CBA Alumni Week Event Archive

The College is privileged to host our valued alumni and alumnae during our annual Alumni Week. Below you will find more information about our keynote speakers, panel participants and guest lecturers from years past.

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    2023 CBA Alumni Week: Investing in the Current Environment--ESG, Crypto & Beyond

    The Keynote Event of Alumni Week:

    Investing in the Current Environment:

    ESG, Crypto & Beyond

     Duane Garth

     Mr. Duane Garth, MBA ’07  

    Managing Principal, Garth Financial Group

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    2022 CBA Alumni Week: Hiring & Promoting Interns & New Employees

    The Keynote Event of Alumni Week:

    Hiring & Promoting Interns & New Employees

     Chris HooSang

     Mr. Chris HooSang, MBA ’01

    Director of Workforce Strategy, Human Resources and

    Diversity & Inclusion at DTE Energy

     

    5:30pm, Thursday, March 17, 2022

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    2021 CBA Alumni Week: Navigating Your Career in Times of Change

    Alumni Week 2021

    The Keynote Event of Alumni Week:

    Navigating Your Career in Times of Change”

    • Decision-making for important career choices
    • Tips for standing out in a competitive job market
    • Leadership qualities necessary to succeed in a changing environment
    • Taking advantage of career development opportunities

     Ginny abramson

    Ginny Abramson, MBA ’16

    Vice President for Global Human Resources & Talent Management

    Carhartt, Inc.

    5:00pm, Monday, March 15, 2021


    Guest Lecturers

    Ginny Abramson, MBA ’16: Vice President for Global Human Resources, Carhartt, Inc.
    Jeff Antaya, ’80, ’87: Chief Marketing Officer (ret), Plante Moran
    Mike Arkison, MBA ’96: Chief Information Officer, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits
    Mark Bealin, MBA ’84: Managing Director, UHY Advisors
    Joe Berkowski, ’73, ‘75: Chief Financial Officer (ret.) Argent International
    Kristina Brinich, MBA ’17: Partner Management Specialist, Amrock
    Ken Carbaugh, MBA ’15: President & CEO, Liberty Capital Management
    Claude Cellich, MBA ’65: Vice President, External Relations, International University, Geneva
    Joanna Cooper, ’06, MBA ’09: Business Unit Manager, Demand Detroit
    Devynne Davis, ’17, ’18: Buyer, Ford Motor Company
    Emily Doerr, MBA ’12: Executive Director, Michigan Land Bank Authority
    Mark Ellis, MBA ’90: Chief Revenue Officer, Sports Illustrated
    Eric Hespenheide, ’75: Chairman, Global Reporting Initiative
    Michele Hurst-Burton, ’91: Executive Director, U.S. Tennis Assn, SE Michigan
    Ann Jones, ’99, ’09: Supply Chain Manager, Brasscraft Manufacturing
    D. Lynn Kelley, ’88: Sr. Advisor, Brown Brothers Harriman Capital Partners
    Judy Kelly, ’86: Vice President of Sales for Government & Education, IBM
    Lawrence Manning, ’08, ’10: Software Development Team Leader, Amrock
    Holly McCartney, ’17, ’18: Financial Advisor, Plante Moran
    Jessica McGrath, ’04, ’07: Chief Admin Officer & General Counsel, The Huntington Co.
    Jim Murawski, ’73, ’75: Vice President (ret.), Lear Corp.
    Alexandra Nicholaides, ’83: General Counsel, U.S. Internal Revenue Service
    Asia Rawls, MBA ’18: Director, Software Education & Training, Trumble Inc.
    Brad Simmons, ’79,’84: Director of Community Outreach, Ford Motor Company
    Michael Sulaka, ’15, Managing Attorney, Diamond Strategy Partners
    Greg Zegarowski, MBA ’75: Director of Technical Accounting, SOAProjects, Inc.
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    2019 CBA Alumni Week: Smarter by the Minute--How Social Media and Artificial Intelligence are Transforming How We Live, Work, and Play

    Smarter by the Minute:

    How Social Media and Artificial Intelligence are Transforming How We Live, Work, and Play

     Jason Vazzano

     Mr. Jason Vazzano, ‘00

    Founder & CEO

    Vectorform

    Thursday, March 21, 2019

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    2018 CBA Alumni Week: Technology's Impact on the Future of the Auto Industry

    The Detroit Mercy College of Business Administration Alumni Board hosted 2018 Alumni Week during March 19-24, with alumni and alumnae of the College providing guest lectures in many business classes.

