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Class of 2013 Members

Allison Steinberg	Allison Steinberg Allison will be graduating in 2013 with Business Honors in Marketing Analytics and Consulting. Originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, she completed an undergraduate degree in Marketing and Advertising from The University of Texas at Austin and went on to join GSD&M as an account manager, where she managed the development, research, production and launch of Goodyear’s successful “More Driven” advertising campaign. She comes from a family of businesspeople and artists—entrepreneurs, sculptors, accountants, and photographers—and enjoys the fact that marketing allows her to blend the creative and quantitative facets of her personality. Allison is also a Forté Fellow, and currently a member of the Graduate Marketing Network, Graduate Women in Business, and Net Impact.

Angie Adams	Angela Adams Prior to starting her MBA, Angela worked in production management for Condé Nast publications, where her contributions earned a promotion to department manager. Angela holds an undergraduate degree in graphic design from California State University, and as a dual-degree candidate, is planning to graduate from The University of Texas with both an MBA concentrating in Brand and Product Management and an MA in advertising. During her time at McCombs, Angela completed an MBA+ project with Adidas and a marketing practicum with Dell. She is also an active member of the Graduate Marketing Network, Graduate Women in Business, and MBA Retail Club.

Ashley Weber	Ashley Weber Ashley served as president of Marketing Fellows for the Class of 2013 and worked with Dr Pepper Snapple Group as a part of the innovative MBA Brands partnership. During her time at McCombs, she also completed an MBA+ Project applying Design Thinking methodology to identify opportunities in home water use management for IDEO in the fall of 2011. Ashley hails from South Pasadena, CA, and studied politics at Princeton University. During her time as an advertising account director at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, she helped create the award-winning “Say No to Plumping” campaign which is scheduled for inclusion in the Smithsonian Natural Museum of American History’s American Enterprise Exhibition in 2014. Ashley also serves as her cohort’s representative to the Graduate Business Council at McCombs, as well as contributing as a member of Graduate Women in Business, the Graduate Marketing Network, and the Entrepreneur Society.

Blake Elmquist	Blake Elmquist Originally from Dallas, TX, Blake attended Southern Methodist University and has studied abroad in six different countries. Prior to starting his MBA, Blake performed a variety of marketing roles for The Suite Seats, including development and roll-out of several new product launches during the successful repositioning of a national restaurant chain. Blake joined Marketing Fellows in the fall of 2011 while pursuing a concentration in Brand and Product Management. He has completed an MBA+ project with Procter & Gamble to help identify strategies to drive sales of Braun's accessories business. Blake also worked on a practicum for Briggo, promoting the unique automated coffee kiosk on campus, and is a member of the Graduate Marketing Network and Entrepreneurial Society.

Chris Woods	Chris Woods Chris is a member of the Class of 2013 at the McCombs School of Business. As an undergraduate student, he attended Clemson University in South Carolina and graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Chris worked for General Electric in in Manufacturing Operations and Supply Chain Management prior to beginning the MBA program at McCombs. After joining Marketing Fellows, Chris worked with Briggo on strategy for a unique robotic coffee barista service and also led a project with Proctor & Gamble to develop growth opportunities for the Braun brand. Chris is an active member of several McCombs organizations, including McCombs Board Fellows, the Graduate Marketing Network, the Entrepreneur Society, Net Impact, and the Graduate Business Adventure Team.

Dan Singer	Dan Singer Dan is concentrating in Innovation and Leadership while pursuing his MBA. Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, Dan also holds undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to graduate school, he worked as a Product Manager in the Recruitment Media and Advertising department at CareerBuilder.com. While there, he devised and implemented a new line of scalable online sponsorship products, integrating social content, videos, and interactive ad platforms to generate new business. Dan joined the McCombs School of Business in the fall of 2011 and worked on a Marketing Fellows practicum with Deloitte Consulting. During his time at McCombs, Dan also conducted a market analysis project to recommend strategic R&D investments for several gesture recognition applications on behalf of Texas Instruments. Dan is an officer of the MBA Soccer Club and a member of the Graduate Marketing Network.

Emily Behncke	Emily Behncke Emily graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Art History, and is now concentrating in Brand and Product Management at the McCombs School of Business. Originally from Williamsburg, VA , Emily has a background in professional sports and sports marketing as she played Major League Soccer for the Swedish Club AIK. Under Soccer United Marketing, she enjoyed a role that allowed her to create programs that positively impacted people's lives through sport. Upon joining Marketing Fellows, Emily worked on a marketing practicum with Pepsi Frito-Lay and completed an MBA+ Project for Under Armour athletic wear. Emily serves as Vice Presidents of the MBA Soccer Club as well as Graduate Business Adventure Team. She is also a member of the McCombs Admissions Committee, Graduate Marketing Network, and Epicurean Club.

Eric Chang	Eric Chang Originally from Denton, Texas, Eric completed his undergraduate education in Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining McCombs for his MBA, Eric went on to work in High Tech Marketing Production at Dell, Inc., where he took charge of producing marketing communications that reached millions of people on a weekly basis. Eric joined Marketing Fellows in the fall of 2011 and conducted a practicum with AMD, an innovative technology company dedicated to igniting the next generation of computing and graphics solutions. Eric took initiative in co-chairing special events for Texas Preview Weekend on behalf of the McCombs Admissions Committee. He is also an active member of the Graduate Marketing Network and the Graduate Business Technology Group.

Erin Whalen	Erin Whalen Erin is a member of the MBA Class of 2013 specializing in Marketing Analytics and Consulting. After earning her undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin, Erin went on to establish and manage her own business, Grease Money Wipes, which she successfully pitched on the first season of ABC's Shark Tank. During her time at McCombs, Erin pursued many hands-on opportunities to extend her education, including an MBA+ Project with Booz & Company, a consumer insights practicum for Nordstrom, and a Marketing Fellows practicum with Pepsi Frito-Lay. Erin co-founded the Business Communications Club and also represented her school as an MBA Student Blogger. In addition, she is also a member of the Graduate Marketing Network and Graduate Consulting Group.

