Students in the MGTO 30707 Deloitte Colloquium in Ethical Leadership, the signature undergraduate student experience coordinated by the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership (NDDCEL), traveled to Costa Rica for the 2024 Fall Break, meeting with executives and community leaders - and visiting one of the most biodiverse regions of the world - to examine sustainable business leadership in practice.
The learning trek was supported by the NDDCEL and by the Notre Dame Initiative on Race and Resilience. Accompanied by Mendoza College of Business professors Jessica McManus Warnell and Kristen Collett-Schmitt who led discussions on ethical leadership and economics, the team was immersed in a transformative experience - in more ways than one. Read on for highlights of the trek, including an innovative business model that transforms plastic waste into building materials.
Stakeholders in business and community prosperity
During the learning trek students met with business professional and political leader Ottón Solís for an introduction to the economic and sociopolitical environment in Costa Rica
The student team visited an innovative regenerative design company transforming plastic waste into building materials. The company works closely with community members and schools to develop the next generation of sustainable citizens. The team started their day visiting Escuela Fidel Chaves, an elementary school partner of CRDC Global in their mission to provide sustainability education and engagement. Students refreshed the school recycling center and traveled to the recycling and repurposing site.
"Our visit to a Costa Rican company highlighted sustainability in action, sparking in-depth discussions on crucial factors like the macroeconomic environment, stakeholder buy-in, regulatory frameworks, and access to resources, incentives, and technology. As a fellow of NDDCEL, I feel truly fortunate to have shared this impactful experience with the next generation of ethical business leaders."
Kristen Collett-Schmitt, NDDCEL Faculty Fellow, Teaching Professor of Finance, & Associate Dean, Mendoza College of Business
Students met with CRDC Global’s Founder and CEO, and lead members of the team offering a transformative business model that reflects true circularity.
Along the way, the team had the opportunity to witness the Notre Dame alumni network in action and discuss business in the region, sharing a meal with Roberto Pacheco, Chief Financial Officer, Edica, ND MBA ‘05.
Visiting the Organization for Tropical Studies, La Selva Biological Research Station
Professors McManus and Collett-Schmitt with Roberto Pacheco, MBA ‘05
Learning trek participants share their reflections
Students discuss the learning and experiences in Costa Rica - inspiration from business and community leaders, and a chance to connect with their classmates in a unique way.
“This experience really enhanced my appreciation for sustainable leadership. The visit to the recycling center was probably the highlight of the trip for me and it really got me thinking about how this could revolutionize recycling in the United States…. I also just loved seeing how passionate everyone was about their work at the recycling facility. That is definitely an indicator of very effective leadership when all the employees truly care about their jobs as they did. It was great to gain a deeper understanding of ethical leadership by being able to see it taking place first-hand.”
Henry Anderson, ND '26
“On the Costa Rica trip, I gained invaluable experience when it came to cultural awareness and innovation of ideas when it came to recycling and sustainability. Academically, it was great to see and apply some of the things that were learned in class into my learned experiences in Costa Rica. Being able to see and reflect on what some of our speakers had to say and how it translated to reality was super interesting. My mentor [for the Deloitte Colloquium in Ethical Leadership course], Ryan Stecz, had noted one of the most important things when trying to build a sustainable and ethical community and purpose was to have a tool kit. This idea of having a toolkit was emphasized many times during this trip by speakers and solidified my understanding of what it meant to have a set of skills and be able to learn, adapt, and apply it to different ethical situations. In addition, the cultural awareness aspect was also important and an enjoyable part of being in Costa Rica…. Engaging with leaders in Costa Rica who are actively working towards creating a truly sustainable environment inspires me to become an ethical, sustainable, and inclusive leader. This experience greatly enhanced my appreciation for ethical, sustainable, and inclusive leadership in business, as our class had the opportunity to witness firsthand how others are bringing these principles to life. In addition, we saw how ethics and sustainability can be applied to many different occupations and aspects including politics, business, and engineering.”
Adrienne Chen, ND '27
“Seeing a business like Resin8 operate successfully while prioritizing ethical and sustainable goals was profoundly inspiring. This company proved that profitability and sustainable growth can go hand-in-hand, an idea I had not seen realized so tangibly before. Witnessing their impact made me realize that businesses can indeed be a force for good—an insight that will shape my career aspirations.”
