25
Years
of
Success

Liz Adams

Liz Adams 

Director – CBA Academic Advising

I was a supporter of the College of Business Administration before there was a College of Business Administration! I remember working as an advisor with undecided Arts & Science students who wanted to major in accounting, marketing, or finance and having to tell them that Pitt did not offer those majors. I was thrilled when the College of Business Administration opened in 1995, and I’m extremely proud to have worked from CBA since then.

CBA has given me the opportunity to help the University of Pittsburgh become an even better school. I love helping Pitt business students on their journey through college. I have always considered myself lucky to be an academic advisor in CBA.

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Bob Atkin

Robert (Bob) Atkin

Emeritus Professor of Business Administration

Bob Atkin serves as a clinical professor at Pitt Business. With more than 45 years of teaching experience, few professors have had such a profound impact on future business leaders as Atkin.  

He has taught numerous courses in strategy, human resources management, operations, and organizational behavior to undergraduate, graduate, and executive students, both domestically and internationally. Atkin has published numerous research papers, book chapters, and cases. He is also the recipient of several teaching awards, including Pitt’s Best Professor 

Atkin is best known for the creation of the Pitt Business course Managing in Complex Environment – a course based off of his book with the same name.

 

Lindsey Bell

Lindsey Bell 

Chief Investment Strategist – Ally (CBA ’04)

I feel incredibly honored and humbled to be included in this small group knowing how talented the pool of Pitt CBA alumni, students and staff is. Becoming a 25@25 honoree means that CBA believes my passion for sharing my experiences with students is helping to make a difference. There is no better feeling.

I was never one of those kids that knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. CBA helped me zero in on the direction that was best for me based on the interests I had. Being surrounded by other driven students helped push me to be the best I could be and gave me the courage to take a chance on a job outside of the Pittsburgh area. That decision was a pivotal one in putting me on the road to where I am today.

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Theresa Boras

Theresa Boras 

Director of Performance Marketing, Advertising Sales – Disney (CBA ’03)

I am honored to be recognized and proud to be a Pitt Alumni!

CBA was critical to my career success. It provided me with a solid foundation of business and skills I use every day. No matter what career path you take CBA prepares you for the everyday world and how to strategize for the future.

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Elise Boyas

Elise Boyas

Clinical Associate Professor of Business Administration

I joined the faculty in 2009 and I am truly honored to be recognized for my work. It is very meaningful for me to know that I may have positively impacted my students and CBA.

CBA students are exceptional – they are hard working and driven to succeed, a pleasure to teach. The connections I have made with colleagues and students at CBA have enriched my life.

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Ian Buggs

Ian Buggs

Finance Director – Middle East and South Africa, Mundipharma (CBA ’03)

I am humbled to be recognized by the College of Business Administration. For all that the school has given me, I can only try my best to serve the school and represent my alma mater at home and abroad.

The CBA community are my extended family. The friends, staff and faculty who challenged and encouraged me during my time on campus and through my entire career journey have helped me to stay connected, engaged, and learning. CBA was not just four years… it’s a lifetime relationship that keeps paying dividends.

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Stephanie Campbell

Stephanie Campbell 

Director of Social Media – Anthropologie and BHLDN (CBA ’13)

I am honored to be among Pitt Business’s 25@25 honorees because it means that I am part of a powerful network of like-minded change-makers who celebrate their growth and leadership, give to and learn from their communities, and value their education from Pitt Business. My experience at Pitt did not end when I graduated – it instilled me with the passion I bring to each and every venture in my career and community. 

Pitt Business has served as the catalyst to my career, and I continue to find myself rewarded for my education at Pitt Business in many ways. In my heart, I always knew I wanted to study Marketing, and CBA gave me the tools to not only follow that dream, but to also discover, test, and explore areas of business that furthered my future career outside the classroom. Whether it was through my study abroad internship program in London that kickstarted my career in fashion and retail, or my elective courses that gave me a leg-up on managing a department budget, strategic thinking in brand management, or critical thinking around consumer behavior, I continually rely on my well-rounded education every day. Both the academics and the people, including my supportive professors and mentors, have provided me with confidence and eagerness to continue learning, to work rigorously in my career, and to lead with the passion to make a difference. 