Jason Schieck	Jason Schieck After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Economics, Jason worked for John Eagle European, conducting high-end automotive sales. Jason has been concentrating in Brand and Product Management while pursuing his MBA at McCombs. In the fall of 2011, he worked on MBA+ Project developing marketing strategy for Frontier Associates LLC, a consulting firm specializing in energy efficiency, renewable energy and regulatory support solutions. Jason worked on a Marketing Fellows practicum with Dell. His team is also proud to have placed second in the 2011 Deloitte Case Competition. Jason was a co-vice president of recruiting for Marketing Fellows as well as a member of the Graduate Marketing Network.

Karla Juarez	Karla Nadieska Juárez Originally from Miami, Florida, Karla plans to graduate from the McCombs School of Business in 2013 with a concentration in Brand and Product Management. She also holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Miami. Prior to joining McCombs, Karla worked for General Mills Inc., where she directed creation of PFPChallenge.com, a promotional campaign integrated with The Biggest Loser. Karla saved her company $22K in development costs. She earned the Champion’s Award in 2009 and was also the recipient of PR News’ top public relations award. Karla conducted a practicum with Pepsi Frito-Lay and helped develop a loyalty program for Alamo Drafthouse. She is also a member of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, and serves as National Society of Hispanic MBAs Austin Chapter Education Co-Chair as well as participating in the Graduate Marketing Network and Graduate Women in Business group.

Laura Wichinsky	Laura Wichinsky Laura is originally from Boca Raton, and used to work as a morning show personality on a Top 40 radio station in South Florida. Florida. Laura studied Film Production at the University of Southern California and went on to work as a fashion designer and independent consultant for Guess—it is notable that her apparel designs opened a new account relationship with Bloomingdales within 3 months of her date of hire. Laura performed a practicum project with AMD, a company dedicated to providing the next generation of computing and graphics solutions. Through the MBA+ program, she also worked on developing new social media strategy for the retailer Walmart. Laura has been active in many organizations during her time at the McCombs School. She has remained a mentor in the Big Brother Big Sisters program for over four years, serves as the Vice President of Events for both Marketing Fellows and the MBA Retail Club and also as the Vice President of Finance for the Epicurean Club.

Maris Lallana	Maris Lallana Maris is graduating in 2013 from the McCombs School of Business with a concentration in Marketing. Originally from the Philippines, Maris attended Ateneo de Manila University near her hometown and graduated with a B.S. in Management Engineering. After completing her undergraduate education, Maris performed roles in CPG Marketing for the Asia Regional Office of Cereal Partners Worldwide, a joint venture between General Mills Inc. and Nestlé S.A. to produce and sell ready-to-eat breakfast cereals worldwide. Maris’ contributions were recognized when she earned her company’s CPW Excellence Award from her market counterparts across South East Asia and China. At McCombs, Maris served as President of the International MBA Student Association as well as completing a Marketing Fellows Practicum with AMD. She is also an active participant in the Graduate Marketing Network, Graduate Business Technology Group, and the McCombs Admissions Committee.

Nicole Quesada	Nicole Quesada Nicole joined McCombs through the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management and will be graduating in 2013 with a degree in Brand and Product Management. Originally from San Antonio, Nicole went on to pursue her undergraduate studies at Stanford University where she majored in Chemical Engineering. Prior to joining McCombs, she worked as a device engineer for Genentech, Inc., a biotechnology firm specializing in human therapeutics. There, she led a first-of-its-kind clinical study used to provide real time feedback from subjects on key device and drug attributes. Nicole is passionate about volunteering and likes to participate in events that promote educational outreach. During graduate school, she served as a Board Fellow to Girl Scouts of Central Texas and also developed new strategy for Yoo-hoo though the innovative MBA Brands partnership with Dr Pepper Snapple Group. Nicole also contributes to a number of student organizations at McCombs, including the Graduate Marketing Network, Graduate Women in Business, the MBA Retail Club, Net Impact, and the Graduate Business Wine Club.

Praveen Katta	Praveen Katta Praveen joined Marketing Fellows in the fall of 2011 and is an MBA candidate concentrating in Brand and Product Management at McCombs. Praveen graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, he went on to become a product development engineer working in the semiconductor space at Dow Chemical Company—a quality-control program he developed for Dow resulted in a 50% reduction in scrap waste and was displayed by the company as their hallmark of success in quality management. While at McCombs, Praveen conducted an MBA+ Project with Texas Instruments and worked with Deloitte Consulting on his Marketing Fellows practicum project. Praveen is assertive in taking on extra-curricular opportunities to test his creative and management skills. He won 1st place in the General Electric Ecomagination Texas Case Competition and placed 3rd in the Sony National Marketing Strategy Case Competition. Praveen became co-founder and president of the MBAs & Multimedia Club and also served as vice president of the Graduate Business Technology Group. He is also a member of the Graduate Marketing Network and the Graduate Business Adventure Team.

Shivani Arora	Shivani Arora Shivani is concentrating in Strategic Marketing at the McCombs School of Business. After earning her undergraduate degree in Finance and Logistics Management from Ohio State University, Shivani led a cross-functional team to implement a system cost structure, driving improved resource decisions at Johnson & Johnson. While studying at McCombs, Shivani worked on a consulting project to create a marketing plan for the Cancer Therapy & Research Center in San Antonio and conducted an MBA+ Project with Procter & Gamble to improve their Braun accessories business. For her practicum project, she helped Briggo develop strategy for a unique automated coffee barista service debuting on campus. In addition to the time she dedicates as a Marketing Fellow, Shivani also bears the title of Vice President of Marketing Education for the Graduate Marketing Network. She is also a member of several other student organizations, including the Retail Club, Net Impact, and Sports, Entertainment, and Media Association.

Stephanie Adams	Stephanie Adams Stephanie hails from Philadelphia and attended The George Washington University for an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. There, she fulfilled a dual concentration in Marketing and Sports as well as Event Management. Prior to joining McCombs for her MBA, Stephanie served as Director of Retail Operations and Marketing for ICC Food, Inc. and feels proud to have helped turn her family's business around during a challenging economic time for small retail businesses. Stephanie also interned at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics and is also the founder and owner of Cowgirl Cowture, the definitive blog for the latest trends and deals in cowgirl fashion and beauty. Stephanie is now concentrating her graduate studies on Brand and Product Management. While at McCombs, she completed an MBA+ project with Procter & Gamble to help drive sales of Braun's accessories business and also worked on a Marketing Fellows practicum developing new social media strategy for Walmart’s retail. Stephanie serves as Co-President of the MBA Christian Fellowship and is also a member of Net Impact,the Graduate Marketing Network, and Graduate Women in Business groups.

