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Alumni Spotlights

Arti Toshniwal

A graduate in the top 2% of her class

Arti Toshniwal, MA'13

Originally from Kolkata, India, Arti Toshniwal received her Bachelors degree in accounting from the Shri Ram College of Commerce, India’s top commerce institution and graduated in the top 2% of her class.

ubing Cui, PhD Alumni Profile

A diversity of experiences and talents

Yubing Cui, PhD

An accomplished academic scholar, Yubing Cui represents the diversity of experiences and talents typical of many Brandeis IBS students.

Christina Borgorin, MBA '13 Alumni Profile

A focus on marketing and sustainability

Cristina Bogorin, MBA '13

Cristina Bogorin came to Brandeis International Business School (IBS) with five years of banking and administrative operations experience.

Lorena Cano Cuandro, MBA Alumni Profile

A native of Peru with banking, retail and telecommunications experience

Lorena Cano Cuadra, MBA

Lorena Cano Cuadra joined Brandeis International Business School (IBS) with outstanding experiences within the banking, retail, and telecommunications industries in her native Peru.

Alumni profile Jose Rodolfo Villamariona, MBA '11

Helping build businesses in El Salvador

Jose Rodolfo Villamariona, MBA '11

“The quality of the faculty is amazing. The professors here are very interested in the students. They care about your learning.”

Olaf Unteroberdoerster, PhD

A PhD Trailblazer

Olaf Unteroberdoerster, PhD '98

Traveling and working with people from Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa, Dr. Olaf Unteroberdoerster MS ’98, PhD ’98 has lived a life filled and enriched with memorable international experiences.

Sam Soltani, MSF '10 Alumni Profile

Businessman with Business Experience

Sam Soltani, MSF '10

As Chief Operating Officer, Sam Soltani, MSF ’10 is the sole member of BioSensics’ impressive management team who has actual business experience.

Raya Milkovska, MA '13 Alumni Profile

Originally from Bulgaria, Raya graduated Summa Cum Laude in Economics

Raya Milkovska, MA '13

Raya Milkovska, MA '13 arrived at the Brandeis International Business School (IBS) with some exciting practical experiences and a strong academic record.

Tetiana Sapun, MA '13 Alumni Profile

Exploring asset management in Poland

Tetiana Sapun, MA '13

Tetiana Sapun, MA ’13 gained hands-on experience in asset management working for Union Asset Management AG in Warsaw through Brandeis International Business School's (IBS) Perlmutter Institute Corporate Internship program.

Alumni profile for Nils Tessier du Cros, MBA '11

International, sustainable businesses

Nils Teissier du Cros, MBA '11

"I wanted to be part of a 70 percent international student body. I wanted to be surrounded by people of different cultures and nationalities."

More Alumni Spotlights  
Richard Peck, MSF '01 Alumni Profile

An Emerging Career

Richard Peck, MSF '00

“We were able to see living, breathing examples of what we were talking about in the classroom play out on a global stage."

Raja Roy, MBA '13 Alumni Profile

Connecting athletes with local coaches

Raja Roy, MBA '13

“Being in a startup environment not only helps you to learn hands-on skills but also provides you with market reactions instantly,” he said.

Profile photo of Brandeis alumni Ewa Maria Nucinska, MA '11

A Fulbright scholar studying international finance and policy

Ewa Maria Nucinska, MA '11

“We work in teams on a daily basis and there’s this sense of mutual understanding and equality.”

Thomas Stretton, MBA '11 Global Green Alumni

Saving Earth One Business at a Time

Thomas Stretton, MBA '11

“I honestly think the world is at a crossroads, and I want to be part of the force that moves it in a positive direction.”

Boris Vilidnitsky, MSF '09 Alumni Profile

Investing in the Future

Boris Vilidnitsky, MSF '09

“I felt prepared coming into this job but the learning curve is still steep... I’m open to any opportunities that arise, and I am excited to see what happens next.”

Marcos Sandler, MA '13 Alumni Profile

Adventures at Morgan Stanley HK

Marcos Sandler, BA/MA '13

“The opportunity Brandeis IBS gives you to grow close relationships with your professors allows you to further interact with them outside of the classroom.”

