Leading Owls Podcast

Behind the Scenes of Beer Bike Leadership

When Kenzie first arrived at Rice, she wasn’t sure where she fit in. Like many students, she held back—unsure if she belonged or how to get involved. But through building relationships, taking small risks, and leaning into what felt meaningful, she grew into a campus leader shaping one of Rice’s biggest traditions: Beer Bike. In this episode, Kenzie shares how her leadership evolved from doing everything herself to learning how to trust and empower others. She takes us behind the scenes of planning large-scale events, talks about the importance of delegation and structure, and offers honest advice for students who are still figuring out their place. If you’ve ever felt unsure about getting involved—or like leadership isn’t for you—this episode will change how you think about it. The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University? Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes! The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential. Because leaders are not born; they are grown. We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.  Connect with the Doerr! * Registration for Doerr Summer Programs is OPEN at http://riceleader.org/ * Follow Doerr on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@riceleader?_t=8niapLp4MZf&_r=1] * Follow Doerr on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/doerrinstitute/] * Get Matched! [https://ricedoerr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3e2n2UTPTRx0BVk]Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.  * Download our Leader Development Log   [https://dinl.info/leadershiplog]

Building Something That’s Never Existed Before with First Ever Chao College President Elijah

What does it take to lead when there’s no playbook? In this episode of Leading Owls, we sit down with Elijah White, the first-ever President of Chao College at Rice University. From helping sort mail as a first-year student to leading an entire residential college from the ground up, Elijah’s leadership journey is a masterclass in jumping in, figuring it out, and growing along the way. Elijah shares what it actually feels like to build a college from scratch—where traditions don’t exist yet, culture is still forming, and every decision helps shape something that will last for generations. He opens up about leading through uncertainty, learning to trust others (and himself), and why leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to step up anyway. We also dive into how his experience working at Chick-fil-A—where he became a supervisor at just 17—prepared him to lead under pressure, manage teams, and develop the confidence to take on big responsibility early. One of the most compelling ideas from this episode? Elijah’s concept of “increasing your luck surface area”—and how saying yes to opportunities (even when you’re unsure) can open doors you never expected. Whether you’re a current student leader, stepping into a new role this fall, or just trying to figure out your next move, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, uncertainty, and growth. 🎧 Tune in to hear: *  What it’s like to be the first to lead something entirely new  *  How to build culture when nothing exists yet  *  Why leadership starts long before you have a title  *  Lessons from leading teams in high-pressure environments  *  How embracing uncertainty can actually give you an edge  Plus: rapid-fire Rice favorites, leadership advice for first-years, and Elijah’s vision for what Chao College will become decades from now. Listen on your favorite platform: Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University? Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes! The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential. Because leaders are not born; they are grown. We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.  Connect with the Doerr! * Registration for Doerr Summer Programs is OPEN at http://riceleader.org/ * Follow Doerr on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@riceleader?_t=8niapLp4MZf&_r=1] * Follow Doerr on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/doerrinstitute/] * Get Matched! [https://ricedoerr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3e2n2UTPTRx0BVk]Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.  * Download our Leader Development Log   [https://dinl.info/leadershiplog]

How Coaching Changed My Leadership Journey at Rice University

In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Rice student leader Abby—Beer Bike designer, Duncan Arts Committee co-head, and Doerr Undergraduate Ambassador—to explore how creativity and leadership come together to build community. Abby shares how her passion for art goes far beyond aesthetics—it’s about storytelling, belonging, and shaping the identity of a college through traditions like Beer Bike and O-Week. From feeling isolated in her first semester to finding her place through leadership and design, Abby opens up about the power of vulnerability, self-reflection, and taking initiative. She also dives into how Doerr programs like Activation helped her define her values, build confidence, and step into leadership in her own way—proving that leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room, but about being intentional, reflective, and connected to others.  If you’ve ever questioned where you belong or wondered how to turn your passions into impact, this episode is for you. The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University? Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes! The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential. Because leaders are not born; they are grown. We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.  Connect with the Doerr! * Registration for Doerr Summer Programs is OPEN at http://riceleader.org/ * Follow Doerr on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@riceleader?_t=8niapLp4MZf&_r=1] * Follow Doerr on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/doerrinstitute/] * Get Matched! [https://ricedoerr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3e2n2UTPTRx0BVk]Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.  * Download our Leader Development Log   [https://dinl.info/leadershiplog]

From Ideas to Impact: Bodie Gilbert on Building Movements at Rice MBA

Today’s guest is Bodie Gilbert, one of Rice Business’s top MBA students and the founding president of the Rice Business Management Association. Bodie’s leadership journey has been about turning ideas into movements — and classmates into collaborators. From leading a consulting team in Brazil that earned recognition in Forbes Brasil to building new platforms for future executives at Rice, he’s learned how to balance vision with empathy and ambition with authenticity. Before Rice, Bodie served as a pastor, guiding communities through transformation — and he’s also a Grammy-nominated singer, using music to connect and lead with presence. In today’s episode, Bodie shares how building the Management Association from the ground up reshaped his understanding of influence, what it means to lead without authority, and how listening — not volume — creates true impact. The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University? Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes! The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential. Because leaders are not born; they are grown. We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.  Connect with the Doerr! * Registration for Doerr Summer Programs is OPEN at http://riceleader.org/ * Follow Doerr on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@riceleader?_t=8niapLp4MZf&_r=1] * Follow Doerr on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/doerrinstitute/] * Get Matched! [https://ricedoerr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3e2n2UTPTRx0BVk]Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.  * Download our Leader Development Log   [https://dinl.info/leadershiplog]

Inside Rice Leadership: New Chao College Leader Prasanna on O-Week & Student Life

In this episode of the Leading Owls Podcast, we sit down with Prasanna, a first-year student at Rice University, incoming O-Week Coordinator for Chao College, and student leader deeply involved in campus life. Prasanna shares how curiosity—not a rigid plan—has guided his leadership journey, from stepping into roles like Parliamentarian and Floor Representative at Jones College to building community through small, meaningful events. He reflects on balancing structure with fun, leading without having all the answers, and the power of simply reaching out. From navigating unexpected challenges to learning how to delegate, adapt, and lean on others, Prasanna offers honest insights into what it’s like to lead early on at Rice. He also shares advice for new students feeling overwhelmed: take it one step at a time, stay open to opportunities, and trust that growth will follow. The Leading Owls Podcast is hosted and produced by the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. Edited by: Blake C. Hollaway Ready for more insights from inspiring leaders at Rice University? Subscribe to the Leading Owls Podcast and stay updated on our latest episodes! The Doerr Institute for New Leaders helps Rice students unlock their leadership potential. Because leaders are not born; they are grown. We offer programs to Rice University students that expand upon your diverse qualities and increase your capacity to make a difference in the world.  Connect with the Doerr! * Registration for Doerr Summer Programs is OPEN at http://riceleader.org/ * Follow Doerr on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@riceleader?_t=8niapLp4MZf&_r=1] * Follow Doerr on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/doerrinstitute/] * Get Matched! [https://ricedoerr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3e2n2UTPTRx0BVk]Take the Doerr Institute Match Survey and find the perfect program to start your leadership journey.  * Download our Leader Development Log   [https://dinl.info/leadershiplog]