Northeastern Next Podcast: Recent Episodes
northeasternalumni
The Northeastern Next Podcast is your channel to your global alumni network. In this show, we will catch up with alumni to hear what they do every day to achieve what’s next, and learn about their journey after Northeastern.
Meet Magda Pavlak-Chiaradia, S'99! The author of "This Wasn't the Plan (and That's the Point): Real Lessons for Career Pivots, Professional Growth, and Navigating What You Didn't Plan For," Magda joined the Northeastern Next podcast to discuss her time at the Global Leadership Summit, working and living abroad, and the inspiration for writing her book.
Purchase your own copy here: https://www.amazon.com/This-Wasnt-Plan-Thats-Point-ebook/dp/B0GDY82VKL
Meet Sarela Bliman-Cohen, E'93! The founder of QNEST—Queers Never Experiencing Shame and Traum—she has made a name for herself in the nonprofit community. QNEST strives to support homeless LGBTQ+ in the Boston area. Hear about her career beginnings as an engineer and why she decided to make a change to the nonprofit sector.
Learn more about QNEST: https://qnest.org/
QNEST on Facbook: https://www.facebook.com/qnestinc
QNEST on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qnest/
QNEST on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@qnest.org
QNEST on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/qnest.bsky.social
QNEST on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qnest_org
Meet Puneet Kohil, Khoury’98! Puneet joins the Northeastern Next podcast to reminisce about the impact the computer science program had on him as an undergraduate, how AI is innovating and changing the tech world, and the striking similarities between Northeastern's co-op program and Rocket Software's NextGen program.
Meet James Eggers, SSH'12! Currently a Lieutenant in the United States Coast Guard, James has dedicated his life to serving others. From his time at Teach For America and a Fulbright Scholarship that lead him to teaching English in Brazil, to recently being named a McCain Institute Global Leader, he seems to have done it all—and he's nowhere near finished.
Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james1eggers/
All views expressed in this interview are his own.
Meet Kerstin Haskell, DMSB'03! The president of World BioHazTec, Kerstin strives to keep her firm true to its mission—to promote health and safety in an ever-changing world. We'll discuss her Northeastern experience, how World BioHazTec came to be, and why it's important to leverage your personal network.
Learn more about BioHazTec: https://worldbiohaztec.com/
Meet Emily White, SSH'05! Emily is the host of the hit podcast "How to Build a Sustainable Music Career and Collect All Revenue Streams," as well as a high-profile public speaker. She joins the Northeastern Next podcast to discuss her beginnings in the music industry, why she started her podcast, and why it's important for members of our university's community to attend a Northeastern-based conference.
Register for this year's Global Leadership Summit in London: https://eventregistration.northeastern.edu/event/gls2026/summary?rt=32XOyQcVU0eIsFjTVZJdnQ&RefId=25marpod
Listen to Emily's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-build-a-sustainable-music-career-and-collect/id1561859742
Meet Sara Alaoeasheg, CPS'25! The founder of Lillian Prep, Sara looks to harness what she learned during time at Northeastern and convey it into the principles of her new nonprofit. We'll discuss her co-op experience, her interest in human resources and social work, and the mission of Lillian Prep.
Learn more about Lillian Prep: https://www.lilianprep.org/
Meet Meet Shah, MS'19! Drawn to Boston’s powerhouse biotech ecosystem, Meet chose Northeastern to immerse himself where scientific discovery meets real-world execution. After launching his career through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, he focused on one of medicine’s most transformative frontiers: engineering immune cells to fight cancer. Now contributing to next-generation allogeneic cell therapy development at Genentech, Meet works on the manufacturing and process innovations that determine whether breakthrough science can scale to reach patients worldwide. In this episode, we explore how Northeastern’s experiential model shaped his translational mindset, the evolution of cell therapies from autologous to scalable platforms, and what it takes to move cutting-edge research from concept to clinic.
Meet Raymond Tay, MS’24! A transport network engineer, Ray shares his journey from over a decade in the global telecom industry to pursuing a master’s degree at Northeastern University. He discusses how the Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership helped him transition his role, how his perspectives on global connectivity developed, and how AI is transforming the future of telecommunications infrastructure.
Meet Jenny Taconet, MS'25! A data scientist for Meta, Jenny explains the process of how she was hired for one of the most prestigious tech companies in the world. Additionally, she talks about how her experience at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences impacted her professional development, as well as her thoughts on the integration of Al in the workplace.
Meet Scott Kerman, the co-author of the book The Duke: Weekly Conversations with the Last Honest Politician! A comedian, Scott takes us on the journey of his relationship with Governor Michael Dukakis that inspired him to author this book. Plus, we'll talk about the Governor's continued relationship with Northeastern University.
Purchase your very own copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Duke-Conversations-Politician-Political-Comedian/dp/B0F8881S4G
Meet Helen Russell, DMSB'88! Shortly after graduating, Helen moved to the Bay Area and decided to forge her own path as an entrepreneur. After co-founding Equator Coffee in 1995, she and her team have grown it from a small business in a garage to having their blends sold in Whole Foods and Kroger's—even opening a shop in Snell Library. Plus, Equator Coffee has recently launched the Northeastern Legacy Blend, where a portion of each purchase supports the university and its initiatives.
Purchase Equator Coffee's Northeastern Legacy Blend: https://www.equatorcoffees.com/products/northeastern-university-blend
Meet Maarten Eenkema van Dijk, E’14, MS’15! Maarten has been making an impact in his field since his time at Northeastern—whether it’s by building structures in Hudson Yards, taking a co-op to design luxury villas on the island of Mauritius, or leading the largest recycling systems supplier in North America as they help New York City sort their waste. Additionally, he recounts his experiences at the four Global Leadership Summits that he has attended, and why members of the Northeastern community should consider attending GLS in London this June.
Connect with Maarten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maarten-eenkema-van-dijk-544b678a/
Register for the 2026 Global Leadership Summit: https://eventregistration.northeastern.edu/event/gls2026/summary?RefId=glsweb&rt=32XOyQcVU0eIsFjTVZJdnQ
Meet Elizabeth Gurian, MS’06! Elizabeth was recently named a Charles A. Dana professor of criminology and criminal justice at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. She joins the Northeastern Next podcast to discuss why she chose serial murderers to be her academic focus, why people are drawn to true crime media, and to announce the launch of her data-driven project, the Murder Matrix.
Learn more about the Murder Matrix: murdermatrix.com
Meet Brigham Hyde, S'04! Combining his passion for chemistry with his instinct for business, Brigham co-founded Atropos Health—an AI-driven healthcare company that helps those in the medical field make informed decisions on their patients. In this episode, we'll discuss his Northeastern co-op experience, why he started Atropos Health, and his favorite management style.
Learn more about Atropos Health: https://www.atroposhealth.com/
Meet Chloe Gold, Khoury'22! Chloe is currently a product manager for an advertising firm in New York City, and credits her co-op experience with helping her begin her professional career. We'll discuss the impact of being a well-rounded Northeastern student, helping students find the perfect co-op, and what makes a great resume.
Meet Peter McKay, DMSB'86! The CEO of the AI-powered security platform Snyk, Peter was recently named a Boston Globe Tech Power Player for 2025. In this episode, we'll discuss his impactful co-op experience, the best management skills needed to be a CEO, and advice for those looking to start their own venture.
