Alumni News & Class Notes

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Alumni News and Class Notes

You can check back here every spring and fall for updates on your friends and former classmates. Expand the tabs below to catch up on the latest news!

Spring 2026

Dorothy Bland, MBA ‘88, was honored by the Dow Jones News Fund as the 2025 Richard J. Levine Journalism Champion Award recipient for her impactful career in journalism and higher education.
Greg Wong, MBA ’96 and GW Investment Institute Advisory Board Member, spoke to Professor Lake’s Applied Financial Securities Analysis class as a guest lecturer. Greg shared thoughtful insights on business, career development, personal finance, and life lessons drawn from his wide-ranging professional journey.
James Carruthers, MBA ’80, GWII Advisory Board Member, and Founder and Portfolio Manager at Sophos Capital Management, delivered a guest lecture to Professor Lake’s Applied Financial Securities Analysis class. He walked students through the current short-selling environment, emphasizing how fundamentals and transparency gaps can shape opportunities, and discussed several case studies.
Matthew Bernstein, BS ‘17, was promoted to Senior Vice President at Starwood Capital Group in New York City.

In Memoriam:

Dr. Chei-Min Paik, GW Emeritus Faculty, recently passed away. He is remembered by his 44 year career at GW Business where he mentored many graduate students.
Dr. Donald Hawkins, GW Emeritus Faculty, recently passed away. He started his career at GW Business in 1992 where he is remembered by his dedication to tourism and inspiring many colleagues and graduate students.

Fall 2025

Bill Musgrave, MBA ’70, DBA ’75, has published The Leaders We Need: Ethical-Caring-Creative-Engaged, a timely book drawing on his global career in the Navy, corporate leadership, and education to inspire a new generation of everyday changemakers.
John Katsos, MBA ’11, JD ’11, was recently recognized by the Financial Times for his new book Responsible Management in Crisis: Global Lessons on Generating Social Sustainability Through Uncertain Business Environments, which was featured as a top business book to read this month.
Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, MBA ’16, has been named the next President and Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in clinical care, nonprofit leadership, managed care, and population health.
Mark R. Shenkman, MBA ’67, HON ‘25, founder of Shenkman Capital, was recently profiled in GW Magazine for building one of the world’s largest privately owned high-yield credit managers from his 1985 launch to today’s $35 billion firm.
Ira Gleser, MBA ’83, recently published Stewardship for Business, a professional development book that outlines eight principles to help customer-facing professionals create lasting value in client relationships. Drawing on 25 years of experience with brands like Coca-Cola and Microsoft, the book reached the #1 spot on Amazon in three business categories and officially earned bestseller status. Ira remains an active alumnus, regularly engaging with the GW community through speaking and mentoring.
David Campbell, MBA ’87, was recently promoted to CEO of Chernoff Newman, an integrated marketing, advertising, and communications firm based in Columbia, SC.
Dan Simons, BBA ’92, delivered a TEDxFoggyBottom talk highlighting his journey in sustainable hospitality and the importance of values-driven leadership. As co-founder of Founding Farmers, he shared how business can be a force for good through ethical sourcing and community impact.
Sabrina Ashjian, BBA '01, received the 2025 Advancement of Women Award from Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles for her work in promoting and advancing women lawyers and issues important to women. Established in 1993, the award was originally named for Myra Bradwell, a lawyer and editor who fought for women’s rights throughout her life.
Kunal Khemlani, BBA ’08, a New York City real estate broker, was recently quoted in Brick Underground for helping a newcomer navigate purchasing a co-op sponsor unit in Sunnyside, Queens, adding to earlier features in The New York Times and New York Post on his expertise guiding renters and first-time buyers through the competitive NYC housing market.
Kerrigan Unter, BBA ‘17, Ph.D ‘22, landed a tenure-track faculty position in Strategy at SKEMA Business School in Paris. The school is ranked top 4in France and 30 worldwide by the Financial Times last year.
Jessica McClain, MAccy ’08, will become chief financial officer of the American Staffing Association effective July 2025.
John Katsos, GMBA ‘11, spoke with co-author, Jason Miklian, in the Global & Experiential Education’s Speaker Series on September 12. They had an interactive conversation on how corporations and entrepreneurs can turn crises into opportunities for transformation and other key takeaways from their book, Crisis: A Global Case Primer.
John Samuel, MBA ’14, cofounder and CEO of Ablr, has been recognized with the NC State Poole College of Management Impact Award. The award honors his significant contributions to his community and profession.
Kate Dressel, BS ‘24, and GW Business Board of Advisor member, Andrew Lewis, BAccy ‘98, have funded more chairs and tables to be placed outside of the F. David Fowler Career Center, giving back to the community that helped them start their careers.
Maria Starr, Accelerated MBA ‘25, spent her summer interning with the World Bank Group’s Finance & Accounting Structured Finance team. Learn more about her 11-week experience.
Rui Wang, Ph.D. ‘25, accepted an offer to join Tsinghua University in the School of Economics and Management (a top 20 global university) as an assistant professor this fall. Her dissertation was supervised by Joel Gehman and her committee included Jim Wade, Margaret Ormiston, and Tim Pollock.
Professor Lake’s Applied Financial Securities Analysis class recently hosted Peter Boockvar, BBA ‘91 and Chief Investment Officer at One Point BFG Wealth Partners. Peter emphasized the importance of continuous learning and shared valuable insights on global market dynamics. We appreciate Peter returning to GW to share his expertise and inspire the next generation of investors.
Matthew Miller, MBA '12 and Senior Financial Associate and Associate Vice President at The Ross Group, hosted Professor Song's Applied Financial Securities Analysis class at RBC Wealth Management's Washington D.C. office. He shared insights on the career journey of an investment advisor from building relationships to developing long-term investment strategies. Read more on the GWII blog.
Russ Ramsey, BBA ’81, and the broader GWII community were celebrated as the GW Investment Institute brought together alumni and current Ramsey Scholars during Alumni & Families Weekend for the third annual GW Ramsey Scholars Investment Summit.
Ken Chaletzky, GW BBA ‘71, was featured in the GW Magazine about how meeting Dirck Holscher, GW JD ‘79, in a student newsroom formed a dominating partnership that is still thriving.
Dr. Randy Graves, GW SEAS Ph.D. ‘78, Former Director of Aerodynamics at NASA, and Matthew Miller, GW MBA ‘12, Associate Vice President at RBC - The Ross Group, served as judges for the GW Investment Institute’s second annual GW Stock Pitch Competition.
Katia Passerini, MBA ‘96, Ph.D. ‘01, Gonzaga University’s 27th president, was featured in the GW Magazine about her journey from GW to now shaping Gonzaga University’s future.
Ansley Brett, BBA ’09 and fellow alum Brandon Sherr ’06 recently traveled to Rumo, Italy for a commemorative visit honoring the families of Airmen from a B-17 bomber shot down in 1945, standing before a newly unveiled plaque dedicated to the crew that included Brett’s grandfather and Sherr’s great-uncle.
Dave Nitkiewicz, MTA ‘22, Senior Manager of Strategic Communications and Projects at Marriott International, joined the Global VP of Sustainability at Marriott International as she presented to Dr. Cevat Tosun’s Sustainable Destination Development class on GW’s campus.
Josh Ingersoll, MBA ‘23, MA ‘23, Senior Manager of Government Lasercom Products at Amazon Leo, was named to the 2026 Forbes 30 under 30 Transportation and Aerospace List for his work in satellite communications and global connectivity that supports over 10 million users.

