Once again, students have their eyes set on PBL Nationals after competing at the Professional Business Leaders (PBL) State Leadership Conference in Kearney, Neb. Fifteen members of the York College PBL chapter attended the Nebraska state conference on April 10-11. The chapter represented the college well and received several awards for its competitive events and leadership activities. The National Leadership Conference will take place next June in Chicago. ​

Leadership was a theme among the York College PBL Chapter, with four students recognized as “who’s who” recipients in Nebraska PBL: Kitra Cody, a senior from Cody, Neb., Allison Myers, a junior from Kansas City, Mo., Josh Santiago, a senior from Norfolk, Neb., and Moriah Toledo, a senior from Fruitland, N.M. 

“PBL has taught me the value of diverse thought and teamwork,” expressed Cody. “My experience within this organization has shaped me in so many ways. I am a much stronger written and verbal communicator and my love for helping people find their passion has grown immensely.”

Cody plans to pursue a master’s degree through York College online and has accepted the manager position at DC Tanning here in York. 

Cody, Santiago, and Toledo were also recognized for their service as State PBL Officers, during the 2021-22 school year. Chapter Advisor Stacie Turnbull was recognized as the Advisor of the Year.

“Being a PBL state officer was a big responsibility and took a lot of time commitment,” shared Toledo. “My network has grown exponentially as I worked with many business professionals across the state of Nebraska and the country. It was an honor to serve and help others discover their goals and reach their full potential.”

After graduation, Toledo will pursue a masters in business administration with a concentration in human resources and communications.
Three PBL Members

Stepping up in leadership, Giovanni Froldi, a senior from Campinas, Brazil, has been elected as the State PBL Vice President of Finance for the 2022-23 term. Froldi will graduate with his bachelor’s degree in business in April and will continue as a graduate student through York College Online. 

The York College chapter was recognized as the largest Nebraska PBL Chapter at a 4-year college, for the third year in a row. The Chapter was also recognized as a Gold Ranking chapter, based on chapter activities in community service, leadership activities, and career readiness building.
  
“I’m very proud of having the largest chapter in the state of Nebraska,” shared Santiago. “Even the CEO of FBLA-PBL noted how great the York College chapter is at representing the organization as a whole.” 

Santiago was accepted into PricewaterhouseCoopers’ “While You Work” fellowship in Dallas, Texas, and will be a part of their yearly cohort of Latinx and African American undergraduates who are on track to become CPA eligible. He will also pursue a master of science degree in management with an emphasis in accounting analytics. 

Nebraska State PBL Competition Results:

  • Financial Analysis and Decision Making – Diego Korol, 1st place *
  • Forensic Accounting – Ella Montoya, 2nd place *; Diego Korol, Maria Geessaman, and Josh Santiago, 1st place *
  • Global Analysis and Decision Making – Giovanni Froldi, Diego Rubio Asín, and Carlos Ortega Arguelles, 2nd place *
  • Help Desk – Timberly Carr and Maria Geesaman, 3rd place *
  • Human Resource Management – Timberly Carr, Moriah Toledo, and Kitra Cody, 2nd *
  • Future Business Executive – Giovanni Froldi, 2nd *
  • Accounting for Professionals – Diego Korol, 4th place *; Cecilia Castillo, 3rd place *; Maria Geesaman, 2nd place *
  • Business Ethics – Diego Korol, 3rd place *
  • Business Sustainability – Diego Korol & Felipe Venegas Araneda, 2nd place *
  • Client Services - Felipe Venegas Araneda, 5th place; Allison Myers, 2nd place *
  • Cost Accounting – Ella Montoya, 2nd place *
  • Emerging Business Issues – Kitra Cody and Moriah Toledo – 2nd place *
  • Entrepreneurship Concepts - Felipe Venegas Araneda, 5th place
  • Impromptu – Timberly Carr, 3rd place *; Allison Myers, 2nd place *
  • Job Interview - Julie Tremaine, 6th place
  • Management Analysis and Decision Making – Kitra Cody and Moriah Toledo, 2nd place*
  • Microeconomics – Logan Brown, 2nd place *
  • Retail Management – Logan Brown, 1st place
  • Sports Management – Maria Geesaman, 4th place
  • Strategic Analysis and Decision Making – Diego Korol, 3rd place *

* denotes PBL National qualifiers

Future York University students interested in being a member of the Professional Business Leaders chapter could be eligible for a scholarship, contact Dr. Stacie Turnbull at smturnbull@york.edu for more information.