Learn more about Peter and Snyk: https://snyk.io/contributors/peter-mckay/
Meet Alex Duffy, E'19! Currently the head of AI for Every, Inc., Alex has a long history with the field. As his career has developed, he has worked his way from teaching children about artificial intelligence at a programming bootcamp to consulting media giants like The New York Times on how to properly instill the technology. We'll discuss his overall Northeastern experience, what initially attracted him to AI, and what AI Diplomacy is.
Learn more about Every: https://every.to/
Learn more about Alex and AI: https://alxai.com/
Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-d/
Follow Alex on X: https://x.com/alxai_
Meet Ashley DiLorenzo, AMD'25! About to embark on her professional journey with Disney Cruise Line, Ashley has seen both ends of the spectrum in the entertainment industry—from her time at the Huntington Theater to media giant NBCUniversal. We'll talk about why she chose Northeastern, the skills she learned during her co-op experiences, and how she networked her way to Disney.
Meet Chinonso Morsindi, DMSB'25! A 2025 Compass Award winner, Chinonso made an important impact during her five years on campus. We'll discuss how the co-op laid the foundations for her career aspirations, her involvement with the Black Business Student Association, and her enticing capstone project on economic development in Africa.
Meet Ralph Cabana, BHS'75! Ralph is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his Northeastern Commencement ceremony as a Golden Graduate with his fellow graduates from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. We'll discuss how Northeastern prepared him for his career, how the university has progressed since graduating, and why he is excited to be a Golden Graduate!
Meet Samuel Akinin, E'16! An accomplished entrepreneur, Samuel's businesses span across the country of Namibia, providing Namibians with everything from easy bank access to affordable housing. Hear how his Northeastern experience influenced him to become an entrepreneur and shaped his business acumen!
Learn about JabuPay: https://www.gojabu.com/
Learn about Atenu Developments: https://www.atenudevelopments.com/
Learn about the ECD Center in Tsumkwe: https://www.instagram.com/atenudevelopments/reel/C6viOzToTHQ/?hl=hu
Connect with Samuel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-akinin-97680419/
Meet Jenna Capuzzo, BHS'20, MPH'21, and Alan Sun, DMSB'17, two active members of Northeastern's flourishing young alumni community. We'll discuss their roles in the Young Alumni Advisory Board, how Northeastern prepared them for postgrad life, and the significance of Giving Day and giving back to the university.
Connect with Jenna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-capuzzo-mph-cph-1b3936151/
Connect with Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanhsun/
Follow Alan on X: x.com/1AlanSun
Follow Alan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1alansun/
Meet Daria Koshkina, MPS'23! An award-winning digital artist, Daria is consistently on the quest to push the boundaries of her art and the digital world through real-life experiences. Learn about her Northeastern experience and how her professors impacted her, the ethics of AI as a digital art form, and her future projects.
Vote for Daria here: http://dhawards.org/dhawards2024/voting/
Visualize Daria's art: https://books.dariakoshkina.com/
Connect with Daria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-koshkina/
Follow Daria: https://www.instagram.com/daria_draw_things/
Meet Alex Eaves, AMD'99 and Derek "Deek" Diedricksen, AMD'00! After many near misses on campus, these two Huskies finally met at the Stoughton Farmers Market where Alex was selling his reuse clothing brand, Stay Vocal. Combining their shared interest in sustainability and Deek's background in building tiny houses, the two created The Box Truck out of an old shipping truck. Learn more about their work in the music industry, what sustainability means to them, and the construction of The Box Truck.
Watch The Box Truck Film: https://www.escapethewaste.com/box-truck-film
Watch More Videos About the Reuse Box Truck: https://www.youtube.com/@escapethewaste
Attend a Workshop with Deek: relaxshacks.com
Connect with Alex: https://www.escapethewaste.com/alex-eaves
Connect with Deek: https://www.instagram.com/cabins_treehouses_tiny_houses/
Meet Adrianne Ohnemus, BHS'20! A doctor of physical therapy, Adrianne utilized her Northeastern experience to its full potential—from her engaging co-op experience to curating her skills in Bouvé's simulation lab. We'll discuss her co-op experience, Bouvé's innovative approach to teaching, and her favorite charity, In My Running Shoes.
Learn more about In My Running Shoes: https://inmyrunningshoes.org/
Give to Adrianne's Boston Marathon Fundraiser for In My Running Shoes: https://www.givengain.com/project/adrianne-raising-funds-for-in-my-running-shoes-86039
Meet Bill Brown, CJ'93! Currently working as a history teacher and special education case manager at Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire, Brown has a long history with working with at-risk youths in Massachusetts and making a difference in their lives. We'll discuss his interest in Northeastern's criminal justice program, his experience working with programs like the DMH and DCF, and transitioning into a career in education.
Meet Paul Palmisciano, E'04! After participating in a co-op that was part of Boston's Big Dig project, Paul took his second co-op at Bechtel Corporations—where he was hired full-time and still works to this day. We'll talk about his co-op experiences, his projects and accomplishments at Bechtel, and his favorite career advice.
Meet Jeanine Hamilton, DMSB'87! As the founder and president of Hire Partnerships in Boston, Jeanine prides herself on finding the perfect job match for each candidate. In this episode, we'll talk about her Northeastern and co-op experience, transitioning from marketing to recruiting, and taking the risk to start your business.
Learn more about Hire Partnership
Tracy Fink, MBA'90 is a business coach, teacher and speaker who is passionate about showing people how to treat themselves as they would their best friend or client. She is the founder of The Tortoise Institute where she consults with companies and organizations to build awareness and leadership practices to boost individual and team effectiveness.
Tracy holds an MBA from Northeastern University and a BA in Psychology from Boston University. She completed a year-long Teacher Certification Program at Search Inside Yourself, the global evidence-based emotional intelligence program engineered at Google. She is a mentor/advisor for the Women’s Interdisciplinary Society of Entrepreneurship (WISE) at Northeastern University.
Tracy enjoys collaborative cooking, adventurous travel, walking in nature, and college football. She is co-host of the podcast “Our Dead Mothers”. She and her husband live outside of Boston, MA.
Listen to Our Dead Mothers here.
Meet Maria Tedesco, MBA'84! The president and COO of Atlantic Union Bank, Maria has a number of accolades to her name—including as a member of American Banker’s 2024 Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance: Women to Watch list. Learn about how she creates a welcoming company culture at Atlantic Union Bank, what advice she has for current undergraduate students, and how she caught a touchdown pass from Tom Brady after saying "yes" to a work event.
Meet Dr. Jae Williams, Ph.D.'22! Dr. Jae, currently an Executive in Residence for the Business of Creative Enterprise program at Emerson College, has ambitions to take an innovative approach to teaching and making education inclusive for all. Learn more about his award-winning doctoral thesis, teaching success stories, and his inspirational podcast.
Listen to Dr. Jae's Office Hours podcast: https://www.drjaewilliams.com/podcast
Meet Walter V. Robinson, AMD'73! In celebration of the 115th anniversary of Northeastern's innovative co-op program, we sat down with the legendary journalist to discuss his illustrious career with The Boston Globe's famous Spotlight team, his path from co-op student to co-op employer, and how technology has impacted journalism.
Meet George Blitch, SSH'01! George captures Northeastern's entrepreneurial spirit—between starting his own publishing company to document Indigenous Elders, his own cartography company, and his own podcast, George has done it all. Learn more about how George's Northeastern experience inspired him to forge his own paths in life.