Spring 2025

James Carruthers, MBA ‘80, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Sophos Capital Management and GWII Advisory Board Member, spoke to Professor Lake’s Applied Financial Securities Analysis class last week. Students reviewed real-world case studies to learn about the intricacies of short selling and gain insights into identifying fraud in the securities market. Thank you, Mr. Carruthers, for such an engaging guest lecture.
Dr. Gillian Marcelle, MBA '87, Founder of Resilience Capital Ventures LLC, was named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Investment list for her influential work in blended finance and advancing diversity, inclusion, and alignment with the SDGs.
Avon Hart-Johnson, MS '01, is set to publish a book in February 2025, titled Children of Imprisoned Parents: A Workbook for Holistic Caregiver and Child Well-Being, based on her research on the impacts of incarceration on caregivers and children. The book offers trauma-informed interventions and practical tools to help caregivers address the emotional and developmental challenges faced by children of incarcerated parents.
Jennifer Holt, MTA '09, earned an MS in Integrated Supply Chain Management from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, graduating with a 4.0 GPA and Chancellor’s List honors. She was also inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, recognizing her as among the top 10% of graduate students.
Jeanelle Johnson, BBA '01, was recently promoted to Managing Partner of PwC's Washington, DC metro office, where she leads over 2,400 professionals across Advisory, Assurance, and Tax services.
Katia Passerini, M.B.A.’96, Ph.D.’01, has been appointed as the 27th president of Gonzaga University, making history as the institution’s first female leader.
David Campbell, MBA ’87, has been promoted to CEO of Chernoff Newman, an integrated marketing and communications agency with offices in Orlando, Charlotte, Charleston, SC, and Columbia, SC, after previously serving as COO.
Robert M. Greenbaum, BBA ’84, an attorney at Karalis P.C., has once again been honored as a Pennsylvania "Super Lawyer" for 2025 by Thomson Reuters for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights, Insolvency & Reorganization Law, and Litigation-Bankruptcy.
Dave Nitkiewicz, MTA ’22, has stepped into a new role as Senior Manager of Global Owner Communications at Marriott International, where he will craft and execute messaging strategies for the CEO and Senior Leadership Team in collaboration with owners and franchisees worldwide.
Dr. John Norville, MS ’68, of Millersville, MD, recently retired from Westinghouse, where he served as Department Manager of Quality Assurance, and credits his MBA experience with aiding his career advancement in management.
Rudy Rodas, BBA ’08, was recently named Managing Director of Policy, Research, & Government Affairs for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, as reported by ROI-NJ.
Michael Timmons, MBA '17, is the Founder and CEO of GoodFences, an AI-powered SaaS platform transforming HOA management, and is actively shaping Loudoun County’s future as a youth football coach, foster parent, and community leader recently recognized by Loudoun County Department of Economic Development.
Ethan Baron, BS '22, Associate at Goldman Sachs, spoke to Professor Lake's Quantitative Investing class. Ethan shared his insights on transitioning from GW to the finance industry, emphasized the importance of networking, and remarked on how to make the most of opportunities in the field.
John Roberts, BBA '89, Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager at Corient and GW Investment Institute Advisory Board Member, delivered a guest lecture in Professor Song's Applied Financial Securities Analysis class. John shared insights on market trends and highlighted data points in finance to watch.
Ivan Soto-Wright, BS '12, Co-Founder and CEO of MoonPay, delivered a guest lecture in Professor Collier's Foundations of Venture Capital class. Ivan spoke to the students about incremental learning, the importance of having a growth mindset, and leveraging the power of the network.
Wayan Vota, MBA '14, was recently featured in Fortune for launching Career Pivot, a job search platform designed to support federal employees impacted by agency funding cuts, helping them transition into new career opportunities.
Diti Bhasin, MBA ’22, Supplier Diversity Lead at Freddie Mac, was recently selected to serve on Forté’s Alumni Leadership Council for the 2025–2027 term.
Nicholas Mann, BBA ‘18, Senior Associate at Morgan Stanley, spoke to Professor Lake’s Quantitative Investing class about global multi-asset investing. He shared insights on the investment process, stressed the importance of understanding economics and having strong mathematical skills, and emphasized the value of earning a CFA.
Dianne Duva, BA ‘97, was named in the Top 50 Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times. She is managing partner of wealth management firm Arlington Financial Advisors in Santa Barbara. She advises high-net-worth families, business owners, and women in transition.
Doug Zarkin, BBA ’92, Chief Brand Officer at Modern Performance + Recovery Brands, was recently featured as the cover story for Marketing Mavericks: Inspiring Leaders to Follow. He is also the author of a new book, which explores brand-building and leadership—more information is available at www.dougzarkin.com.
Greg Wong, MBA '96, GW Investment Institute advisory board member, joined Rodney Lake on Episode 41 of "Market News with Rodney Lake." Greg shared stories of his unique career path to investment banking and offered advice for aspirational professionals. Wong also delivered a lecture in the Foundations of Venture Capital class. He shared insights from his experience as a tech investment banker and corporate executive, highlighting key lessons learned throughout his distinguished career.
Darren Glatt, BBA '98, GW Business Board Member and Partner & Head of Infrastructure Investing at Searchlight Capital Partners, recently spoke to Professor Lake's Quantitative Investing class. He shared insights into his role as a partner at an investment firm and the responsibilities of serving on a board.
Aron Kershner, BS '05, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and GW Investment Institute Advisory Board Member, delivered a guest lecture in Professor Lake's Quantitative Investing class. With twenty years of experience in the industry, Mr. Kershner shared valuable insights on investing and professional development.
Cathryn Paine, BA '04, MA '11, Partner with Washington DC-based Anzu Partners, recently joined Professor Collier's Foundations of Venture Capital class. Cathryn shared Anzu's investment thesis and highlighted the firm's focus on operational excellence in order to help portfolio companies scale and succeed.
Scott Garber, MBA '14, Managing Partner of Early Light Ventures, delivered a guest lecture in Professor Collier's Foundations of Venture Capital class. Scott shared what he looks for in promising founders and his insights on what makes a good potential investment.
Tori Fulkerson-Jones, MBA '16, recently released a new album, Steady Nerves, with her San Francisco-based indie rock/noise pop band, Chaos Fiction, which she helped self-record, engineer, and produce.
Michael Ready, BA '19 (CCAS), Operations Manager at GreenLight.ai, delivered a guest lecture in the Foundations of Venture Capital class as a guest speaker. Michael, a former TA for the course, returned to share his career journey post-GW and offer insight into the venture world and what it takes to thrive in the VC ecosystem.
Dasha Vavilava, BS '22, GW Ramsey Scholar and Investment Banking Analyst at Macquarie Capital, joined the GW Investment Institute portfolio group as a guest speaker. She shared valuable career insights, reflected on her transition from GW to the professional world, and gave a behind-the-scenes look at her day-to-day life in investment banking.
Ashley Garbaccio, BBA ‘15, MBA ‘24, Associate Director, Investment at Wavemaker, won 1st place in Wavemaker's National AI Challenge by creating a bespoke AI agent that centralizes client and agency-specific knowledge. The agent was also featured in the holding company's AI Masterclass, showcasing how this product can streamline workflows and save teams up to four days of time.

