incredible organization that does so much (behind the scenes, many times) to connect alums and ensure many of the long-standing traditions continue on.  Additionally, MAA continues to evolve and pour into programming and resources that help Tigers while on campus and as alums long after they leave campus. Over the years, I’ve volunteered at a local level with our MAA chapters in various cities and through mentoring programs but felt called to elevate my contribution back to the university through the MAA Board of Directors. My time volunteering as part of the MAA Board of Directors has been some of the most fulfilling volunteerism, I’ve ever been a part of. 

What is your most cherished memory from your time at Mizzou?

Being honored as part of Tap Day (ODK) and having my parents there to surprise me.  The tradition around Tap Day is incredible and being honored among such an amazing group of talent is one of my favorite memories.

What is your favorite Mizzou Homecoming tradition?

The talent (skits) shows were some of my favorite traditions. The skits were so entertaining and the IBAs (in between acts) were incredible. I loved seeing the talents showcased from across the various organizations.

How did your college experience influence your career path or personal development?

My college experience was a period when I was exposed to all sorts of people from all walks of life. My involvement on campus in various student and scholarship organizations broadened my take on the world (coming from a small town in northwest Missouri) and allowed me to work across groups and people without boundaries. I quickly learned the importance of building strong relationships, surrounding yourself with diverse skillsets and challenging yourself to lead beyond what you might think is possible. This influenced my career path and personal development in a significant way as I found myself gravitating towards opportunities where I could lead large teams, drive strategic vision and do it while investing in the people and relationships around me.

Were there any professors, mentors or peers who played a significant role in your journey? 

There were many people at Mizzou who helped me along the way, but two in particular were Aaron Cook and Mary Beth Marrs. Aaron Cook was my academic advisor in the Trulaske College of Business as well as my advisor in the Walton Scholars Program.  Aaron was an incredible sounding board in helping and encouraging me no matter what. Everything from my graduation plan to helping me prep for interviews to supporting me day-to-day, I wouldn’t be where I am today without Aaron!

Dr. Mary Beth Marrs is also a key mentor and role model that helped me through (and continues to) undergrad, my MBA and beyond. She encouraged me to apply for the Cornell Leadership Program, created powerful networking opportunities and has been a lifelong supporter of mine as I’ve moved through my career. 

How do you hope your contributions or involvement with MAA will impact current and future students?

I hope my contributions and time spent with MAA ensures that MAA continues to evolve and drive its mission of supporting the interests and traditions of Mizzou and its alumni worldwide. As time and technology move forward, MAA, too, must continue to evolve to meet alums where they are and where they need it most. Additionally, MAA does so much to continue to keep the traditions of Mizzou alive and inclusive for all to enjoy – which creates so much of the magic and connection between students and the university. I’m proud to be a part of the MAA organization and support the incredible work this organization does for all the Mizzou family.

What advice would you give to current Trulaske students?

Get involved on campus as much as possible while you’re a student. The experiences, connections and opportunities to develop yourself and your network are phenomenal and will prepare you for life after graduation. As you pivot from a student to an alum, continue to invest in the relationships you made while on campus and find ways to continuously volunteer and give back to Mizzou. You’ll quickly find that Mizzou and the Trulaske College of Business are for a lifetime, and the time, talent and treasure you’re able to give back throughout your seasons of life will always be worth it and then some!

Matt Jenne

B.S.C.E.’97, M.B.A. ’15
Co-founder of Addison’s, Sophia’s and Instaseat Technologies
Columbia, Missouri

Why is it important for you to give back to Mizzou and serve on the Mizzou Alumni Association Board of Directors?

Great organizations work best when they are led by dedicated people. I am always interested in making sure that the university remains a great place to get an education and is an important part of our community and the state of Missouri. On a personal level, being part of the alumni association is great way to meet wonderful people

What is your most cherished memory from your time at Mizzou?

I really loved the fall semester and all the activities around football and the beginning of the basketball season.

What is your favorite Mizzou Homecoming tradition?

