The University of Minnesota Morris American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) chapter was named Chapter of the Year during the National Business & Leadership Student Conference, held March 10-11 in Las Vegas.
This is the inaugural year for the UMN Morris AIBL chapter, having received their charter in June of 2024.
AIBL’s National Business & Leadership Student Conference is designed to give Indigenous students and professionals access to relevant business information and expertise, offering a variety of activities geared specifically to enhance and expand educational experiences beyond what is taught through traditional academic methods. During the conference, students compete for prizes in business plans, community projects, and elevator pitches, where they are offered leadership roles to gain valuable presentation, organizational, and project management skills and experience.
The chapter’s executive board members who attended the conference include Kenyon Ponce, ’26, Kuna, ID, president; Giselle Gourd ’26, Devils Lake, ND, vice president; Benais Rasmussen,’26, Bemidji, administrative manager; Hunter Overland,’26, Moose Lake financial manager; and Jacob Kehler, ’27, Madison Lake, public relations manager. Co-advisors for the chapter are Kevin Whalen and TseChi "Chad" Yen.
In addition to the Chapter of the Year honors, the Morris team garnered second place in the Business Plan competition. The competition is intended to provide an educational experience for students by learning the process of creating and presenting a business plan. Each business plan is created through the efforts of all participating students with the guidance of business mentors and is presented as a team. The UMN Morris team presented, “Native Value," a business valuation start-up.
Also, Rasmussen was selected for the Standout Award in the "Inquisitive and Engaged" category.
UMN Morris students had other opportunities to participate in significant ways throughout the conference. Ponce was selected as an event assistant for a day and Gourd served as the social media assistant for a day.
About AIBL
AIBL is the only American Indigenous non-profit organization solely dedicated to empowering business students in the United States. The programs are designed to engage students in activities that stimulate, enhance, and expand educational experiences beyond traditional academic methods. All students are encouraged to participate in AIBL regardless of race, academic major, or career objectives.