In Memoriam:

Casey Canevari, MTA '22, passed away in 2025 and is fondly remembered for his unwavering optimism, vibrant energy, and deep commitment to the travel industry.

Fall 2024

Kevin P. Houley, M.B.A. ‘99, was appointed vice president and defense portfolio lead at Jefferson Consulting Group.
Joseph A. Pascaretta, Healthcare M.B.A. ‘13, chief operating officer at WorkWave, was interviewed on the “Future of Work Podcast” by Allwork.Space about the technological transformation taking place in the finance and service sectors.
Matthew R. Mollozzi, Esq., M.B.A. '14, J.D. '14, was named to the Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation list for his leadership in shaping the future of law.
Adriano Lima e Silva, MAccy '19, has joined McDaniel College as an assistant professor of accounting in the Economics and Business Administration department.
Robert Greenbaum, BBA ‘84, was selected to the 31st edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, as well as Litigation-Bankruptcy (2009-2025).
Kathleen James, MBA ‘90, retired from the FDIC in 2012 and has since been serving on the boards of two banks: State Bank of India-California in Los Angeles and Liberty Bank NA in Anaheim, CA. She also serves as a trustee for Immaculata University in Pennsylvania. She has been a FDIC alumni organization board member and comes to Washington, D.C often.
Shannon Dalton, MBA '06, has acquired Quinn Fiduciary Services, a fiduciary firm based in Santa Barbara, following her licensure as a professional fiduciary in 2020 and a successful career running her own insurance company and working with Aflac.
Dianne Duva, CCAS ‘97, a founding partner of the wealth management firm Arlington Financial Advisors in Santa Barbara, has been named the company's new managing partner.
Jeanelle Johnson, BBA ‘01 Announced as Managing Partner of PwC's Washington, D.C. metro office as of August 1, 2024 leading PwC's 2,400 professionals in the D.C. market.
David Leibowitz, BBA ’92, recently started a new role in March 2024 as Vice President of Finance and CFO for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, overseeing all financial and accounting functions for the 1 million square foot convention center in historic Philadelphia, PA.
Teodoro (Neil) Llamanzares, BBA/MSIS ’98, retired in March 2024 at the age of 54, after a distinguished career that included service in the US Air Force, consulting at Deloitte, and serving as CIO of San Miguel Corp.'s telco division.
Rudy Rodas, BBA ’08, was recently appointed to serve as State Director for Interim U.S. Senator George Helmy (D-NJ).
Andy Shapiro, BA ’75, MURP ’85, has retired after nearly 35 years as a management consultant in corporate site selection and relocation, most recently serving as principal at Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company, LLC. Now based in Walnut Creek, CA, he enjoys volunteering, photography, and reconnecting with fellow alums.
Simoon Shiferaw, MBA ’10, has published a Meditative Adult Coloring Book in the summer of 2024 to promote mindfulness and well-being; join the coloring community and de-stress here.
Will Sparks, Ph.D. '02, has published "Actualized Teamwork: Unlocking the Culture Code for Optimal Performance" with SHRM Books (2024), which debuted as an Amazon #1 Best Seller.
Becky Whitley (BBA '02), New Hampshire State Senator, has entered the race for New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District, bringing her extensive experience in disability rights, climate policy, child health, and reproductive freedom, and she is committed to continuing her advocacy in Congress.
Stacey Young (MBA '97, MS '00), in 2023, defended her dissertation on "Student Engagement's Impact on Academic Performance for Nontraditional Students in a Community College Environment" at Marymount University, becoming the first in her program to do so, and was inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi with a 4.0 GPA.
Adriano Lima e Silva, MAccy '19, has joined McDaniel College as an assistant professor of accounting in the Economics and Business Administration department.
Robert Greenbaum, BBA ‘84, was selected to the 31st edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, as well as Litigation-Bankruptcy (2009-2025).
Kathleen James, MBA ‘90, retired from the FDIC in 2012 and has since been serving on the boards of two banks: State Bank of India-California in Los Angeles and Liberty Bank NA in Anaheim, CA. She also serves as a trustee for Immaculata University in Pennsylvania. She has been a FDIC alumni organization board member and comes to Washington, D.C often.
Suzanne Cavanaugh Brown, BAccy ’88, has been appointed as SVP & Chief Operating Officer of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, a national community impact asset management firm and wholly owned subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC. In this role, she oversees finance, human resources, IT, and operations and manages the organization’s New Markets Tax Credit program.
Kate (Pena) Gillis, BBA ’14, recently celebrated her five-year anniversary at Hilton and was promoted to Brand Director of Graduate Hotels, Hilton’s newest acquired brand. In her new role, Kate will lead brand strategy and development for the Graduate Hotels portfolio.
Renate H. Myles, MBA ‘94, has been appointed as the NIH Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison and Director of the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, where she will lead NIH's communication efforts across its institutes and centers.
Anthony Shop, MBA ’11, co-founder of Social Driver, a leading digital marketing and communications firm, recently celebrated the company being named Webflow Agency of the Year. Founded by Anthony and his husband, Thomas Sanchez, Social Driver has leveraged Webflow technology to create websites for major brands, including Starbucks, Amazon, Reddit, and PepsiCo.
Suzanne Dannheim, GWSB '20, a Digital Assets team member at Goldman Sachs, joined Professor Christine Song’s Applied Financial Securities Analysis class as a guest speaker. She spoke about cryptocurrency and ways to succeed in finance when first starting your career. Her advice to differentiate yourself by developing unique skills and finding a hobby was especially helpful.
Marcelle Gillian, MBA’87 was named to the Forbes 50 Over 50: Investment list which highlights women at the forefront of "shaping the way money flows in the U.S – and beyond." Read more about this achievement here.
Aaron Golbin, BS ’24, a serial entrepreneur who founded his first business at age eight and launched multiple startups as a teenager, graduated early from GW to focus on his role as managing partner of LvlUp Ventures, where he is reshaping venture capital and leading corporate innovation programs for major enterprises.
Oscar Pulido, BBA ’01, Managing Director, and Jenna Bryan-Krug, BBA ’04, Director, hosted GW Business’ Applied Financial Securities Analysis class at BlackRock’s Washington, D.C. office. The visit offered students an eye-opening look into municipal bonds, ETFs, and the intersection of public policy and asset management, while showcasing the importance of adaptability in today’s investment landscape.
Jordan Sheinkop, BBA ‘17, GW Investment Institute Alumni Advisor, and Vice President at Ares Management Corporation, also delivered a guest lecture in Professor Song’s Applied Financial Securities Analysis class. Jordan shared insights on thriving in the finance industry, including mastering soft skills like collaboration, time management, and being a coachable team-player.
John Roberts, BBA ‘09, GW Investment Institute Advisory Board Member and partner at Corient, recently spoke to the Applied Financial Securities Analysis class. He discussed the 10-year Treasury yield, core vs. headline inflation, and the retrospective nature of recessions, while emphasizing the importance of mentorship in finance. His insights and recommended reading provided the class with a richer understanding of key financial principles.