Tom Beagles	Tom Beagles Originally from Orlando, Florida, Tom is a member of the MBA Class of 2013 at the McCombs School of Business in Austin, and is concentrating his studies on clean technology initiatives. Before beginning his undergraduate studies, Tom was actually a professional musician—his band was offered a major label record contract and invited to play at Warped Tour. Tom went on to study building construction at University of Florida and began his career in the construction industry as a LEED AP project manager at James A. Cummings, Inc., a Tutor Perini Company. After joining Marketing Fellows in the fall of 2011, Tom worked on a consulting practicum with Deloitte services. Tom has taken on many leadership roles while at McCombs, serving as treasurer for the Graduate Business Adventure Team and bearing the titles of Sports Chair for the Graduate Business Council and Vice President of Sponsorships for the Sports, Entertainment, and Media Association.

Class of 2012 Members

Kim Bailey	Kim Bailey is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Brand Management. Prior to business school Kim worked as the Membership and Database Manager at The United States Rowing Association (USRowing), the national governing body of the sport. At USRowing, Kim managed cross-functional teams, led marketing campaigns, and developed the merchandise line. Kim is originally from Maryland and attended Duke University where she earned a B.A. in Public Policy with a certificate in Markets and Management. Kim is Co-Vice President of Sponsorship for the Sports, Entertainment, Media Association, and a member of Graduate Marketing Network and Graduate Women in Business.

Megan Bohac	Megan Bohac is a member of the MBA class of 2012 at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing. Prior to attending McCombs, Megan worked in New York City as a Research Manager for Gerson Lehrman Group, a non-traditional primary research firm. There, she managed projects for pharmaceutical companies and for hedge fund analysts assessing the markets for recently-launched products and drugs in development. She also has public relations and advertising experience at agencies such as Fleishman-Hillard, Cohn & Wolf, and T3. Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from The University of Texas. At McCombs, she has worked on a Plus Project for the Four Seasons Hotel Austin to develop a revenue-driving social media strategy. She is VP of Communications for Marketing Fellows, Community Service Chair for the Graduate Business Council, and is involved with the Graduate Women in Business and Graduate Marketing Network.

Jeff Bresslour	Jeff Bresslour is a member of the MBA class of 2012 at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing. Prior to attending McCombs, Jeff gained experience managing marketing campaigns and increasing sales at two commercial real estate lenders (GP Realty and Washington Mutual). Jeff also worked for Tollen Development a residential real estate developer. At Tollen, Jeff managed cross-functional teams (50-100 people), the P&L of each project and of the company and the strategic direction of the firm. The company grew from $5MM in revenue to over $25MM under Jeff's leadership. Jeff graduated cum laude from Willamette University with honor in Economics. At M cCombs, Jeff worked with Dell to help it more effectively target the Generation Y consumer segment. Jeff is a member of Graduate Marketing Network, Net Impact and the Sport, Entertainment and Marketing Network.

Carolyn Cross	Carolyn Cross joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2010 and is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Marketing. At McCombs, Carolyn is VP of Operations for Marketing Fellows, VP of Events & Membership for the Sports, Entertainment & Media Association, and Co-Founder of the Graduate Epicurean Club. Prior to McCombs, Carolyn gained extensive leadership and cross-functional management skills while working as a Business Consultant for Deloitte in Washington, DC. She provided strategy, business operations and technology integration support for a variety of government clients in Deloitte’s Federal Practice. Carolyn graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 with a degree in International Relations and was also an Academic All-Ivy Soccer Player.

Sarah Dooley	Sarah Dooley is a first year MBA student at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing and Social Enterprise. As an undergraduate student, Sarah attended The University of Texas at Austin and graduated with degrees in Marketing and the Plan II Honors program. After graduation, she joined On Your Mark, a strategic qualitative research firm specializing in understanding the female consumer. At On Your Mark, Sarah conducted online studies, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and on-site ethnographic research to deliver actionable consumer insights to non-profit, private, and public sector clients in the consumer packaged goods, retail, and branded content industries. Prior to joining the MBA program, Sarah served as the Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving at the McCombs School, working to engage alumni and provide them with relevant opportunities to support the school’s strategic objectives. Currently, Sarah is also involved with the McCombs Admission Committee, Net Impact, and the Board Fellows program.

Tejas Gohokar	Tejas Gohokar joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2010 and is a first year MBA student concentrating in marketing. Prior to starting his MBA, Tejas worked for Marico Limited, a leading Indian group in consumer products and services. Tejas had the opportunity to contribute in a diverse set of roles. As a Production Executive at his plant’s packaging department, he drove the TPM philosophy on the shop floor. As a Subcontract Executive, he managed a $1M monthly revenue third party operation and was responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of two key edible oil brands across north India. Tejas holds a BE in Electrical Engineering from the University of Mumbai. He has completed a marketing focused PLUS project with an internet startup. He is also a Teaching Assistant with the marketing department for the undergraduate program.

Emily Hruby	Emily Hruby is a first-year MBA student at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing and Brand Management. Prior to McCombs, Emily worked at Daymon Worldwide Design in Stamford, CT, managing relationships between suppliers and retailers to develop world-class private-brand grocery packaging. It was at DWD where Emily discovered her love of all things CPG, which led her to McCombs and the Marketing Fellows. Originally from Massachusetts, Emily attended Middlebury College in Vermont, double majoring in English and Spanish. In addition to being an active member of the Fellows, at McCombs Emily was elected Cohort Representative to the GraduateBusiness Council, is a member of the McCombs Admissions Committee, and is the chair of the Marketing committee for Net Impact McCombs’ Sustainable Business Summit, which will take place in April 2011. Emily’s 2011 summer internship will be in brand management for Horizon Organic at WhiteWave Foods, outside of Denver, CO.

Alice Humphrey	Alice Humphrey is a member of the Class of 2012 at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Brand & Product Management and Entrepreneurship. She joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2010. Prior to business school, Alice worked for the Corporate Executive Board. As an Account Director, Alice worked directly with clients on a daily basis to understand their business challenges and provide strategic solutions to solve those challenges. While at the Corporate Executive Board Alice worked with cross-functional groups including corporate Marketing, Legal and Compliance departments. Originally from Dallas, TX, Alice earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Spanish from Vanderbilt University. At McCombs, Alice is VP of Finance in the Graduate Marketing Network, and Co-VP of Events in the Graduate Women in Business club.

