ALUMNI PROFILES

Regis Jesuit alumni are thought-leaders, changemakers and Men and Women with and for Others. In this issue, we’re celebrating the many ways our alumni are striving for the magis—the qualitative more—in all that they do.

Emma Braun '16

GEOTECHNICAL PROJECT ENGINEER

Industry: Engineering /Construction

Education: MS, Geotechnical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines; BS, Civil Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

Think back to senior year. Was this the job you dreamed of? Yes and no - I knew I wanted to be an engineer because at the root of engineering, you have to be a problem solver, something I felt was a fairly good goal. It was after I saw the applications of specifically civil engineering that I knew those were the kind of problems I wanted to solve.

Naomi Butler '13

FOUNDER/OWNER | BUTLER MEDIA MARKETING

Industry: Marketing

Education: BA, Advertising and Public Relations, University of Northern Colorado

How are you acting as a Woman for Others in your current role? I believe in using our skills and resources to positively impact the community. That's why we have incorporated an element into our business that allows us to give back through pro bono work for ministries. Through this initiative, we have had the privilege of partnering with numerous churches and organizations, helping them reach the people they serve and amplify their message. We strongly believe that giving back with our time and resources is a way to honor and serve God, and it aligns with our core values as a company.

Darius Ebrahimi '12

AUTHOR

Industry: Writing /Publishing

Education: MS, Finance, University of Texas - Austin; BA, Economics, University of Colorado - Boulder

What accomplishments are you most proud of? I’m proud of winning the 2023 IndieReader Discovery Award for fantasy, but regardless of any other accomplishment, holding my book, Till Myth Do Us Part, in print for the first time will be my proudest moment.

Fr. Micah Flores ’12

PAROCHIAL VICAR | MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD CATHOLIC PARISH Ministry STB, Sacred Theology, Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum); MDiv, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary; BA, Philosophy, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, accredited through Regis University

Who or what inspired you to pursue your field of interest? Two priests in particular, Fr. Kevin Dyer, SJ And Fr. Brady Wagner were, and still are, tremendous witnesses to me of faithfulness, joy, and holiness of life. Through their encouragement and guidance, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I left behind the ambitions of an engineering career to follow Jesus Christ more closely as his disciple and friend through seminary and now as a priest.

Lacey Henderson '07

ATHLETE, SPEAKER AND OWNER/SPORT PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONER | PARALLEL PERFORMANCE CONSULTING LLC

Athletics and Advocacy

MA, Applied Sport and Performance Psychology, University of St Thomas - Houston; BA, Spanish and French Language, Minor in International Studies with emphasis on Health, Development and Gender, University of Denver

What accomplishments are you most proud of? Definitely the passing of HB1136 into Colorado state law where insurance companies are required to cover costs for an additional recreational device for people with limb loss /difference. Becoming an American Record holder and Paralympian have been amazing, but I've treated that more as a platform to do bigger work.

Jessica Lewis-Cruz '15

CAPTAIN, UNITED STATES ARMY AND INTERN PHYSICIAN | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD

Military Physician, applying to Otolaryngology

MD, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences; BS, Life Science, United States Military Academy at West Point

Who or what inspired you to pursue your field of interest? My desire to be a military physician was inspired in part by the Jesuit ideals of service that I learned during my time at RJ. Still, I carry those ideals with me by caring for those in harm's way and their loved ones.

Jim Loehr '61

PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGIST, AUTHOR AND CO-FOUNDER | HUMAN PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE

Industry: Psychology

Education: EdD and MA, Psychology, University of Northern Colorado; BA, Psychology, Regis University

Do you have a favorite RJ teacher? Why? Coach Guy Gibbs was my hero. He reached out to me when I needed it most. I credit him in the acknowledgments of many of my books. Coach Gibbs was a truly extraordinary man.

Erika Manilla '16

#1 TEAM USA RACQUETBALL ATHLETE, #4 LADIES PROFESSIONAL RACQUETBALL TOUR ATHLETE, AND CO-OWNER | MANILLA ATHLETICS

Industry: Professional Racquetball

Education: MBA and BS, Biomedical Science with Minors Chemistry and Spanish, University of Northern Arizona

What advice would you give to our current students? Be kind. Respect those around you. Trust the traditions. Lean into your faith.

Jack McLaren '10

AQUATIC ECOLOGY PROGRAM MANAGER | HENRY’S FORK FOUNDATION

Industry: Conservation Non-profit, Scientist

Education: PhD, Ecology, Utah State University ; MPA, Water Resources Management, Indiana University Bloomington; MS, Environmental Science, Water Resources Management, Indiana University Bloomington; BS, Environmental Science, Minor in Sustainability, University of Notre Dame

How are you acting as a Man for Others in your current role? Ending up in the non-profit field was the direct result of a Jesuit education. Regis Jesuit encouraged me to seek a field where I could give my time and talent for the glory of God and betterment of humanity through the conservation of the natural world.

Bruce Murphy '59

SENIOR SCIENTIST | THE RESEARCH CENTER IN REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY, UNIVERSITY OF MONTREAL

Industry: Physiology, Reproductive Biology, Science and Education

Education: PhD, Reproductive Biology, University of Saskatchewan; MS, Physiology, Colorado State University ; BS, Biology, Colorado State University

What accomplishments are you most proud of? Although I have had a successful career as a scientist, I believe that my most important contribution has been training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Sixty-five young scientists have passed through my laboratory, and are now working scientists all over the world. Those in academia have established research laboratories in Canada, USA, Mexico, Peru, Argentina and China among others. Some of my former trainees are working in the assisted reproduction and biotech industries, while some hold government posts.

Kathleen Kershisnik Seig '12

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PART OWNER | ROOTED IN REHABILITATION, LITTLETON Health Care / Physical Therapy

Education: Doctorate of Physical Therapy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; BS, Kinesiology and Health and Minor in Psychology, The University of Wyoming

What does the future of your industry look like? Physical therapists are now required to get doctorate degrees, and in many states, Colorado included, are direct access health care providers. This means that patients no longer have to go to a PCP to get a referral, but instead can come directly to a PT to be evaluated, treated and order any images (MRI, X-Ray, etc.) necessary. Physical therapists are now a primary source of care for patients of all ages to prevent injury and manage their pain before it gets bad enough to become a serious injury or require surgery.