Spring 2024

Julia Bennett (M.T.A. '11), was named chief marketing and business development officer at the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.
George Currall (M.B.A. ‘06), has been appointed chief financial officer of The NRP Group, a real estate developer and manager.
Suzanne Dannheim (B.B.A. ‘20) joins the NYSE opening bell with Goldman Sachs on January 11.
David DiMolfetta (B.B.A. ‘21), began a new role as a reporter covering cybersecurity for NextGov/FCW.
Sena Kwawu (B.B.A. ‘90), was named president of in-home services at Cinch Home Services, a provider of home insurance and protection plans.
Amish Patel (B.B.A. ‘04), was elected partner at the law firm Williams Mullen.
Stella Qian (M.T.A. ’11), was promoted to the role of director of global programs administration for the U.S. Grains Council (USGC).
Simoon Shiferaw (M.B.A ‘10) has written a new book, The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Parent for the Modern World: From Helping With Daily Tasks To Building Generational Wealth. Follow the link to check in out.
Tom Ulrich (M.B.A. ‘95), was appointed senior vice president and general manager for North America at LatticeFlow AI, which helps enterprises build safe and trustworthy AI systems.
Cattleya Wongkongkatap (M.B.A. ‘11), is the recipient of the Connector Award from Destination DC, which recognizes an individual “who eagerly helps DDC make connections through their existing networks” and for their support of the DDC’s Ambassador Circle program.
William Alexander (M.B.A. ‘06), former GWAA President, recently qualified for and earned his full motorsports competition license with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). He is in the process of launching Contender Motorsports and looks forward to competing in sanctioned events in 2024.
Glenda Baskin Glover (Ph.D. ‘90), president of Tennessee State University, who is also a certified public accountant and attorney, was named one of The Tennessee Tribune’s People of the Year for 2023.
Lisa Jordan (M.T.A. ‘07), senior director of digital marketing for Red Roof Inn, was recognized among this year’s Top 25 Extraordinary Minds by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
Nam Nguyen (M.B.A. ‘12) is an Asset Allocation Analyst for Fayez Sarofim & Co, who recently published a children's book titled All The Delicious Food You Will Eat. It aims to encourage kids to try new foods and explore different cultures through food.
Douglas Robertson (M.B.A ‘20) was recently named CTO of the Small Business Administration.
Mitchell Schear (M.B.A ‘91) recently joined the Strategic Advisory Board of Plentific, the innovative, real-time property operations platform. The firm's global advisory board consists of real estate industry experts who share their skills, guidance, and knowledge to help Plentific continuously enhance its pioneering property operations Software as a Service (SaaS) platform. He spent more than 15 years as president of Vornado/Charles E. Smith and four years as executive partner at Camber Creek, a technology venture capital firm.
Naomi Boyd, Ph.D. ‘09, has been selected to serve as Dean of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.
Shelby Luzzi, MTA ‘19, was nominated for the World's Leading Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow 2024 award as part of the inaugural World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations for accelerating change and making an impact in net positive tourism.
Geeta Nayyar, M.D., M.B.A. ‘11, a medical doctor and author of the book "Dead Wrong: Diagnosing and Treating Healthcare’s Misinformation Illness," was featured in a Q&A piece on the Managed Healthcare Executive news website.
Shaun M. Snyder, M.B.A. 17, is the newly elected DC Bar President as of July 2024 and has served as the CEO of the National Association of State Treasurers for over six years.
Timothy (Tim) Yost, M.S. Finance ‘97, has been named chief financial officer of BlueVoyant, a cybersecurity defense platform.
Jeffrey Donnelly, B.B.A. ‘92, has been appointed chief executive officer of the DiamondRock Hospitality Company.
Joseph Capper, M.B.A. ‘94, has been appointed to the board of directors for Anika Therapeutics, an early intervention orthopedic care company.
David Haggerty, B.B.A. '79, is a GW School of Business alum who serves as a member of the International Olympic Committee, which is preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Nada Hamadeh, M.S.F. ‘07, is currently CFO and Managing Director of the M Medical Group and Technical Advisory Group for the World Bank’s International Comparison Program. On Saturday, June 1st, Nada visited the Master of Science in Finance/Master of Science in Applied Finance (MSF/MSAF) Association at George Washington University to share her expertise and accomplishments and encourage students to start their career journey.
Thomas Lee, M.D., M.B.A. ‘07, was named executive vice president of the Medical Society of the State of New York.
Li Liang, Ph.D. ‘24, a recent graduate of the doctoral program in finance, was cited and quoted in an article from the website InvestmentNews, titled “This GameStop episode may be different.”
Kevin Mahala, B.B.A. ’18, was featured in a GW Today story, “Covering the Bases with GW Alumnus Kevin Mahala,” highlighting his journey from being on the GW baseball team, to Wall Street, and now minor league hitting coordinator for the New York Mets.
Allan Siegel, J.D. ‘ 94, B.B.A. ‘91, was named the recipient of the 2024 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award by the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Luis Ernesto Vargas, BS-Accy ‘96, was named vice president of finance, at automotive parts and technology company, CRP Industries.
John Roberts (B.B.A. ‘89), partner and senior portfolio manager at Corient and a member of the GW Investment Institute Advisory Board, was a guest speaker for the GW Phillips Student Investment Fund class, where he discussed the need for reliable data in investment decisions, having career skills and proficiencies such as Excel and being an active listener, and a dedicated professional.
Scott Garber (M.B.A. ‘14), a general partner at Early Light Ventures, spoke to students as a guest speaker in the Foundations of Venture Capital class taught by Professor Bill Collier (B.A. ‘10, M.B.A. ‘16). Garber focused on effective venture capital strategies, how networking can be an important factor in sourcing quality deal flow and other attributes and skills for a career in venture capital.
Quinton Carroll (M.B.A. '23) was named to the 2024 Native American 40 Under 40 Class by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. The recognition is given to Native Americans, including American Indians, Indigenous peoples of the First Nations in Canada, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians who have "demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication while making significant contributions in their professions and communities." Carroll is currently executive director of the Native American Contractors Association.
Justin Glasgow (M.B.A. ‘05), was named a managing director/national director at the commercial estate firm Northmarq.
Wai Ming Lau (BS-Accy ‘01), has been elected chairman of the board for Deswell Industries, Inc.
Himanshu Maheshwari (M.B.A. ‘04), has been named vice president of the corporate initiatives group at Cenlar FSB.
F. Jackson Phillips (M.B.A. ‘73), was elected chair of the board of directors for CurePSP.
Todd Ahern (M.B.A. ‘10), is chief executive officer of The Megawatt Group, which was named to the Financial Times 2024 list of Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies.
Joseph Patrick Babits (M.B.A. ‘88, CCAS ‘85), was selected as Top Lawyer of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP).
Jordan Sheinkop, (B.B.A.‘17), vice president at Ares Management Corporation, spoke to the Applied Financial Securities Analysis class about his experiences and his career journey. Jordan is an alumnus of the class and is the GW Investment Institute Alumni Advisor.
Ivan Soto-Wright, (B.S. '12), recently visited Professor Bill Collier’s Foundations of Venture Capital class. As the Co-Founder and CEO of MoonPay, Ivan shared invaluable insights from his entrepreneurial journey, reflecting on his time at GW and how it shaped his path. His guest lecture inspired GWSB students and reinforced the profound impact that GW has on shaping future business leaders.

