A mix of six CSB and SJU students, staff and alumni are scheduled to present at the 13th annual REDTalks event scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, in the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater on the Saint John’s University campus.
The show annually features speakers sharing their insight and experience on a variety of topics through fun, short and engaging talks.
Last year’s event was held in the Gorecki Family Theater on the College of Saint Benedict campus, marking the first time it was not held in the Twin Cities.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets can be reserved here.
Those attending are asked to park in lots 5, 6, 9, 10 or 18.
This year’s emcee is CSB and SJU professor of finance and accounting Boz Bostrom ’95. Bostrom, who is in his 21st year as a professor at CSB and SJU, speaks nationally on topics of ethics and leadership.
He is also a regular at campus events and one of CSB and SJU’s biggest boosters, routinely promoting the schools through his well-viewed social media platform.
The speakers at the event are as follows:
Lilly Goyah ’25 – “Warrior of the Woods: Reclaim Your Story
Goyah, a CSB senior will discuss pursing her individualized creative composition and music business major – which combines music, business and entrepreneurship with an eye on entering the Christian music industry.
She is president of Bennies and Business, is part of the Entrepreneur Scholars (E-Scholars) program at CSB and SJU and is the founder of ANP streaming.
Hayden Sanders ’25 – “Living Intentionally”
Sanders, an SJU senior majoring in accounting with a minor in exercise and health science, will talk about how he aims to apply the lessons and experiences he has taken away from his time at SJU to inspire and enrich the lives of others.
A three-year starter at linebacker for the Johnnies, he earned All-MIAC and all-district athletic and academic honors. He plans to pursue a career in football coaching after graduating in May.
Robin Balder-Lanoue ’91 – “Lessons from 26.2”
Balder-Lanoue was an All-MIAC track and field athlete who has gone on to serve as CSB’s head cross country coach since 1997 and head track and field coach since 1999.
The five-time MIAC coach of the year continues to compete in road races and relays, including the 2024 Northwest Passage Relay, where her team, Baba Yaga, won the women’s division.
Carter Howell ’22 – “Community, More than a Buzzword”
After graduating from SJU in 2022, Howell spent a year in East Africa as part of the Benedictine Volunteer Corps and is now the assistant director of SJU Campus Ministry, as well as a faculty resident in upper class housing.
Both jobs allow him to get to know current Bennies and Johnnies and hear about what they are looking for out of their CSB and SJU experience.
Zach Fritz ’19 – “Beyond the Map: Chasing Dreams and Rivers to the Arctic Ocean”
In the summer of 2024, Fritz and fellow canoeist Taylor Rau spent 106 days paddling from northern Minnesota to the Arctic Ocean – fulfilling what had been a lifetime dream. He was also featured in the Summer/Fall 2023 edition of the SJU Magazine.
He will discuss getting out of one’s comfort zone and chasing one’s dreams.
Susan Brott ’92 – “GOAT Lessons in Strength and Uncertainty”
Brott is the senior strategist at national schools communications consulting firm CESO Communications and boasts over 25 years of experience in leadership and strategic counsel.
She had spoken to a wide variety of audiences about her experience in dealing with life-altering health challenges, and how that has shaped her perspective on resilience, presence and community.