Isabel Kerr	Isabel Kerr joined Marketing Fellows in the fall of 2010 and is a first year MBA student concentrating in marketing and brand management. Prior to pursuing her MBA, Isabel worked for C3 Presents, an Austin-based entertainment promotion and production company. At C3, Isabel worked in client marketing as an Associate Marketing Manager. Her primary focus was entertainment marketing for the five Harrah’s Resorts and Casinos located in Atlantic City, NJ; she also enjoyed contributing to the production of large-scale music festivals, including Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza. Isabel hails from Houston, TX and attended University of Texas, graduating in 2008 with a B.A. in Plan II Honors and Religious Studies. In addition to Marketing Fellows, Isabel is also a member of the Graduate Marketing Network, Graduate Women in Business, and Sports Entertainment Media Association.

Samir Khandhar	Samir Khandhar is a member of the Class of 2012 specializing in Marketing Analytics and Consulting. Prior to joining McCombs, Samir spent the majority of his career in sales force effectiveness with The Alexander Group Inc. and Towers Watson. He consulted with sales and marketing leadership across Fortune 1000 companies on issues of sales strategy, productivity analytics, and compensation. Samir is originally from Orange County in Southern California and graduated from UCLA with a major in Economics. He is a founding member of the Beta Chi Theta Fraternity, and is currently an officer in the Graduate Consulting Group and an active member in the McCombs Admissions Committee and Marketing Fellows

Scott Ludwig	Scott Ludwig is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Marketing Analytics and Entrepreneurship. Scott began his career as a Senior Financial Analyst in the Northwest Airlines Treasury Department, providing analytical support as the company managed its way through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. More recently, he was a Manager in Marketing Planning for Southwest Airlines where he led a team focused on marketing strategy, revenue analysis, pricing, sale planning, and product utilization. Scott graduated magna cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN with majors in mathematics and economics. At McCombs, Scott is a VP of the Graduate Business Adventure Team, and a member of the Graduate Marketing Network, Entrepreneurship Society, and Graduate Consulting Group.

Brian Mastey	Brian Mastey is a member of the class of 2012 at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in marketing. Prior to attending McCombs, Brian was an Associate Consultant at GfK Strategic Innovation, a strategic marketing and innovation consulting firm in Chicago. At GfK, Brian managed and executed market research, industry and trend analysis, ideation, and concept refinement to create long-term innovation roadmaps and short-term marketing strategies for clients in CPG, durables, sporting goods, and retail industries. He has also applied these skills to international clients, attending and analyzing qualitative research in China, Russia, France, England, and Canada. Brian is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan and graduated with a BBA with High Distinction from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. At McCombs, Brian is involved with the McCombs Admissions Committee, Graduate Marketing Network, Sports Entertainment and Media Association, and Graduate Business Technology Group.

Meagan Pishnick	Meagan Pishnick brings a background in consumer insights, project management and team leadership to the class of 2012. Prior to attending McCombs, Meagan lived in Dallas where she was the Director of New Business Development at Spearfish, an innovative and non-traditional market research firm specializing in CPGs. She is passionate about the consumer’s voice and has a natural curiosity for how brands engage, inspire, and motivate specific consumer segments. At McCombs Meagan is the President of Marketing Fellows, Community Service representative on the Graduate Business Council, and serves on the Dean’s Roundtable. Meagan attended the University of Texas for her undergraduate instruction where she studied Marketing and Psychology.

Sean Saul	Sean Saul joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2010 and is a first year MBA student concentrating in high technology marketing. Prior to starting his MBA, Sean was the National Sales Manager at STM Sensors Inc, a manufacturer of precision optical sensors. At STM, Sean was responsible for every facet of the sales organization from managing distributors to developing new projects in a wide range of manufacturing industries. Sean holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Dallas. At McCombs, Sean is also a member of Graduate Business Technology Group and Entrepreneur Society."

Paras Shah	Paras Shah is a first year student at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing & Finance. At McCombs, Paras is VP of Events for Marketing Fellows, VP of Administration for Graduate Business Council, VP of Marketing Education for Graduate Marketing Network, VP of Recruiter Relations for the Graduate Strategy & Management Club, and a member of Graduate Consulting Group. Prior to business school, Paras worked as a Digital Marketing Manager at Procter & Gamble. While at Procter & Gamble, Paras gained increasing digital brand management responsibilities, eventually leading the digital marketing across North America for the brands Swiffer, Febreze, Mr. Clean, Cascade, and Dawn. Originally from Houston, Texas, Paras is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s Business Honors Program with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems and a minor in Finance.

Laura Shaham	Laura Shaham is a first year student at the McCombs School of Business where she is pursuing a concentration in Marketing. At Mccombs, Laura is the Marketing Trek Chair for the Graduate Marketing Network, the Vice President of Professional Development for the Retail Club and the Co-Vice President of Events for the Graduate Women in Business. Laura is originally from San Francisco, California and graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies- Economics. After completing her undergraduate degree, Laura worked for Kate Spade as a Store Manager. While there she was responsible for the strategic development of the business and the achievement of the store’s financial goals. She developed the skills of the store sales team and created and executed initiatives to promote a strong client base.

Morgan Simental	Morgan Simental is a first year MBA student at the McCombs school concentrating in High-tech Marketing and Brand Management. Prior to attending McCombs he was the Network Operations Manager at the University of California Santa Barbara. At UCSB, Morgan supervised a staff of 30 that supported the internet services of nearly 7000 residents and staff. He also led many important projects including wireless deployment, virtualization integration and the redesign of the campus support model. Originally from California, Morgan graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics. At McCombs, Morgan is also the Internal Vice President of the Graduate Business Council and is involved with McCombs Admissions Committee, Graduate Marketing Network and many other student organizations.