Fall 2023

Courtney Cacatian (MTA, ‘10), wrote a book, The Future of Destination Organizations, about how we have turned the tide after the Unite the Right Rally of 2017 and rode the choppy waters of COVID to come out better, stronger and a more welcoming community.
Thomas Kruza III, Esq. (M.B.A, ‘93), has served as Senior Counsel for The Boeing Company Defense, Space & Security (BDS) in Huntsville, Alabama for the past twelve years, leading in critical Boeing initiatives. Prior to Boeing, Tom worked as a government contracts attorney in Southern California after earning his J.D. degree from University of San Diego School of Law. Tom earned his MBA in Business Economics and Public Policy from GWUSB while working full-time at the Department of the Navy as a Procurement Contracting Officer. Tom and his wife Jeanne have fond memories of their time together at GWU where his wife earned her MA from GSEHD in 1998.
Cindy Morris (MTA ‘01), Promoted in June to Chief Advancement Officer at the American Society on Aging (www.asaging.org).
Isaiah Stanback (M.B.A. ‘19), a graduate of the STAR (Special Talent, Access and Responsibility) Executive M.B.A. program, was nominated for a Sports Emmy Award from the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Shamik Trivedi (B.B.A. ‘04), joined the Treasury Department's Office of Tax Policy as an Attorney-Advisor in March 2023. Previously, he was a Special Counsel with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. At Treasury, Shamik provides legal advice on domestic tax matters, including tax procedure and practice. He was also formerly Senior Tax Counsel at the White House, and before joining the government, was a Senior Manager in Grant Thornton LLP's national tax office in Washington.
Shadi Bakour (B.B.A. ‘13), co-founder and CEO of PATH, which makes 100 percent reusable and recyclable aluminum water bottles, was featured in a recent Alumni in Focus.
Foluso Gbadamosi (MSIST ‘06), a graduate of the M.S. in Information Systems Technology program at GW Business, was featured in a profile by Allure Magazine. The magazine discussed Gbadamosi’s passion for technology and how it has shaped her educational and career journey. It also explored her leadership of Junior Achievement of Nigeria, a youth and economic empowerment organization, and how businesses and citizens within the country of Nigeria can leverage the advantages of technology.
Iram Gilani (B.B.A. ‘19), authored a book entitled Invisible Tears, a memoir that recounts her childhood and the challenges she faced throughout her upbringing. In addition to being an author, Gilani is now a speaker and advocate on behalf of those who are suffering from or have been affected by trauma.
Social Driver, a digital services agency co-founded by Anthony Shop (M.B.A. ‘11), was named “Minority Marketing and Communication Firm of the Year” by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency during 2023 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, which recognizes minority business enterprises.
Brazen Technologies, Inc., a virtual recruiting event and hiring platform led by CEO and Chairman Ed Barrientos (M.B.A. '90), announced its acquisition by Radancy, a global provider of cloud-based talent acquisition software.
Russell Falkenstein (B.B.A. ‘10), was named executive vice president, chief operating officer at The Aaron's Company, Inc.
David Haggerty (B.B.A. '79), was re-elected to a third term as president of the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Arnar Johannsson (B.B.A. ‘04), a former member of the men’s soccer team, has been selected for induction into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame.
Christian Kaldes (M.B.A. ‘92), became vice president of business development for IT Concepts Inc.
David Luni (B.B.A ‘03), will be appointed chief financial officer of Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P., effective January 1, 2024.
Jasmine Mago (BBA ‘99, MA ‘04), authored a children's book titled Kangaroo care, please? to provide hope and education for families to help them better cope with premature birth and the NICU journey. She is part of the Preeclampsia Foundation Board of Directors.
Jerry Marty (M.B.A. ‘09), published a new, non-fiction historical (20th Century) account of the Bronx, New York City after World War II, titled Memories of Da' Bronx.
Nicole Rogers (B.B.A. ‘09), co-founder of ai12z, recently published her grandfather's memoir, Beyond the Border: A Korean's Journey Between the North and South, a journey from his childhood in North Korea during the 1930s and 1940s, to his crossings of the 38th Parallel, joining the South Korean Army, getting arrested, being suspected as a spy, and his experiences during the Korean War.
Debbie Weiss (BAccy ‘85) is proud to announce the release of her memoir, On Second Thought, Maybe I Can! In addition to becoming a writer, Debbie also fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a store, A Sprinkle of Hearts.
Fernando Flores (MTA ‘02), vice president of consumer sales and head of Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations at Universal Destinations & Experiences, was featured in an article by Travel Weekly, in which he discussed ongoing and future developments at his company.
Jonathan Bench (J.D., M.B.A. ‘12), was named a partner at the law firm Harris Bricken Sliwoski LLP.
Wendy Lanton (B.B.A. ‘19), was re-elected as a small-firm governor of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Lanton is a founding principal and the chief operations/compliance officer of Herold & Lantern Investments, Inc.
Dr. Geeta Nayyar, (M.B.A ‘11) has a new book coming out in October on healthcare in the era of tech, AI, and social media. Learn more about Dead Wrong: Diagnosis and Treating Healthcare’s Misinformation Illness.
Nicholas Pizzulli (B.S. ‘23), joined the investment firm Carl Marks Advisors as an analyst.
Joseph Pascaretta (Healthcare M.B.A. ‘13), was appointed as chief operating officer at WorkWave, a provider of business software services.
Brandon Tasco (M.B.A. ‘13), was nominated to Chief Investment Officer Class of 2023 NextGens.

