Introducing the 2024-25 McLauchlan Leadership Fellows at Poole College

Meet the 25 Jenkins Graduate students chosen as McLauchlan Leadership Fellows for the 2024-25 academic year.

November 12, 2024

The Poole College of Management is proud to introduce the 2024-25 cohort of McLauchlan Leadership Fellows. This year, 25 Jenkins Graduate Programs students will embark on the McLauchlan Leadership Series, an intensive development program spanning the spring 2025 semester. Now in its 10th year, the program continues its legacy of fostering leaders equipped with skills in personal, team, and organizational leadership.

The 25 McLauchlan Fellows—comprising 22 MBA students, one student each from the Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) and Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) programs, and one dual-degree student in the MBA and MMA programs—will engage in hands-on learning experiences and networking events. Established in 2015 through the generosity of Russ and Cara McLauchlan, the program was initially created for Jenkins MBA students and has since expanded to include other Jenkins Graduate Programs at Poole.

This year’s Fellows bring global perspectives and diverse professional backgrounds, including expertise in marketing, engineering, data science, compliance, and journalism, among others. Their journey will officially begin with a kickoff event and reception on Friday, November 15.

Meet the 2024-25 McLauchlan Fellows below.

Emily Agaba

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Previous Education

BS Mechanical Engineering, Makerere University

About

Emily Agaba is a second-year MBA candidate concentrating in supply chain management and pursuing a certificate in business analytics. A native of Uganda, she is a recipient of the Jenkins Graduate Assistantship and serves as president of the Women in Leadership Club, as well as a board member of the Jenkins MBA Student Association (MBASA).

In addition, Emily represents the MBASA on the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and contributes as a committee member on the GSA Teaching Effectiveness Committee. These roles allow her to contribute meaningfully to the NC State graduate community, working to elevate learning experiences and create an inclusive, supportive environment for her peers in the Jenkins MBA program.

Emily’s career spans global roles, including her recent position as a senior program manager Intern at Amazon and her pre-MBA role as a raw materials planner with Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda. Outside of her professional and academic endeavors, Emily is driven by a love of learning and curiosity about the world. She is an avid reader with a passion for literature and world affairs and enjoys exploring new languages, immersing herself in different cultures and perspectives.

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Travis Beal

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Project Manager, Charles R. Underwood Inc.

Previous Education

BA Economics, Wake Forest University

About

Travis Beal is a first-year Jenkins MBA student, concentrating in finance and business leadership. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wake Forest University. Travis brings a strong foundation in construction management and a track record of community involvement.

As a leader at Charles R. Underwood, Inc., he has been involved in municipal water and wastewater construction projects throughout the Carolinas, bringing healthy drinking water to countless communities in the region. Most recently, he helped manage CRU’s disaster response in Western North Carolina, where they provided resources and technical expertise to help nearly a dozen communities restore water and wastewater services after the unspeakable damage from Hurricane Helene. Before this role, Travis was vital in the operational and logistical aspects of restructuring multiple Applebee’s locations, overseeing closures throughout the country to align with company objectives while minimizing disruptions.

In addition to his professional achievements, Travis is committed to community growth and service. He currently serves as the Board of Trustees Chair at St. Luke United Methodist Church, the Branch Advisory Board Chair for the Ingram Family YMCA, and is an active board member for Downtown Sanford, Inc. These roles reflect his dedication to fostering positive development within his community.

Driven by a passion for leadership and strategic problem-solving, Travis combines his analytical expertise with a commitment to impactful change, both in his career and community. Outside of his professional and community endeavors, he enjoys chasing his two amazing kids with his beautiful wife of 12 years.

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Jackson Beaufort

Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA)

Employment

Marketing Coordinator, Xylem Inc.

Previous Education

BS Business Administration, Marketing and Management Information Systems, UNC Charlotte

About

Jackson Beaufort is a native North-Carolinian, born and raised in Apex, NC. In early May 2024, Jackson graduated from UNC-Charlotte’s Belk College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management information systems. In August, Jackson started graduate school as a dual master’s student, pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) through NC State’s Poole College of Management. In May 2022, Jackson joined Xylem, Inc., a global leader in the utilities infrastructure industry, as a summer intern. At the end of his internship, he was offered part-time employment with the company and still works as a marketing coordinator today. In addition to Jackson’s experience at Xylem, he has demonstrated a passion for leadership. He has served as president of a student organization and multiple officer positions in various other student organizations at UNC-Charlotte and consistently pursued leadership opportunities like UNC-Charlotte’s Senior Executive Leadership Program and the Water Environment Federations Integrated Leadership Web Series.

In Jackson’s free time, you can find him studying in the library, reading in the park or bass fishing in local lakes and ponds. He also enjoys playing pool, slow cooking & smoking meat, gardening and spending time outdoors hiking, camping and kayaking.