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Lisa Cherok

Lisa Cherok 

Director of Admissions – CBA

I am truly honored to have been selected. I’ve spent most of my career here at the College of Business Administration and began with the school in its early days. It has been gratifying to play a role in the development of such a fantastic program and community. 

I’ve spent most of my professional career here in the College of Business Administration, recruiting and overseeing the admission of students. I feel truly grateful for the many wonderful students, staff, and faculty that I’ve had the privilege to get to know over the years. I am proud to have participated in the development of a program that has benefitted so many and been such a great addition to the offerings and community of the University of Pittsburgh. For me, it’s been easy to promote the College of Business Administration, because I believe in what we do. I have seen the amazing results with my own eyes, time and again, over the years for our graduates. 

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Bob Gilbert

Robert (Bob) Gilbert

Emeritus Clinical Associate Professor of Business Administration

Being one of the 25@25 honorees is an incredible honor for me. I’m so appreciative to be receiving this recognition.

My years at CBA, interacting with students and colleagues, have been some of the best years of my life. I’m a better person because of my association with Pitt and CBA.

Deb Good

Deborah (Deb) Good

Clinical Associate Professor of Business Administration

I am touched by this honor and truly humbled. It has been an absolute pleasure working with the many talented students, faculty and staff members at CBA over the years.

I have been with CBA since it got started. This school has offered me wonderful opportunities to try new ideas and grow as a person and an educator. I could not work at a better school.

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Mitch Gubin

Mitchell (Mitch) Gubin

Vice President of Entertainment Brand Solutions – Disney (CBA ’00)

There are countless Pitt CBA graduates who have made a tremendous impact in the world. Whether that is in business or helping those in their community, there are so many graduates who have had a positive influence on those around them. Being recognized as such is an extremely great honor and one that makes me proud to be a Pitt CBA alumni.

The Pitt CBA program provided me the knowledge, tools and real-life scenarios to be successful. Every class, every group project, every lesson taught me something distinctive about business and how to be at the top of my game in the workplace. There is no doubt that without the professors, curriculum and guidance from the CBA, I would be in a different place in my career.

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Kayla Haddad

Kayla Haddad

Sales Development Trainee Program – Nestle USA (CBA ’21)

It is such an honor to be considered 1 of the 25 alumni, faculty, and staff that really embodied our motto “From the Classroom, To the City, To the World”. As an alumni, it shows how much of a positive impact I have made on CBA and how my contributions throughout my two years at Pitt left a significant mark and made a difference within the school. It is truly such an honor to be named along with other great leaders and contributors that passed through CBA. It is such an amazing feeling when your hard work, dedication for helping others, and trying to make a change, does not go unnoticed.

CBA really prepared me with the tools and resources I needed to succeed not only with my career, but with the outside world as well. With all the different companies that you get to interact with, being apart of the mentor match program and gaining a mentor that led me to an amazing career, to leading the diverse leaders’ summit, there are so many opportunities to be exposed to great people, organizations, and leaders. These different opportunities really gave me a board scope of what is out there and the different paths I can take with my journey in order to be successful!

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Ray Jones

Ray Jones

Clinical Professor of Business Administration

It is amazing to see 25 years of students, staff and faculty in CBA. I have always been proud that I am part of the Pitt college experience. #H2P!!!!!

CBA has been at the center of my professional development in teaching and service to Pitt Business. The people and the campus make CBA a special place. I go to work every day with people who make things happen and push themselves to get things done.