Spring 2023

Christine Brown-Quinn, MBA ’92, best-selling author and founder of The Female Capitalist®, Dr. Slim Feriani, MBA '89, PhD '96, CEO of the Sovereign Fund of Djibouti, and Christophe G. de Taurines, BBA '86, senior advisor at Long Harbour LTD, joined GW Business Dean Anuj Mehrotra for George Talks Business at the Churchill War Rooms in London, hosted with the GW UK Alumni Network. The panel addressed pressing global challenges and opportunities.
Seung Bach (M.B.A. ‘98), has been named the next dean of the Mankato College of Business at Minnesota State University, which he will begin on July 1. He currently serves as interim dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at California State University, Bakersfield.
Amanda Brownfield (MBA ' 01), has been selected as the CEO of AP Worldwide Services Inc., a provider of logistics, facilities management, and other technical services.
Tony Curtis (B.B.A. ‘90, M.B.A. ‘92), senior director of global tax strategy and transfer pricing controversy leader at McDonalds, has been appointed chair of the board of directors for the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA).
Supriya Jay Doshi (MBA, Healthcare '19), has been acknowledged in as a Most Trusted Healthcare Professional for his contributions to the Medical Field by The Inner Circle.
Kara D. Freeman (M.B.A. '97), has been named the next president and chief executive officer of National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). Freeman will transition to this role from the American Council on Education (ACE), where she has served as senior vice president and chief operating officer and as vice president of administration and chief information officer.
Teresa Graham (B.B.A. '95) began serving as CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals after being appointed to the role last month. She previously served as Head of Global Product Strategy at the company.
Shemeka Jennings (MTA '13) is the recipient of the Outstanding Social Impact Leadership Award. The alumni panel and award ceremony took place on Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.
Jason Thomas, M.S. ’08, Ph.D. ‘12, managing director and head of global research at The Carlyle Group authored a report “5 Questions for 2023."
Doug Zarkin (B.B.A. '92) has been named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top “50 Franchise CMO Gamechangers" for 2023 Zarkin is currently chief marketing officer for the Pearle Vision brand of EssilorLuxottica, a vision and eyewear designer, manufacturer, and distributor.
Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management Alumni Awards: The M.S. in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management (MSTHEM) Outstanding Alumni Award Committee has selected the recipients of MSTHEM Outstanding Alumni Leadership awards: J. Mara DelliPriscoli (MA in Tourism, 1983) is the recipient of the Outstanding Industry Leadership Award and Maricar Donato (MTA ‘93) is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Leadership Award.
Ibrahim Osta (MTA ‘05), Chief of Party at USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism, visited the GW School of Business MSTHEM program and the International Institute of Tourism Studies (IITS) with The Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica Minister of Tourism, on April 12 at 11:30 a.m. in Duquès Hall, Room 357 to discuss a possible collaboration to promote the UN adoption of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day, as well as the implementation of sustainable tourism development strategies in the context of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Groups (UNSDGs).
Albert Bernales (M.S. ’22) was interviewed about his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer, including an upcoming assignment in the Republic of Fiji where he hopes to apply his business and entrepreneurial skills while working in community development.
Kevin S. Blair (M.B.A. ‘96), was featured on a list of Atlanta magazine’s “500 most powerful leaders.” Blair is president and CEO of Synovus, a commercial and retail banking firm based in Georgia.
Joseph H. Capper (M.B.A. ‘94), has been appointed as chief executive officer and director of the MiMedx Group, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that develops and distributes placental tissue allografts.
Thomas S. Greenspon (M.B.A. '94) has been selected to serve as chair of the Board of Directors for the George C. Marshall International Center, an organization that aims to advance the values of service and leadership through educational programs.
Hallie Harenski (M.B.A ‘00) was promoted to the position of senior vice president of marketing & corporate communications at a property, casualty, accident, and health insurance company.
Denise Hyater-Lindenmuth (MBA’ 15), was named executive director of the National Women’s Health Network (NWHN), adding to her experiences as a leader at large healthcare organizations, including most recently as executive director of Brain Injury Services.
Sanjay Sardar (MBA ‘06), has been named president of the Civilian & Health operating group at ASRC Federal, which provides information technology, data analytics, and business consulting services for federal and civilian agencies.
Pamela Monaco, Ph.D. (BBA ‘'81), has been named the next president of Ocean County College, located in Ocean County, NJ. Monaco currently serves as vice president of academic and student affairs at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, IL, and has more than three decades of experience in higher education. She will begin her new role on July 1, 2023.
Mike Morath BBA ‘98, who has held the role of Texas Commissioner of Education since 2016, has been re-appointed to the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Three GWSB alumni — Max Kreinces, BBA ’21, Jake Salkovitz, BBA. ’17, and Allison Buck, BBA ‘15 — were recently named to the “Top Young Professionals” Class of 2022 list by the “Commercial Observer” for their success in the commercial real estate industry.
Clay Fisher, BBA ‘00 named chief marketing officer for Kinetic by Windstream.
Vanessa Cacho, BBA ‘07, co-founder of M-TEC Services, and a graduate of the third cohort of ELEVATE, was featured in a Washington Business Journal article discussing her business.
Andrew Maller, BBA ‘08, has been named co-head of SPAC Investment Banking at BTIG, a global financial services firm.
Anup Sheshadri, MBA ‘16, announced the release of his first book — Building A Career In Product Management: Is There A Logical Path To Success? The book demystifies the product management role for students and young professionals who aspire to become successful in the product management role.
Kyle Albrecht (B.B.A. '10), Major League Soccer (MLS) senior director of properties, spearheaded the launch of MLS GO, a new youth recreational soccer league created by MLS and the RCX Sports Foundation aimed at increasing participation and access to soccer at the community and local levels. The new league was announced this week.
Faisal Khan (M.B.A. ‘96), has been named executive director of the Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. He will lead the implementation of an NGWS grant intended to enhance the nation’s public alerting system.
Kenny Yu, Pharm.D., (Healthcare M.B.A. ‘13), has been appointed to the board of directors of NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.
Mark Chichester (B.B.A. ’90, J.D. ’93) and Avram “Ave” Tucker (B.B.A. ‘77), members of the GW Board of Trustees, discussed the endowed scholarships they established in honor of their parents for a recent article in GW Today.
Sabrina Clebnik (GWSB ’22, '24), was featured in an article by the Boston Business Journal about the launch of her business, Clebby, which won her first-tier in the 2021 Pitch George Competition and the New Venture Track award in the 2022 New Venture Competition. Clebnik received her Bachelor of Science in Business degree with a concentration in entrepreneurship and public policy and is now a graduate student in the Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) program.
William Suffa, MBA ‘96, recently completed the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk across Spain, in 32 days.
David Appel (M.B.A. ‘98), vice president of national security at Amazon Web Services, was profiled on ExecutiveGov, a news website for the federal and government contracting industry.
Christopher Capece, Josh Drexler, Allison Nudel, Heather Rosenblum, and Marcus Sowter, members of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis (CREUA) Young Leaders Organization (YLO), returned to campus on Wednesday, February 8 to speak with an undergraduate student real estate club, providing words of advice about what to anticipate upon entering the industry, and ways to effectively build a network.
Doreen Devine, a graduate of the Certificate in Project Management program, was appointed executive vice president of the Alliant Insurance Services employee benefits group. She has more than 25 years of experience in human resources and employee benefits management.
Edwin Miller (M.B.A ‘98), has been appointed CEO of Marchex, Inc., an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that helps businesses with sales outcomes using AI-powered customer engagement and marketing solutions. He was most recently an executive with private equity firm Gemspring Capital.
LaJuanna Russell (MBA ‘98) will be a GWSB Commencement Speaker for 2023.
Ashley Thurow (MAccy ‘11), was named vice president of finance at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Brian Beall (MTA ‘06) rejoins the National Travel and Tourism Office serving as director of the International Trade Administration’s Industry and Analysis division at the US Department of Commerce on May 8th.https://eturbonews.com/new-us-national-travel-and-tourism-office-direct…
Kellen Curry (M.B.A. ‘19), is a candidate in the race for New York’s 3rd congressional district.
Kathleen James, MBA '90 has recently completed a six-year term as Director at State Bank of India-California and continues as Director at Liberty Bank, NH, Irvine, CA. She is also a trustee on the board of Immaculata University in PA and on the board of the FDIC Alumni Association.
Aron Kershner (B.B.A. '05), recently delivered keynote remarks during the GW Investment Institute (GWII) Annual Conference on March 24. Now a managing director at Goldman Sachs, Kershner provided philanthropic support for the GW Quant Student Investment Fund and also supported the launch of the Quantitative Investing class.
Marlow H. Levy (M.B.A., Healthcare ‘15), vice president of operations at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, was highlighted on a list of “149 Black healthcare leaders to know” for 2023 by Becker's Hospital Review.
John McClure, MS ‘06, joined Sinclair Broadcast Group as their first Chief Information Security Officer and more recently leads in an additional role as Vice President for the enterprise infrastructure and cloud functions.
Patrick Murphy (M.B.A. ‘16), founder and CEO of aerospace technology consultancy firm Celersys Technologies, will be the graduating class convocation keynote speaker for his undergraduate alma mater, the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University.
Mary Richardson (MBA '10), vice president at Goldman Sachs, gave a guest lecture for students in the Applied Financial Securities Analysis course taught by Professor Rodney Lake, director of the GW Investment Institute and vice dean for undergraduate programs. Ms. Richardson is currently serving as an Alumni Advisor for the GW Investment Institute and frequently contributes as a guest speaker. During this latest lecture, Ms. Richardson gave an overview of the wealth management business, provided examples of the type of work she does day to day, and answered questions from students. Students enrolled in this class manage the GW Phillips Student Investment Fund, which was established in 2008 and named after former GWSB Dean Susan Philips.
Krishan Shah, BBA ‘20, Early Intervention Systems (EIS), a GW NVC Winner of 2018, was accepted into the Techstars Chicago JP Morgan Accelerator program. Out of the 1200 applicants, EIS was 1 of the 12 selected to participate in the accelerator program. EIS creates well-being software for memory care and assisted living communities.