Image of Alexei Ponomarov, MBA '12

All About Adjustment

Alexei Ponomarov, MBA '12

A native of Lvov, Ukraine, Alexei Ponomarov, MBA '12 excelled in courses such as Financial Theory, Marketing Management, Management Communication, and Operations Management.

Image of Ari Alushaj, MSF '10

Global Education - Global Career

Ari Alushaj, MSF '10

“I always looked forward to class–spending time with my fellow students and hearing lectures from amazing Brandeis professors. It was such a stimulating environment.”

Ashraf Hussein, '12, MA '13

High flying with Ashraf Hussein ’12 MA ’13

Ashraf Hussein, BA/MA '13

Hussein worked as an Investment Analyst Intern at Highfields Capital Management, which occupies the top floor of the John Hancock Tower, the tallest building in all of New England.

Sigridur Hardardottir, MA '10 Brandeis IBS Alumni

Changing the World, One Rubber Band at a Time

Sigridur Hardardottir, MA '10

Can a rubber band change the world? Sigridur Hardardottir thinks so. Hardardottir began the Do-Band Project at Brandeis International Business School.

Alumni profile for Jessica Stanford, MBA '12

From Fox to Brandeis IBS

Jessica Stanford, MBA '12

Jessica Stanford came to Brandeis IBS with an outstanding experience at the major international film studio Twentieth Century Fox.

Jason Greenwald, MBA '13 Alumni Profile

Jason Greenwald, MBA ’13 goes primetime

Jason Greenwald, MBA '13

Jason Greenwald MBA ’13 spent the last few months interning at CBS, where he reported directly to the network’s Vice President of Advertising Operations.

Alumni profile for Thomas Weaver, MBA '12

No Slowing Down

Thomas Weaver, MA '12

A finalist in the Stock Pitch Challenge, panelist in a global financial regulation discussion, intern at a hedge fund and co-president of GMIC.

David J. Williams, MBA '01 Alumni Profile

Career Takes Off at United Airlines and Boeing

David J Williams, MBA '01

Beginning as an intern at United Airlines, Williams progressed to his present role as senior economist at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Alumni profile for Ingvar Sigurjonsson, MA '12

A Valuable Brandeis IBS Experience

Ingvar Sigurjonsson, MA '12

Valedictorian of his undergraduate class and a recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship.

Alumni Spotlight Demetris Papadopolous

Human Resources Award Recipient

Demetris Papadopoulos, MA '00

Brandeis IBS graduate, Demetris Papadopoulos, MA '00, received an award at the 2009 Human Resource Executive (HRE) magazine's fourth annual Rising Stars competition.

Francisco Niclos Negrao, '00, MA '01 Brandeis IBS Alumni

There's No Place Like Home

Francisco Niclós Negrão, BA/MA '01

It's an exciting time for Francisco Niclós Negrão ’00, MA ’01, an economist and lawyer based in São Paulo who specializes in antitrust law and international trade for major national and international corporations.

Edward K Gondwe Brandeis IBS Alumni

Senior Governance Officer, African Development Bank

Edward K Gondwe, MA '06

"My work at the African Development Bank has offered an experience at the forefront of the campaign to bring economic development to the world."

Jake Jolly Brandeis IBS Alumni

Economist, IHS Global Insight

Jacob Jolly, MA '11

I strongly believe that the economics courses at Brandeis IBS provided me with the skill set, and most importantly the macroeconomic intuition, necessary to quickly analyze macro data and produce insightful economic reports.

An image of alumni Gregory Benac, MA '03

The Link Between a Poker Table and Asset Management

Gregory Benac, MA '03

Gregory Benac, MA ’03 had only played in one live tournament before he decided to put his skills to the test in the World Poker Tour in Paris last March.

An image of Zala Ahmad MA ’12, Fulbright scholar, honored by the State Department for her efforts to improve primary and secondary education for young Afghan girls

Fulbright Scholar and State Department Guest of Honor

Zala Ahmad, MA '12

Zala Ahmad, MA ’12 was honored at the State Department for her efforts to improve primary and secondary education for young Afghan girls.