Listen to the Son of a Blitch podcast: https://www.sonofablitch.com/podcast.html
Learn more about George: https://www.sonofablitch.com/
Meet Howie Newman, S'73! After making his musical debut in 1973 at Northeastern, Howie spent the majority of his career as a professional baseball writer before transitioning to full-time musician. These days, you can find Howie touring around the country and playing his light-hearted at community centers, libraries, and for adults with developmental disabilities.
Learn more about Howie and purchase or stream music: https://www.howienewman.com/
Meet Frank Green, SSH'92! After spending time working for an Irish senator during his time at Northeastern, Frank had a takeaway that would impact the rest of his career—the world is a big place with many different perspectives. Learn about Frank's Northeastern and co-op experiences, his interest in the recruiting process, and why he is excited about the global envoy program.
Meet Amelia Brooks, DMSB'26! In celebration of the 115th anniversary of Northeastern's innovative co-op program, we sat down with Amelia Brooks to learn more about the co-op from the perspective of an enrolled student. We discussed how Northeastern prepares students for their co-ops, what she learned in each of her co-op positions, and how she plans on celebrating the 115th anniversary.
Watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ5zYiD0LYc&t=9s
Meet Ashita Chauhan, CPS'19! While studying for her master's in regulatory affairs, Ashita participated in a co-op that gave her the tools to succeed in her current role at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Learn about Ashita's co-op experience, becoming a co-op mentor for undergraduate students, and introducing regulatory affairs to her home country.
Meet Brian Good, MBA'10! The co-founder and CEO of iBorrow, a Los Angeles-based commercial real estate lending provider, Brian began his career in law before pivoting towards entrepreneurship. Learn more about obtaining his MBA at Northeastern, building your own business, and how AI will impact the future of real estate.
Learn more about iBorrow
Meet Christine Fitzpatrick, AMD'10! Beginning her career in the entertainment industry as a co-op for National Geographic, Christine recently had a "full-circle" moment by releasing her latest project, "Protecting Paradise: The Story of Niue", through NatGeo. Tune in to learn more about Christine's exciting Northeastern experience!
Stream "Protecting Paradise: The Story of Niue" on Hulu or Disney+
Link to Pristine Seas
Special thanks to Mike Barnaby, SSH'10, for his contributions to the "Protecting Paradise: The Story of Niue" project
Meet Jared Molton, AMD’10! After beginning his career as a professional magician and managing America's oldest magic shop, Jared transitioned into the tech sphere and is now the vice president of consumer for Udacity. Learn more about his career transition, his favorite and most impactful class at Northeastern, and his memoir of his path from magician to tech executive.
Purchase a copy of "For My Next Trick"
Register for classes on Udacity
Meet Cynthia Orofo, BHS'19, Ph.D.'24! After starting Culture Care Collective while enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Northeastern, Cynthia has helped it grow to make an impact on surrounding communities in the Boston area—while garnering recognition as a Women Who Empower Innovator award winner and being named to the Boston Forbes 30 under 30 list. Learn about Culture Care Collective's impact and why Cynthia's nine year Northeastern experience!
Read more about Culture Care Collective:
https://culturecareco.com/
Meet Mari Andrade, E'96! Mari has mastered the art of storytelling—learn about how her experiences at General Motors and the International Olympic Committee have shaped her current career as a messaging and storytelling strategist. Plus, learn tips for self-compassion and how to craft a compelling narrative for yourself!
Connect with Mari:
Meet Sage Antonio, AMD'27! The founder of Sageware Fashion, Sage is an ambassador for how Northeastern's entrepreneurial resources can help you grow your business—learn about their Northeastern experience, growing a business, and the Sherman Venture Co-op.
Shop Sageware Fashion:
Website
Faire
Etsy
Follow Sageware Fashion:
Meet Meagan Reda, SSH'08! Meagan is one of the top shareholder activism lawyers in the world—learn how her Northeastern internships guided her to career success, her upcoming panel at Harvard, and advice she has for current Northeastern students.
Meet Steve Stroum, DMSB'73! After a co-op experience that launched his career in sales, Steve started his own business—Venmark International. After helping clients succeed for over four decades, Steve embarked on his latest journey of providing tips for aspiring entrepreneurs in his new memoir "Success and Self-Discovery: A Business Memoir with Insightful Tips and Personal Development Advice that Will Help Any Entrepreneur."
Purchase Steve's book on Amazon
Meet Catherine Argyrople, AMD'21! Catherine's upcoming film, "Growing Pains", premieres at the Boston International Film Festival on April 14. Learn about the inspiration for the film, her global Northeastern experience, and how Northeastern influenced her to become an independent filmmaker.
Follow Catherine:
Learn More about "Growing Pains":
Website
Get Tickets to the Boston International Film Festival
Get Tickets to the Community Premiere
Meet Ammy Lowney, SSH'05! A school teacher by day, Ammy moonlights as one of Boston's most prolific entrepreneurs—the founder of the growing health cafe, JUICYGREENS. Learn more about her favorite Northeastern professors, her plans for expanding JUICYGREENS, and what it feels like to be a Women Who Empower Innovator award winner.
Follow JUICYGREENS on Instagram: @juicygreensboston
Meet David Wyatt, E'88! The president of Wyatt Engineering, David has made a name for himself in his industry through his incredible accomplishments—his most recent being designing the flow meter that helped The Odysseus Lander touch ground on the moon. Learn more about his co-op experience, starting Wyatt Engineering, and being asked to be a part of this mission to the moon.
Meet Professor Dave Hagen, CJ'80! An associate teaching professor for the College of Professional Studies, Dave wanted to return to give back to the Northeastern community by teaching at his alma mater. His research revolves around what exactly critical thinking is and its different applications in both the world and the classroom. Learn more about his undergraduate experience, what it means to think critically, and the next phase of his research!
Meet Jack Lovett, SSH'19, MPA'20! An office engineer for the City of Newton, Jack loves representing and helping constituents, as well as Northeastern's young alumni and global community. Learn more from Jack about what your local government can do you for you, what it's like to be a Young Alumni Advisory Board member, and why it's important to be involved in your community.
Connect with Jack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlovett96/
Meet Mike Beaudet, MA'08! An investigative reporter for WCVB and professor of journalism at Northeastern, Mike brings three decades worth of field experience and knowledge to his classes. Learn more about how Mike helps students develop their own voices and stories, his upcoming trip to Peru for Dialogues of Civilizations, and his plans for reinvigorating the concept of local news.
Read the walk signal story from this episode:
https://www.wcvb.com/article/in-one-of-americas-most-walkable-city-a-danger-for-pedestrians/34658199
Learn more about Mike's research:
https://tvresearch.sites.northeastern.edu/
Learn more about 5 Investigates:
https://www.wcvb.com/5-investigates
Meet Kojo Addaquay, E'23! Currently working as a finance business systems analyst at Northeastern, Kojo has a history of working with the United Nations and his own fintech startup that aims to help farmers in Ghana finance their equipment. Learn about Kojo's unique co-op experience, his techniques for self-discipline when learning a new skill, and his predictions for the future of global fintech!
Connect with and follow Kojo on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kojo-addaquay/
Meet Byron Hurt, AMD'93! After starting his journalism career at The Patriot Ledger while at Northeastern, Byron transitioned to documentary filmmaking that focuses on hot-button topics. Byron's latest film, "Lee and Liza's Family Tree", traces the history of the Hurt family through various genealogical practices while using it as a vessel to explore a range of social issues. Learn more about Byron's Northeastern experience, his journalistic inspirations, and his upcoming projects!