Cassandra Stoklosa	Cassandra Stoklosa is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Brand & Product Management. Prior to business school, Cassandra worked as a Media Director for Profile Marketing and as a Marketing Manager for Applied Predictive Technologies. Her experience and passion surrounds new media and advertising. Cassandra is originally from San Francisco and attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business as an undergraduate. She graduated with honors and earned a B.S. in Economics with a concentration in Marketing & Communications. At McCombs, she is a member of the Graduate Marketing Network, the Sports & Entertainment Marketing Association and the Graduate Women in Business clubs.

Sara Studebaker	Sara Studebaker is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Marketing at the McCombs School of Business. At McCombs, Sara is a member of the Graduate Marketing Network, the Retail Club and Graduate Women in Business. Sara is originally from Washington, DC and graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a minor in Business. Prior to pursuing her MBA, Sara worked at Merrill Lynch as a Private Wealth Associate in the Private Banking & Investment Group division where she managed relationships with high-net worth clients totaling $1B in assets under management.

Toni Wallace	Toni Wallace is a member of the McCombs MBA 2012 class, specializing in Brand Management and Entrepreneurship. Prior to McCombs, Toni worked in consumer marketing, channel marketing, product management, and new business development for six years. Upon graduation from Northeastern University with a dual degree in Marketing and Finance, Toni worked at Microsoft for five years and was responsible for the launch of four new businesses (The Microsoft Partner Program, Xbox Live, Windows Live, and Windows Live Mobile for Telco & Media and Entertainment). Toni then moved to a business management role owning a $22M portfolio budget for the Services Group. After her work in services Toni decided to start her own company focused on business development and marketing for tech startups. Toni is a self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit passionate about the arts and developing as a world class marketing leader during her McCombs tenure.

Jany Xu	Jany Xu joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2010 and is a first year MBA student concentrating in brand management and finance. Prior to pursing her MBA, Jany worked for a Silicon Valley based social gaming start-up Playdom, now part of Disney, as community manager. Jany has four years of marketing, public relations, and social media experience working with new and established brands in the consumer, electronics, and online spaces. Jany was originally from China and graduated from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with concentrations in marketing and management. At McCombs, she is President of Outsource; the Vice President of Women in Business Leadership Conference as a part of Graduate Women in Business; one of six Texas MBA Bloggers; and a member of the Graduate Marketing Network.

Class of 2011 Members

Denise Avance	Denise Avance is a member of the 2011 MBA class at the McCombs School of Business concentrating in Marketing. Denise attended the University of Texas, graduating with a degree in Advertising and a minor in Business. Prior to attending McCombs, Denise worked as an Account Manager at Tocquigny, one of the top interactive advertising agencies. She was responsible for running multiple accounts where she gained a wide range of experience working with highly diversified clients ranging from the non-profit, healthcare, hi-tech, B2B, and consumer product industries. Denise has loved working in the fast-paced advertising world for the last three years and has come back to school to expand further into the marketing realm. Denise is also an active member of the Graduate Marketing Network and Graduate Woman in Business at McCombs.

Scott Carter	Scott Carter joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2009 and is a first year MBA student concentrating in marketing and brand management. Prior to pursing his MBA, Scott worked for Los Angeles based marketing research firm Kelton Research as an Associate Managing Director. Scott has seven years of consumer insights experience working with new and established brands in cpg, financial services, entertainment, and retail sectors. Scott is originally from Washington D.C. and graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Economics. At McCombs, he is a member of the Graduate Marketing Network, the Golf Club, as well as the MBA Wine Club.

Jaryn Creasy	Jaryn Creasy is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Brand Management. Prior to business school Jaryn worked at T. Rowe Price in their Participant Communications group. In this role, she created and managed a communication plan for a portfolio of over 300 national clients’ retirement plans. Prior to T. Rowe Price Jaryn was an Assistant Account Manager at gkv Communications, one of Baltimore’s largest full-service advertising agencies. At gkv, Jaryn was responsible for seven travel and tourism clients and gained experience managing cross functional teams, conducting competitive research, and writing media and creative briefs. Jaryn is originally from Virginia and attended Virginia Tech where she earned a B.A. in Communications with concentrations in Public Relations and Marketing. She is the President of the Graduate Marketing Network and Co-chair of the McCombs Preview Weekend. She is also a member of the McCombs Admissions Committee, Net Impact and Graduate Women in Business clubs.

Kylia Cunningham	Kylia Cunningham earned her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis with majors in marketing and managerial economic strategies. A curiosity for the influence of presentation in consumer decision making led her to also attain a minor in visual communications. After completing her degree, Kylia worked for Macy’s Inc. as part of its Executive Development Program. While there she created and executed strategies to improve the customer experience, increase customer loyalty, and eliminate inefficiencies. Kylia is currently a member of the McCombs School of Business 2011 MBA class, concentrating in marketing. In addition to Marketing Fellows, she is an active member of the Graduate Marketing Network, Consortium Fellows Business Association, and The Sports Entertainment and Media association.

Courtney Eder	Courtney Eder is a first year student at the McCombs School of Business where she is pursuing a dual concentration in Strategic Marketing and Brand & Product Management. At McCombs, Courtney is the Co-Vice President of Special Events for the Graduate Marketing Network and holds a seat on the McCombs Admissions Committee. She is also a member of Graduate Women in Business and the Graduate Wine Club. Courtney is originally from Los Angeles, California and graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Psychology. After completing her undergraduate degree, Courtney joined Macy’s West as an apparel buyer and later worked at LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. as a Channel Marketing Specialist.

Dorothy Eubanks	Dorothy Eubanks joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2009 and is a first year MBA student concentrating in marketing. Prior to pursing her MBA, Dorothy worked at Morgan Stanley as an analyst in the private wealth management division and served as the relationship manager for a portfolio of clients totaling $1.25B. Prior to that role, she worked for three years in non-profit consulting managing capital fundraising campaigns for various non-profits in the Atlanta area. Dorothy is originally from Macon, Georgia and graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in English Language & Literature. At McCombs, she is the Co-VP of Events for Graduate Women In Business, and a member of Graduate Marketing Network and Entrepreneurship Society.