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Kevin Murray

Kevin Murray

Regional Director, Operations & Executive Sponsor DEI, NA – Amazon (CBA ’16)

It is truly an honor to be recognized amongst so many amazing individuals representing Pitt CBA’s 25@25. Pitt has continued to raise the bar with world class education that is consistently producing thought-diverse leaders who are making real change in their respective fields. I am humbled to be recognized amongst my peers for this award, but I am most excited to see the success and impact of current and future students who I know will continue Pitt’s amazing legacy.

CBA had a profound impact on my development as both a leader and a learner. While the in-classroom learning helped me to prepare for practical career challenges, I felt that the hands-on experience I gained from CBA helped to propel my career faster than my peers. While we all had experience from great academic institutions, Pitt CBA’s focus on ensuring that students are challenged with real world learning experiences in the city and throughout the world is what enabled me to overcome work related challenges even quicker. I can undoubtedly say that I would not have become one of Amazon’s youngest Executive leaders without the hands-on learning and experiences I gained from Pitt’s CBA.

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Audrey Murrell

Audrey Murrell 

Professor of Business Administration, Psychology, Public and International Affairs – University of Pittsburgh

It is a great honor to be recognized by the outstanding students, alumni, faculty and staff within Pitt Business.

I have had the honor of being a faculty member and Associate Dean of CBA which has provided me with the opportunity to work with amazing students, alumni, staff and faculty. The major projects, events, activities, and challenges represent the best of Pitt Business across these past 25 years. What a journey!

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Andrew Myerson

Andrew Myerson 

Executive Director – Haymakers for Hope (CBA ’05)

It is an amazing honor to listed with the other 24 people here. CBA helped to position me for the professional world.

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Jim Neese

James (Jim) Neese

Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Banking – Bank of America (CBA ’01, KGSB ’05)

I am very humbled to be recognized amongst all the widely successful graduates of CBA over the past 25 years. Growing up and living just outside of Pittsburgh, I have been privileged to always be close to the University. As a former athlete at the University, it is with great pride that I am able to attend a number of different events and root on our Panthers with my four daughters.

I received a great foundation from my academic experiences in CBA. I was fortunate to have an opportunity to build on this foundation by enrolling at Katz in 2002. Over the years, I have found my Pitt education to be both recognized and respected in the business community.

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Holly Vugrinovich

Edward (Ed) Palascak 

Former Dean of Pitt Business

From 1979 to 2013, my mission was to grow what would become the College of Business Administration. I am very proud of what our students, staff and faculty were able to achieve over CBA’s first twenty-five years.

Jacque Skowvron

Jacque Skowvron 

Executive Director of Pirates Charities and Community Engagement – Pittsburgh Pirates (CBA ’09)

I’m honored and extremely thankful to be honored as part of 25@25 and be alongside so many impressive alumni, faculty and students.

As a student, Pitt CBA prepared me for a fast-paced career in the sports industry through a combination of classroom instruction and real-world experiences. As a professional, Pitt CBA has provided me with a number of opportunities to engage with students and fulfill a passion of mine to serve as a mentor to future leaders.

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Conner V.P.

Conner Van Pevenage

Credit Portfolio Trading Associate – Morgan Stanley (CBA ’17)

To be nominated as a 25@25 honoree is very humbling. When I first arrived at Pitt, I remember initially being uncertain of my educational direction; I was unsure early on if I was even supposed to be a business major. It was through truly meaningful interactions with professors, faculty, advisors, and my fellow classmates that I was able to find a direction in my studies and gain so much in my education. Reflecting on those meaningful connections that made my Pitt experience so memorable– and now to be nominated as a representative of CBA–is something that I never could have imagined when I stepped foot on campus in 2013.

