Tony Alfonso is a Managing Director at Covitus Capital, a boutique investment bank, while in parallel working as Principal in Covitus Capital’s parent company Grobstein Teeple, LLP.  Tony has more than 25 years of financial services experience providing valuation and transaction advisory services to a wide range of organizations and industries. Tony brings capital markets experience when working with clients to achieve a range of business and strategic objectives. Tony specializes in valuation, fairness opinions, M&A advisory, value creation, capital structure optimization and financial advisory. He has provided expert witness testimony in international, federal and state jurisdictions related to valuation matters.

Client Representative, IBM

Gerald Anderson is a former scholarship athlete from Mercyhurst University. He is also a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Katz School of Business, where he earned a master’s in business administration degree in strategy, finance and entrepreneurship. He served as the president of the Entrepreneurship club until graduation. For the past 4 years, Gerald has been working at IBM as a Client Executive servicing NYC Local Government.

Outside of his professional career, Gerald mentors underserved high school students as part of iMentor NYC. He also advises and mentors start-up companies, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. Harrisburg is Gerald Anderson’s hometown.

   Jingning Ao is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. A proud two-time Ph.D. graduate, she earned her second doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business in 2023, where she explored the strategic use of language by entrepreneurial firms—such as SpaceX—in digital platforms. Her first Ph.D., from Middle Tennessee State University, focused on astronaut leisure behaviors aboard the International Space Station.

Dr. Ao’s interdisciplinary research lies at the intersection of innovation, strategic entrepreneurship, and language, with a distinctive emphasis on the emerging commercial space sector. Her work has appeared in leading journals such as Academy of Management Perspectives and has been presented at conferences including the Academy of Management, Strategic Management Society, and the Business of Space Conference. She is also the co-editor of an upcoming reference book titled Economy and Business of Space, under contract with World Scientific Publishing.

Beyond research, Dr. Ao is an engaged educator and academic community builder. In 2024, she led a student research team to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where they were selected as finalists in the NASA Innovation and Tech Transfer Idea Competition. She contributed to academic visibility by managing social media for Academy of Management Perspectives, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, and the Strategic Management Division of the Academy of Management, where she amplified scholarly work and fostered engagement across academic and practitioner communities.

 Derek Arnold is a Senior Enterprise Customer Success Manager at ZipRecruiter, based in Pittsburgh, PA. Before joining ZipRecruiter, he began his career at Deloitte in the Risk and Financial Advisory service before transitioning to Customer Success roles at various startups. He earned his BSBA in Accounting and Business Information Systems in 2018. At ZipRecruiter, Derek partners with recruitment agencies to develop and optimize their digital marketing strategies for job advertisements. He works closely with key stakeholders to analyze hiring trends, maximize job ad performance, and improve ROI on recruitment spend. Leveraging data-driven insights, he helps agencies refine their approach to candidate sourcing, employer branding, and job distribution. By acting as a strategic advisor, he ensures clients can efficiently attract top talent in a competitive hiring landscape. During his time at the University of Pittsburgh, Derek was actively involved in student organizations such as Pitt Pathfinders, Phi Beta Lambda, and Beta Theta Pi. He served as the Chief of Staff for the Student Government Board’s 2017-2018 term and worked as a Professional Development Consultant and Teaching Assistant.

In his free time, Derek enjoys attending concerts, diving into fantasy novels, and keeping up with the latest prestige television series. He remains committed to mentorship and career coaching, working with early-career professionals to navigate job searches and achieve their career goals.”

Investment Banking Associate, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Yaleh Asadi is an Investment Banking Associate at Bank of America, where she focuses primarily on Mergers & Acquisitions. Prior to joining BofA, Ms. Asadi served as an Associate Director at SSA & Company, and worked on consulting engagements across Europe, the UK, and her home-base of NYC. Prior to SSA, she worked at KeyBanc Capital Markets as an Investment Banking Analyst, covering both Financial Sponsors and Consumer & Retail.

