McCombs Made

Cindy Lo is the founder, CEO, and chief event strategist of Red Velvet, a renowned full-service and independent event planning agency. She's also a 1998 McCombs graduate. In this conversation, hear about her unexpected path to a career in event planning, her approach to planning her personal and professional life, and the ways in which she has carried herself throughout her career.  --- This podca...

Billy Freed has been investing in entrepreneurial innovation for years. In 2023, Mr. Freed generously donated $1 million dollars to the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center at McCombs. As a result, the pitch competition was renamed the Freed Family Pitch Competition. In this conversation, you'll hear about the lessons he's learned about entrepreneurship, the role that family has played in his car...

In 2018, Phil Canfield, BBA Finance '90, generously donated $20 million to the Business Honors Program at the McCombs School of Business, and subsequently the program was renamed after him. In this episode, hear about his career as an investor, his time as a student at McCombs, his connection to the city of Austin, and why inspiring the next crop of business honors students is so important to him....

Kendra Scott founded her namesake jewelry company in Austin, Texas, in 2002. In the more than two decades since, the jewelry brand has grown into a household name. In 2019, Scott created a $13.25 million endowment to start the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, which is now part of the McCombs School of Business. In this conversation, you'll hear about the lessons she's lea...

Since Swapnil Agarwal graduated from McCombs in 2003, he's grown a real estate investment empire. In this episode, hear how Agarwal's upbringing as an Indian immigrant influenced his personal and professional life, the role intention plays in all of his pursuits, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Production House. Want to work with The Drag? R...

New York for McCombs is a leadership program designed to strengthen the business school's network, increase student career opportunities, and encourage alumni engagement. In 2023, the program marked its tenth anniversary. In this special bonus episode, host Firdous Khezrian sits down with Paul Aaron and Dean Tom Gilligan, two founding members of the New York for McCombs council. Tom Gilligan is a...

Tiffany and Leon Chen started their groundbreaking cookie business, Tiff's Treats, when they were just 19-year-old sophomores at the University of Texas at Austin. In this episode, Tiffany and Leon speak about the drive they've carried throughout their careers, the pillars of partnership and the value of kindness in community-based businesses.  --- This podcast was produced by The Drag Audio Produ...

In the first episode of McCombs Made, host Firdous Khezrian sits down with Gary Kelly, BBA '77, former CEO and current executive chairman of Southwest Airlines to get a glimpse into his indelible 35-year tenure at the company. Gary and his wife, Carol, discussed Gary's transformative career, the importance of functioning as a team, and persevering through challenging times. This podcast was produc...

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin isn't just one of the top business schools in the country. It's a place where chances are taken, dreams are born, and boldness is celebrated. Perseverance, drive, and a welcoming sense of encouragement are at the center of Texas McCombs. To celebrate that spirit of ingenuity, the McCombs Made podcast features interviews with trail...