You can watch "NOVA: Lee and Liza's Family Tree" here.
Meet Meghan Phan, a graduate of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2022! While working toward her degree in philosophy, Meghan opened a bakery with her mother in 2018. Specializing in sweet treats, Vietnamese food, and coffee, Sweet Piglet Bakery offers something for everyone. Learn about starting a business as a student, balancing work with family, and this year's Northeastern Holiday Market!
Follow Sweet Piglet Bakery on Instagram: @sweetpigletbakery
Meet Greg Lainas, a graduate of the D'Amore-McKim School of Business in 1978! Greg had a long and prolific career as a CPA—working for industry giants like Robert Half and ESPN. Now retired, Greg leads speaking engagements on networking, telling his story of how he was able to create connections that lead to jobs, leadership positions, and even his first co-op experience. Learn more about the power of networking, tips for making connections, and how his networking skills gave him a unique and interesting opportunity with a Northeastern professor!
Follow and connect with Greg on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-lainas-52767621/
Meet Martell Mason, a graduate of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2007! Beginning as a Starbucks barista while taking classes at Northeastern, Martell fell in love with the coffee industry. After spending time working as a coffee importer/exporter in Turkey, Martell asked himself, "How can I make coffee more accessible to underrepresented communities?" In 2021, he returned to his native Detroit to start the Sepia Coffee Project and make an impact not only on his local community, but give representation to coffee roasters from around the world. Learn more about his long and diverse history in the coffee industry, the goals of the Sepia Coffee Project, and how you can help!
Learn more about the Sepia Coffee Project:
https://www.sepiacoffeeproject.com/
Support the Sepia Coffee Project:
https://wefunder.com/sepiacoffeeproject
Follow the Sepia Coffee Project on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/scpdetroit/
Meet Kade Krichko, a graduate of the College of Arts, Media and Design in 2012! After graduating from Northeastern, Kade began pitching sports stories that touched on the human condition to media giants like the New York Times and ESPN. After building relationships in the industry and writing award-winning pieces, Kade now teaches a class on media literacy at Northeastern and is ready to launch a print-based travel magazine. Learn more about his exciting career in journalism, how he gives back to the Northeastern community, and his unique approach to storytelling!
Subscribe and learn more about Kade's upcoming travel magazine on their website:
https://ori-mag.com/
Follow Ori Magazine on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ori_magazine/
Meet Rick Leary, a graduate of the D'Amore-McKim School of Business in 1989 and recipient of a Masters in Public Administration in 1992! Beginning his career in public transportation as a train attendant for Boston's famous Green Line, Rick ascended to becoming the chief operating officer of the MBTA in 2005. In 2014, Rick moved to Canada to work for the Toronto Transit Commission, where he now serves as the chief executive officer. Learn more about his Northeastern roots, climbing the ranks in your industry, and the Northeastern Toronto campus!
Rian Finnegan, a 2011 graduate of the College of Arts, Media and Design, returns to the Northeastern Next podcast with two years worth of stories and accomplishments. Currently the Head of Employer Brand and Recruitment Marketing at Snap, Rian additionally runs the Little Loaf Bakeshop in Poughkeepsie, New York, a vegan bakery that moonlights as an independent music venue. Learn more about the state of the tech industry and how a small business can make a big impact on the local community!
Learn more about the Little Loaf Bakeshop on their website: https://www.littleloafbakeshop.com/
Follow Rian on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rianfinnegan/
Meet Ioana Good, a 2000 graduate from the College of Arts, Media, and Design and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Bianca Vranceanu, a 2022 graduate of the College of Arts, Media and Design! After founding the PR and Branding Agency, Promova, Ioana wanted to give back to her alma mater, to which she accredits much of her success. In early 2020, Ioana started offering co-op positions, and Bianca joined as the first intern for a position in PR & Marketing. Since then, Bianca has transitioned into a full-time role and Promova has launched an innovative new software, Find A Rainmaker, that helps companies quickly identify PR and BD leaders and form impactful teams. Learn about the growth of Promova, the benefits of the co-op program from the student and employer perspective, and Bianca's special talent!
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioanagood/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-vranceanu-97ab901b8/
Website:
https://getpromova.com/
https://findarainmaker.com/
Meet Dave Fatula, a 2001 D’Amore-McKim School of Business graduate and founder of a one-of-a-kind guided hiking business! After 20 years behind a desk, Dave gave up his career in the world of real estate finance to launch his own business and pursue his passion for the great outdoors. As the owner and operator of Guineafowl Adventure Company, Dave seeks to remove the obstacles one faces when looking to explore nature. How do I get to the mountains? What kind of shoes do I need? What gear is required for a successful hike? Dave and his team of experienced, safety-trained guides can answer all of these questions, plus many more! To book a hike with Guineafowl Adventure Company today, visit Guineafowladventure.com.
www.guineafowladventure.com
Instagram: Guineafowl_Adventure_Co
Facebook: Guineafowl Adventure Company
LinkedIn: Guineafowl Adventure Company
Meet Dr. Nash Hernandez, GC’07, MSc’07, PhD’09! With a career spanning nearly three decades, Dr. Nash is currently a member of the board of directors for GloboScience, a pharmaceutical and medical technology consultancy. Focusing on rare diseases, gene therapy, cell therapy, and advanced tissue products, Dr. Nash has utilized his unique background of marketing and biology to bring health products from a mere idea to an entrepreneurial reality. Learn more about Dr. Nash’s Northeastern journey as a triple husky and how he plans to expand his business by creating health products using new technology like Artificial Intelligence.
Website: https://globoscience.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelh/
Meet Rishya Narayanan, MS’19! With a passion for environmental science and fighting climate change, she is currently the climate change communications strategist for the Conservation Law Foundation nonprofit in Boston. Pivoting from her initial career aspirations of becoming a therapist, Rishya has spent time advocating for environmental nonprofits like the New England Aquarium and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, all without losing sight of her professional goal to help others. Learn about Rishya’s love for the Northeastern graduate program, as well as the issues our climate is facing today and how we can use our voices to solve them.
Links:
masspocie@googlegroups.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/professionals-of-color-in-the-environment-pocie/
Meet Michelle Calderon, MBA’21! A winner of the Northeastern Women Who Empower Innovator awards in 2021, Michelle has recently soft launched her company Addition Beauty, a makeup brand that uses high-quality formulations that are safe and free of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. With the introduction of three new shades of lipstick and a roadmap to expand product offerings, Michelle is ready to make her mark in a multi-billion-dollar industry while simultaneously making contributions to women’s health. Learn about Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey, including when she decided it was time to leave her job behind to become a full-time entrepreneur!
Website: additionbeauty.com
Instagram: @addition.beauty
TikTok: @additionbeauty
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/addition-beauty/
Meet CJ Grasso, B.A.’16, M.S.’17, MBA’22. CJ began his journey at Northeastern as a business major. However, during his first co-op at a small law firm, he realized the need for change and found a new passion in community resilience and homeland security. A triple husky, CJ stays in touch with his co-op coordinator and continues to visit the university—he acts as a resource to co-op students by providing advice on topics such as effective interviewing and workplace leadership. Learn more about CJ’s experiences throughout his time at Northeastern and how they’ve positioned him for success within his current role at the management consulting and leadership development firm McChrystal Group.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophergrasso/
If you’re interested in becoming a co-op employer, email alumni@northeastern.edu to get started.
