Growing into Leadership and Service

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Ever wondered how a summer program transforms into lifelong connections? Join Krystal Hardy Allen ‘07, Jetaun Davis-Anderson ‘05, Calleen Jones ‘08, J. Zane Stephens ‘07, and Frank Duerson ‘07 as they share stories of their time with the Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program, where they thrived alongside visionary peers, and navigated rigorous academic terrains with confidence, uplifted by a community that championed their excellence. Witness the bonds that sustain leadership and fuel a lifetime of impact.

Since 1986, the Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program has served as a cornerstone of many students’ university experiences, guiding them through the critical transition from high school to campus life and beyond. The Program, built on three core pillars of leadership, intellectual engagement, and commitment service, has been more than just a summer program; it is a lifelong community committed to making a positive difference in the world. We invite you to hear stories of struggles and successes that have shaped Balfour Scholars’ journey over forty years.

Meet the Speaker: Krystal Hardy Allen '07

Krystal Hardy Allen ’07 is the Founder & CEO of K. Allen Consulting™, a globally recognized management consulting firm serving clients across industries and sectors. A respected thought leader in organizational leadership and management, Krystal is also an award-winning former teacher and principal and a national bestselling author of What Goes Unspoken (Jossey-Bass/Wiley Publishing). Over the years, K. Allen Consulting™ has become a highly sought-after firm and partner for major corporate brands like the NFL, Amazon, and Google, as well as school systems, nonprofits, small businesses, and government agencies. Krystal’s insights have been featured in Time Magazine, Essence Magazine, The Los Angeles Tribune, EBONY Magazine, MSNBC, Black Enterprise, and more. Her accolades include but are not limited to being named a 2019 Aspen Institute Scholar, a 2019 Gambit 40 Under 40 honoree, and one of the Most Influential Women in Business in Louisiana multiple years in a row by regional business publications. A first-generation college graduate, Krystal holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and completed graduate school at both NLU-Chicago and Columbia University (NYC). 

Meet the Moderator: Jetaun Davis-Anderson '05

Jetaun Davis-Anderson ’05 is an experienced educational professional currently serving as the Senior Associate Dean of Admission at Emory University since August 2018. In this role, Jetaun oversees geographic regions including Africa and Georgia, specifically DeKalb County, and leads special projects such as the Student Fellows Program and Atlanta Community Engagement initiatives. Additionally, Jetaun hosts the “Journey to Jupiter” career podcast aimed at helping young adults navigate career choices and life lessons. Previously, Jetaun worked at the University of Notre Dame in various roles related to admissions and engagement, and at YP with responsibilities in search engine optimization marketing and operations. Jetaun holds a Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Gender Studies from the University of Notre Dame.

Meet the Speaker: Calleen Jones '08

Calleen M. Jones, LCSW-BACS ’08, holds a Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a minor in Anthropology, from the University of Notre Dame. She is a licensed clinical social worker and board-approved clinical supervisor with 14 years of experience in medical social work and suicide prevention.

She currently serves as Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she leads efforts to identify, support, and connect at-risk Veterans with life-saving mental health resources, working closely with clinical teams, community partners, and Veteran families to strengthen suicide prevention efforts. Prior to joining the VA, Calleen served as a medical social worker in the Kidney Transplant program at Ochsner Medical Center, where she supported patients and families through the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges of transplant care. She is committed to reducing stigma around mental health and ensuring Veterans have access to timely, compassionate care.

Meet the Speaker: Frank Duerson '07

Frank Duerson, MD, MBA, MS ’07 is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame’s College of Science and a 2003 participant in the Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program. After earning his degree in Pre-Professional Studies with a minor in Business Administration in 2007, he joined Teach For America, teaching middle school science and coaching football and track in the Houston area for four years. He coached some highly competitive teams and won many championships during his tenure. His quarterback for two of those seasons was NFL Super Bowl Champion Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Dr. Duerson later earned a Master of Science in Medical Science from the University of North Texas Health Science Center before completing his MD at the Indiana University School of Medicine and MBA at the Kelley School of Business. During medical school, he served two terms as class vice president and helped establish the student house and colleges system that remains in use across Indiana University’s medical campuses. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Central Florida and a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Virginia.

Today, Dr. Duerson is a managing partner in a private pulmonary and critical care practice serving hospitals and post-acute care facilities throughout Central Florida. A proud Notre Dame alumnus, he remains deeply grateful for the opportunities and lifelong friendships fostered through the Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program and is committed to supporting its continued legacy. He is also the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Noir and Ellis, and proud member of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. 

Meet the Speaker: J. Zane Stephens '07

I wasn’t supposed to be here.

My father left Chicago at 16 to attend Xavier University. He spoke three languages and played five instruments by ear. But addiction followed him, and he never graduated. My mother also battled addiction and never finished high school. I was raised on the South Side of Chicago by a rotating cast of aunts, uncles, and grandparents—my grandmother the crown jewel.

Life moves fast. Every decision counts.

One day I was sleeping on a pallet on the floor of the Ida B. Wells projects. Years later, I woke up to skyline views from the Ritz during the Holland & Knight All-Lawyer Meeting.

Notre Dame saved my life. It made me a global citizen. WashU in St. Louis School of Law rewired my brain to solve problems, layer by layer. I spent 11 years in BigLaw—first at Holland & Knight, then at McDermott Will & Schulte—where I learned how to practice law at the highest level.

That training helped in my role as Head of Legal at a video game company. But when my father overdosed in 2023, I realized I needed time—real time—for myself. The kind I never took during my entire legal career.

So I reconnected with who I was: an entertainer.

Like my father, I was born with the creative gene. WGN News ran a feature on how I balance rap and law. I’ve opened for Akon, The Clipse, Mya, Cake, and Talib Kweli, and my music’s been licensed by ESPN, ABC, and more.

After my father passed, I took my passions seriously. Music, yes. But also acting. In the last two years, I’ve led national campaigns for Popeyes and Salesforce, landed a supporting role in a horror film now on Amazon and Apple TV, co-starred in episodes of FBI and Law & Order—and I didn’t play a lawyer…and most recently supported a wonderful cast in my role in Netflix’s upcoming film Bad Day starring Cameron Diaz. 

By most measures, I should be dead, in jail, or lost.

But here I am.