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Faces of Leeds Snapshot

Name: John Afdem
Major:Master of Business Administration
Hometown: Reno, Nevada

What was your background before coming to Leeds?
Before coming to Leeds, I spent over 12 years on active duty as an armor and reconnaissance officer in the U.S. Army. During that time, I commanded a 100-person paratrooper company and led multinational training exercises across Europe and Africa. I was awarded the Bronze Star for my service in Afghanistan and graduated from Jumpmaster and Ranger School, but what I’m most proud of is helping my soldiers grow into confident leaders themselves.

Why Leeds?
I wanted a place that combined academic rigor with a strong entrepreneurial network. Leeds has provided the ideal environment to apply my leadership experience to new ventures, learn the mechanics of investing, and prepare for a career that connects purpose with impact.

How has it been transitioning back to school?
The transition itself has been both challenging and rewarding—shifting from command structures to classrooms, from mission planning to business modeling—but the underlying principles of leadership and teamwork are the same. Leeds has given me the tools to pair that operational experience with a strategic business lens and to start building a career in venture capital that connects innovation with impact.

How has being a High Growth Venture Fellow impacted you?
Being in the HGV Fellowship is one of the highlights of my time at Leeds. The administrative support we receive from the Deming Center is incredible, and the fellowship cohort is filled with impressive, collaborative and genuinely curious people. Additionally, we help local businesses through our impact projects, solving a real operational and strategic problem for a company, and gaining hands-on experience while giving back to our local community.

What is a long-term personal or professional goal of yours?
My goal is to break into the venture capital landscape in Boulder/Denver. Through the HGV Fellowship, Deming Center Venture Fund and the Venture Capital Investment Competition, I’ve found my place in the Front Range venture and startup community. While I may not come from a traditional VC background, the combination of my operational leadership experience and the exposure from these programs has equipped me to confidently pursue this path. I am motivated by the opportunity to work with founders and investment funds to solve hard problems that have real-world implications.

ÌýSince deciding to leave the service, I knew that my time in an MBA program would be full of growth and learning. My experience at Leeds has proved that to be true. I’ve developed a deep understanding of business fundamentals but also a stronger sense of purpose in how I can apply my leadership background to entrepreneurship and venture investment.Ìý