Meet Elke Thoms, a graduate of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2018 and currently a stand-up comedian and writer based in Los Angeles. Elke's comedic journey began during her time at Northeastern after taking classes at Improv Boston, igniting a passion for the art of comedy. With a captivating stage presence, Elke has been performing standup all over the country at venues including The Comedy Store, Second City, Laugh Factory, and Boston Improv. Her creative expression also extends to the realm of poetry, with a selection of her poems having been published in esteemed Boston-based publications. Learn more as we dive into Elke’s journey from a tour guide at Northeastern University to an exciting career in stand-up comedy, while hearing her take on the Hollywood writer’s strike as it extends well into its second month.
Website: Elkethoms.com
Instagram: @elkethoms
Tiktok: @elkethoms
YouTube: @Elkethoms
Meet Donna Halper, LA’69, MEd’70, MA’73! A remarkable trailblazer in the world of radio and music, Donna made Northeastern history in 1968 as the first female DJ of WRBB. One of Donna's most significant contributions came in the early 1970s when she played a vital role in discovering the legendary rock band Rush. Recognizing their immense talent, Donna championed their music and gave them their initial airtime on US radio waves. Donna's passion for music and broadcasting led her to work as a DJ across the United States, music director, radio consultant, and media historian. Learn more about how this future Massachusetts Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame Pioneer Award-winner utilized her experiences learned early-on at Northeastern to help shape her journey as a pioneer for women on the radio, and how she’s continuing to amplify the voices of women in media today.
Image courtesy of Lesley University
Meet Hannah Ung, DMSB’23! The founder of one of Boston’s most innovative startup companies, Boxy, Hannah has been helping college students find storage through a host’s underutilized space since 2022. With the support of Northeastern’s entrepreneurial network, Hannah has grown Boxy through market research and building a rapport with customers in the area, all of which helped her win a Women Who Empower Innovator Award this year. Learn more about her entrepreneurial journey, the impact of her Northeastern experience, and the exciting future of Boxy.
Website: www.storewithboxy.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahung/
Meet Mike Troxell, DMSB‘10, Principal and Founder of Modern Financial Planning. After working in finance and wealth management, Mike opened a financial planning business in 2018 that serves millennials and Gen X in the tech industry. He completed two co-ops throughout his time at Northeastern, including one at Merrill Lynch on Wall Street during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis. Mike talks about the impression Merrill Lynch’s then-CEO made on him while on co-op and how that impression has stuck with him today. His work has garnered a lot of attention from the industry, including being named a Top 100 Financial Advisor of 2022 by Investopedia. Listen as Mike discusses the importance of compound interest, diversifying your portfolio, and establishing cash reserves.
Modern Financial Planning: https://www.modernfp.com/
Mike Troxell (podcast & more): https://www.MikeTroxell.com
Newsletter: https://www.TheWeeklyVest.com
Meet Gina V. Dunn, CSSH'06, CPS'13! A double-husky, Gina lives by the philosophy of to not just learn for school, but for life. Being a self-described lifelong learner, Gina has an eclectic resume and diverse career history—from surviving the 2008 recession to writing Paris Possibilities, her new innovative and informative guidebook for those visiting the city for the first time. Learn how Gina used her Northeastern experience as a vessel for different career paths.
Paris Possibilities: ParisPossiblities.com
Instagram: @the_paris_connect
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginavdunn/
On this special episode of Northeastern Next, meet three entrepreneurs with exciting side hustles! Our first guest, Ben Brakenwagon, transcends the typical entrepreneur convention through his own personal side hustle selling rock climbing equipment, his work at a tech startup, and everything in between. Following Ben, current Northeastern student Bella D'Ascoli celebrates the legacy of her late friend Samantha Hemphill by offering an opportunity to purchase Sam’s exemplary artwork, with all profits donated to a charitable foundation started by her family in her honor. Finally, meet our third guest, Ye Tian, the founder of Crafts Zone Studio. Tian has his very own brick and mortar craft studio in Brookline, MA where you can create personalized, one-of-a-kind gifts with your loved ones. Learn about how he uses Northeastern’s vast alumni network to grow his business.
Ledge Climbing: https://ledgeclimbing.com/
SamScribbler: https://samscribbler.com/
Crafts Zone Studio: https://www.crafts.zone/
See what Northeastern students have been up to and support their projects with HuskyStarter.
Meet Kate Weiler, CPS ‘13! Co-founder of the beverage company Drink Simple, she is a hardworking and motivated entrepreneur with a passion for nutrition and sustainability. Using Northeastern's IDEA program to build the framework of her business, Weiler launched the Drink Simple brand to critical acclaim. Learn about her entrepreneurial journey to bring maple water to the masses!
Drink Simple: https://bit.ly/3yVFXKc
Instagram: @drinksimple
See what Northeastern students have been up to and support their projects with HuskyStarter.
Meet Valerie Robert, Khoury'23, CSSH'23! A Women Who Empower Innovator award winner in 2022, it's no secret that Valerie is an incredibly motivated individual—from holding a variety of leadership positions on campus to having aspirations of starting intersectional businesses, it's clear she is on a path towards success. Learn about her entrepreneurial journey and her post-graduation plans.
Instagram: @valerie.robert
Northeastern WISE: @northeasternwise
The Circuit: @thecircuited
See what Northeastern students have been up to and support their projects with HuskyStarter.
This Northeastern Next bonus episode is the culmination of five women’s quest to change the way the world perceives their strength. During her co-op in Northeastern’s Advancement division, student athlete and aspiring journalist, Madison Neuner, AMD’24 examines ways in which women own their right to influence social change for themselves and others. From advocating in office spaces to cheering on the track, learn how these alumnae and students are paving the way to overcome disparities and biases in our communities and beyond.
- Ally Legend, AMD’14, Senior Director of Equality Engagement at Salesforce
- Michelle Satter, LA'74, Founding Senior Director of Artist Programs at Sundance Institute
- Ahndraea Allen, AS'05, MS’09, Senior Training Specialist for Sales Academy UAE at Adidas
- Darrel Schreiner, MS’22, & Dominique Schreiner, MS’22, Co-Founders of CAKE DENIM
While TV medical dramas have ruled entertainment for decades, Dr. Washington, AS’05, was putting in the real work. She received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and was the first Black woman to be admitted into the residency program. From a private practice in Texas to a prestigious surgery fellowship in Oregon, Dr. Washington is a lifelong learner, now specializing in liver and pancreatic procedures. In this episode, she speaks about her experience as a Black woman in medicine—from her undergraduate days at Northeastern’s John D. O’Bryant African American Institute to the podcast she started with her two sisters called “The Drs. Washington.” Not only a healthcare hero, she is building a platform to mentor students, discuss medicine, and highlight African American physicians who are making an impact in the field.
Check out The Drs. Washington Podcast
Northeastern alumni can be found around the world—there over 275,000 people who are connected by one global university. Every day our alumni volunteers give their time and talent to make the Northeastern network even stronger.
In this episode, Ilana Gensler, assistant director of alumni engagement, will speak with a few of our volunteers from San Francisco to Thailand.
Volunteers:
Rachel Rappe, DMSB’15, Chicago Community Volunteer, Young Alumni Advisory Board Member, Women Who Empower Mentor
Ezgi Kosereisoglu, E’14, Chicago Community Volunteer, Young Alumni Advisory Board Chair, NUCEAO President Emerita
Kim Tran, E’17, Alumni Co-op Mentor in San Francisco
Dave Wedge, AS’00, Northeastern Rugby Club Alumni President
Sureena Sachdev, DMSB’19, Alumni Community Leader in Thailand
Hear what volunteering is all about and why they give back.