Additionally, Ms. Asadi’s interest in Social Business had led her to engage in pro bono work that supported various start-ups, ranging from hydroponic systems for clean water access to sustainable food development with a focus on helping evacuees transition to living in the U.S. She is currently assessing new opportunities across housing and healthcare.

In her free time, Ms. Asadi enjoys marathon running (5x finisher), rock climbing, and trying new restaurants across NYC.

Ms. Asadi received her B.S.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015 and was the recipient of the CBA Alumni Leadership Award. H2P!

Theresa Boras is a Media Executive with over 18 years of advertising experience across digital, social, and advanced video platforms.

Currently the Director of Performance Marketing at Disney Advertising Sales, she partners with direct- to-consumer brands to help drive results across Disney’s entire portfolio, including TV, digital, OTT, and social.

Prior to Disney, she held leadership roles at Hulu, Twitter, CNET, AOL, and internationally at Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia.

In 2003 she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, she spent her evenings taking classes at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh following her creative passion, and earning an Associate Degree in Interior Design.

HR Director, Surefire Management Group

Alexis Bovalino is the HR Director for Surefire Management Group, LP (a restaurant group known for creating and operating award-winning brands: Burgatory, Shorty’s Pins X Pints and Shorty’s Tap X Taco).

As an HR Department of One, Alexis wears many hats with a focus on hiring, retention, crew engagement, policy, compensation, worker’s compensation, benefits administration, legal and compliance. Alexis grew up in the restaurants and believes the key to operating a successful organization is by taking care of people.

Prior to rejoining the Burgatory team, Alexis worked for Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Corporate Headquarters in merchandising. She credits the organization as a great place to work, filled with incredible teachers, mentors and friends.

In her free time, Alexis fills her evenings with music. She rings in her hometown church’s Bell Choir and sings with Belle Voci, a community-based intergenerational women’s choir focused on connecting song and community through civic engagement. 

Alexis received her B.S.B.A from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017 with majors in Marketing and Human Resources Management. Accolades at Pitt include the ‘Share the Vision Award,’ ‘Star of Distinction,’ and ‘Pitt Business Commencement Speaker.’

Managing Partner, Constellation Executive Search

Jan Brazda graduated in international business from the University of Economics in Prague. Between 2002 and 2003, he completed an International MBA at the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. Since then, Jan has been a member of the Pitt Alumni Committee and is actively involved in organizing events for Pitt Alumni in the Czech Republic.

Jan worked as CEO of several international companies for almost fifteen years. For five years, he managed WTC Brno, a company specializing in establishing high-level international business contacts. In this position, he accompanied Czech President Václav Havel on his trips abroad to Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East. He then served as CEO of American Express for Central Europe for six years. In 2005, he changed the direction of his career and became CEO for Central and Eastern Europe at Hays Specialist Recruitment, a global company specializing in recruitment and headhunting. In 2008, he became a partner at the Prague branch of Spencer Stuart, which provides executive search services globally. In 2008, Jan Brázda was elected Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, Jan founded Constellation, s.r.o., an executive search boutique. Over the past 15 years, the company’s consultants have successfully filled more than 250 senior management positions.

Jillian Damus is the Manager of External Reporting and Technical Accounting at Wesco, a publicly traded Fortune 500 Company and world leader in electrical, communications and utility distribution, and supply chain services. In her current role she is responsible for managing the preparation of Wesco’s financial statements for reporting to the SEC in accordance with US GAAP standards and SEC regulations. She additionally provides accounting insight on strategic projects related to acquisitions, divestitures and other  corporate initiatives and works to enhance internal processes with a focus on automation.

Prior to joining Wesco, Jillian spent the first six years of her career in Assurance Services at Big 4 Accounting Firm, EY. Jillian credits her time at EY with instilling a strong work ethic and ability to communicate in diverse settings. She is extremely grateful for the opportunities EY provided, most notably the exposure to a variety of industries and people.

Jillian is a practicing CPA licensed in Pennsylvania.

In her free time, Jillian enjoys walks around the Mt. Washington neighborhood with her two dogs and attending Pitt sporting events. She is passionate about animal rescue and serving underserved communities.

