Reflect. Reclaim. Re-Imagine. | 2026 U-LEAD CONFERENCE KICKOFF PRESENTATION

Three presenters, all with ties to Minnesota State University, Mankato, and all at different stages in their lives, share their perspectives on the three tenets of this year's U-LEAD Conference theme, Reflect, Reclaim, Re-Imagine. Each will share their thoughts in brief TedTalk-like presentations.  

A free student leader networking reception will follow the presentations.

REFLECT.
Connor Del Carmen is a mental performance consultant at Minnesota State Mankato’s Center for Sport and Performance Psychology, where he helps athletes and high performers build the mental skills, self-awareness, and holistic resilience required for peak performance. His client experience spans corporate teams, NCAA athletics, and recreational sports, working with individuals from adolescents to adults. A former standout distance runner and five-time school record holder, Connor earned his B.A. in Psychology from Earlham College in Richmond, IN. He is currently pursuing dual master’s degrees in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology and Mental Health Counseling at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he also serves as a volunteer coach for the men's cross country and track & field programs. 

RECLAIM.
Brian M. Zins ’02, ‘08 is Director of Alumni Relations at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he oversees alumni engagement strategies serving more than 145,000 graduates worldwide. Through his leadership, the Alumni Association cultivates meaningful connections between alumni, students, and the university while advancing philanthropy, volunteerism, and lifelong engagement. In addition to his advancement work, Brian has served as the public address announcer for various Maverick athletic teams over the past 25 years. 

REIMAGINE.
Courtney Igbo-Ogbonna earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2015. While at Mankato, she was an active member of the Greek community through Alpha Chi Omega, holding several leadership positions, including serving as president of the Delta Tau chapter in 2015. Today, Courtney is a Senior Recruitment Specialist on Mortenson Construction’s college recruiting team. She oversees external partnerships that connect interns and full-time candidates with engineering internships and full-time roles. Her work centers on building strong talent pipelines with students and national organizations while positioning Mortenson as an employer of choice nationwide.

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Co-hosted with: CSU & Student Activities, Student Events Team, Maverick Involvement Team, Delta Sigma Pi, Honors Student Body, Interfraternity Council (IFC), International Student Association, Panhellenic Council, Residence Hall Association (RHA), Student Government, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Residential Life