It all started with a high school soccer tournament hosted at Ball State University. As Kevin Lansberry followed his coach around campus, he already knew where he would end up.

“There are places in life where you just get a really good feeling,” Kevin said. “Ball State was one of those places where I immediately felt at home.”

While at Ball State, Kevin found encouragement in the relationships he built. He credits much of his growth to his professors and others; those who didn’t just teach the coursework, but inspired curiosity and purpose.

“I think it’s the professors who communicate their field with passion and get students to gravitate to the work itself,” he said.

Kevin describes Ball State as the place that gave him the foundation to build his career. However, he’s quick to point out that while professors provide the tools for success, the tools alone don’t make you a craftsman.

With time, dedication, perseverance, and humbling experiences, Kevin continued to build on the foundation Ball State helped him establish.

During his junior and senior years, he interned with the Indiana Department of Revenue, gaining real-world experience and sharpening the skills that would shape his future. After graduating, he moved across the country to join The Walt Disney Company as an accounting clerk.

Nearly 40 years later, Kevin serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Disney Experiences. His journey has been anything but linear: moving from finance to operations to leading Animal Kingdom and even overseeing global call centers before returning to finance in a senior leadership role.

“As long as you’re willing to continue to grow, the sky’s the limit,” Kevin said. “There’s nothing you can’t do.”

Now, as one of the newest members of the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors, Kevin is eager to give back to the community that helped shape him. As a first-generation student himself, he’s passionate about ensuring students are more equipped than ever, given the changing landscape of life after college.

“Ball State gives students the tools,” Kevin said. “But you need the drive, problem-solving skills, and determination to use them. That’s how you become a master of your craft.”

After nearly 40 years of perfecting his skills, Kevin announced his retirement this October and is looking forward to the next chapter of his life.