Congratulations to our 2025 Rising Star recipients! Each of these alumni have exemplified the McCombs spirit in their workplace and communities.

Audrey Halbrook Chi, BBA ’19

Audrey Halbrook Chi, BBA ’19, is an associate at Sunrise Strategic Partners, where she invests in emerging consumer brands that inspire healthier living. She began her career at Amherst Holdings in asset management, where she helped build the pricing team and later launched a business strategy group, serving as chief of staff to the managing director. Halbrook Chi then joined
Springdale Ventures, where she focused on early-stage consumer investments and supported portfolio founders with growth initiatives.

She is passionate about entrepreneurship, health and wellness, and ways to advance women in business. Halbrook Chi is an angel investor with Brydge Club, served as an adviser to Thrive Investment Partners, and is an active member of the 2% Club, furthering her commitment to supporting founders and women leaders. She also mentors women pursuing careers in private
equity or venture capital, as well as entrepreneurs seeking guidance on fundraising and financial strategy.

Halbrook Chi holds a BBA in finance with a minor in management information systems from UT, where she was a teaching assistant and member of the McCombs leadership program and the Freshman Founders Program. She also holds an MBA from Rice University.

Kevin Kershisnik, MSF ’15

Kevin Kershisnik, M.S. ’15, is a principal at Vision Ridge Partners, an energy-focused private equity fund with over $5 billion in assets under management. Before joining Vision Ridge, he worked on energy transactions for the Private Equity team of the Blackstone Group in New York. Kershisnik began his career with Credit Suisse’s Global Energy Group, advising on mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions in the energy sector. 

Kershisnik graduated magna cum laude and received a B.S. in biological sciences from the University of Notre Dame. He also holds an M.S. in finance from the McCombs School of Business. He lives in Golden, Colorado, with his wife and three children. 

Katherine Rowe, MBA ’20

Katherine Rowe, MBA ’20, is the vice president of client strategy and insights at CrowdIQ, where she works with major professional and collegiate sports organizations worldwide to help them become more data-driven to engage fans and grow revenue. Her unique perspective combines military leadership experience, athletic achievement, and a deep understanding of the business and legal aspects of sports. 

Before joining CrowdIQ, Rowe held positions at Kraft Analytics Group and Salesforce sports marketing, where she built her expertise in sports analytics and business strategy. She is also a U.S. Army veteran who served seven years leading IT and communications teams. 

Her passion for sports extends beyond her professional work. She was a field hockey captain at Clark University during her NCAA Division III playing days and is a three-time U.S. Australian Rules Football national champion. 

Rowe also holds a Master of Legal Studies in sports law from Arizona State University and Bachelor of Arts in political science from Clark University. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her golden retriever and cheering on the Longhorns. 

2013-14

Scott Mattei, MBA ’95
Vivek Shah, BBA ’03

2012-13

Cindy Lo, BBA ’98
Jeremy Smitheal, BBA ’94, MBA ’03

2011-12

Ryan Oliver, MBA ’06
Dominic Sung, BBA ’03

2010-11

Matt Chasen, MBA ’04
David Anthony Murrell, BBA ’01

2009-10

Daniel B. Nelson, BA ’96, MBA ’06
Matt Polze, BBA & MPA ’99, JD ’03

2008-09

M. Christina Clayton, BBA ’02
Gregory H. Johnson, MBA ’05

2007-08

Holly Goodrich McMullan, MBA ’04

2006-07

Tony Rogers, BBA ’90, MBA ’97

2005-06

Ted Wang, MBA ’96

2004-05

Jeff Hoogendam, MBA ’95