Purpose Dinner - "Leadership for All"

Phil McCarthy

Adjunct Professor and Executive in Residence in Entrepreneurship

University of Denver

Phil McCarthy is an adjunct professor and an executive in residence in the entrepreneurship department at the Daniels College of Business.

Phil started his career as a futures and options trader on the Nikkei for Spear Leeds Kellogg (SLK) on the AMEX in New York City. He then transferred to Singapore for SLK to head operations and trading on the Simex. He returned to the US as a NASDAQ Trader for Troster Singer, a subsidiary of SLK.

After Wall Street, Phil changed his sights for Denver, Colorado, and founded Breakaway Sports, a hockey and lacrosse sporting goods company. He grew the company to seven locations across the U.S. and developed a National Team Sales Division and operated the business for 20 years before a successful exit in 2016.

While building Breakaway Sports ,Phil was also building a real estate company to support his sporting goods business, which he successfully exited in 2016/17, and a performance apparel company, Wicked Smart Apparel, which he successfully exited in 2009.

Today Phil is a director of operations for 3d Lacrosse; an adjunct professor in the entrepreneurship minor at the Daniels College of Business, where he teaches leadership and execution; and an executive in residence at Daniels. He sits on the Advisory Board for Entrepreneurship at DU. He is also the director of failure research for athletes at Columbia University and writes a blog on Athletic Approach at Athlete2lifelite.com. He has been a public speaker, most recently presenting to the CU football team on leadership and financial literacy.

Craig Miller

Director of Talent Acquisition and Development

University of Denver

Since joining DU in 2014, I’ve had the privilege of serving in roles ranging from Enrollment Manager to Benefits Specialist to HR Business Partner. Currently, I’m honored to lead as the Director of Talent Acquisition and Development in the Office of Human Resources and Inclusive Community, where I focus on integrating employee Recruiting and People Development. As a first-generation college graduate (BA, Psychology, UNC-Greeley and MS, Strategic HR Management, DU) my journey hasn’t always been easy, but my positive attitude, drive, and work ethic have shaped my success. I’m passionate about helping others find fulfillment in their careers and love guiding people through every stage of the talent lifecycle. I’m excited to share my experiences, learn from fresh perspectives, and support others in their professional growth!

Dr. Darin M. L. Stewart

Professor and Chair of the Higher Education Department

University of Denver

Dr. Darin M. L. Stewart is Professor and Chair of the Higher Education Department in the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver. His scholarship has focused most intently on the history and philosophy of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in higher education, as well as the institutional systems and structures that affect the experiences, growth, development, and success of racially minoritized and queer and trans* students in settler colonial historically white postsecondary institutions.

Nathan Page

Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs & Experiences

University of Denver

Nathan Page joined the Division of Kennedy Mountain Campus, Wellness & Recreation team in the fall of 2022; serving as the Interim Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs & Experiences.  Nathan has a strong passion for experiential education and loves helping diverse groups of students discover and learn about their outdoor selves. Nathan comes to the university with over a decade of outdoor instructing experience and over 8 years working as a manager and creative within higher education. When not working to execute the mission of DU at the Kennedy Mountain Campus, you will find him running, climbing, sewing, and searching for the best cup of coffee in the Front Range.