Jillian received her B.S.B.A from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017 with a major in Accounting and minors in Economics and Legal Studies. Jillian embraced the motto “From the Classroom. To the City. To the World.” as she studied abroad twice through Pitt Business. While at Pitt, Jillian was the proud recipient of the Thomas D. Reno Scholarship and Curka Accounting Scholarship. Additional accolades include serving as a Tina & David Bellet Brackenridge Research Fellow and being named PICPA Outstanding Accounting Senior of the Year.

 As a partner at Ernst & Young (EY), Natalie has more than 17 years of Technology consulting experience serving Advanced Manufacturing and Consumer Products clients undergoing transformations. Starting her career in audit, Natalie has a wide range of experience assisting clients with SAP and Oracle process and controls enablement/optimization, application security, business transformation, governance, risk and compliance (GRC) technology enablement and enterprise risk management (including IT risk). In addition to helping clients deploy risk and compliance programs, Natalie holds a leadership role managing the GRC Technology team focused on SAP of over 100 resources to streamline growth, collaboration, knowledge sharing and improve the quality of engagement delivery. Natalie is on the Board of Directors at Pennsylvania Women Work

Natalie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh where she was involved in AKPsi and her MBA from Kent State University.

  Cloud Program Director, Microsoft

Ankur Goel is a seasoned business leader passionate about leveraging technology to improve healthcare access and reduce costs. With a strong customer focus and expertise in cloud, data, and AI, he drives transformative solutions in the healthcare industry.

At Microsoft, Goel manages a $1 billion+ portfolio for a top strategic U.S. healthcare client, leading initiatives that enhance healthcare delivery. Previously, at HM Health Solutions, he led Growth and Strategy, expanding market reach and overseeing a $35 million IT investment portfolio in payer-provider collaboration, clinical management, and data analytics.

His experience spans Fortune 500 healthcare companies, including UnitedHealth Group, where he secured a multi-million-dollar Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) contract, and Siemens, where he developed a first-in-market product line that gained eight new customers.

Goel holds an MBA from Katz, earning the “Dean’s Outstanding Student Service Award” and recognition as one of Poets & Quants’ “100 Best & Brightest MBAs” during his time in the program. He also has an engineering degree from Visvesvaraya Technological University.

Director, International Partner Marketing at Meta

Karla Geci received her BSBA from the University of Pittsburgh in 2001 and following graduation, began her career in tech in the United Kingdom as European Marketing and PR manager for RealNetworks, a pioneer in streaming software and services. She became an anglophile and dual-citizen and remains in blighty to this day!

Karla became an ‘early adopter’ of social media when she joined a little-known social networking start-up called Bebo that had 50M users and went on to be sold to AOL for $850M in 2008. Shortly thereafter, Karla joined Facebook and for the last 12 years, has held numerous leadership roles across Partnerships and Marketing orgs. It was while at Facebook that she completed her Executive MBA at London Business School in 2014.

In her current role with Meta, Karla is responsible for an International B2B2C marketing team where she leads full funnel marketing strategy and execution for Creator and Media audiences on Instagram and Facebook. In this role, she is focused on driving demand generation, product adoption and brand sentiment, working with the world’s largest media organizations and next generation creators and influencers.

Karla is also an active mentor, investor and strategic advisor. She’s a tireless transatlantic traveler and is currently obsessed with ChatGPT.

Barry Josowitz is a Director/Vice President in the Work Dynamics Group at the corporate offices of JLL in Pittsburgh. Currently, he serves as the Americas Region Lead for Real Estate Transactions on the Teva Pharmaceutical Account (Teva), focusing his efforts on Teva’s portfolio throughout North and South America. Additionally, he is a Senior Transaction Manager on the Adecco Account, where he oversees real estate transactions throughout the United States. Responsibilities on both Accounts include strategic planning, financial analysis review, overseeing of process, and maintaining client communications.

Barry has over thirty-five (35) years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. He has represented both Landlords and Tenants and has worked on projects that span the entire spectrum of commercial property types (office, industrial, flex, retail).