I really like house decs. It’s such a great even that brings together the students, staff and the towns people in a celebration for everyone

How did your college experience influence your career path or personal development?

In a roundabout way, I was an engineering student but also worked in the restaurant industry. When the opportunity came to open a restaurant with a couple of friends, I was able use my degree to help build out the space where Addison’s is downtown. 

Were there any professors, mentors or peers who played a significant role in your journey? 

Getting my MBA was a pivotal moment for my life’s journey. A few mentors stand out, John Howe and Jim Noble were very influential in changing my mindset from a business perspective and gave me tools to be a confident leader.

How do you hope your contributions or involvement with MAA will impact current and future students?

I would hope that I can help create an inclusive and positive MAA. We should strive to make our alumni association for all of Mizzou’s graduates and have a little something for everyone to feel like that can always come home!

What advice would you give to current Trulaske students?

My advice to current students is to get involved in clubs and student associations, You will find a great network of people that you can count on for the rest of your life. If given the opportunity to lead, take it. Learning to lead in college is one of the best ways to become a stronger leader in your future endeavors

Gabriela Ramirez-Arellano

B.S.B.A. ’91
VP Entrepreneurship
Cortex Innovation District
O’Fallon, Missouri

Why is it important for you to give back to Mizzou and serve on the Mizzou Alumni Association Board of Directors?

Returning to Mizzou after 33 years is both a nostalgic and transformative experience for me. I often felt disconnected during my time there, struggling to find my place within the university community. By joining the Mizzou Alumni Association Board of Directors, I hope to ensure that no student feels the same sense of isolation that I did. I want to create opportunities for students, particularly those who might feel like they don’t belong, to find their voices and support systems. Plus, I’m excited that my nephew, Luca, is a freshman this semester! Being part of his journey is a reminder of the impact Mizzou can have on its students' lives.

What is your most cherished memory from your time at Mizzou?

One of my most cherished memories is realizing I had a voice, that it had value and that others were interested in my experiences and ideas. It was a turning point for me — realizing that my education could empower me to effect change in my community. That experience ignited a lifelong commitment to helping others through volunteerism and standing up for causes that matter.

What is your favorite Mizzou Homecoming tradition?

I absolutely love the energy of Mizzou’s Homecoming parade that I am seeing since reconnecting with the university! The excitement, the colors, the spirit — it’s a beautiful celebration of our school pride. I am sorry I will not be able to attend this year, but I love that it brings together students, alumni and the community in a way that showcases the incredible talent and creativity at Mizzou. I can’t wait to participate next year and make new memories alongside fellow alumni, my nephew Luca and current students.

How did your college experience influence your career path or personal development?

My college experience was a crucial steppingstone in my journey. While I faced challenges finding my voice, it pushed me to seek out opportunities to connect with others. This led me to discover my passion for entrepreneurship and community empowerment. Mizzou taught me resilience, adaptability and the importance of mentorship, which have shaped my career and my commitment to advocating for underrepresented voices.

Were there any professors, mentors, or peers who played a significant role in your journey? 

I had a few people who were a part of my Mizzou journey and truly made a difference. One, in particular, encouraged me to pursue my interests outside the classroom and emphasized the value of community engagement. Their guidance instilled in me the importance of giving back and inspired me to build networks that empower others. My advisor also held me accountable, and I remember having that difficult conversation about my grades and what did I really want for my life. Their impact resonates in my work today as I mentor others and advocate for intentional collaboration and accountability.

How do you hope your contributions or involvement with MAA will impact current and future students?

I hope my involvement with the Mizzou Alumni Association will create a more inclusive environment for students. By sharing my experiences and advocating for programs that support student engagement and diversity, I want to ensure that every student feels valued and empowered. I aim to build a bridge between alumni and current students, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.

What advice would you give to current Trulaske students?

My advice to current Trulaske students is to embrace your uniqueness. Don’t be afraid to seek help, build relationships and explore your passions. Your college experience is what you make of it – get involved in organizations that resonate with you and connect with mentors who can guide you. Remember, it’s okay to feel lost sometimes — those moments often lead to your greatest growth.