    Keynote Event: "Technology's Impact on the Future of the Auto Industry"

    Moderator: Alumni Board President Christina Pauken, '12

    Sheryl Connelly, JD/MBA '93; Futurist, Ford Motor Company

    Sheryl Connelly

    Guest Lecturers

    Jeff Antaya, ’80, MBA ’87: Chief Marketing Officer, Plante Moran

    Mark Bealin, MBA ’84: Managing Director, UHY Advisors

    Joseph Berkowski ’73, MBA ’75: Chief Financial Officer, Argent International

    Anthony Bronner, MBA ’13: Information Technology Analyst, General Motors Corp.

    Sheryl Connelly, ’93: Global Trends & Futuring Manager, Ford Motor Company

    Joanna Cooper, ’06, MBA ’09: Business Unit Manager for Axle Assembly, Detroit Diesel

    David Grubb, ’92: Director of Accounting Policy, Plante Moran

    Lenora Hardy-Foster, ’88, MBA ’96: President & CEO, Judson Center

    Nancy Hazely, ’78: President & CEO, Tax Trilogy

    Chris HooSang, MBA ’01: Director of Human Resources, DTE Energy

    Kathrine Horan, ’97: Strategic Category Manager, DTE Energy

    Mike Ilitch III, MBA ’13: Franchise Advisor, Little Caesar Enterprises

    Thomas Kenny,’89, MBA ’95: Partner & Portfolio Manager, Seizert Capital Partners

    Amanda Konja, ’16, Assistant Marketing Manager, Akebono Brake Corp.

    Chris May, MBA ’96: Vice President & CFO, American Axle & Manufacturing

    Gary MacLean, ’65: Partner, MacLean, Proppe, MacLean & Darnell, P.C.

    Jessica McGrath, ’04, MBA ’07: VP & General Counsel, Certified Restoration Dry-Cleaning

    Frank Migliazzo, MBA ’78: Private Wealth Advisor, Merrill Lynch

    Michael Morin, ’71: President, Yaffe Group

    John Naglick, ’78, MBA ’83: Finance Director & Deputy CFO, City of Detroit

    David Newhouse, MBA’89: Internat’l Trade Development Mgr, Mich Econ Devel Corp.

    Emily O’Brien ’15, MBA ‘16: Tax Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers

    Anai Orozco-Hernandez, ’14, MBA ’15: Auditor, Ernst & Young

    Brad Simmons, ’79, MBA ’84: Director of Stakeholder Relations, Ford Motor Company

    Laura Soave, MBA ’00: Senior VP, Chief Marketing & Comm Officer, Federal Mogul

    Teresa Thiele, ’96, MBA ’98: Head of Cost Mgt, Mopar Supply Chain, Fiat Chrysler

    Gabrielle Thomas, MBA ’88: Chief Operating Officer, Accounting Aid Society

    Jason Vazzano, ’00: Chief Executive Officer, Vectorform

    Joe Walsh, ’69, MBA ’71: President, Legacy DMC

    William Patrick Young, ’90: Vice President, Absopure Water Co.

    Frank Zolenski, ’02, Marketing Director, Absopure Water Co.

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    2017 CBA Alumni Week: A Century of Commerce

    The Detroit Mercy College of Business Administration Alumni Board will once again host Alumni Week during March 20-25, with alumni and alumnae of the College providing guest lectures in many business classes.