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Clara Cabaniss

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Senior Project Manager, Burt’s Bees (Specialty Division of The Clorox Company)

Previous Education

BS Food Science, NC State University

About

Clara Cabaniss is currently a Professional MBA student and completing her final year. She received her Jenkins MBA Leadership Certificate in July 2024.

She is currently a senior project manager at Burt’s Bees, where she leverages over 22 years of CPG experience to deliver end-to-end commercialization and strategic capital projects, as well as change management initiatives.

Clara has a vast range of knowledge in supply chain management, change management, consumer products, people management, procurement, supply planning and manufacturing (including contract manufacturing). She is passionate about mentoring and nurturing talent and, for the past two years, has been a coach to undergraduates at North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC) through their partnership with Burt’s Bees.

Clara currently resides in Durham, NC with her husband and son (age 6). She is a huge fan of NC State athletics (Go Pack!) and traveling and is also a foodie.

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Matthew Conti

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Hospitalist Physician, UNC Physicians Network

Previous Education

BS Biology, UNC Chapel Hill
DO, Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy, Campbell University
Internal Medicine Residency Program, University of Florida College of Medicine

About

Dr. Matthew Conti was born and raised in Raleigh, NC. He went to UNC-Chapel Hill for a major in biology, and eventually went to Campbell University for medical school. He trained in Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville. While in medical school and residency, he learned from many leaders in the healthcare field, which developed his interest in leadership and business. After three years in Florida for residency, he decided to move back to North Carolina to start his medical career.

Matt now works for UNC Physicians Network as a hospitalist in Goldsboro, NC. His interest in leadership and business led to him applying to the Online Jenkins MBA Program. He is hoping to get certificates in finance and data analytics. He plans to graduate in May 2025 and aims to get more involved in healthcare leadership. He hopes he can continue to advocate for patients and make a positive impact in their lives.

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Melissa Cowell

Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA)

Employment

Financial Reporting Manager, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Previous Education

BS Accounting and Information Systems, Virginia Tech

About

Melissa loves to team with others to solve challenging problems. She began her career in Operational System Risk Management with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Her husband’s employer led them to Raleigh, NC where she joined IBM. After spending 14 years with IBM in Operational Financial Systems, Financial Systems Deployment, and Risk and Compliance she made the difficult decision to take a break and devote her time to her family. In 2019 she was offered an opportunity to join the UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine Finance Business Office. Melissa has thoroughly enjoyed the new challenges she has faced in academics and healthcare while being a part of an organization with such an impactful mission to serve North Carolina.

With both of her daughters entering college, it was the perfect time to invest in her own professional journey and pursue a graduate degree focusing on risk and analytics which has been a common thread throughout her career. In her time away from work she enjoys spending time with her husband outdoors, cooking, and planning their family’s next vacation.

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Annie Drennen

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Clinical Business Operations Manager, Catalent Pharma Solutions

About

Annie Drennen is a native North Carolinian who resides in Cary, North Carolina with her husband and mini goldendoodle, Maple. Annie is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with 11 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and biomaterials fields – over six of those spent in a fast-paced start-up. Presently she works in Catalent’s Cell and Gene Therapy division as a clinical business operations manager.

Annie’s career started in a local biopolymers start-up, launched out of NC State’s Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Commercialization (TEC) program. With an academic background in nutrition and food science, she easily applied these concepts to the science behind the company’s corn-starch-based super absorbent polymers.

In addition to finding fulfillment at work, Annie also has a passion for engagement activities and diversity and inclusion. Some of her favorite projects in this area include hosting Bring Your Child to Work Day, hosting site picnics and managing multiple annual volunteering and donation campaigns. She also dedicates time serving on the Global Steering Committee for Catalent’s Asian and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (ERG) as an ally, and formerly co-led two global ERGs, one representing Indigenous people and the other the next generation.

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Val Evans

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Leader, Strategic Initiatives, Benchmark Gensuite

Previous Education

BS Business Administration, International Business, University of Cincinnati

About

Val Evans is a strategic initiatives leader in the sustainability, ESG and EHS software solutions industry. With a career progression from marketing to business intelligence and now corporate strategy and sustainability, Val has led impactful projects, including award-winning marketing campaigns, digital transformations and AI integration, product portfolio management and sustainable growth process improvements. Her professional experience ranges across pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods, ag-biotech, and SaaS industries. Passionate about driving transformative change, Val thrives in dynamic environments, uniting teams toward innovative solutions. In her last year of the MBA program, Val aims to deepen her expertise in enterprise strategy, sustainable operations and organizational resilience in a global context. She loves to wake surf, practice yoga and learn new arts. Originally from Ukraine, she grew up in Montreal, Canada and now lives in Apex, NC with her husband and 5-year-old son.

