It’s time to RSVP for the Alumni Gathering
Join us in celebrating 40 years of the Flinn Scholars community at our alumni gathering from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Flinn Foundation. Come reconnect, reminisce, and raise a toast to the next 40 years.
Reminder: October Alumni Hour features 1986 Scholar Paul Burkhardt, Ph.D.
4-5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28 (Arizona time)
There is still time to RSVP for our October Alumni Hour. Sara Zervos Knutson (’87) will interview Paul Burkhardt (’86), the newly appointed president of Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Recognized as a collaborative leader and champion for social justice, Paul is known for building transformational partnerships, and strengthening the student experience through inclusive, community-centered approaches.
Want to check out previous sessions? Watch them on our YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on Spotify/Apple.
November Alumni Hour to spotlight 1993 Scholar Eric Jackson, Ph.D.
4–5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17 (Arizona time)
Join us for our upcoming Alumni Hour featuring Eric Jackson (’93), professor at the University of Arizona. Eric’s path from physics and NASA internships to linguistics and global language documentation has taken him from Tucson to southern China and back again. He’ll reflect on this journey and share insights from his work supporting Native American language initiatives and teaching Human Language Technology at UA.
Want to check out previous sessions? Watch them on our YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on Spotify/Apple.
Upcoming: Alumni-organized gatherings
If you saw last month’s invite—good news, the details are set! The Tucson Scholar alumni gathering will take place from 6–8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24 at Sky Bar, 536 N. 4th Ave. in Tucson. There’s still time to RSVP and join this evening of connection and community.
There’s still time to RSVP for the Scholar alumni gathering in Boston! Join fellow alumni from across New England from 6–8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13 for a special evening. The location will be announced soon—RSVP here to stay in the loop and help us plan for the celebration.
Alumni Voices
Sara Zervos Knutson
Flinn Scholar Class of 1987
Q: Will you share a little about your current role and what excites you most about your work?
Currently I wear a few hats in my professional life. Back in 2018 I co-founded a company called Pao (say “pow,” means “go” in Greek”) with my daughter. It started as an app to help people find and share cool hidden gem experiences around the world, and now has morphed into a digital media company. I currently still help the company part time in the capacity of COO/CFO, and am on the board. I lead any data or technology efforts as well. My background is an economist and an institutional investor, so I still spend time in that space via research and blogging, and occasionally teaching/consulting. I am on the International Monetary Fund’s consultant roster, so sometimes I have the opportunity to help a developing country in some aspect of capital markets development.
Q: How did being a Flinn Scholar shape your academic and/or career path?
Amongst many other things it influenced, the Flinn Scholarship really launched my love for foreign countries and cultures, from theory into practice. I had been in love with all things French, so my first trip abroad was to France, financed by the Flinn Foundation. It literally was the start of my lifelong journey; I’ve been to nearly 60 countries now, and love it just as much as then.
Q: How do you stay connected with the Flinn community today?
I am fortunately much more in touch with the Flinn community than ever, thanks to joining the Alumni Council this past year. I also follow the Flinn page on LinkedIn, and am friends with a few Flinn scholars via Insta/Facebook. I joined the Denver alumni gathering earlier this year, and look forward to the next one! I am happy that occasionally newer/younger Scholars reach out to me and ask for a 30-minute chat to pick my thoughts on things. It’s great to meet them and see what they are up to.
Q: What’s something you’re currently learning, exploring, or curious about?
I’m working on a few new things at the moment. First, I’m reading a ton on how the brain works, from the perspective of neuroscience and behavior/thoughts. I didn’t major in behavioral economics but I love the field. My goal is to write a book (perhaps mid next year) with the title, “My Brain is an ***hole; what science and ‘woo’ can do for you.” I am fascinated by the world of thoughts and inner dialogue, and want to see how modern science squares off with all sorts of modalities that humans claim help them tame their brain.
Second, I am onboarding as a rookie for the Boulder Mountain Fire Department (where I live). I will be spending four months in early 2026 in rather rigorous training, from medical to structure fire to wildland fire, and our volunteer group is the primary functioning firefighting group in our area for evenings and weekends. It feels like a great community and an interesting way to help our neighbors (and an opportunity to pick up some valuable skills).
Q: What book, podcast, or piece of media has changed how you think in the last year?
I love to read, and have encountered several books this year that have affected me or my outlook. I recently read “Four Thousand Weeks; Time Management for Mortals,” and while this sounds like another hack your way into productivity book, its message is actually the opposite. The author makes the case that we all have about 4,000 weeks of life, and there’s no way we can possibly do every single thing we want. If we drop that expectation it can be freeing. He has many good points that spoke to me, and I’m guessing several people in the Flinn community who drive themselves crazy being “busy” and “driven.”
Q: Looking back, what’s one lesson from your time as a Flinn Scholar that has stayed with you?
I like to think that I’m living the “Flinn way” in that my life hasn’t been one consistent path. The Flinn group encourages diverse interests and celebrates all of us doing what we want in our own way. For 15-20 years I marched hard and fast down the international finance path, and had a great time with much success. However, since 2016, I have tested and tried all sorts of new things in my professional life, and have had a great time learning along the way. I think it has taken a few decades, but I am enjoying the journey even more than the destination.
Q: Is there a project, achievement, or experience you’re especially proud of?
Finally, like most parents, I’m most proud of my role as a mom to my children, and being able to participate in their own journeys. It’s not an easy role, and it’s never over. It’s not a constant series of wins and happiness, as there are many bumps. But, I think I possibly have learned more about myself and relationships and “life” in this role than any other.
A Scholars Program transition
After nearly five years with the Foundation, Kiana Keys will be wrapping up her time at Flinn at the end of December. Kiana has brought exceptional care, creativity, and passion to her role, and we are deeply grateful for the impact she’s had on the Flinn Scholars Program. She will be greatly missed.
With this upcoming transition, we are beginning the search for our next Program Coordinator. Please help us share this opportunity with individuals who would thrive in this meaningful role.
View the position on the Flinn Foundation website.