Fall 2022

Giannis Doulamis, BS ‘04, MBA ‘08, was recently promoted to Principal in Deloitte Consulting’s Banking and Capital Markets Practice.
Tyrell Charles, BBA ‘16 was recently promoted to Associate Account Executive in Disney Ad Sales at the Walt Disney Company.
Dr. Ante Dodig, BBA ‘09, MS ‘11, is an Investment Officer at International Finance Corporation and is an Assistant Professor teaching Investments, Investment Banking, and Capital Markets courses at Union University in Belgrade. His new book "Capital Markets in Southeast Europe: Origins and Efficiency in a Cross-Country Analysis of Transition Economies" with Palgrave Macmillan - Springer Nature is now available globally; to learn more follow the hyperlink.
Kathleen James, MBA '90 has recently completed a six-year term as Director at State Bank of India-California and continues as Director at Liberty Bank, NH, Irvine, CA. She is also a trustee on the board of Immaculata University in PA and on the board of the FDIC Alumni Association.
Krishan Shah, BBA ‘20, Early Intervention Systems (EIS), a GW NVC Winner of 2018, was accepted into the Techstars Chicago JP Morgan Accelerator program. Out of the 1200 applicants, EIS was 1 of the 12 selected to participate in the accelerator program. EIS creates well-being software for memory care and assisted living communities.
John McClure, MS ‘06, joined Sinclair Broadcast Group as their first Chief Information Security Officer and more recently leads in an additional role as Vice President for the enterprise infrastructure and cloud functions.
Oscar Pulido, BBA ’01, and Dan Someck, BBA ’06, from BlackRock, joined Professor Rodney Lake’s Applied Financial Securities Analysis course to share career insights and advice with students. Through their partnership, students attended five live modules with BlackRock employees and gained access to BlackRock’s Aladdin technology to analyze the GW Phillips Student Investment Fund portfolio and make informed investment decisions.
Barbie Hunley, BBA ’10, exemplifies teamwork and dedication, from her role as head manager of GW Women’s Basketball to her current position on the delivery team at Salesforce.
Giulia Genovese, BS ’20 and Fixed Income Analyst at Goldman Sachs, joined Professor Rodney Lake’s Applied Financial Security Analysis class to discuss the fixed-income markets and share career advice. Genovese, a former GW Phillips Student Investment Fund (GW PSIF) member and Ramsey Scholar, engaged with students who manage over $2 million in assets.
James Carruthers, MBA ’80, Founder & Portfolio Manager at Sophos Capital Management and Advisory Board member for the GW Investment Institute, joined the Applied Financial Security Analysis course to discuss short selling, securities market fraud, and business evaluation strategies with GW Phillips Student Investment Fund (GW PSIF) managers.
Laurie Baker, MBA ’91, Chief Operating Officer of Camden Property Trust, spoke with students in the Applied Financial Security Analysis course who manage the GW Real Estate Student Investment Fund (GW RESIF). She emphasized the importance of preparation, teamwork, and innovation in business. Established in 2017, GW RESIF partners with the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis (CREUA).
Deborah Fell, MBA ‘12, Promoted to executive leadership board at Chief Outsiders.
Michael Katcher, BBA ‘91, Vice Chairman of Cushman & Wakefield joined students as a guest lecturer in the Applied Financial Security Analysis: Real Estate course taught by Professor Rodney Lake. Mr. Katcher shared insights about the state of the office market in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, and offered career advice to students. Students enrolled in this class manage the GW Real Estate Student Investment Fund (GW RESIF), a diversified portfolio of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) across six sectors, including office. Mr. Katcher helped establish the fund in 2017, he continues to be a contributor to the GW RESIF, and serves as a regular guest lecturer in class. We’d like to thank Mr. Katcher for sharing a wealth of wisdom and expertise with our GWSB students.
Nicolas E. Lance, MBA ‘95 is the new chief operating officer for HORAN.
Naomi Boyd, Ph.D. ‘09, became the new Dean of Virginia Commonwealth University Business School. Read more about Naomi as she begins her tenure.
Tyler Cavanaugh, CCAS BA ‘16, MTA ‘18, the GW Men’s Basketball alumnus is representing Team USA to qualify for the FIBA 2023 World Cup.
Elana Meyers Taylor, BS ‘06, MTA ‘11, Olympic bobsled champion and GW Athletic Hall of Famer, received the 2022 Wilma Rudolph Courage Award.
Sherry Levin Wallach, BBA ‘92, was recently sworn in as president of the New York State Bar Association.