Barry earned his MBA in Finance from the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Alumni Association & Business School Alumni Boards. Additionally, Barry mentors college students, is active in the JLL Real Estate Academy through the College of Business Administration and participates in various volunteer activities in Pittsburgh.

He lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Beth. Two of his three children have graduated college and the third just finished her junior year.

Neil Karls is currently the Chief Financial Officer of UPMC Physician Services Division (PSD).  PSD is the home of the vast majority of UPMC’s more than 5,000 physicians which serve patients across the UPMC network, within Western Pennsylvania and beyond.  Key points of focus include tracking of provider productivity, efficiency of clinic operations, maximizing clinical effectiveness within the hospital setting, and support of the academic and research mission in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh.  His team is heavily involved in budgeting and cost efficiency exercise, exploring potential strategic partnership or acquisition opportunities, physician compensation modeling, revenue management and optimization and any other support that can be provided to enable effective decision making by operational and physician partners.

Neil has been with UPMC almost 17 years in various capacities after finishing both undergraduate and graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh.

Sanjeev Khanna is a senior business leader with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He has successfully managed P&L, built and transformed multibillion-dollar businesses, and has strong leadership and general management skills. Sanjeev has hands-on expertise in setting strategy, sales, marketing, supply chain, sourcing, and finance. He has extensive experience negotiating and structuring deals from different buying, selling, and business development perspectives. Sanjeev has deep supplier and customer relationships throughout the datacenter and electronics ecosystem, built through effective partnership and collaboration. He is a trained communicator experienced in press and analyst forums.

Sanjeev is currently the Vice President of EMEA Cloud Sales at Oracle, where he is responsible for the EMEA Cloud datacenter investment strategy, DRCC (Dedicated Region Cloud@Customer) sales, and launching new Cloud products like the EU-Oracle Sovereign Cloud (EU-OSC) & Oracle Alloy (private label cloud). Prior to this role, he was the Vice President of Cloud Region Life Cycle at Oracle Corporation, responsible for Oracle’s Public, Government, and Dedicated Region end-to-end datacenter life cycle. Prior to that, Sanjeev also held positions as Senior Director of Cloud Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management. Before joining Oracle, he was a Senior Director at Microsoft, where he built Strategic Sourcing and Supply Management functions for Microsoft Cloud.

Before joining Microsoft, Sanjeev spent 16 years with Intel (1996–2012), where he held various positions in sales, marketing, finance, and operations. At Intel, he served as Director of Marketing for the Cloud segment, where he was responsible for Business Development with the world’s largest Cloud companies and Server and Storage OEMs and ODMs. From 2003-2008, Sanjeev served as Geography Manager for the Intel Server, Storage, and Embedded Whitebox business in EMEA.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. When he is not delivering Cloud solutions, he enjoys traveling, playing golf, and spending time with his nieces and nephews.

  Elliot Kim is a Director of Business Development for Republic Services, a leader in sustainable recycling, waste solutions, and environmental solutions. At Republic, he is responsible for M&A, strategy, and growth projects within Republic’s Environmental Solutions Group. Prior to joining Republic, Elliot worked in investment banking where he advised privately held companies on M&A transactions across a wide range of industries. While a student at Katz, Elliot co-founded BandSavvy, an EdTech SaaS solution, which sold to J.W. Pepper, the world’s largest distributor of sheet music.

Elliot holds a BS in Geology from Edinboro University and an MBA from Katz. He is also a board member and Treasurer for 22 Jumps, a non-profit supporting veterans and first responders.

1st Vice President, BAA Board
Max Kneis is a Project Leader with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), based out of Atlanta, GA. He is currently on educational leave as he pursues his MBA at The Wharton School.

In his role, he has worked on a number of projects across industries and topics including retail, transformation, travel & tourism, pricing, loyalty, and strategy. He has also supported BCG’s Chief Marketing Officer and Global Client Team Chair during a stint as part of BCG’s CEO Ambassador Program. Max earned a degree in finance and accounting from Pitt Business in 2018.