Leslie Farish	Leslie Farish is a Texas native, and returns back to the Lone Star State after spending the last four years working in the hedge fund industry in New York and San Francisco. Prior to McCombs, Leslie worked as an investor relations associate for Ironwood Capital Management, where she provided operational support for approximately 900 high net worth individuals and institutions and managed monthly capital inflows from clients of approximately $15 million. Most recently, Leslie served as a senior marketing associate in the New York office of Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments, where she created sales material for new product launches and crafted daily messaging on over 50 of the firm’s alternative products. A graduate of Boston College, Leslie is excited to expand upon her education with an MBA focused in marketing. Outside of the classroom, she is also involved in the McCombs Graduate Marketing Network and serves as a community service representative for the McCombs Graduate Business Council.

Stefanie Gudis	Stefanie Gudis is a first year MBA student at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing and Brand Management. Prior to attending McCombs, Stefanie lived in Los Angeles where she was an Account Supervisor at Edelman, a large independent public relations agency. At Edelman, Stefanie primarily worked with automotive clients, where she was involved with various projects such as global business development for the Nissan account, the launch of the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible, and the consumer roll-out of a new formula of fuel for Shell Oil. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Stefanie graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and minors in Spanish and American Studies. At McCombs, Stefanie is also involved with the McCombs Admission Committee, Graduate Marketing Network, and Graduate Women in Business.

John Hale	John Hale brings a background in communications, project management and team leadership to the class of 2011. John began his career performing marketing and technical functions for two technology startups. He then served as web director for a large commercial real estate services firm, where he later worked for the CEO focusing on strategy for the firm’s mainline business. His most significant marketing task in this role was planning and performing a company-wide positioning analysis, directly interfacing with the firm’s clients and presenting analyzed results to leadership. John grew up in Dallas and graduated from Wheaton College in Chicago.

Erica Hollington	Erica Hollington is a member of the class of 2011 at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing. Erica graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Applied Science and a minor in Accounting. She worked for Deloitte & Touche in Audit and then at Limited Brands – Victoria’s Secret Stores in Finance. She managed Victoria’s Secret’s P&L and subsequently was promoted to manage the business’ budget. At McCombs Erica is Co-President of Graduate Women in Business, President of the MBA Luxury and Retail Club, and an active member of the Graduate Marketing Network. She is working on a Plus Project advising the Four Seasons Austin on their Marketing plan for the summer of 2010. Erica’s team won first place in the Hot Seat Marketing Challenge.

Daniela Israel	Daniela Israel is a first year student concentrating on Marketing strategy and Global Business at McCombs School of Business. Prior to business school Daniela worked as a Category manager for the electronics department at Paris S.A., of one of the largest retail holdings in Latin-America. At Paris, she managed products from multinational suppliers including Sony and LG. During Daniela’s tenure she developed strategic marketing programs and also procurement negotiations that led to position the company as the market leader in electronic sales. Daniela has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Marketing, both from the University Adolfo Ibanez in Santiago, Chile. Currently she is the VP of Communications and Sponsorships of the Hispanic Graduate Business Association as well as a member of the Graduate Marketing Network.

Pallavi Krishnareddy	Pallavi Krishnareddy is a member of the class of 2011 at the McCombs School of Business. Her interest areas are Marketing and Management. Previously, Pallavi was a part of the Leadership Development Program of the Tata Group, one of the largest Indian conglomerates. During this time, she had the opportunity to contribute in a diverse set of roles, such as Marketing Management for a global telecommunications company, Product Management for a retail start-up, and Internal Consulting for various other Tata companies. At McCombs, Pallavi is also involved in the Graduate Consulting Group, Graduate Marketing Network and Graduate Women in Business.

Lindley LeClerc	Lindley LeClerc is a first year student at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Brand and Product Management as well as High Technology Marketing. She joined Marketing Fellows in Fall 2009. Prior to attending McCombs, Lindley worked as a Campaign Manager for Unicast, a local division of DG FastChannel specializing in the execution of online rich media. Before Unicast, Lindley taught 2nd grade via Teach for America in a Title I Phoenix elementary school. Originally from Olympia, Washington, Lindley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in both Business Administration and Spanish from the University of Washington in 2005. Lindley is also involved with the Graduate Marketing Network as 2010 Trek Chair, as well as BizTech and the Sports and Entertainment Media Association. Her team recently took 3rd place in the 2009 McCombs Marketing Challenge.

Aaron Lyons	Aaron Lyons is a first year student at McCombs concentrating in marketing and entrepreneurship. Prior to business school, Aaron was a Consultant at Deloitte Consulting, where he led global teams in the areas of strategic change management, talent management, mergers & acquisitions, learning and development, and technology adoption for over a dozen Fortune 500 clients across various industries. Aaron holds a BS in Corporate Communications from The University of Texas, where he graduated with honors in 2005. In addition to Marketing Fellows, Aaron is actively involved in the Entrepreneur Society, Graduate Marketing Network, Nutrition and Wellness Association, and co-founded MBA FAST (fitness and strength training).

Adam Staley	Adam Staley is a member of the Class of 2011 at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. He joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2009. Prior to business school, Adam worked for IBM Global Business Consulting. As a senior consultant, Adam managed partner relationships, delivery, and execution across a wide range of projects and clients. Adam was also heavily involved with business development efforts and the external marketing of business solutions. Originally from Boston, MA, Adam earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics from Bates College. At McCombs, Adam is VP of the Graduate Marketing Network, a McCombs Admissions Committee representative, a member of the Sports Entertainment and Media Association, and Cohort Representative in the Graduate Business Council as elected by his peers.

Stephen Sweeney	Stephen Sweeney is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Marketing at the McCombs School of Business. Prior to attending McCombs, Stephen taught 4^th grade for Teach For America. He excelled at instructing his non-English speaking students in Little Haiti, Miami, FL. Prior to teaching, Stephen worked in finance for a hedge fund, in Rye Brook, NY. Originally from North Haven, CT, Stephen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management degree, cum laude, from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA in 2006. Stephen is also a member of the McCombs Admissions Committee, the Graduate Marketing Network, the Net Impact Club, as well as the Entrepreneurial Society.

Mitchell Syma	Mitchell Syma is a member of the 2011 MBA class at the McCombs School of Business concentrating in Marketing. At McCombs, Mitchell is a member of the Graduate Marketing Network and has completed a consulting project with the American Airlines marketing department to develop a corporate strategy for using social media.

