2021 Best & Brightest Business Major: Milena Rogers, University of Denver (Daniels)

Milena Rogers

University of Denver, Daniels College of Business

“Enthusiastic outdoor and adventure-lover, semi-decent cook.”

Fun fact about yourself: My sister and I were the first twins born in the Czech Republic in the year 1999.

Hometown: Portland, Oregon

High School: St. Mary’s Academy

Major: Finance

Minor: Accountancy, Leadership Studies

Favorite Business Course: I loved Introduction to financial accounting with Dr. Anthony Holder. It was one of my first classes that I took at the Daniels College of Business, and it helped solidify my desire to pursue a finance major.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

  • Finance Club President
  • Women in Business Vice President
  • Pioneer Leadership Program Member
  • University Honors Program Member
  • Dean’s List and Hornbeck Scholar
  • Chancellor Scholar
  • Cherrington Global Scholar
  • Daniels Ambassador Team Member
  • Backpacking Club Member
  • Volunteer Tutor for Denver Bridge Project (2017-2018)

Where have you interned during your college career?

  • PocketChange, Financial Operations: Denver, Colorado
  • Capstone Headwaters, Investment Banking Analyst Intern: Denver, Colorado
  • Goldman Sachs, Investment Banking Summer Analyst: Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Lincoln Financial Advisors, Financial Planning Assistant: Denver, Colorado

Where will you be working after graduation? Goldman Sachs, Investment Banking Analyst

Who is your favorite professor? I truly enjoyed having Professor JP Tremblay as an instructor for the Marsico Fund Class, a class where students manage part of the University’s endowment fund, as well as having him serve as the faculty advisor to the Finance Club. It’s been fantastic working with him over these past four years, and I’m grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from him.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Daniels incorporates the importance of business ethics into every aspect of its curriculum, which was one of the most important things I’ve learned in studying business. There are many opportunities you can mess up in the business world with often times larger than expected effects. Learning at least how to incorporate ethics into your actions can at least help mitigate this.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would encourage business students to involve themselves in things beyond their major, both classes and extracurricular activities. Because it’s such a universally applicable major, it’s important to understand what else is going on to be a well-rounded and informed.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised to learn how universal the lessons you learn in business are. Besides the applicableness of the technical skills you gain, business is all about working with people from different backgrounds, which applies to other fields well.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I would have loved to take more international studies or international business classes. I come from an international background and would have been interested to see more of how business is conducted internationally. I did have the opportunity to study abroad in my hometown, Prague, the Czech Republic, where I did take a class on Economics in the EU which touched upon this.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am very proud of the personal balance I have been able to achieve during my time at the Daniels College of Business. I definitely would say I do things with a “work hard, play hard” attitude and I think this has helped me do well in school, take advantage of internship and leadership opportunities, travel and spend time outdoors, and build incredible relationships with the people around me. I am proud that I am not necessarily defined by one thing, and that I have led a well-balanced life in college.

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire Sophia Mellsop for her ability to truly integrate into Daniels as a transfer student and her tenacity. She is the President of the Women in Business Club and shows great dedication and leadership skills.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I’d like to thank my parents for encouraging me to pursue my passions and for serving as great role models in my life.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I would love to end up working in London, or another international finance capital. I would also love to end up working for a leader in the Consumer Retail space.

What are your hobbies? I am a big skier, hiker, and cook. I am also looking forward to traveling again once the pandemic is over.

What made Milena such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2021?

“I first met Milena as a freshman in the Student Investment Club and I was immediately impressed by her drive, intellectual curiosity and desire to learn, all that only secondary to her pleasant demeanor and positive attitude. This early focus translated into Milena emerging as a leader amongst her peers and performing at the highest level academically, including in the Marsico Fund where she made compelling investment recommendations. Milena is having a huge impact as President of the Finance Club and is demonstrating great leadership, teamwork, and tireless energy. She has spearheaded the Woman in Finance initiative which has been greatly successful and impactful. I look forward to keeping an eye on Milena’s bright future.”

JP Tremblay
Associate Teaching Professor
Co-Director – Marsico Investment Center
Reiman School of Finance
University of Denver
Daniels College of Business

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