Visit alumni.northeastern.edu/volunteer to learn more.
“The Breakfast Club with murder” is how Karen McManus, MA’04, describes her first novel, "One of Us is Lying." Now with four books published and more on the way, this New York Times Bestselling author has made writing her full-time career. Karen started in PR and Marketing, but realized it was never too late to make a switch. In this episode she shares how a familiar '80s song inspired her writing and gives updates on the forthcoming TV adaptation of her first book.
Visit karenmcmanus.com and follow @writerkmc on Instagram
This episode was recorded in collaboration with the Northeastern Women who Empower Initiative.
Pandemic pivots became a priority for many entrepreneurs in early 2020, but a variety of factors can influence a product change. In this episode, you’ll hear from two business leaders: Yewande Masi, CJ’09, founder of Ornami skincare and Glen Giovanucci, DMSB’83, CEO at G-Form.
This episode features a pre-recorded interview from our virtual entrepreneurship event in November. It’s moderated by Katie Hemphill, MS'19, Associate Director of the McCarthy(s) Venture Mentoring Network (VMN). This university wide resource pairs student, faculty, and alumni-owned ventures with experienced mentors to help with business challenges.
18 billion pounds of plastic enter our oceans each year, a harrowing fact that only accounts for a portion of our planet's pollution crisis. Northeastern innovators are tackling this problem to create sustainable solutions for cleaner oceans. Bureo, an emerging B-Corp, has created a program to recycle fishing nets into a NetPlus™ material, used in products by Patagonia and other partner companies. Join the conversation to fight plastic pollution with Ben Kneppers, E'07, co-founder and COO of Bureo Inc., and Maarten Eenkema van Dijk, E'14, MS'15, operations manager for Van Dyk Recycling Solutions.
This interview was recorded at a virtual event hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations.
Successful CEOs are not born overnight. Ryan Drexler, AS’93, grew up as the shy kid and lacked confidence in public speaking, but like every Northeastern student, he focused on finding his career path. Ryan majored in theatre, a unique choice at the time, but one that brought him outside his comfort zone to develop essential leadership skills. Fast forward to the present, Ryan is now CEO and president of MusclePharm, a publicly traded sports nutrition company, and shares his advice on leading teams, overcoming challenges, and reaching the top.
Creativity. Diversity. Changemakers. What do these buzz words really mean? Vallabhi Singh, DMSB’17, has been chasing that answer and her own curiosity since she graduated. Unexpectedly, she left her promising career in New York City to return to her home country of India, but she brought with her a deep passion for entrepreneurship, collaboration, and connection. She focused her energy and founded Creatives Around The World (CATW), in the midst of the global pandemic, to bring diverse minds together and #NetworksForGood. Hosting several virtual roundtables since May, the CATW network is growing, pushing boundaries on how we approach problems and define creativity.
Find Creatives Around The World on Instagram and YouTube
An American passport changed her life. Alexandra Tarzikhan was born in the United States to her American mom and Syrian dad. She grew up in the city of Aleppo, returning to Boston to attend Northeastern. But in 2011 at the start of the Syrian civil war, Alexandra could easily hop on a plane thanks to her passport. Her lived experience became drastically different than the refugees struggling for safety and asylum in Europe. Instead, she experienced the migrant crisis in Lesvos as a volunteer. Alexandra received a JD/MPH dual degree and is passionate about pursuing a legal career in human rights and humanitarian operations with a focus on migration and health. Her Instagram account @meetarefugee helps share stories and bring attention and awareness to the refugee crisis.
What do the Beanpot and Chicken Lou’s have in common? They are both beloved Northeastern traditions, and Men’s Hockey Head Coach Jim Madigan speaks fondly of both. Coach Madigan set foot on campus for the first time in 1981 as a first-year student. Graduating in 1986, he landed his first assistant coaching job at Northeastern, and 34 years later, hasn’t looked back. Coach Madigan is a six-time Beanpot champion and has held roles in athletics, facilities, and advancement, proudly serving the university as an alumnus, staff, coach, and parent. However, the soul of Northeastern goes beyond academics and athletics, and Coach Madigan remembers a special friend and campus icon, Lou Ferretti, the late founder of Chicken Lou’s, a little sandwich shop on Forsyth St. Chicken Lou’s closed in 2020 after 30 years of bringing joy through food to the campus community and in this episode, Coach recounts where it all began.
To pre-order a commemorative Chicken Lou's plate visit: giving.northeastern.edu
If sports journalism makes you think of box scores and game recaps, you are only scratching the surface. Kade Krichko, AMD'12, is a freelance writer, editor, and photojournalist who makes a living traveling the world and chasing stories. Covering skateboarding in Cuba, and the history of skiing in China, he writes with a unique lens at the intersection of sports and culture and is published in The New York Times, ESPN, Outside Online and more. Kade is also an editor for Northeastern’s Game Plan, a student-run publication exploring the future of sports journalism. During the pandemic, we have seen live sports grind to a halt, and while fans have to adapt, so does the journalism industry. Listen to hear Kade’s experience living in Spain when COVID-19 hit Europe and what he is working on next.
Visit: kadekrichko.com
Twitter: @caskade88
What's "African fashion?" Audrey Lang, DMSB’15, finds it almost impossible to define for the most culturally diverse continent in the world. Born in France to two Cameroonian immigrants, she has lived in the US since she was three with the goal to work in Africa after her Northeastern experience. Having built a career in retail and e-commerce, Audrey landed an opportunity in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire at the largest marketplace for African-inspired goods. The market is complex, and faces unique challenges. She is also a freelance writer for Okay Africa, Travel Noire, and Afriquette, capturing authentic travel diaries and photographs of beautiful, historic places. Hear from Audrey about how the pandemic has impacted her work, industry, and future travel plans.
View Audrey's Instagram takeover at @northeastern_alumni and follow her personal account @audreymejou.
Read Audrey's Travel Diary: Côte d'Ivoire on Okay Africa.
What is the “heart” of your ideal workplace? Who are the people, the values, and the shared goals? The answers to these questions help define an "employer brand"—the look, feel, and voice of a company. Employer branding and recruitment marketing are growing fields in the modern work landscape, where talent acquisition is competitive and employees are expecting more. Rian Finnegan, AMD'11 is a champion for the employee experience and followed a passion for creating engaging and inclusive company cultures. Rian’s experience spans diverse companies like Twitter, Pandora, Squarespace, and now, Instacart. Hear the latest trends in recruitment, and how a strong and authentic employer brand can attract and retain top talent. As many of us are working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rian also shares some tips to stay connected in a remote working environment.
Find Rian on LinkedIn
Simply making it to Shark Tank might be the ultimate dream for an entrepreneur. But, last year, Jamie Ratner, MS’01, founder and CEO of CertifiKID, closed a deal with Mr. Wonderful himself, for her discount website for family-friendly activities. Before starting CertifiKID, Jamie worked in security for almost a decade after receiving her master’s in criminal justice at Northeastern. But, as a parent and self-proclaimed deal-finder, Jamie and her husband saw a gap in the market for kid-friendly events, offering amusement parks and birthday parties instead of spas and restaurants. Their solution—Certifikid. However, like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Jamie's business, forcing her to pivot and offer awareness and discounts for virtual kid programming. Today, she's working hard to stay resilient, and is ready to share the lessons she's learned from navigating through the unique circumstances.
