2021 Pitchfork Awards recognizes outstanding leader on Tempe campus

June 23, 2021
2 minutes

Every year, the Pitchfork Awards recognize the achievements, leadership and impact of Sun Devils on all four ASU campuses. The 2021 Pitchfork Awards were the second virtual program of the event and honored dozens of student leaders, clubs and programs. The April event also marked the 10th anniversary of the awards.


One of the awardees this year was Olivia Kurschat, who was named the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader for ASU’s Tempe campus for her work in student organizations within her college, the W. P. Carey School of Business.  



Olivia Kurschat portrait

W. P. Carey student Olivia Kurschat


Kurschat said she never expected to be nominated, let alone receive this award. Kurschat is a supply chain management major heading into her senior year. Kurschat was involved in the Women's Business Leaders Association as the vice president of member engagement and as a mentor this past year. She was also involved in the Supply Chain Management Association, and was a second-year WPC 101 facilitator.


“At ASU I have been surrounded by so many amazing leaders who have shown me opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. This award to me has always been an indicator of those who go above and beyond for the ASU community and have implemented positive change for the better. I always just hoped to make as great of an impact as the recipients before me,” she said.


Kurschat aims to graduate from ASU and work for a company that is attempting to make a positive sustainable change in the world through their supply chain and one day become a chief procurement officer.


Kurschat says she is most proud of her work through the Women’s Business Leaders Association.


“Our organization saw amazing growth last year despite being virtual! Our executive board worked hard to make sure the same opportunities were presented to our members as years past. This group of aspiring and inspiring women have given me such an opportunity to refine my leadership skills and make the best friends I could ask for,” she said.


Watch the entire Pitchfork Awards 2021 ceremony, and think about who deserves a nomination next year.


Austin Davis, Sun Devil Storyteller