5th Annual Leadership Conference | Denver Scholarship Foundation

Throughout his career, as a professional mountaineering guide, Luis has summited the top of the famed “Seven Summits” a cumulative 32 times, including being a six-time summiteer of Mt. Everest.

Because of this, between managing expeditions on some of the most remote peaks in the world, while consulting with a deep and varied group of clientele, Benitez works to tie the lessons available from the outdoors and carry them back to the everyday challenges of life and business while always holding a keen focus on the global development and advancement of the outdoor industry.

Luis has also served as the COO and Director of Operations for Adventure Consultants (AC), a highly respected New Zealand-based global expedition firm with a long and storied history of leading trips on Mt. Everest that was featured both in the book Into Thin Air and in the movie Everest.

Benitez has reported from Mt. Everest for ABC-TV News, and has filmed segments for National Geographic on Mt. Everest.

At the heart of his career, Luis has always focused on teaching as well as serving. Some of his most rewarding work has been to help create the internal university for Vail Resorts, focusing on leadership development for every level of employee. Benitez also helped create the nonprofit Trekking For Kids, which focuses on service based expeditions allowing participants to climb and trek while teaching them about local issues like housing and healthcare for disadvantaged youth around the world. Benitez was also a founding partner for Warriors to Summits, a nonprofit focusing on serving returning Veterans by connecting them with the outdoors.

Throughout all of this, Benitez has served as an adjunct professor in Ecuador and Chile for the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

In the last 10 years, Benitez has grown to have a deeper investment in public service 1st by serving as a Town Councilman in Eagle, Colorado and now currently serving as the 1st State Director for the Outdoor Recreation Industry office for the State of Colorado.

Benitez holds a professional guide accreditation from ASEGUIM in Ecuador and an Executive MBA from the University of Denver (DU) with an emphasis certification on behavioral sciences and public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

If there is any message that Luis likes to leave with the clients he works with, it is this;

“If you really challenge yourself, you can truly change your world.”

SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE

Luis Benitez

Session I Descriptions - 10:05 - 11:05 a.m.

Pathways After College

There are many pathways you can take after college and it is important to find the best fit for you. This session will explore graduate programs, service opportunities, and entering the workforce. You will have an opportunity to practice asking questions in a small group format and engage with professionals from each pathway.

Why Do Mentors Matter? The Benefits of Mentorship

Mentors are great resources to provide support as you grow as a young professional. This session will introduce fellow DSF Scholars who participate in mentorship programs to find guidance as they explore goals, careers, and develop their network.

Successful Transitions to the Workforce: What Do I Need to Know?

Just like the transition from high school to college, the transition from college into the workforce entails new cultures, expectations, and norms to navigate. This session will prepare you to expect the unexpected as a college student, while preparing you for the workforce and establishing realistic expectations.

Session II Descriptions - 1:35 - 2:35 p.m.

Hate Interviews & Resumes? This Session is for You!

In this session, an established professional will interview you and review your resume, providing feedback in a constructive, safe environment that will strengthen your skills. This session will help you identify areas of strength and growth to better prepare you for first impressions in-person and on paper. Remember to bring a copy of your resume with you!

Coping with Rejection and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Coming to terms with rejection can be difficult, whether it comes from a college, graduate program, internship, or job. Even after you land a job or are accepted into a program, feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt can continue to linger. This session will help you develop resilience, gain self-confidence, and grow through even the toughest transitions.

Show Me the Money: Breaking Down Your Paycheck

Have you ever felt confused while reading your paycheck? Gross pay, net pay, tax deductions—what does it all mean? This session will help you break down the elements of a paycheck. Learn about what you get paid, how to allocate it, and most of all…how to make it grow!