Visit certifikid.com
There are five times as many books about trucks than there are about any children of color. When Sailaja Joshi, DMSB’06 was searching for authentic and appropriate stories of Indian culture for her own children, she found a huge diversity gap in children’s literature. So, she decided to solve the problem, and launched Mango and Marigold Press, an award winning independent publishing house focusing on the South Asian experience. Serving as the CEO and founder, today the press has over a dozen titles, and recently launched the #1001DiverseBooks initiative, with the goal to bridge the accessibility gap, and raise money to donate diverse children’s literature to underserved communities. Northeastern’s IDEA venture accelerator gave this alumna a leg up, and she later utilized SCOUT, the student-led design studio, for her company’s rebrand.
Visit: mangoandmarigoldpress.com
Follow: @mangoandmarigoldpress on Instagram
We might love the sun, but it is also very harmful to our largest organ—the skin. Lauren Rampello, DMSB’11 is the founder of Pure Glow—a company dedicated to bringing an organic and sunless tanning solution to Boston. Lauren built her business on knowledge and transparency, focusing on natural ingredients, while prioritizing health and the unique client experience. And, Lauren has leveraged Northeastern resources to give her a boost. Northeastern has a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and offers support to both students and alumni. Lauren was matched with a mentor in the McCarthy(s) Venture Mentoring Network, setting her company up for growth and continued success.
Visit: pureglow.com
Follow on Instagram: @pureglowtanning
Students who like biology often go the pre-med route, but what if being a doctor isn’t the right fit for you? Navigating the medical career landscape can be daunting, but Katie Lemons, MS’19 found a way to combine her passions and carve a unique path. Recently earning her Physician Assistant degree and license from Northeastern, she also has a master’s degree in nutrition and manages a popular blog called, “Twist of Lemons” with over 118,000 followers on Instagram. Katie is a lover of all things wellness and uses her platform to provide easy recipes, and accessible and realistic health tips, backed by science.
Visit: twistoflemons.com
Follow on Instagram: @twistoflemons
If you've been in Boston, you might recognize the classic pedicab—the three-wheeled bicycle pedaled by local college students who shuttle tourists and fans to Fenway Park. Ben Morris, DMSB’05, knew that a pedal-powered vehicle could go even farther. What started as a Boston-based fleet of five, today has grown into the largest pedicab company in the country, called Coaster Cycles. And Ben—now CEO and founder of Coaster Cycles—has no plans to stop. He's brought in Brian Schatz, DMSB’10, as VP of Sales and Solutions, and former Boston Pedicab driver to take their venture to the next level. Their journeys have intersected a number of times throughout their career, creating the perfect example of the power of the Northeastern network. Today, the two alumni are geared to take their concept to the rest of the globe.
Visit: coastercycles.com
Follow on Instagram: @coastercycles
Sweat. Inspire. Transform. Raise the Bar. You’ll find these words on the walls of The Handle Bar Indoor Cycling Studio, founded by Jess Fracalossi, AS'10, in 2013, with a mission far beyond the bike. Six years later, she has four award-winning locations in Boston, loyal riders, and a brand centered around passion, community, and wellness. From angel investors and the brick and mortar real estate game, to hiring a strong team to support the business, Jess is an ambitious fitness entrepreneur. Her impact reaches farther than spin class, and her nonprofit branch, “Handle with Care” tackles stigma around mental illness through local community events.
Visit: handlebarcycling.com
Follow on Instagram: @the_handle_bar
In a world of Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and Under Armour, is it possible to break through and create a new and competitive sportswear brand? Jason Yau, DMSB’17, founder of Zyphr apparel, thinks so. Athletes in Hong Kong rely on foreign brands, and Jason saw a gap in the market for his homegrown premium sportswear company. With global fast fashion trends and low barriers to entry, Jason is setting his brand apart by focusing on the quality, and creating a perfect match between performance fabrics and fashion. Jason is also a member of the Young Global Leaders—alumni who help advance the international scope of the university.
Visit: zyphrapparel.com
Instagram: @zyphr_apparel
Attend: Dream, Discover, Disrupt | Nov. 19 | A Celebration of Entrepreneurs at Northeastern
Crime thriller novels and TV shows have always been popular, but author Brian Shea, CJ’97 has literally been at the scene of the crime. After serving in the US Navy, Brian spent over 10 years in law enforcement as a detective, and now writes what he knows. What do a terrorist, human trafficker, and serial killer have in common? They’ve all been hunted by his leading character, FBI agent, Nick Lawrence. Brian has mastered the art of creating the suspenseful “page turner” and at Northeastern, when not in class, he was usually found with his nose in a book. His most recent crime thriller series is set in Boston, and the first book, Murder Board, hit the bestseller list on Amazon and held the #1 spot for New Release in the Mystery category.
Visit: brianchristophershea.com
Get Murder Board at Barnes & Noble or Amazon
Sophia Moon, MBA’13, is an artist, entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and community builder who has always followed passion in her career. Instead of a side hustle, she designed a life she loves with many major hustles, giving each her full attention. She now owns Essem Art Studio in Charlestown, MA, leading art and music labs for children. She is also the Boston Chapter host of Creative Mornings, a monthly lecture series and global movement of 206 chapters in 65 countries. With only 24 hours in a day, how did she do this? By networking! We all use the “networking” buzz word in the pursuit of career dreams, but Sophia gives real advice on how to create relationships that can help you succeed.
Check out Creative Mornings and find a chapter near you: creativemornings.com
Follow Sophia on Instagram @iamsophiamoon
When he was 11, Jonathan Ulman dreamed of playing drums with Pearl Jam. Fast forward to today, he is a three-time winner of the Boston Music Award's Session Musician of the Year, a teacher at the Berklee College of Music, and has over 20 years of experience playing in live concerts and on hundreds of records. Jonathan understands the hustle involved in making a music career a reality, but more importantly how to market yourself—a skill relevant in every industry. How do you become ready for your big break or dream job? How do you hone your craft and build the skills that will propel you past your goals while redefining new ones?
Visit: jonathanulman.com
Follow: @jmudrums on instagram and twitter
Vote: bostonmusicawards.com/vote
Northeastern alumni programming spans the globe, serving more than 257,000 community members. Who makes it possible? Our volunteers! Hear from some our community leaders from France, Brazil, Spain, Greece, Singapore, the UK, and Boston, about why they choose to come back to serve their alma mater.
If you are interested in getting involved, visit: alumni.northeastern.edu/leader
Our featured leaders include:
France - Fred Hoffman, BHS’79
Brazil - Gabriella Silva, CPS’20 and Rodrigo Vieira, DMSB’11
Singapore - Yuki Shuck, DMSB’17
United Kingdom - MJ Paradiso, DMSB’10
Spain - Elena Hernandez, CPS’02
Greece - Peter Contis, MBA’83, MS’86
Boston - Shaun Hamilton, DMSB’14
Office of Alumni Relations - Ilana Gensler, MA’19
What happens when you combine a love of craft beer with a passion to do good? You get Redemption Rock Brewing Co., led by alumni Dani Babineau, AS’10, and Dan Carlson, AS’10. Their brewing company is a registered benefit corporation—a for-profit organization that is legally bound to include positive social, community, or environmental impact. Redemption Rock brews for the community, focusing on local partnerships, corporate transparency, women in business and beer, and above all—good citizenship. So how did an architecture and journalism major end up creating a socially-conscious brewery? Listen to their story!