CBA had a tremendous impact in helping develop me as a student and professional. I had the opportunity, through clubs and coursework, to surround myself with classmates who had high aspirations and similar career interests. I was able to develop very close relationships with professors who pushed me to excel in the classroom, encouraged me to explore my academic interests, connected me to career opportunities, and shared with me advice and guidance. The content in classes, the breadth of courses I took, and the guidance of my academic advisor helped me to have the toolset necessary for interviews and for my career foundation. Unique opportunities presented by CBA, such as the Socially Responsible Investment Portfolio and Plus3, enhanced the competencies gained in the classroom. Attending Pitt CBA was not only a great launching pad to start my career, but also was an enriching, challenging, and rewarding experience in and of itself.

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Mark Visco Jr.

Mark Visco Jr.

Co-Founder and CEO – Suitable (CBA ’14)

Being among the 25@25 honorees at Pitt Business is a great honor. It further demonstrates Pitt Business’s ongoing dedication to the success of student entrepreneurs, as well as their overall belief that starting a business out of college is a viable career path to aspire to as a Pitt Business student.

CBA helped mold me both inside and outside the classroom. They groomed my critical thinking and analytical abilities with world-class academics while teaching me valuable leadership skills through enriching opportunities beyond my coursework (i.e. The Big Idea Competition).

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John Voinski

John Voinski

Director of Tax – Geller Advisors (CBA ’01)

It is an absolute honor to be recognized but I am most proud being a representative to all my former classmates who have gone onto extraordinary careers using the foundation provided by CBA. I have seen firsthand the reputational success of a Pitt degree in New York City over the past two decades and that achievement is only possible through the collective accomplishments of each alumni.

CBA provided me the opportunity to leverage a diverse thought platform with the structure necessary for success. I have used that combination throughout my career towards my own development and with my colleagues to ensure continual growth and education.

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Rashad Weaver

Rashad Weaver

NFL Player – Tennessee Titans (CBA ’20)

It’s an amazing honor and accomplishment. To have an impact on my university, peers and professors to even be considered for this is a blessing. I am so thankful Pitt changed my life on and off the football field. Allowing me to be prepared to go far in life.

It boosted my knowledge in the world of business which is what the world revolves around. It introduced me to so many peers and professors and people I look up to that helped me out and changed my life.

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Christina Joy Whittaker

Christina Joy Whittaker

Founder and CEO, Pivot Brand Group and KNOWN Live Conference Series (CBA ’10)

Accolades and recognition will forever be marked with fleeting celebrations. But, it is the honor of being recognized within one’s own community that makes a lasting impact and should be held in the highest esteem. I recall being asked a simple question during a welcome reception for new students, “Why did you choose CBA?” I responded that CBA was a community built of driven individuals who were more concerned with crafting a legacy of persistent innovation, insightful thinking, and excellence rather than conforming to the status quo. I valued an institution that was preoccupied with my success as a whole individual looking to lead in industry in a new direction rather than a clone of what already existed. Since graduating from CBA, I’ve gone on to work in some of the most coveted board rooms in the country as a TEDx speaker, leadership consultant, and advisor. But I know that it was my foundation at CBA that enabled me to have the tools, resources, and most importantly, the community and support needed to excel in these spaces. Being a 25@25 honoree is humbling and affirms why I first chose the program. I am so honored to be named among such a wonderful collective of alums and faculty but I also know that without my CBA community, this would not be possible.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote by Maya Angelou encapsulates one of the core ways that CBA has impacted me. Since learning of my acceptance as a senior in high school, I’ve felt supported and embraced by the CBA community. From my academic advisor to my professors, to my peers in business organizations, I was blessed to form a community of individuals who have grown to be like family and supported me in every iteration of my development as a leader and entrepreneur.

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Carolyn Zedalis

Carolyn Zedalis

Current Student (CBA ’22)

I have truly never been more honored. I am so thankful for CBA and everything it has done for me, so this means the absolute world to me.

CBA has given me so much – an education, a place to lead, and the best community to help me build myself and my future career. CBA has truly been the best experience of my life, and I hope to provide as much to them in the future as they have provided me.

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