UAA College of Business and Public Policy

The College of Business and Public Policy's Tom Case Leadership Fellows Program pairs high-performing CBPP students with a mentor in the Anchorage business community, giving students the opportunity to learn about real-world leadership from local business leaders. To begin the program, each student protégé interviewed their new mentor.

Today’s featured protégé/mentor interview is Karen Denton, and her mentor Megan Patton, Controller, ASRC Energy Services, LLC.

1 Where are you from? How did you decide to pursue a career in Alaska?  
“I’m from Alaska originally so the decision to pursue a career in Alaska was easy. I love my home and there are opportunities here that challenge me.”

2 Where did you go to college? What did you study in college? 
“I earned my degree in Accounting from the University of Alaska Anchorage. When I first began, I wanted to be a Finance major. Well, all business students must take ACCT 201 and when I did, my instructor told me she believed I would make a good accountant. I had the knack for it. I decided to give it a try and take another class. In the end, it would at least be used as an elective if nothing came of it. Well, I loved the challenge and the structure of it and kept on going. I earned my Bachelors degree in Accounting and eventually my Certified Public Accountant license.”

3 Did you have anyone you relied on for mentorship/solid career advice? If yes, what is the most important leadership advice they shared with you? 
“I had terrific professors at UAA and knew that I could always go to them with questions, especially about what it is like to be an accountant. I also had the privilege of working along side many experienced colleagues over my career as a public accountant. I believe the most important leadership advice that was shared from this collective to me was the value of both leadership and followership. It is as important to be a successful team member as it is to be an effective team leader. It was also ingrained in me to acknowledge my short-comings and failures and look to them as learning experiences. Never stop learning.”

4 It is important and beneficial for CBPP and Anchorage’s business community to collaborate and invest in the next generation of leaders. What do you think should be conveyed to our next generation of leaders?
“I would like to convey the importance of always learning and growing as people as well as professionals. Find activities, hobbies and passions that enrich your soul as well as your mind and professional acumen.”