As an undergraduate at Pitt, Max was active in a number of student organizations, including the Student Government Board, Phi Beta Lambda, and Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He had the opportunity to serve as the 2017-18 Student Government Board President, working with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni across campus to enhance the student experience.

Since graduation, Max has stayed connected to Pitt, serving on the Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Council and is heavily involved with the Atlanta & Philadelphia Pitt Clubs. He enjoys mentoring students interested in consulting and helping to guide them through the recruiting process. Additionally he spent his MBA summer internship in 2023 at Pitt, serving as a Strategic Planning Assistant for the Office of the Chancellor.

Corporate Audit Specialist, Covestro Germany

Emil Lampe has worked with Covestro Germany since September 2015. As a Corporate Audit Specialist of business functions since January 2023, Emil is responsible for the preparation, conduct and follow-up of internal audits within the Covestro Group, as well as taking responsibility as the lead auditor for the audit results and the team‘s success.

Emil received his Masters of Business Administration from Katz in 2021 and a Bachelor of Arts in Management and International Studies from Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany in 2018.

Emil currently resides in Cologne, Germany avidly cheering on his Pitt Panthers at every opportunity possible.

Audit & Assurance Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
2nd Vice President, BAA Board

Bill Martin is a financial services industry professional with over 20 years of experience in public accounting and prudential regulation specializing in banking, capital markets, and financial technology institutions. Bill provides professional services to institutions of various sizes and complexity and has significant experience dealing with complex accounting, reporting, regulatory, and operational matters.

Bill was a Professional Accounting Fellow at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington D.C. from September 2013 through July 2015. As a Professional Accounting Fellow, his responsibilities included assisting with policy development for the supervision of national banks and federal savings associations, as well as providing subject matter expertise on accounting and other regulatory matters. Prior to rejoining Deloitte in December 2015, Bill was a VP, Accounting Policy at The PNC Financial Services Group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Bill and his wife Karen (also a Pitt Alum) have two amazing young boys that are huge Pitt fans and reside in Northern Virginia.

Managing Director, Valuation Advisory, Stout Risius Ross, LLC

Jasmeet Singh Marwah is a Managing Director in the Valuation Advisory group and Stout’s Business Valuation practice leader in Michigan. He has more than fifteen years of experience providing a range of financial and valuation advisory services to clients globally for financial reporting (for U.S. GAAP and IFRS), mergers and acquisitions, trust and estate, and tax restructuring purposes. His experience includes corporate finance advisory, business and equity valuations, valuation of intangible assets, portfolio valuations, and fairness and solvency opinions.

Jasmeet has served public and private enterprises in a broad range of industries, including automotive, application software and SaaS, healthcare technology, diversified industrials and manufacturing, plastics and packaging, and waste management. As part of Stout’s Detroit team, he has developed technical expertise with respect to the traditional platform and automotive technologies as well as analyzing and valuing the innovative software solutions that support in-car connectivity, battery & fast-charger production, active control systems, and autonomous driving technology.

Jasmeet focuses on the firm’s business development efforts and is responsible for initiating and managing client relationships, with an emphasis on proactively addressing clients’ investment banking, valuation, fairness and solvency opinions, accounting and reporting advisory, and due diligence requirements.

Jasmeet is an active member of the Financial Executives International Detroit and a board member of the Business Alumni Association Board of Directors at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh.

Ashby McGarry is a Business Development Leader at Philips, overseeing Philips’ commercial excellence in international markets. In this role, McGarry is responsible for ensuring commercial excellence through diversification, innovation, and expansion of Philip’s international markets. Previously, for Prodigo Solutions, a UPMC Enterprise company focused on hospital supply-chain technology, McGarry established a competitive marketing department and was the architect of Prodigo’s foremost sales and retention objectives. McGarry has specialized, thus far, in the healthcare industry, with an emphasis on population healthcare, supply chain technology, product and program development, and growth strategies. In parallel with these healthcare-related corporate activities, Ashby also operates as the VP of a family-run real estate investment firm that currently maintains $1MM+ in residential equity; her primary role is the lead manager of all renovation projects and vendor interface with an eye towards business development.

