The Elizabethtown College School of Business continued its Mars Wrigley Lecture Series during the spring 2024 semester by hosting three accomplished speakers on campus to offer students a real-world perspective from an assortment of senior-level executives who specialize in various disciplines.
“In the journey of business education, the Mars Lecture Series serves as a compass, guiding our students through the complexities of the global business landscape,” Elizabethtown College Dean of the School of Business, Najiba Benabess said. “By offering firsthand insights from industry executives, we illuminate the path toward understanding and navigating the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities that shape our world.”
Charlie Ebersole ’86 — Chief Executive Officer at DKI Services
Alumnus Charlie Ebersole’ 86 spoke to students on Feb. 23.
Alumnus Charlie Ebersole ’86 opened the spring lecture series on Feb. 23. Ebersole is the Chief Executive Officer of DKI Services, the largest network of building restoration specialists in North America. DKI Services provides disaster restoration, industrial hygiene services, construction, and renovation for properties that experience disasters like floods and fires.
Ebersole’s lecture highlighted his journey from his first business in high school to his time at Etown and his other entrepreneurship opportunities. He encouraged students to work through challenges.
“Look back and learn,” Ebersole said. “There are those [bad] days, but there are far more days of being satisfied, challenged and intrigued.”
Katie Sandoe — Founder and Chief Illumination Officer of Light Echo Co.
Katie Sandoe, founder of Light Echo Co., an organization that helps leaders and organizations find purpose and transform the workplace, spoke with Etown students on March 15. Sandoe’s company offers consulting, coaching, and education. Sandoe is also an adjunct professor within Penn State Harrisburg’s Communications program and serves on the board of advisors for Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Humanities. She was the executive director of Girls on the Run of Lancaster and Lebanon from 2021-23 and has worked in the public relations field for more than 20 years.
Sandoe encouraged students to think about the impact their life has on others and how they can make a positive change. She also shared the challenges she’s faced in her career and personal journey and how they made her stronger.
“I defined for me where my worth and value comes from, and it is not from wealth, power, awards, or accolades, it’s when I walk into a space, will someone’s life be positively impacted because of me,” Sandoe said. “There’s so much potential before you, and there’s so much opportunity and anticipation, but I hope when you think about being successful that you won’t forget to live a fulfilling life.”
Meron Yemane — Senior Vice President and Family Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley
Meron Yemane concluded the Spring Lecture Series on April 12. A senior vice president, global sports entertainment director and family wealth advisor at Morgan Stanley, the largest wealth management firm globally, Yemane currently co-chairs Morgan Stanley’s wealth management diversity efforts across the country.
Yemane spoke with students about his life and career journey, including key pieces of advice he learned along the way. He also took questions and comments from the audience.
“If you work hard and you do the right thing for people, that’s going to come back tenfold to you, and that’s how I’ve tried to carry myself,” Yemane said. “If I continue to work and provide great advice and continue to research and think about clients as my own family, then the rest will take care of itself.”
About the Mars Wrigley Lecture Series
The Mars Wrigley Confectionery partnered with Elizabethtown College to create an Executive Lecture Series, bringing senior executives from a variety of industries to talk about their experiences. The series will continue in the fall 2024 semester with guest lecturers to be announced.