Bryn Dougherty, ND '27
“The trip was an amazing experience. I am so grateful to have been able to go on it because I do not think I would have ever traveled to Costa Rica independently. In addition, I enjoyed getting to bond with my other classmates on the trip. Before the trip, I did not know much about them but I felt that during the trip we all got to know each other much better and became friends.”
Kelly Endler, ND '26
“As a Spanish speaker, this trip helped me connect with other Latinos and I was able to express my culture in ways that I do not always have the opportunity to in the States. I am grateful for this opportunity because I was able to express myself a bit more than I would in a classroom setting. This experience enhanced my appreciation for ethical, sustainable, and inclusive leadership in business because I was able to witness it first hand. By seeing different implications of having a sustainable-based product I was able to see just challenging change and risk-taking can be…. It is important to have people in leadership positions in businesses that actually consider who and what they are affecting on a greater scale…. I came into this trip with an open mind. I did not know what to expect. The only goal I truly had was to immerse myself and enjoy Costa Rica. Therefore, I would say all my goals have been met. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.
Janet Gomez-Trejo, ND '27
“One of my main takeaways was the seamless integration of sustainability into daily life [in Costa Rica], which felt refreshingly genuine. Companies [we saw] view environmental responsibility as a baseline rather than a strategy for recognition, and employees at every level are engaged in the shared vision of protecting the planet…. Costa Rican organizations embody a holistic commitment to ethical practice, with leaders modeling sustainability in a way that empowers employees to see the real impact of their contributions. Observing this alignment between values and actions reinforced the importance of fostering a shared vision in any organization. The insights from former congressman Ottón Solís…. resonated with me, as he redefined leadership as a commitment to the common good rather than a means for individual gain…. One of the most unexpected but rewarding parts of the trip was getting to know my classmates. Going into the trek, I didn’t know many of them well, but this experience brought everyone out of their shell and encouraged genuine relationships. I now look forward to seeing them in class and continuing the meaningful conversations we started on the trek. This sense of camaraderie not only enriched the trip but also emphasized the value of shared experiences in building trust and authentic connections.”
Bode Menegay, ND '27
“This trip was very helpful to my professional development. It shows that if I someday am creative enough to dream up a vision of a product or process that can help the world, I should go for it because there is a chance of success and profits…. My main takeaway from this experience is that the world is so much bigger than the United States. I had never left the country until then, and it was interesting to see the different ways this country operated…. This experience certainly enhanced my appreciation for ethical inclusive leadership in business. I believe that [CRDC CEO] Donald Thomson was an exemplary example of this attribute…. Thank you so much for planning and bringing us along on this amazing experience! It was such a cool, formative and educational experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life and I am so grateful that I was there.”
Allison Narmi, ND '26
“One of my main takeaways from our discussion with [former congressman] Ottón Solís was his inspiring perspective on ethical leadership. He defined being a politician as the position with the least power, emphasizing that those who take on this role are there to serve. This notion resonates deeply, especially in the context of my experiences in Honduras, my family’s home country. Mr. Felis highlighted how corruption at the top influences behavior throughout the government; when leaders act unethically, it creates a trickle-down effect that undermines integrity at all levels. I was particularly moved by his decision to pivot from a life in academia to actively work toward changing his country’s political landscape. His commitment made it clear that ethical behavior should be the norm, not an exception worthy of praise. It’s a reminder that we should strive for integrity as a baseline expectation rather than something to be celebrated.”
Ashly Turcios-Sierra, ND '27
This new learning trek builds on the success of the Fall 2024 Deloitte Colloquium in Ethical Leadership, during which enrolled students engaged with professional corporate and MBA student mentors to examine ethical business leadership in practice. The experiential immersion extends this mission to provide students with meaningful academic and professional development opportunities as they develop their capacities for ethical leadership during and beyond their time at Notre Dame. It allows students to participate directly in qualitative exploration of ethical leadership with real-world applicability.
If you would like to learn more about being involved with the colloquium as a professional mentor or site visit host, please contact us!
We look forward to seeing the mark these undergraduates will make when they begin their own professional careers - our next generation of ethical leaders.