McGarry received her undergraduate degree at Roanoke College earning a B.A. in Business Administration, with an emphasis on Global Business. She then received her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business Executive MBA Program in 2019. McGarry is also heavily involved with the tri-state equestrian rescue and rehabilitation network in the Pittsburgh area, and in her free time, enjoys riding as a lead Whip of the Sewickley Hunt.

Vice President & Finance Manager

Born and raised in the Caribbean, Rosalie Joseph Myers came to Pittsburgh, PA for College and Graduate School.

Rosalie is a graduate of Point Park University, with a dual Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and Business Management. Upon graduation, she joined the US Army Reserves. After training, she returned to Pittsburgh to pursue her MBA at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz graduate school of business and enlist in ROTC at University of Pittsburgh. She is also a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®.

Upon graduation and completion of ROTC, she was assigned to an US Army Reserve Unit, and started work at Mellon Financial Capital Markets. In pursuit of further career aspirations, she moved to Alcoa Inc. During her tenure at Alcoa, Rosalie worked as a Senior Financial and Business Processes Auditor and Senior Financial Analyst. She traveled and audited various domestic and international manufacturing and outsourced business locations. In July 2009, she joined PNC Financial Services as a Finance Project Manager supporting the HR Organization in management of financials, budgeting, and capital projects. Currently, Rosalie is a Vice President and Finance Manager, managing the Financials and Budgets of PNC CFO (Finance) Organization. Additionally, she is PNC’s Co-Chair of the African American Affinity Group – Community & Customer Outreach Committee and other leadership positions over the years and is active with the other Affinity groups and the Finance Diversity & Inclusion council.

Over the years and currently, Rosalie has represented both Alcoa and PNC in various conferences, recruiting activities, diversity initiatives, and providing Financial Literacy training to NABA college/high school students and the Chuck Cooper Foundation graduate school scholarship recipients. In her spare time, she is an active Katz Alumni and member of Pitt Black MBA Network Board, PBAN, and Board Member and Finance Chair of Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education (FAME). In addition to being an active Soccer, Girls Scouts, and Orchestra Mom of a fifteen-year-old daughter.

Owner, Nakao International Human Resource Consulting

Kazunobu (“Kazu”) Nakao was born and grew up in Itami, Hyogo, Japan. In 1988, he earned a Bachelor of Sociology in journalism and sociology from Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan. He started his career as a human resources (HR) magazine editor, an HR communications consultant, and a training/HR development specialist with Kansai Employers’ Association (which was then a major HR-related economic organization in Osaka, Japan, and is now incorporated into Kansai Economic Federation).

In 1994, he earned a Master of Business Administration in strategic planning and organization/human resources management from the Katz School. Upon graduating, he returned to Japan and served as a chief consultant and a director at HR management consulting firms in Osaka for several years. In 2000, he accepted the position of manager, HR Strategies Group, at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, starting in Tokyo. A year later, he was transferred to New York City, where he was responsible for providing HR strategies consulting to Japanese companies in the United States. In 2004, he left Deloitte and started his own consulting business (Nakao International Human Resource Consulting) based in Fort Lee, N.J. He provides general HR strategies consulting for Japanese companies operating in the United States as well as their headquarters in Japan.

He serves on the Pitt Business Alumni Board of Directors and is the representative for the KGSB Japan Alumni Network. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Nakao is a true cosmopolitan, having traveled to approximately 70 countries on business or for pleasure. He is also an avid sports fan, particularly the Pittsburgh Steelers, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football and basketball teams, Japan’s Hanshin Tigers (baseball), and the Olympics.

Anita Nilkant is a finance professional with 30+ years of experience across multiple industries. As VP, Business Analytics Lead at PNC Bank she collaborates closely with partners in finance and the business, to implement meaningful change and process improvements. Conceptualize, develop, and continuously optimize solutions for operations and management to drive data driven decision making. Prior to joining PNC, she was the Senior Director, Financial Planning and Analysis at Robert Morris University where she managed the institution’s operating budget and capital plan, and analysis in support of strategic initiatives. Anita’s diverse experience also includes working in industries such as: software development / global supply (FreeMarkets, Inc.), manufacturing (Medrad, Inc.) and shipping/package delivery (Roadway Package System, Inc.).