Visit: redemptionrock.beer
Follow: @rr_brewingco on Instagram
Sarah Stokey could be a Hollywood action hero. The Massachusetts native moved to Alaska after graduation, to pursue her dream of sled dog racing. In 2019, she finished her second Iditarod race—a grueling 1,000-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. From an early age, Sarah discovered her love of dogs, and took a leap of faith in making it a full-time career. Sarah is both a musher and an entrepreneur and runs the Turning Heads Kennel with her partner, where they breed Alaskan huskies for racing. Sarah's company leads year-round sled dog and helicopter tours in Seward, Alaska, and was nominated by USA Today as a readers’ choice top helicopter tour in North America.
Follow @turningheadskennel on instagram and @turningheadsAK on twitter
Visit: turningheadskennel.com
Vote for Seward Helicopter Tours: USA Today Readers' Choice
Daniel Clarke, DMSB’12, always had a passion for storytelling, entrepreneurship, and supporting wildlife. After graduating from Northeastern, he moved to Los Angeles to start a wildlife media company. In his podcast, "Escape the Zoo," Daniel interviews leading wildlife photographers, conservationists, and scientists to learn about the awe-inspiring species we share a planet with, revealing the beautiful and sometimes extreme stories from the wild. Daniel is also a documentary filmmaker, and is finishing a project uncovering the ethical dilemma of feral cats and the critically endangered native species of Hawaii.
Visit:
@escapethezoo on instagram
Escapethezoo.tv
feraldocumentary.com
As a people person who was looking to make an impact, Charles Cormier, BHS’17, spent his five years at Northeastern studying health sciences just to realize that he did not want to pursue healthcare as a career. In his final year, he found his passion for fundraising through Northeastern's Senior Legacy Committee—a senior-led, senior-focused student group that encourages giving. Starting at Harvard University, and recently returning to Northeastern, Charles has worked in higher education fundraising for almost two years, and currently oversees the same student group that he was a member of during his undergraduate.
Visit: givingday.northeastern.edu
Connect with Charles on NUsource, your new exclusive Northeastern networking platform.
Molly Beck, DMSB’09 is the founder of podcast creation site, Messy.fm, and author of Reach Out, a career advice guidebook published by McGraw-Hill. As a social media user and avid blogger turned podcaster, Molly identified a need for the “Wordpress of podcasting,” allowing users to have a one-stop-shop for recording, editing, and publishing. Before founding Messy.fm, she helped launch the Forbes Podcasts channel, and also worked in marketing at Hearst and Venmo.
Connect with Molly Beck on all social platforms @MsMollyBeck
Visit: www.messy.fm
Kyle Kornack, S’13, graduated from Northeastern with a BA in environmental studies, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a drive for social change. With fellow alumni, David Cooch, S’13, and Liam Madden, S’12, he co-founded, and is the executive director of Green Gas, a nonprofit organization that uses innovative fundraising to offset carbon emissions at the gas pump. Transportation is the largest driver of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and these donations directly support tree-planting and climate action projects, allowing users to drive “carbon neutral.” Kornack and Cooch were named in the 2019 Forbes 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneurs list.
Connect with Kyle on Twitter @krKornack and @GreenGas_org
Visit: greengasmovement.org
In hearing culture, American Sign Language (ASL) and the Deaf community remain a mystery to many, but some hearing individuals have dedicated their careers and personal lives as advocates and interpreters for the deaf. Madeleine Eames, MBA’18, and Tom Lauterborn, SSH’13, MS’18, are skilled hearing ASL interpreters, who have both discovered a career path and interest in deaf culture. Eames most recently worked at the Center for Atypical Language Interpreting (CALI), a grant-funded center at Northeastern. Lauterborn worked as a staff interpreter and administrator for Northeastern’s American Sign Language program until recently starting a full time freelance career in interpreting.
At Northeastern, entrepreneurship is in our DNA, and the innovation ecosystem has helped many students and alumni take their venture to the next level. This Northeastern Next bonus episode is a slightly different format in celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. In October, we held an event on campus called, "The Market," featuring nine alumni vendors and small business owners. Almost 150 attendees spent the evening connecting with alumni behind local brands, and sampling unique food and beverage products from chocolates and teas, to savory dips. In this episode you will hear a preview of each vendor's entrepreneurial journey.
Our featured vendors include: Noank Nibbles - Elisa Coppelman The Happy Cactus - Tucker Gaccione, DMSB'19 Serenade Chocolatier - Nur Kilic, E'82 VermarjeTea Co. - Mary Fernandes, DMSB'83 Amie Bakery - Amie Smith, AS'87 Recreo Coffee & Roasterie - Miriam Morales, E'90 (f)x foods - Sophie Gechijian, SSH'16 The Ancient Bakers - Tonya Johnson, MS'18
For Sarah Gaines, AMD’15, what began as a blog called Fit University to help college students stay strong and healthy soon attracted a nationwide community. And, thanks to her Northeastern network and the university’s venture accelerator, IDEA, Fit University is now a global phenomenon, with Gaines holding fitness and health events, workshops and retreats around the world. Recently, USA Today invited her to do a Facebook Live workout for that news outlet’s million-plus online followers. Gaines also hosted a Huskies Fitness class for alumni and established Y Society, a forum to support young women’s social and professional development.
Connect with Sarah @sarahjgaines: Instagram, Twitter, Website
Imagine if switching on your favorite sports game was actually an important part of your career. Tom Giles, AS’09, majored in communications, and was recognized as the voice of Northeastern basketball on the campus radio station, WRBB 104.9 FM—a platform that launched his career. The proud western Massachusetts native began his on-air television career in Grand Junction, Colorado, before moving on to Spokane, Washington. He can now be seen on air from 9-11 p.m weeknights as a co-host of NBC Boston Sports Tonight.
It took just one event for Seema Brodie, L'01, founder of BikeBus, a cycling gym on wheels with a patent-pending safety system, to get reconnected to Northeastern. She hosted a Huskies Fitness class, part of an event series organized by the Office of Alumni Relations. From there, she became involved in the Women Who Empower program’s annual summit. She was also a featured guest at the She Started It Film Festival, organized by OAR and IDEA, Northeastern’s student-run venture accelerator—where she found business-development support, networking opportunities, and access to new investors. Today, Brodie is leveraging the McCarthy(s) Venture Mentoring Network, and she has given talks at the School of Law about her startup.
Book a bike at bikebus.com
Connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @bikebusboston
Binja Basimike wears countless hats, and as you will hear, she aims to give each role 110 percent! Binja serves as the chair of Northeastern's Young Alumni Advisory Board and is a frequent volunteer, host, and panelist for alumni events. She currently works as a Healthcare Business Systems Consultant at Synthesis Health. A double husky, she received a BS from Bouvé College of Health Sciences in 2012 and her Master of Public Health in 2014. In her free time, Binja runs a blog called African Cocktail.
The Northeastern Next Podcast is your channel to your global alumni network. In this show, we will catch up with alumni to hear what they do every day to achieve what’s next, and learn about their journey after Northeastern.
Tune in to season one to hear from entrepreneurs, TV personalities, fitness experts, and more.
Questions, comments, or ideas for next guests can be emailed to me.brisson@northeastern.edu.