Learning Labs

Learning Labs

The University of Portland School of Business is thrilled to offer Learning Labs – FREE workshop sessions that deep dive into an area of leadership and management.

Led by expert instructors on various business topics. These sessions are free offerings, offered to students, alumni and our business community as a resource for connecting and learning.

Learning Labs offer an opportunity to hone in on a particular area that you are looking to foster in your career and grow in your business. Learn how to identify problems and develop solutions for the given topics. Join us for an upcoming session!

Upcoming Sessions:

School of Business Learning Labs Series: Graphic Design, Visual Communication & Aesthetic Strategy (Canva Workshop) ~ February 11, 2026
The School of Business is proud to serve as an on-going sponsor of this business event celebrates collaborative leadership across the region’s top-performing organizations. The Executives of the Year Awards recognize outstanding C-Suite and board-level leaders—both for-profit and nonprofit—who have demonstrated exceptional strategic vision, operational excellence, and transformative impact during the 2024–2025 calendar year.

Learn Blue Ocean Strategy: Examples from Wine, Beer & Spirits ~ September 18. Join us at the University of Portland for an exciting event where you’ll be a part of a hands-on workshop, led by Dr. Sam Holloway, strategic management expert, who will speak about the business approach for creating new, uncontested market spaces where competition is irrelevant. ~Special Guest! University of Portland Alumnus and Wine industry Guru, Kevin O’Brien, Managing Director Capital BMO Markets, will be presenting at this special session. Learn from the expert himself! 

Telling Stories With Data: Hands On Tableau Workshop ~ Kicking us off with the “Featured Faculty Edition” Learning Labs series will be Dr. Gudigantala on September 11 (7:10pm). He will lead an interactive, hands-on Tableau workshop. Students, alumni, business professionals and friends of UP are all invited to attend. Please RSVP >> HERE

Learn More

For more information on upcoming Learning Labs, or to schedule a Learning Labs session in partnership with the business school, please email Lilia Grundy, Director Corporate Partnerships –  grundy@up.edu  

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Previous Learning Labs Topics:

AI Made Simple: How Small Businesses Can Benefit from Artificial Intelligence ( March 21) 9:30am – 11:30am, University of Portland, Bauccio Commons Dining Hall. 

How to Get a Marketing Job in Today’s Uncertain Economy: Why Analytics Gives You an Edge~ presented by Mac’s List. May 21, 5-8pm. University of Portland, Shiley Atrium (3rd floor).

Built to Last: Fundamentals of a Capital Campaign

Thinking about launching a capital campaign for your organization? Maybe you are starting a new program, maybe you are looking to launch an endowment, or maybe you have a vision for growing your impact and creating sustainability for your organization. Let’s ensure you are set up for success!

What does the SVB Collapse Mean for My Business?

SVB’s collapse has implications far beyond Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Join us for an interactive webinar offering solutions for Main Street. Professors from Finance, Accounting & Strategy will present for 15 minutes followed by a 45-minute Q&A. The Pamplin School of Business has your back, Portland! Featuring Expert Faculty:

  • Emcee – Dr. Sam Holloway, Co-Founder Crafting A Strategy and Professor Management & Entrepreneurship
  • Claire Costin, Professor Accounting
  • Brian Adams, Professor Finance

Volunteer Love

Volunteer Love – learning to love the nonprofit volunteer management process: Volunteers are key to delivering the missions of many of our local non-profit organizations. Learn how to best create a positive experience for your volunteers by diving into the volunteer life cycle, volunteer motivations, and volunteer stewardship

How to Build Corporate Climate Resilience

The workshop will then introduce a model of climate resilience, zeroing in on how organizations can leverage resilience for strategic advantage and societal benefit. Case examples and interactive discussion will be featured throughout the session.

Women in Business Ethics Roundtable

Join us for a discussion beyond Business compliance or HR policy as these executives discuss how Values and Ethics guide them as they navigate workplace decision making –  including perspectives on the Future of Work.

The Business Ethics series ~ Habits, Values and Virtues in the Workplace

This interactive experience will engage participants in conversations about personal values and strengths, focusing on the habits and behaviors that guide us through the challenges of ethical decision making in the workplace.

Leadership in Organizations: The Role of the Board.

All nonprofits have two things in common: a need for good governance and a board of directors that provides the governing direction. This Learning Labs session will help deepen your understanding of governance, the role of the board, and general board operations. We will also delve into related issues such as DEI, group dynamics and process management.

Amazing Tech is Everywhere! Let’s Keep it Secure
Led by Travis Luckey, CIO Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Information Technology (IT) is a major driver of organizational efficiency, growth, sustainability, and competitive advantage. Along with providing tremendous business value, IT systems and services also expose organizations to risks such as major internal or customer-facing service interruptions as well as costly and damaging data breaches. In response, IT security has become an essential function and a key consideration for business leaders.

(International Edition)~ “How High Are Your Mountains?” with nonprofit Days for Girls, led by Celeste Mergens, founder and CEO of Days for Girls. Celeste will share the tools that have helped facilitate Days for Girls’ global conversations in tough situations

Set Your Budget on F.I.R.E  Led by University of Portland’s Joe Crowley, Aimee Morlatt and Pieter Digumarthi-Dykstra including a Meet and Greet with finance professionals from US Bank, Morgan Stanley and Fisher Investments – join us for Q&A with these experts and participate in breakout groups to match your finance comfort level.

           

Other Learning Labs sessions:

  •  Creating Compelling Measurable Outcomes for Nonprofit Organizations, Instructed by Chari Smith, President/Founder Evaluation into Action
  • International edition – Connect to Rwanda! Hear the stories of students based in Africa and how they’ve overcome challenges during the pandemic
  • Leaving a Lasting Impression on a Daily Basis, Instructed by Rich Cardona, CEO Cardona Media
  • Sharing your Story: Consistency in your Voice, Branding, and Messaging, Instructed by Jenny Thompson, Executive Director, Police Activities League of SW Washington
  •  Stop Surviving Change; Start Navigating It (COVID-19 Edition), Instructed by Liz Lockhart, Smarsh
  • Using Videos To Connect in Uncertain Times by Quinn Rose
  • Culture vs. Climate in the workplace, Instructed by Cyreena Boston Ashby, Hilltop Public Solutions
  • Steps to a successful career change, Instructed by Shari Dunn, Dress for Success
  • Improving event planning, processes and branding, Instructed by Lexy Garbarino, Portland Business Journal
  • Stop Surviving Change; Start Navigating It, Instructed by Liz Lockhart, Smarsh