    Keynote Event: Tuesday, March 21: "A Century of Commerce: Business Trends Past & Present"

    • Noon - Lunch, Student Center Ballroom (Reservations required with LySandra Hill, CF 121)
    • 1 p.m. - Panel Discussion, Student Center Ballroom
    • 1:45 p.m. - Raffle for $50 gift cards (only current students are eligible to win)

    Moderator: Alumni Board President Christina Pauken, '12

    Panelists

    Phyllis Peters Look, '51, Director of Professional Standards, Deloitte

    Phyllis Peters Look

    Michael Porter, '82, Vice President for Corporate Communications, DTE Energy

    Michael Porter

    Ann Jones, '99, '09, Global Supply Chain Manager, Masco

    Ann Jones
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    2016 CBA Alumni Week: Social Entrepreneurship

    Lenora Hardy-Foster
    Lenora Hardy-Foster '88 '96
    Gabriella Santiago-Romero
    Gabriella Santiago-Romero '15

    The UDM College of Business Administration Alumni Board once again hosted Alumni Week with alumni and alumnae of the College providing guest lectures in many business classes.

    Keynote Event: Tuesday, March 15

    • Noon - Lunch, Student Center Ballroom
    • 1 p.m. - Panel Discussion and Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, Student Center Ballroom

    The keynote event titled, "Social Entrepreneurship," featured two distinguished alums:

    • Lenora Hardy-Foster, '88 '96, President and CEO of Judson Center
    • Gabriella Santiago-Romero, '15, Founder of Livernois SOUP
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    2015 CBA Alumni Week - Cybersecurity: Crimes & Consequences

    UDM CBA Alumni Week 2015The UDM College of Business Administration Alumni Board is once again hosting Alumni Week with alumni and alumnae of the College providing guest lectures in many business classes.

    Keynote Event: Tuesday, March 17

    • Noon - Lunch, President's Dining Room
    • 1 p.m. - Panel Discussion on Detroit, Student Center, Fountain Lounge

    The keynote event featured a discussion on cybersecurity, titled, "Cybersecurity: Crimes & Consequences," featuring two distinguished alums:

    • Meredith Phillips '94, '97 is the Chief Information Privacy & Security Officer at Henry Ford Health System, where she oversees all aspects of Henry Ford’s privacy and security operations. As part of this work, she designed and led the HFHS Privacy Program and Data Breach Response Program. An alumna of both the College of Business Administration and the College of Health Professions, Meredith also serves as Vice President of the Medical Identity Fraud Alliance Board.
    • Dominic Paluzzi '04, '07, an attorney with McDonald Hopkins, advises clients regarding data privacy and cybersecurity measures, including information security programs and responses to data security breaches involving sensitive personal information. He works with federal, state and local authorities, as well as third party vendors, throughout the breach notification process, and has litigated matters involving numerous industries, including education, healthcare, hospitality, retail, automotive, accounting, finance, information technology, and others. An alumnus of both the College of Business Administration and the School of Law, Dominic is a past president of the CBA Alumni Board.

    Proudly sponsored by: 

    Absopure

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    2014 CBA Alumni Week - Detroit: Beyond Bankruptcy

    UDM CBA Alumni Week 2014The UDM College of Business Administration Alumni Board is once again hosting Alumni Week with alumni and alumnae of the College providing guest lectures in many business classes.

    Keynote Event: Tuesday, March 18

    • Noon - Lunch, President's Dining Room
    • 1 p.m. - Panel Discussion on Detroit, Student Center, Fountain Lounge

    The keynote event featured a panel discussion on the future of our city, "Detroit: Beyond Bankruptcy." See video presentation online. The panel consisted of three distinguished alums:

    • Louise Guyton, ’86, who served Comerica Bank for more than 40 years, most recently as Vice President for Public Affairs, until her retirement last year, is the Founder of the Greater Works Foundation and represented the corporate perspective.
    • Trevor Pawl, MBA ’11, is Managing Director of the Pure Michigan Business Connect in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, recently praised by Governor Snyder in his State of the State Address. Mr. Pawl represented the government perspective.
    • Emily Doerr, MBA ’12, is the Founder of Hostel Detroit and Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Oak Park. Ms. Doerr was recently recognized as one of the “Twenty in Their Twenties” by Crain’s Detroit Business; she represented the community development perspective.