Gemma Thompson	Gemma Thompson joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2009 and is a first year MBA student concentrating in marketing. Prior to starting her MBA, Gemma worked for Goldman Sachs as an Associate in their Human Capital Management Division focusing on talent acquisition. Gemma began her career in Europe, leading recruiting efforts in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Russia and Eastern Europe. In 2007 she moved to New York to join the Americas Recruiting Team. Gemma is originally from the United Kingdom, speaks four languages, and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA (Hons) in Modern and Medieval Languages. At McCombs, Gemma is Co-VP of Events for the Graduate Women in Business, a member of the Graduate Marketing Network, and has sourced and led two marketing-focused PLUS projects.

Ian Vaisman	Ian Vaisman is a first year student at McCombs school of Business, concentrating in High-Tech Marketing. Before coming to business school, Ian worked in public education for the Houston Independent School District (HISD). He began working for the largest school district in Texas as a bilingual teacher and later was put in charge of running the Title I program at Pilgrim Academy. In this capacity Ian developed programs and initiatives to increase both academic achievement and parental involvement on campus. In these roles, he had the opportunity to lead diverse teams and improve the school's overall performance. Prior to HISD, Ian worked for 3M as a sales representative for the Office and Commercial Care divisions in Lima, Peru. Ian holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. At McCombs Ian is the Marketing Analytics and Consulting specialist for the Graduate Marketing Network, and he is also involved in the Sports Entertainment and Media Association as well as the Technology and Entrepreneurship organizations.

Jessica Waleke	Jessica Waleke is a member of the MBA Class of 2011 at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Brand and Product Management. Previously, Jessica worked in global product sourcing for Carter’s, Inc, a $1.5B baby and children’s apparel marketer. While there, she managed the production of Carter’s private labels designed for Target and Walmart. Her experience at Carter’s, along with a number of previous business ventures, has given her international experience across the enterprise value chain, from storefront to manufacturing. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Merchandising from The University of Georgia. At McCombs, she is a VP of Events for the Graduate Marketing Network and actively involved in the McCombs Admissions Committee and Graduate Women in Business.

Class of 2010 Members

Brandon Albridge	Brandon Aldridge is a first year student at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing. He joined Marketing Fellows in fall 2008. Prior to business school, Brandon worked for American Media Inc., one of the largest Magazine Publishers in America. In his Programmer and Business Analyst roles he was involved in sales, distribution, and analysis initiatives. Before joining American Media Inc., he also worked at The Coca Cola Company in the Business Systems function. Brandon graduated from The Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Minor in Finance. At McCombs Brandon is the President of The Sports Entertainment and Media Association, and Sports Chair of the Graduate Business Council.

Shanky Chandra	Shanky Chandra is a first year student at McCombs concentrating in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Prior to McCombs, Shanky worked for 9 years at Hewlett-Packard. Shanky started his career at HP as a Software Analyst. Realizing his passion to work in customer-centric roles, Shanky donned key customer oriented roles including founding member of the HP Asia-Pacific Customer Intimacy Forum and the Worldwide Technology Expert Center liaison. In his most recent role, Shanky was a Presales Consultant for HP products. He analyzed customer and competitor landscape in India, pitched HP products, presented HP strategies to customers in road shows and trained customers and channel partners on HP product portfolio. Shanky holds a Bachelor degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Regional Engineering College (NIT), Trichy, India. At McCombs, Shanky is the President of Technology McCombs and a Marketing Fellow. He did a Plus project developing “Go to Market” strategy for a Korean animation firm in US in fall 2008 and is currently doing a product management project with an Austin-based social media marketing startup.

Danielle Crayton	Danielle Crayton joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2008 and is a first year MBA student concentrating in marketing and social enterprise. Prior to pursing her MBA, Danielle worked for the JPMorgan Chase Foundation as a corporate philanthropy associate. Prior to that role, she worked for three and a half years as a technology project manager at JPMorgan Chase Card Services. Danielle is originally from Richmond, Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Commerce with a concentration in Marketing and MIS. At McCombs, she chaired the Explore McCombs diversity weekend, a Co-VP of Events for Graduate Women In Business, a member of Net Impact, Graduate Marketing Network, and the McCombs Admissions Committee.

Richard Donahue	Richard Donahue joined the CCIMS Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2008 as a first year MBA student concentrating in Strategic Marketing at the McCombs School of Business. Previously, Richard spent four years at DelphysWest Advertising in Marina Del Rey, CA and prior to that worked as an Account Executive for Red Bull Energy Drink in Phoenix, Arizona. Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and is currently the Vice President of Students and Significant Others (SAS) and Vice President of Entertainment for the Sports, Entertainment, and Media Association (SEMA) at McCombs.

Christopher Glover	Christopher Glover is a member of the class of 2010 at the McCombs School of Business, concentrating in Marketing and Strategy. Prior to attending McCombs, Chris worked in the Advertising and Promotions department at Home Box Office in New York. At HBO, Chris managed consumer marketing campaigns for the network’s original series, including properties such as The Sopranos, Entourage, and Flight of the Conchords. Prior to HBO, Chris spent three years with OMD, a subsidiary of The Omnicom Group, serving as a National Television Analyst on the PepsiCo account. Originally from Bronxville, NY, Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from Trinity College (CT) in 2002. Chris is also a member of the Graduate Marketing Network, the Sports Entertainment and Media Association, as well as the MBA Wine Club.

Kristin Hibner	Kristin Hibner is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Marketing at the McCombs School of Business. She is excited to be a part of the first CCIMS Marketing Fellows class. After graduating from Wake Forest University, Kristin began her career with Newell Rubbermaid as a Sales Rep in the Lowe’s Home Improvement accounts in Indianapolis, IN. She was then promoted to a National Account Specialist for the Levolor Kirsch division in Phoenix, AZ. Kristin then joined Lutron Electronics, where she built the Lutron brand and drove sales at 750 Lowe’s stores across 23 states. Although she enjoyed working with customers on a daily basis, she decided to come back to school in order to pursue a career in Marketing. While in Phoenix, Kristin became a golf enthusiast and wishes she had more time to play in Austin. She is also a classically trained pianist, and her favorite composer is Chopin. Currently at McCombs, Kristin is the President of the Graduate Marketing Network

Karissa Lim	Karissa Lim attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and majored in business administration. After completing her undergraduate degree, Karissa worked as an account associate for News America Marketing, a division of News Corporation that specializes in point-of-purchase advertising and FSI sales. While at News America, Karissa handled the Wal-mart account and managed $8.7 M in advertising revenue. After leaving News America Marketing, Karissa took a job as a marketing analyst working for Sterling Rice Group, a consulting firm in Boulder, CO. She worked in the Innovation Group and recommended new product extensions and brand positioning for accounts such as Frito-Lay, Red Robin and Camelbak. Karissa is now a first year MBA at McCombs and is emphasizing in marketing. She is also involved with the McCombs Admission Committee and Graduate Marketing Network.