Anita has a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Bangalore University, India and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business. She is a volunteer in the Pitt Business Alumnae Council and is passionate about helping young adults achieve their full potential.

CEO, Birgo Realty

Andrew Reichert s co-founder and CEO of Birgo, a Pittsburgh-based private equity real estate firm, and is primarily responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to the organization. Andrew is passionate about improving lives through real estate–Birgo’s mission statement. His vision echoes in his deep care and intentionality for serving each of Birgo’s stakeholders, as he oversees the company’s 100-employee team, 3,600 units, and approximately $336 million in assets under management.

Andrew began his career at PNC Bank’s healthcare technology group, where he developed and sold innovative financial products and data solutions for the healthcare industry. A summa cum laude graduate from Pitt, Andrew serves on the BAA board, along with other local nonprofit boards. Andrew lives on the North Side of Pittsburgh with his wife and three daughters.

Senior Brand Manager, Mondelez International

Dr. Steven Renfro exemplifies the fusion of purpose, performance, and commitment. A scholar, strategist, and servant-leader, he stands at the forefront of advancing business and brand strategy both through academic research and real-world innovation. Currently, Dr. Renfro serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Pittsburgh Business Alumni Association (BAA) and as president of the Pitt Black MBA Network (PBAN).

Dr. Renfro earned his Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, where he also completed his Master of Business Administration with dual emphases in Finance and Marketing. His academic foundation was further strengthened with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. This robust educational journey reflects his intellectual rigor and his dedication to shaping the fields of business and brand strategy.

With a dynamic career that spans multiple industries—consumer packaged goods, retail, medical devices, fashion, technology, and banking—Dr. Renfro has consistently made a significant impact in boardrooms and marketplaces. His leadership roles at Fortune 200 companies, including Tyson Foods, The Hershey Company, Diageo, Intel Corporation, and The PNC Financial Services Group, alongside high-growth organizations such as QidelOrtho, Ruiz Foods, and Express, have shaped corporate strategies and performance outcomes. His expertise in accounting, finance, and marketing has been a key driver of transformation across the corporate landscape.

A former NCAA Division II football athlete, Dr. Renfro brings a unique blend of discipline and teamwork to his professional and personal pursuits. His athletic background continues to influence his approach to leadership, fostering collaboration and perseverance.

Dr. Renfro is known for his infectious positivity and magnetic leadership, often acting as a catalyst for energy and inspiration in every room he enters. Whether mentoring emerging professionals, elevating brand narratives, or fostering community, he embodies authenticity, resilience, and motivation.

In every endeavor, Dr. Renfro’s guiding principle is clear: Excellence isn’t an act—it’s a lifestyle.

Founder and President of Tri-Sector Advisors LLC
President, BAA Board

William Sapon is a visionary leader with over 11 years of experience in the energy and sustainability space. As the Founder and President of Tri-Sector Advisors LLC, a minority-owned, small business he is dedicated to driving positive social and environmental change through cross-sector collaboration.

William’s expertise in the public, private and non-profit sectors, combined with his deep knowledge of sustainability and clean energy issues, make him a sought-after advisor for organizations seeking to advance their sustainability goals. He has worked with a wide range of clients, including Federal & State government agencies, corporations, utilities and non-profits, to develop and implement strategies that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and developing innovative business models. William is known for his ability to develop tailored solutions that drive positive social and environmental outcomes and for his coalition building skills.

As a minority business owner, William is deeply committed to promoting diversity and equity in all aspects of his work. He believes that entrepreneurship can be a powerful force for positive social change and is passionate about using his platform to support underrepresented communities.

William’s vision, leadership, and commitment to sustainability and equity have earned him numerous awards and honors. He is an influential speaker and thought leader on a range of energy topics and continues to inspire others to join the movement towards a sustainable and more resilient economy.

