Sydney Anne Drysdale Fairbairn
University of Denver, Daniels College of Business
“Insatiable learner—balancing grit, grace, growth, and just enough chaos to make it fun.”
Fun fact about yourself: I am related to the man who created the heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass machine); I had to have open heart surgery when I was younger, so it’s a full-circle moment.
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
High School: Cherry Creek High School
Major: Finance
Minor: Business Ethics and Legal Studies
Favorite Business Course: The course, A Random Walk Down Wall Street, was an immersive travel-based course in New York led by Dr. Maclyn Clouse with Professor Michael Jacob. It was not only an exceptional course, but it marked a pivotal time in my educational and professional journey. By speaking with professionals at different financial firms as well as the New York Stock Exchange, I was able to narrow my focus for my future endeavors and gain a comprehensive understanding of different opportunities in finance.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: At the start of my time at the University of Denver, I worked for the sports statistic software program, ScoreBreak, as a statistician live-tagging sports games for various NCAA teams as well as games for the Premier Lacrosse League. Additionally, I later became a Pilates instructor at Fierce45 and continue to work there while finishing my degree. I held various other positions to maintain financial stability while in school.
Honors and Awards
- Hornbeck Scholar
- Daniels Undergraduate Student Spotlight
- Best Class Presentation & Best Overall Presentation – Delta Dental of Colorado Strategic Case | Presented to the CEO | MGMT 3000 (Business Policy & Strategy)
- Anticipated summa cum laude upon graduating with a distinction in Finance
Volunteerism
- Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies
- Black 14 Philanthropy
Where have you interned during your college career?
- University of Denver Athletics Department: Denver, Colorado, Creative Digital Media Intern
- Lake Law Group LLC.: Denver, Colorado, Film and Sport Business Development Intern
Where will you be working after graduation? My post-graduation plans are still unfolding. I am enthusiastic about some opportunities presented, but have yet to make final decisions. What remains certain is my eagerness to contribute meaningfully to the business world. I am determined to prove the value I bring while embracing every opportunity to learn, grow, and fine-tune my skills. The best opportunities aren’t only about where you start, but how you rise—and I am ready to embrace the challenge.
Who is your favorite business professor? Selecting a favorite professor feels like selecting a favorite family member. At Daniels College of Business, professors are more than educators— they are mentors, role models, and, in many ways, an extended family. With that being said, I intend to bend the rules in my response. Professor Paul Harrison is one of the toughest professors I’ve had, but also one of the most invested in his students’ success. He challenges you, pushes you beyond your academic limits, and never tells you what you want to hear—he tells you what you need to hear. He has instilled in me a belief in excellence, constantly reminding me, “If not you, then who?”. I can’t forget to mention that he also rejected me, but only to steer me in the right direction. When I asked him to be my distinction advisor, he suggested I reach out to Dr. Maclyn Clouse instead, an action I am eternally grateful for. Dr. Clouse has been a guiding force in my professional and academic journey. His unmatched knowledge of finance, unwavering commitment to his students, and ability to make complex ideas accessible set him apart. What truly defines him is how much he cares—not just about our academic success, but about our growth as individuals.
Professor Harrison made me believe in excellence. Dr. Clouse fostered it. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Pace yourself with timing, but push yourself with effort. A lot of people gave me the advice to work smarter not harder in college. While that concept worked for some, I stayed true to myself by working hard AND smart, helping me to achieve my highest accomplishments in my college career. To anyone majoring in a business-related field, I recommend they try to avoid attempting to make things easy and instead make them worth it. Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses too!
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I wouldn’t change the course of my journey in business school, as every experience brought me to where I am. However, if I could do one thing differently, I would spend less time second-guessing my decisions. I stayed true to myself throughout my college experience, yet I often worried whether that was the right decision. Worrying about the present accomplishes nothing apart from wasting time. Everything that is meant to be, will be. Especially by putting work, time, and energy toward it.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? The University of Denver offers a boot camp that I hope to take after I graduate. Daniels has embraced the exploration of using AI in certain classes (professor-dependent) to streamline and enhance learning opportunities. One insight I gained is that AI is similar to an upgraded Google. It is not without its faults, but coupled with ideas and hard work, it can amplify excellence.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Academically, I am most proud of my thesis The Financial Implications of Current Events in Collegiate Sports. Writing a thesis on a subject that is being decided on legally, socially, and foundationally in real time was the most challenging yet rewarding experience. I struggled to set it down since it was continuously evolving. When I finally printed it, I felt a sense of pride unmatched by any academic achievement in the past.
Which classmate do you most admire? A classmate I admire most at the University of Denver is Jared Wright. There is a string of students who I admire for their academic prowess, hard work, and overall talent within their respective fields. There is one quality that cannot be taught in a classroom, however, and that is authenticity. Jared Wright is not only a dedicated student-athlete excelling both in academics and sports, but he is also a person of unwavering character.
