Our
Stories
Josmi Ahmed Bautista
“Having won the Young Entrepreneurs competition in CDMX 3.0 not only provided me with valuable lessons but also instilled a self-confidence I hadn’t experienced before, as I succeeded in the program despite the odds being against me.”ns but also instilled a self-confidence I hadn’t experienced before, as I succeeded in the program despite the odds being against me.”ity to grow. So, Shannon decided to move back home to Columbus, Nebraska and begin a new job closer to family.
Quincey Bernard
August is always a busy time of year for first-year college students. It’s the start of their next chapter, and often the first time of complete independence. In August 2016, Quincey turned a big page in his chapter book. He left his entire world in Haiti behind him and decided to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to continue his education.
Shannon Raitt
Shannon graduated from UNL in December 2019. She embarked on her marketing career with Ameritas in the spring of 2020. However, Shannon ended her journey with Ameritas after realizing the inability to grow. So, Shannon decided to move back home to Columbus, Nebraska and begin a new job closer to family.
Michaela Mapes
A builder to her core, Michaela has always been disrupting systems, processes, and institutions. For example, she currently works as a first-year associate at a law firm and has already contributed ideas for her organization to be more efficient and make work move faster and more smoothly.
Carmella Bailey
There is always a chance that risk will lead to failure, but there is always the potential for success. In my eyes, I look to turn risk into an advantage rather than see it as a negative.
Brianna Ridennour
A large part of Brianna Ridenour’s journey to where she is now really lives within that team and community builder mindset; she is a builder of community and advocacy thru and thru. She “starts something” when most people would be daunted by the task: like organizing a Black Lives Matter rally, pushing forward social change through education of herself and others, and continuing to advocate for minoritized groups.
Isabela de los Rios
SOY ISABELA DE LOS RÍOS Y ME CONSIDERO UNA JOVEN DISRUPTORA PORQUE ESTOY ABIERTA A TODO LO QUE EL MUNDO ME QUIERA ENSEÑAR Y ME QUIERA OFRECER. ESTOY ABIERTA A LAS CONVERSACIONES, A ESCUCHAR A CONTAR MI HISTORIA. PARA MÍ SER DISRUPTORA ES SER DIFERENTE, PERO TAMBIÉN ES SABER QUE TODOS ESTAMOS LLENOS DE LAS MISMAS PREGUNTAS, PERO QUE CADA UNO VA A ENCONTRAR UNA RESPUESTA DIFERENTE RESPECTO A LO QUE SIENTA. SER DISRUPTOR ES QUERER ROMPER CON LOS ESQUEMAS, Y QUE A PESAR QUE A UNO ALREDEDOR LE DIGAN NO, UNO SIEMPRE PUEDA DEMOSTRAR QUE SÍ SE PUEDE
Dashon Ridley
“My Clifton Builders Experience connected me with my current job. It taught me the value of teamwork, pressure of expectations, how to develop and market a product, and the fundamentals of business. It was my first experience where I didn’t feel like i was going to school.”
Leo Gonzalez
“My Clifton Builders Experience made me who I am! It defined what I wanted to do and supporting me in doing it.”
Nico Jochnick
“My Clifton Builders Experience provided me with hands-on learning, and a loving learning environment that helped me believe in myself.”
Connor Castleman
“Most of my impactful college experiences have come through the builder’s program.”
Benson-Mosiny Kimoi
“My Clifton Builder experience opened my eyes to knowing that entrepreneurship requires full dedication.”
Larisse Young
“My Clifton Builder experience changed my mindset. I really found out what’s meant for me and how I want to live my future.”