Leaders Unscripted
Leaders Unscripted is a student-led speaker series that brings authentic leadership stories to the heart of the Neeley School. Each conversation goes beyond the highlight reel to explore real moments of failure, growth and pivotal choices: the experiences that shape how leaders show up in the world.
Real conversations. Real leaders. Real growth.
Built by students, for students, Leaders Unscripted creates space for open dialogue, personal reflection and meaningful connection. Every event is designed and produced by a team of student ambassadors who select the speaker, craft the format and guide the discussion from start to finish.
The goal is simple: help business students grow as values-based leaders who learn from one another, ask better questions and build the confidence to navigate what comes next.
Come hear from Lizzy Means Duplantis and Sarah Means Ward
Date: 10/27/26
Time: 6 – 7 p.m.
Location: Shaddock Auditorium
Founders of Miron Crosby
Sisters Lizzie Means Duplantis and Sarah Means are the founders of Miron Crosby, the fashion cowboy boot brand. The two grew up on a fifth-generation cattle ranch in West Texas and then moved to New York City following their college graduations. Cowboy boots remained essential in their wardrobes during their time in the city, where they noticed a whitespace in the market—an opportunity to reimagine the traditional western boot as luxurious, high-fashion footwear.
The sisters launched Miron Crosby after moving back to Texas in 2017. They drew inspiration from their personal experiences, like nights under the open star-filled Texas sky or fashion they were inspired by after flipping through magazines with their grandmother as children. These details are brought to life with the highest quality materials and luxurious elements, hand lasted in Mercedes, Texas and León, Mexico, by master artisans with decades of experience.
Both Lizzie and Sarah graduated from Texas Christian University. Before finding Miron Crosby, Lizzie held positions at Forbes Magazine, Goldman Sachs and Tiger Global, while Sarah took to working in fashion from the start at Loeffler Randall.
Why Students Love It
- Come Hear Stories: Leaders get real about the moments that shaped their careers – from failures and turning points to lessons learned the hard way.
- Ask What Really Matters: Student moderators guide the conversation with candid, thoughtful questions that open the door to honest leadership insight.
- Connect with Leaders: Each event ends with casual networking, giving students a chance to build relationships in a relaxed, come-as-you-are environment.
How It’s Student-led
Student ambassadors drive the experience from beginning to end.
They:
- Choose themes and invite speakers
- Host and moderate conversations
- Coordinate logistics and the run-of-show
- Shape the atmosphere, from audience engagement to event flow
If you’re a Neeley business student looking for hands-on experience and direct access to industry leaders, consider joining the team.
Become a Student Ambassador
As a Leaders Unscripted Student Ambassador, you’ll help shape the series by selecting speakers, guiding conversations and supporting event planning and production. This opportunity gives sophomore and junior Neeley students hands-on experience, meaningful professional connections and the chance to help build a signature Neeley tradition focused on authentic conversations about leadership and life.
Key Contact:
Advisor to the Dean on Student Enrichment