He is a good person. A close friend of mine with Down syndrome expressed a desire to meet individuals at DU. When I arranged meeting, Jared was the sole individual who made the time—without hesitation. He stepped away from his studies, social commitments, and personal pursuits simply because he understood the impact of his presence on my friend. Jared Wright embodies altruism, demonstrating unwavering integrity and kindness in an environment that often presents challenges. His character is a testament to the impact of staying true to one’s values. He is a good person while being a good student and athlete. In my mind, character is the most impressive honor one can receive, and he is the face of it.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my mother, Stacie Fairbairn, for my success. I was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at the age of 3. Life past middle school was not promised to my parents, and their only guidance with my heart was this: “Push it to grow, but never to the point of breaking”.
I cannot fathom the strength it took for my parents to be handed a million-piece LEGO set with no instructions—just the dismaying counsel of “build it.” My mother did more than build, though; she created a life for me where limitations were not roadblocks, rather they were challenges to navigate. She never allowed me to be a victim of my condition. Instead, she instilled in me two principles that guide my life to this day: “For every one thing you can’t do, find the millions of things you can,” and “Always stop and smell the roses.”
Because of her, I developed a unique work ethic—one born from necessity, resilience, and adaptation. When my body couldn’t handle intense cardio and traditional sports, she encouraged me to explore other avenues: I became a Pilates instructor, found my place in the operational side of athletics, and leaned wholeheartedly into my studies finding a passion for finance. Every choice I made, every success, and, most importantly, the fact that I am here today—living, breathing, and thriving—is a testament to my mother’s strength, wisdom, and unwavering love.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Given my personal health journey, I am committed to supporting children facing medical challenges. I aspire to serve on the board of a nonprofit dedicated to helping children with health conditions and disabilities, or, if possible, establish my own philanthropic initiative with that mission.
Additionally, I hope to research the financial landscape of healthcare to develop more efficient, accessible solutions for families navigating medical expenses. By combining my passion for finance with my personal experiences, I aim to drive meaningful change in the healthcare system.
What made Sydney such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“Sydney Fairbairn is the type of student that all faculty love to have. She is intelligent, engaged, intellectually curious, dependable, vocal in class, and a great team-member in a group project. She is not reluctant to ask her professors questions, she talks to them about careers and job search strategies, and she talks with them about current events in the business world. Sydney was in my Organized Walk Down Wall Street course, where we spent a week in New York visiting investment banks, private equity firms, ratings agencies, hedge funds, portfolio managers, equity analysts, and exchanges. I was extremely pleased with the insightful questions that Sydney asked during our visits and her interactions with the speakers. She was a great representative as a student from Daniels.
I also supervised Sydney’s thesis that she completed to earn a Distinction in Finance recognition. The title of her thesis is “The Financial Implications of Current Events in Collegiate Sports”. Her thesis is excellent, especially with the current challenges facing collegiate sports that seem to change on a daily basis. I finally told Sydney that she had to stop writing to keep up with the new challenges because the thesis had a due date! College athletic directors and the leaders of the NCAA should read Sydney’s thesis.”
Dr. Maclyn Clouse
Sorenson Distinguished Professor of Finance
Daniels College of Business, University of Denver
“Sydney Fairbairn was an outstanding student in my ACTG 3220 course, Understanding Financial Statements, during the Spring 2024 term. She consistently demonstrated an exceptional level of preparedness by completing all assigned readings, chapter work, and pre-class videos ahead of time. This allowed her to actively engage with the material and contribute thoughtfully to class discussions. Her thorough understanding of the course content, including complex concepts and theories, made her stand out in terms of her readiness for each lesson.
Her participation in class was exemplary. Sydney arrived on time and was consistently engaged, asking relevant and insightful questions that not only deepened her understanding but also encouraged further discussion. She was particularly adept at seeking clarity on complex topics and expanding on the theories presented, which greatly enhanced the learning experience for everyone.
Sydney also demonstrated strong leadership in the classroom, particularly during in-class application activities. She naturally took the initiative to invite her peers into the conversation, offering her understanding to help others as they worked through exercises. Her ability to break down challenging concepts and assist classmates made her an invaluable resource during these activities.
Beyond her academic performance, Sydney displayed a level of maturity and professionalism that set her apart. She exhibited confidence while maintaining a calm, respectful, and considerate demeanor. Her inquisitive nature and respectful attitude contributed to a positive classroom environment and encouraged collaboration among her peers.
In addition to her intellectual capabilities, Sydney’s leadership and personal qualities were exceptional. She naturally assumed a guiding role in group discussions, demonstrating a maturity beyond her years. Her kindness, courtesy, and attentiveness to others created a supportive environment in which her peers felt comfortable engaging in the material and learning. Sydney’s calm and respectful demeanor, paired with her intellectual curiosity and strong work ethic, allowed her to not only excel academically but also foster a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere in the classroom.
In summary, Sydney is a model student, whose intellectual ability, leadership, and professionalism significantly enhanced the classroom dynamic. I would welcome more students like her in all of my courses, and I am confident that she will continue to excel in her future academic and professional endeavors.”
David L. Dassler, CPA, CGMA
Teaching Assistant Professor
School of Accountancy
Daniels College of Business, University of Denver
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