Alumni profile for Paul Walborsky

Making News Global and Social

Paul Walborsky, MA '88, MA '89

Paul Walborsky '88, MA '89 is chief executive of GigaOM, the Silicon Valley-based media company that has emerged as a highly influential voice in the world of business and technology.

Mauricio Gojman, Brandeis IBS Alumni

Equity Investor Rebelling Against Tradition

Mauricio Gojman, MA '01

"I love starting things," says Gojman. "I love creating and I rebel from the traditional corporate box—something I’m allergic to."

Yuki Hasegawa

Going Global with Goldman Sachs

Yuki Hasegawa, BA/MA '10

Yuki Hasegawa '09, MA ’10, a human resources analyst at Goldman Sachs, helps manage training and development programs for the investment bank’s most important asset: its talent.

Alumni Profile of Ilan Dee

Adventures at Facebook

Ilan Dee, MBA '12

Working at Facebook’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) division in Dublin, Ilan Dee, MBA ’12 helped the Platform Operations department improve how companies and developers integrate with Facebook.

Tushar Meshram

The Corporate Language at American Tower

Tushar Meshram, MBA '12

Tushar Meshram, MBA ’12 gained hands-on experience at the Mumbai office of American Tower Corporation.

Brandeis IBS alumni Rafaella Cuff on her internship

Learning about Microcredit in Brazil

Rafaella Cuff, MA '12

As one of four recipients of Steven M. Bunson Internship Grants, Rafaella Cuff, MA ’12 soaked in the sunshine–and more than a few microfinance projects–in Bahia, Brazil.

Ana Lobo working in Honduras

Experience in Honduras

Ana Lobo, MBA '12

Ana Lobo, MBA ’12 worked in Honduras at the Wings of Hope Foundation, which runs orphanages, helps migrant workers, and collaborates on social work initiatives.

Yaniv Jember, MA '12 Brandeis IBS

Gaining global insights at Accenture

Shuyan Wu, MA '12

Yaniv Jember MA ’12 and Shuyan Wu MA ’12 (pictured) received the inaugural Perlmutter Institute internships at the Accenture Institute for High Performance, an international consulting firm in Boston.

Jack Jia, MBA '11

Current Student and Alum Come Together

Jack Jia, MBA '11

Jack Jia, MBA '11 knew he wanted an internship in China for the summer, but he did not know he would find success with Tony Chang, PhD ’83, a Brandeis alum and loyal supporter.

Hakon Bjerke, MA '12

A Busy London Summer

Hakon Bjerke, MA '12

Hakon Bjerke, MA ’12 was a summer analyst with JP Morgan in the Investment Banking division, focusing on metals and mining.

Alumni Profile of Sonia Gisenya

An eye-opening, inspirational summer

Sonia Gisenya, MBA '11

"It was eye-opening and inspirational to see how these projects and programs change people’s lives." --Sonia Gisenya

Andrew DeGuire Brandeis IBS Alumni

Helping firms reduce environmental footprint

Andrew DeGuire, MA '95

Andrew DeGuire is a VP at Johnson Controls Inc., which helps businesses shrink their environmental footprint and lower their electricity bills.

Alumni profile for Ram Iyer, MBA '09

Excelling in the Global Marketplace

Ram Iyer, MBA '09

How did Ram Iyer, MBA '09 land a job at EMC? The Brandeis IBS alum talks about the knowledge and skills he acquired during his time earning his degree, and how they proved to be crucial in the workplace.

Wilifred Nonguierma

Gain Experience in Poverty Reduction at the African Development Bank

Wilfried Nonguierma, MA '11

"My experience at AfDB reinforced my desire to work for an institution that’s doing development work in Africa," says Nonguierma. "It didn’t matter how hard the workload was—people there were so committed."

Alumni Profile for Amit Pinjani, MBA '08

Selected as a Boston MBA All-Star

Amit Pinjani, MBA '08

"It became clear to me that the developed world needs to take the lead on alternative fuels."

Alumni profile for Sam Sam Sisakhti

Fashion and entrepreneurial success

Sam Sisakhti, MA '07

As the founder of UsTrendy, Sisakhti is giving customers a say in the style before they hit the production line.

