MBA Reunion 2009
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MBA Alumni travel from across the country and around the world to participate in the 2009 MBA Reunion!
Participants honor MBA Alumnae who shine in the field of sustainability
The 2009 MBA Reunion was an enormous success this year thanks to targeted programming, MBA branding, and MBA Alumni peer outreach. A lumni travelled from across the country and around the world to participate in this year's reunion! Participants returned to the DC area from the West Coast and as far away as India and Ecuador to participate in this year's festivities!
The 3rd Annual Ramsey Student Investment Fund Conference, which focused on the theme of Post-Crisis Investing, kicked off the MBA Reunion and the School of Business Alumni Weekend programming. The Conference featured a keynote speech by W. Russell Ramsey, BBA '81, chairman of GW's Board of Trustees and chairman and CEO of Ramsey Asset Management. The conference also included panels on asset allocation and agriculture. Later that evening, MBA Alumni, students and participants of the MBA Mentor program mingled and networked with alumni at a reception under the tent in FedEx Plaza.
The GW School of Business Programming continued on Saturday with The GW Alumni Film Festival. Business found its way to the arts, when two GWSB graduates had their films featured in the festival. Jonathan Neil Schneider, BBA '84, screened his film Mr. Schneider Goes to Washington and David Leaf, BBA '73 screened his recent documentary The U.S. vs. John Lennon.
Notable events from the MBA Reunion schedule showcased the sustainable side of Alumni Weekend by highlighting the accomplishments of two of GWSB's most talented MBA Alumnae. The class of 2004 had two of their distinguished classmates featured on the schedule. Miranda A.A. Ballentine and Jennifer Boulden, both of whom have made large contributions in the field of sustainability.
The MBA Reunion keynote speech was delivered by Miranda A.A. Ballentine, MBA '04. As the Director of Corporate Affairs for Sustainability for the Wal-Mart Corporation, Ms. Ballentine shared her story on how she chose a career in sustainability and the ways she makes a difference by choosing to live and work in a sustainable manner. Ari Isaacman, MBA '10, president of GW Net Impact, commented, "Listening to Miranda Ballentine's speech was incredibly motivational - during her highly personalized discussion of careers within the field of sustainability, she told MBA Alumni, students and professors to 'go do whatever you are big enough to do,' which is a favorite quote from the Walton family."
The toast of the weekend events was the MBA Reunion Reception and Dean's Distinguished MBA Alumni Achievement Awards Ceremony hosted by Dean Susan M. Phillips. MBA Alumni witnessed the inaugural presentation of the Dean's Distinguished MBA Alumni Achievement Award to Jennifer Boulden, MBA '04, co-founder of Ideal Bite. Ideal Bite emails four hundred thousand subscribers simple tips they can use to go green. These tips come from Ideal Bite's subscribers, green companies and from Jennifer herself. As Dean Phillips presented the award she explained why Jennifer was the inaugural recipient of the award: "Jennifer has led with integrity in every task that she accomplishes. While in the MBA program Jennifer led the GW Net Impact Program which unites emerging business leaders who seek to serve the planet. Even after leaving GW Jennifer continued to serve her alma mater by hiring GW students as interns at her first start up company and by remaining close to her professors. In all of her activities Jennifer has remained true to herself and her beliefs. She strives to accomplish her dream of making the world a more sustainable place for everyone. Her proven commitment to GWSB and her belief that everyone can contribute to making the planet greener are evidence to the fact that she is a distinguished MBA Alumna."
The GWSB Office of Alumni Relations thanks our dedicated MBA Reunion Committee Members: Susanna Beshai, MBA '08; Liyan Kuang, MBA '08; Bryan Goshorn, MBA '07; Meaghan Hohl, MBA '07; Julie Powers, MBA '04; Ryfie Amkraut, MBA '04; Gerri Wesley, MBA '04; Noah Israel, MBA '99; Mehul Dhamsania, MBA '99; Deborah Darrell, MBA '94; Sharon Ingram, MBA '92; Robyn Sealey, MBA '92; Heather Kang Dull, MBA '89; Glynis Long, MBA '79; Charlie Kuebler, MBA '70; and Stanley Grube, MBA '66.
The success of this year's MBA Reunion is a true testament to how significant this MBA Alumni tradition has become! The GWSB MBA Alumni Network is an invaluable resource, and the GWSB Office of Alumni Relations aims to provide programs, events and opportunities for Alumni to connect with each other and the School throughout the year.
Dates for the 2010 Alumni Weekend will be September 24-26
Thank you to the 2009 MBA Reunion Committee for all your hard work!
- Susanna Beshai, MBA ’08
- Liyan Kuang, MBA ‘08
- Bryan Goshorn, MBA ‘07
- Meaghan Hohl, MBA ‘07
- Julie Powers, MBA ‘04
- Ryfie Amkraut, MBA ‘04
- Gerri Wesley, MBA ‘04
- Noah Israel, MBA ‘99
- Mehul Dhamsania, MBA ‘99
- Deborah Darrell, MBA ‘94
- Sharon Ingram, MBA ‘92
- Robyn Sealey, MBA ‘92
- Heather Kang Dull, MBA ‘89
- Glynis Long, MBA ‘79
- Charlie Kuebler, MBA ‘70
- Stanley Grube, MBA ‘66