Spring 2022

Avril Sara Franchetti, BADM ’07, librarian at the Library of Congress. In honor of the occasion of the 17th wedding anniversary of Mr. Brian Micheal Franchetti and Avril Sara Franchetti(GWU class of 2007).
Whitney Dailey, BA '07, Executive Vice President, Purpose at Allison+Partners. In this new role, Whitney will help lead the agency's work with purpose-driven brands across sectors and will collaborate with global leaders to build our purpose and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) platforms.
Boyd Harrison, MTA '15, owner of Chubby Squirrel Brewing Co., was recently elected to the Board of Directors of Old Town Fairfax Business Association.
Angela Borozna, MS Finance ’97, earned a Ph.D in political science in 2020 from GC CUNY. Angela’s book, "The Sources of Russian Foreign Policy Assertiveness," was published in February 2022 by Palgrave MacMillan/Springer.
Kate Pena, BBA Marketing ’14, Senior Manager, Brand Management at Hilton. After almost 8 years in the social media space, most recently leading the social media strategy for Hilton Honors, Kate has been promoted to a new position of Senior Manager, Brand Management. In this new role, Kate will help develop the overarching brand strategy and operationalize global initiatives for the DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations brands.
Gabriel Braun, BBA Marketing ’97, recently sold the company, CX Team, a leading customer experience consulting company based in Mexico and Latin America, to Medallia, one of the leading CX software companies in the world.
Kristie (Gackenheimer) Helfrich, B.B.A. '97, was featured in a GW Sports interview where the former gymnast shared memories and lessons from her time competing in the buff and blue.

Fall 2021

Nam Nguyen, MBA ‘13, Analyst, Asset Allocation & Operations, Fayez Sarofim & Co., is publishing a book on the topic of IPOs, SPACs, and Direct Listings. The book explains in a digestible writing style how IPO/SPAC/Direct Listings work and how to analyze future investments.
David Gresko, MBA ‘09, self-employed real estate agent was featured in a trade magazine as one of the top real estate teams in the area. And they have a unique approach to giving as much as possible and always practicing gratitude.
Phyllis Chestang, MBA ‘77, Executive Director at Second Wind 501c3 Non-Profit, donated/gifted selections from the 80 plus books/e-books to Gelman Library, selling globally as a result of her Ph.D. research and lived professional experiences. Academic and professional career achievements led to Phyllis' nomination for an Honorary Doctorate at GW. Phyllis also provided public comments to their local City Council and Library Commission regarding library collections that appear to reflect "bias" and a lack of cultural sensitivity.
Christopher Collins, MHSA ’99, President of ECG Management Consultants, will oversee all consulting divisions and corporate operations of the firm. ECG, founded in 1973, provides strategy, operations, and financial consulting to health systems and has 9 offices nationally. Collins lives in Wellesley (15 miles west of Boston) with wife and three teenage children.
Prashanth Rajan, MBA '15, began a new role as the Director of Public Policy at Mastercard in Washington, D.C.
Lakea Chatmon, MSIST ’17, recently earned a Doctorate of Science in Cybersecurity at Marymount University.
Asha Aravindakshan, BBA '02, Vice President at Sprinklr, authored Skills: The Common Denominator (New Degree Press, 2021).

Spring 2021

Shadi Bakour, BBA '13, co-founder and CEO of Pathwater, was named on the Forbes 30 under 30 list and participated in a “Campfire Stories” discussion at the GW Winter Innovation Camp.
Todd Yasui, BBA '86, is currently serving as showrunner and executive producer on Cardi B’s web series “Cardi Tries ___.”
Mitch Blaser, BBA '73, chair of the GWSB board of advisors, has launched new global specialty insurer Mosaic.
Dana Sleeper, BBA '12, has started The Sleeper Group consulting firm building upon her extensive experience in the non-profit sector and her certification as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion professional.
Rudy Rodas, BBA '08, Associate Counsel at the Office of NJ Governor Phil Murphy was recently selected by the Hispanic National Bar Association as one of the recipients of their "Top Lawyers Under 40" Award.
Toya Evans, BBA ‘85, Entrepreneur, was recently featured in the March issue of Entrepreneur Magazine for my franchising businesses.
Moting Bao, Master of Science in Finance ‘21 got an offer from PWC HK as Risk Assurance and is going to start his career in June.
Hal Nesbitt, MBA ‘09, was promoted to Senior Vice President for Information and Outreach at the American Society of Nephrology and will oversee all of the society's marketing, communications, business intelligence, and information technology initiatives.

GWSB Sweethearts

Expand the tab below to see which GWSB alums went from colleagues to couples!

GWSB Sweethearts

Jonathan Read BBA ’12 and Aria (Morris) Read BBA’12 married on August 21, 2015 in Bristol RI.

Zach Parharm GMBA ’10 and Cassie Durkin Parham GMBA ’10 married on September 19, 2015.

Karli Kasonik Susi GMBA ’11 and Alan Susi GMBA ’10 married on September 15, 2012.

Nicole Samuel MBA ’14 and Johnny Samuel MBA ’14 married on August 22, 2015.

Brandie Kalinowski GMBA ’10 and Paul Kalinowski GMBA ’10 married on November 16, 2013.