Students and graduates of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Clifton Builders Program returned to the College of Business on July 20 for the first-ever Builder Summit. Thirty-eight Builders from Colombia, Mexico and the United States, who were identified with high leadership and entrepreneurial potential, came together to network and further develop the skills needed to build new businesses, teams and communities through leadership and involvement.

"The overarching purpose of the Builder Summit was to foster community and professional development for our Global Builders Alumni Network. We wanted to help members develop and apply skills that would contribute to building positive relationships with fellow builders along with a sense of belonging. We also wanted to support their holistic transition into their next professional steps," said Brianna Ridenour, '18, of Fort Collins, Colorado, who helped plan the summit and was a member of the inaugural class of Clifton Builders at Nebraska.

Ridenour and fellow summit planner Elaina Bailey, '20 & '23 law graduate, created the summit around the theme Design Your Life. They also planned programming for the young network based on where they were in their life.

"We focused on providing all builders — regardless of their stage of life — with the tools they needed to continue growing," said Bailey, who works as an associate attorney at Enterprise Legal Studio in Lincoln, Nebraska. "We split attendees into three core groups: Piecing it Together for those who may have an idea of what the completed puzzle looks like but are still trying to put it all together, Career Focused for those in a corporate position who are naturally trying to climb that corporate ladder and improve on their journey up, and Entrepreneurial Leaders for those in the process of forming, developing or running a startup."

Aakriti Agrawal, '16 & '22 MBA, delivered the opening keynote "Designing Your Community." Manager of data governance and management at American Express in Phoenix, she is also an entrepreneur and shared the importance of defining and building a strong support network. Consultant Emily Massel, one of the original Clifton Builders and director of the Clifton Foundation when Nebraska was creating its first builder cohort, closed the program by highlighting how Builders rely on their communities and understand the value they bring to their endeavors.

"The Clifton Foundation was incredibly supportive of our Builder Summit and provided funding to host the event. They even helped provide financial aid opportunities to assist people in getting to Lincoln. Connie Rath and Mary Reckmeyer from the foundation also joined us at the summit, connecting with builders and summit speakers," said Ridenour, who works as program coordinator for Adult Learner & Veteran Services at Colorado State University.

Joshua DeMers, '19 (UNL Builder Cohort 2017), received the inaugural Builder of the Year Award. Earning a degree in management, entrepreneurship and innovation at Nebraska, he was part of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy and Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship program. Currently, he works as program manager of The Combine for the Nebraska venture capital firm Invest Nebraska. The Combine is a statewide incubator supporting startups in agriculture with a focus on food and ag tech and is located at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln.

"I am incredibly honored to have received the 2024 Builder of the Year award from The Clifton Foundation at the Builder Summit. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication that The Combine and Invest Nebraska have been contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosystem," DeMers said. "Thank you to the Clifton Foundation for this award, looking forward to continuing to build and innovate together!"

The summit also included the inaugural Builder Pitch Competition where new business ideas were pitched to College of Business faculty and staff who served as judges. Mexico Builder Jorge Luis Astorg from Mexico City captured first place. Second place went to UNL Builder Shannon Raitt, '19 (2017 Cohort), and Mexico Builder Leo Juárez González from Mexico City won third place.

"I appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with like-minded individuals in the builder network at the summit. I also appreciated the Clifton Foundation creating an opportunity for past Builders, like me, to pitch the new businesses we are working on and giving us an opportunity to secure funds to help toward our startup cost and efforts," said Raitt, who works as an annuity and life national accounts manager at Legacy Solutions LLC in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Based on the success of the first summit, Ridenour noted that it would become an annual event.

"Builders are always on the go and being able to create a program that allowed us to slow down and think about ourselves and our impact was an incredible experience. We're already thinking about the next Builder Summit and can't wait to do it all again next year," Ridenour said.