    Proudly sponsored by:

    Chrysler Group LLCHeritage OpticalPlante Moran
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    2013 CBA Alumni Week - Value of Diversity

    Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard

    Ina Fernandez

    Feras Shammami

    Jean Paul Meutcheho

    The UDM College of Business Administration Alumni Board is once again hosting Alumni Week with alumni and alumnae of the College providing guest lectures in many business classes.

    Alumni Week Panel Discusses the Value of Diversity

    Alumni Week 2013 took place March 18-22, with corporate executives who've earned UDM degrees serving as guest lecturers in most CBA classes. The keynote event was a panel discussion entitled "Diversity Creates Business Value," featuring:

    • Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard (moderator), President of Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Change Agents, founder of the National Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs, and former Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at the Henry Ford Health System
    • Ina Fernandez, Managing Partner of Liberty Capital Management
    • Feras Shammami, Vice President of JP Morgan Chase Bank
    • Jean-Paul Meutcheho, Director of Corporate Sustainability at Global Advanced Metals

    Alumni guest lecturers included:

    Daniel Assenmacher, MBA ’00, JD ’07 Sr. Account Mgr, BorgWarner Emission

    Edward Boutrous,’67, Owner, The Boutrous Companies

    Frank DeLaura, MBA ’82 Pres & CEO, FDL210 Solutions

    Alan Domzalski, ’84, COO & VP Finance, Sundance Beverage Company

    John Donnelly, MBA ’78, Managing Dir., Donnelly, Penman & Partners

    Sharif Farhat, MBA ’00, VP of Expert Analytical Services, Urban Science

    Richard Gorges, ’75, Principal, Richard Gorges & Associates

    David Grubb, ’92, Partner, Plante & Moran PLLC

    William Harvey, MBA ’67, Accountant - Advisor

    Judy Kelly, ’86, Client Director Public Sector, IBM Corporation

    Ronald Loch,’83, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation

    William Lubaway,’64, Founder, Lubaway, Masten & Co.

    Jeffrey Moore, MBA’82, Vice President, TCF Bank

    Bruno Olvera,’11, Purchasing & Supplier Quality, Chrysler Corp.

    Christina Pauken, ’12, Financial Planning & Analysis, Chrysler Corp.

    Alberto Piccone, MBA ’94, Purchasing Manager, Ford Motor Company

    Bradley Simmons, ’79, Dir., Office of the Chairman, Ford Motor Co.

    David Strachan,’80, Director, Finance, Chrysler Corporation

    Rachelle Valdez, MBA ’90, VP Communications & Marketing, Delphi Corp.

    Frank Zolenski, ’02, Marketing Director, Absopure Water Company

    Proudly sponsored by:

    Chrysler Corporation

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    2012 CBA Alumni Week - Marketing a brand online: Opportunities and Challenges

    Mark Ellis

    The UDM College of Business Administration Alumni Board is once again hosting Alumni Week with alumni and alumnae of the College providing guest lectures in many business classes.

    Alumnus discusses "Marketing a brand online: Opportunities and Challenges"

    Mark Ellis '90, vice president of North American Field Sales for Yahoo!, gave the keynote presentation for the 2012 College of Business Administration Alumni Week, March 20, 2012. See video presentation online.

    Ellis leads the company’s display and search sales efforts, with a particular focus on growing revenue and share with Fortune 500 customers. He also oversees product sales, content sales and training.

    Previously, Mr. Ellis was the executive vice president, North American sales at AOL, where he oversaw national sales, mid-market sales, account management, strategy and sales operations. Prior to AOL, he led corporate and digital sales at IMG, a sports marketing firm, and served as vice president of sales at Quokka Sports. Earlier, he held a variety of executive-level positions at Time Inc., including publisher for New Media and publishing director for Sports Illustrated. He began his career in Detroit working on automotive business for ad agency Kenyon & Eckhardt.

    Mr. Ellis is co-founder and treasurer of 313 Digital, and a member of the Advisory Board for IAB Media Measurement. He is a former board member of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and the Adcraft Club of Detroit, and a former member of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Hall of Achievement judging panel.

    Mr. Ellis received a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame University and an MBA from University of Detroit Mercy.

    Proudly sponsored by:

    Sponsors