Keeping up with a Busy Schedule

Daniel Goldsmith, MBA '06

“What’s great about Brandeis IBS is the emphasis on cross-cultural communication and working in different environments.”

Image of Myra Chaudhary BA/MA ‘10 and former MA Senator John Kerry

Blogging to Improve U.S.-Pakistani Relations

Myra Chaudhary, BA/MA '10

Myra Chaudhary, BA/MA ‘10 is this year’s recipient of the Brandeis IBS American Leadership Award, which recognizes U.S. students who exhibit outstanding potential for international careers.

Image of Roni Ben-Aharon, MBA '08

Following your Passion

Roni Ben-Aharon, MBA '08

“It’s courageous to ask yourself if you're doing what you're doing because you're good at it or because it’s what you want to do," she said.

Komla Koumi Brandeis IBS Alumni

Fulbright Scholar's journey to Brandeis IBS

Komla Koumi, MA '11

“My mother told me I had a good mind for accounting and mathematics, and that I should go into business one day.”

Zenobia Moochhala

Brandeis IBS' role in an online entrepreneurial career

Zenobia Moochhala, MA '98

Recently named one of the BBJ's "40 under 40," Zenobia Moochhala, '98 is Co-Founder, VP and General Manager of US Consumer Subscription Services at Care.com.

Nabeela Alam, Phd '13

New faculty member at Grinnell College

Nabeela Alam, PhD '13

Primary Fields – Applied Microeconomics, Political Economy, Economic Development

Rawley Heimer, PhD '13

On staff at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

Rawley Heimer, PhD '13

Primary Fields - Finance, Macroeconomics
Secondary - Behavioral, Investments, International Finance, Econometrics, Financial Networks

Eugene K, PhD '13

On staff at the Federal Trade Commission

Eugene Kiselev, PhD '13

Primary Fields – Economics of Corruption, Institutional Economics, Industrial Organization
Secondary – Health Economics, Empirical Finance

Satyam Panday
, PhD '13

On staff at Standard & Poor's

Satyam Panday, PhD '13

Primary Fields – Labor Economics, Applied Econometrics, Development and Transition Economics
Secondary – Computational General Equilibrium, Applied Microeconomic

Anna Guelzim

Game, Set, Match

Anna Guelzim, MBA '11

Guelzim cites Brandeis IBS as one of her most invaluable experiences in a path to professional success

Amy Kessler

Embracing "intelligent risk" at commencement

Amy Kessler, MA '90

To Kessler, who earned her undergraduate and master’s degree at Brandeis, taking “intelligent risk” is paramount to success.

An image of Esteban Ferro, PhD '10

From soccer captain to the World Bank

Esteban Ferro, PhD '10

Esteban Ferro, PhD '10 on how his work at the World Bank will help his native country, Ecuador.

An image of Nikolay Vassilev, MA '97

Former Bulgarian deputy prime minister on the European economic crisis

Nikolay Vassilev, MA '97

Former deputy prime minister of Bulgaria Nikolay Vassilev: ‘I owe my professional ideology to Brandeis IBS’

An image of Anushka KC, MBA '13

Bringing the heart of Nepal to America

Archana KC, MBA '13

After winning the Leonard J. Asper Startup Award and Bunson Investment Challenge, Archana KC MBA ’13 spent the summer building a new enterprise that found her taking a three-week trip to Nepal to meet with local farmers.

An image of Marshall Santoso

The key to a successful career? Networking

Marshall Santoso, '11, MA '13

Now working at Ernst & Young, Santoso attributes his success to networking: “The key to looking for a job is to not worry about the job.”

An image of Jordan Fliegel, MBA '10

Bringing entrepreneurship into the sports world

Jordan Fliegel, MBA '10

‘Whether it’s sports or starting a company: it’s all in the execution.’

Split my taxi logo

Entrepreneur on a ride

David Zadok, MBA '12

How getting stuck at an airport drove David Zadok’s latest venture.

Mirza Amiri

From Kabul to Brandeis and back again

Mirza Amiri, MBA '09

Amiri champions his native Afghanistan’s ‘beauty, productivity, and its resilient and spirited people’