Previously, William served as the Interim Director of Business Development at Peoples Natural Gas, a division of Essential Utilities, a publicly-traded water, wastewater and gas utility. He has also worked with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Conservation International and the Penn State Institutes for Energy and the Environment.

William holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business. His passion for community service extends beyond his professional career and he serves on multiple non-profit boards, including the University of Pittsburgh’s Business Alumni Association (BAA) and the Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC), the designated regional organization for all U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities initiatives. William is also a vital figure to the foundation of the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Sustainable Business (CSB).

Pat Savage is the Global Finance Manager – Engineered Solutions at Westinghouse Electric Co. In this role, he collaborates with Operations teams and Finance teams in FP&A and innovation roles focused on Cash Flow prediction improvements and overall forecasting model improvement. He has been a recognized leader across multiple industries, including basic science research, higher education, petroleum drilling and corporate finance. His extensive experiences and knowledge base have solidified a passion for supporting the efforts to finance science-based industries.
Pat received a B.S. degree in Pre-Med Biology from Clarion University, a M.S. in Physiology and Biophysics and his M.B.A. from Katz in 2021 and has been involved with the Pitt since graduation. He currently lives in the Pittsburgh area and looks forward to any opportunity to engage with his alma mater.

 Yan {Dyne} Tan is a dynamic Business Intelligence Manager at Avantor and a strategic leader with 15 years of experience in commercial analytics, product and brand management, and international business strategy across China and Southeast Asia. Yan played a pivotal role in a major company’s startup team where she helped launch a high-profile baby care brand that successfully challenged industry giants like J&J.

Yan is also an mBIT coach trainer and a career and life growth coach dedicated to empowering Asian female leaders to make informed decisions, attain work-life balance, and realize their full potential.

As a certified ICF PCC Coach with over 1,800 hours of one-on-one and group coaching experience, she has guided more than 3,000 women in setting annual goals and helped over 200 clients discover their life missions. Her visionary leadership and impact have earned her recognition in the Marquis Who’s Who 2024 list.

Yan received her MBA from Katz in 2017. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and their son.

Senior Executive Vice President /Chief Operating Officer, Mid Penn Bank

A financial services professional with more than 15 years of experience, Justin Webb currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Mid Penn Bank, a $4.5 billion community bank with more than 40 financial centers across Pennsylvania. In this capacity, Justin provides executive-level support for the Bank’s administrative, credit approval, human resources, marketing, operations and security/facility functions. Additionally, Justin is responsible for the coordination of the Bank’s acquisition and integration of both bank and non-bank firms. Prior to joining Mid Penn, Justin provided credit risk management expertise in the areas of commercial real estate construction and development, corporate real estate investment, casino gaming and travel leisure at Bank of America.

Justin currently resides in the Harrisburg, PA area with his wife Julie (BSBA ’05) and two children. Both Justin and Julie remain committed to supporting the College of Business Administration, its current students and its alumni network by returning to campus regularly for recruiting fairs, speaking engagements and athletic events.

Global Procurement Manager, HOYA Vision Care

Jason Yu is the Global Procurement Manager for direct procurement at HOYA Vision Care, one of the top producers of eyeglass lenses in the world. Prior leadership and/or management roles in Supply Chain span an array of industries and global corporations, including Accenture, Molex, IKEA, and Joy Global (now Komatsu Mining), where he worked in multiple countries.

Jason received dual Master’s degrees from Katz, earning his MBA and Master of International Business, along with dual undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, in the form of a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Rhetoric. Additionally, he has 5 professional/academic certifications in Supply Chain, Operations, and Business.

Jason is a native of Pittsburgh, having spent most of his life living in the city and in the Greater Pittsburgh vicinity. He has been living abroad as an American expat since 2013, primarily, as well as currently, based in Shanghai, China. In his spare time, Jason wears his Pitt Pride on his sleeve by actively organizing and participating in events for as well as on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh, in a continuous effort to build and to foster a robust alumni coalition outside the U.S.