Paulo Martin	Paulo Martin is a first year student of the Full-Time MBA at McCombs majoring in Marketing and General Management. He is originally from São Paulo, Brazil and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas. His professional experience, before returning to school, has been in the IT industry, working first as a consultant in software implementation and, after that, in marketing positions. He came to McCombs because he wanted to give a boost in his career and further develop his marketing skills. Currently he is a member of the Graduate Consulting Group, the Graduate Marketing Network, the Hispanic Graduate Business Association and the International Task Force that is working with the McCombs Career Office to identify and develop job and internship opportunities for students outside the United States.

Nishant Murarka	Nishant Murarka joined the Marketing Fellows program in the Fall of 2008 is a first-year MBA student focusing on Strategic Marketing. Prior to attending McCombs, Nishant worked for various divisions at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, WA, including Windows Media Center and Office, as a Program Manager. In his most recent role, Nishant managed the release of software patches for Microsoft's SharePoint family of products including both customer-specific fixes and general security fixes. Prior to Microsoft, Nishant spent two years working at Yodlee.com where he managed the Partner Solutions team and earned a patent for his work there. Nishant holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the University of California at San Diego. At McCombs, he is the VP of Technology for the Graduate Marketing Network and VP of External Affairs for Technology McCombs.

Briton Pheffer	Briton Pheffer is a first year student at McCombs concentrating in Brand Management. Prior to business school, she was an Account Executive at AbelsonTaylor, a pharmaceutical advertising agency located in Chicago. Briton graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts in 2003. At McCombs, Briton is also a member of the McCombs Admissions Committee, Graduate Marketing Network, Graduate Women in Business, and Graduate Wine Club.

Jaclyn Popeil	Jaclyn Popeil is originally from New York where she graduated from Cornell University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Textiles and Apparel Management. Upon graduation, Jaclyn accepted a position as the Marketing Manager at Steve & Barry’s in the licensing department. Prior to attending McCombs Jaclyn worked at Lehman Brothers marketing the company’s financial transactions. Currently Jaclyn is a first year MBA student at the McCombs School of Business concentrating in energy marketing. She is Co-Social for the Graduate Business Council, Vice President of External Affairs for the Energy Finance Group and a member of the McCombs Admission Committee.

Jonathan Richard	Jonathan Richard joined the Marketing Fellows Program in the Fall of 2008 and is a first-year MBA student concentrating in strategic marketing and entrepreneurship. He began his career at Abbott Laboratories as a part of the engineering professional development program where he took on a variety of engineering, regulatory, supply chain, process improvement, and project management roles across multiple divisions. He then spent 2yrs as a program manager in Abbott’s Diagnostics Division, ultimately earning his project management professional (PMP) certification. Jonathan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. At McCombs, Jonathan is an officer in the Marketing Fellows, Entrepreneurship Society, and Consortium Fellows Business Association. He is also an active member of the Graduate Consulting Group, the Black Graduate Business Association, and has participated in multiple marketing and consulting projects.

Monica Grisales Ruiz	Monica Grisales Ruiz joined Marketing Fellows in the Fall of 2008. Monica is a first year MBA student at the McCombs School of Business concentrating in Marketing and Social Enterprise. Previously, Monica spent five years at Bank of America in Dallas, most recently as Assistant Vice President in the Real Estate - Corporate Debt Products Group. Prior to this role, Monica worked four years in the Risk Management Group where she focused on Mortgage Banking and Diversified Finance clients in the Global and Corporate Investment Bank. Monica earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas State University.

Liz Wetterhahn	Liz Wetterhahn is a first year MBA student at the McCombs School of Business concentrating in Marketing. Before coming to McCombs, Liz lived in Washington, DC where she spent five years exploring the worlds of sports and online marketing. She began her marketing career at Octagon, a large sports marketing company, where she gained experience in talent procurement, working with companies to identify the athletes and celebrities that were best suited for their promotions and advertising campaigns. In 2006, she joined New Media Strategies as a Project Manager, where she conducted brand research and implemented marketing strategies utilizing social media. Liz is the Vice President of Communications and Recruiting for Marketing Fellows as well as the 2009 Preview Weekend Co-Chair for the McCombs Admissions Committee. She is also involved in the Graduate Marketing Network, the Sports, Entertainment and Media Association and Graduate Women in Business.

Kyle Wood	Kyle Wood joined Marketing Fellows in the fall of 2008. Prior to pursuing his MBA, Kyle was the Channel Manager for Corning Incorporated, in their Life Sciences division. As part of the Channel group, Kyle managed the commercial relationship with Corning’s North American distributors. In that role, he developed sales and marketing programs, supply chain initiatives, and also develop corporate strategy. Before moving to the Channel group, Kyle was an Account Manager for Corning in San Francisco. Originally from Vallejo, CA, Kyle graduated from the University of Southern California in 2002 with a BS in Business Administration. At McCombs, along with being Vice President of Marketing Fellows, he also is the Vice President of both Net Impact and the Clean Tech Group. In his free time Kyle enjoys playing golf, cooking and traveling.

Jennifer Woods	Jennifer Woods, a member of the inaugural Marketing Fellows class, is a first-year MBA student concentrating in Marketing and Strategy. Jennifer began her career at Motorola in the Engineering Rotation Program. She continued her career at Freescale Semiconductor as a Product Marketing Manager where she led the global launch of over 10 product families and conducted several analysts briefings and interviews for industry publications. Jennifer currently serves as Vice President of Special Events for the Graduate Marketing Network and Vice President Internal for the Black Graduate Business Association. She is also a member of the McCombs Admissions Committee. Jennifer is a very active member of her church where she participates in several different ministries. She also has a passion for vocal music and sings soprano in a local ensemble. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Business Foundations Certificate with Highest Honors from The University of Texas at Austin.