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Astha Gupta

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Previous Education

Bachelor of Technology, Chemical Engineering

About

Astha Gupta is a second-year MBA candidate concentrating in supply chain, finance, and business analytics. Originally from India, she has a passion for data analytics, business strategy and sustainability, backed by seven years of professional experience across industries such as automotive, oil & gas, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and manufacturing.

Professionally, Astha has experience in both Intellectual Property (IP) management and operations. This diverse background equips her with a unique blend of technical skills and strategic thinking, enabling her to tackle multifaceted challenges and deliver impactful results.

Astha is actively serving as the president of the Supply Chain & Operations Club at the Poole College of Management. She organizes workshops and networking events that connect club members with industry professionals, equipping them for successful careers in the field.

When she is not working or studying, Astha enjoys reading, cooking, and playing chess. She also loves exploring new places to broaden her perspective.

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Allison Hemphill

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Lead Inventory Analyst, Duke Energy

Previous Education

BS Economics, NC State University

About

Allison started her career at Duke Energy in the Finance Department. She progressed and tried different paths including Reporting and Planning, before she found her home in the Supply Chain Organization. Here, Allison works as a lead inventory analyst; trying to manage inventory levels for material while ensuring there is enough supply for immediate demand. She enjoys the puzzles of her job and working with people from all different areas and departments.

In her final year of the MBA program, Allison will graduate in December 2024. She will also finish the program with two certificates: Business Leadership, and Operations and Supply Chain Management.

In her free time, Allison loves to spend time with her husband, Martin. They love traveling together and are always discussing their next trip. Allison also enjoys running, reading, and eating ice cream.

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Boris Kiprovski

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

EHS Director, Skanska

Previous Education

Bachelor in Economics, International Slavic University

About

Boris Kiprovski, ASP, CHST, is an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Professional ensuring EHS compliance with Skanska. He collaborates with Skanska leaders to implement EHS standards, conducts audits, and leads training initiatives. He is involved with industry organizations, supports accident prevention goals, and uses advanced technology to analyze project data for risks. Collaborating with suppliers, he identifies innovative products that enhance project production, safety, and quality. With over 14 years of experience, he has demonstrated exemplary safety leadership on over 40 projects.

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Prabhu Kumar Benjamin

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Enterprise Platform Architect, Xerox

Previous Education

Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Madras (India)

About

Prabhu has been in the IT industry for over two decades and has had the opportunity to work in a wide range of positions, from systems engineer to senior manager to architect, which is his most recent role. He has worked for several consulting and product companies and developed a strong foundation in technical skills and problem-solving. Designing and implementing complex systems that meet clients’ needs and driving innovation has always been exciting to Prabhu. He lives with his wife and two kids in Ashburn, VA.

Over twenty years after his undergraduate studies, he has had the privilege of pursuing his professional MBA at NC State and plans to graduate in the summer of 2025. In his free time, Prabhu enjoys traveling, DIY projects, gardening, cooking and watching Netflix.

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Erica Mancuso

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Professional Services Practice Manager, Healthcare, Qualtrics

Previous Education

BA Business Administration and Management, Eastern Mennonite University

About

Erica has become an expert in building and leading customer facing teams for B2B SaaS companies serving the healthcare industry. She began her career at an early-stage SaaS startup, where she learned what it takes to build strong teams in high-growth, fast-paced environments. She has applied this experience in two other startups and several large companies, driving value for both clients and her company. Erica currently leads the professional services practice for the healthcare industry at Qualtrics. Through her 20+ years of experience, she leads with integrity, a growth mindset and a spirit of collaboration.

Erica embraces every opportunity for personal and professional growth and actively seeks opportunities to connect with and learn from others. Known for breaking down silos, she works diligently to connect people, processes and technology to improve efficiency and deliver results.

Erica lives in Apex with her husband and twin teenage daughters. She enjoys spending weekends at the lake, attending NC Courage games and playing golf.

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Nzibe Mwalali

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

About

Nzibe Mwalali’s strengths in leadership and planning developed from humble beginnings and grew from his undergraduate tertiary academic merits for leadership to professionally coordinating medium to large-scale projects. His contribution to community development helped place his small village of Kilisa, in Kenya, on the global map and connect local and international development partners.

Through the years, Nzibe’s dedication to tasks in the scope of project planning and collaboration with diverse cross-functional teams has contributed to an impressive project portfolio of the companies he worked for from conservancy management and environmental policy reform to value addition in the agricultural sector, to sustainable best practices in large-scale food processing and hydrocarbon exploration. His analytical and organizational skills demonstrate a sound understanding of the “why?” projects are commissioned enabling an outcomes-based approach to meet project deliverables across multiple sectors.

Nzibe’s commitment to continuous improvement is exhibited by his devotion to further refine his skills through the Jenkins MBA Program and now as a Fellow in the transformative McLauchlan Leadership Series.

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Natalie Negron

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Project Manager, Caidya

Previous Education

BA Global Health Studies, Minor in Public Policy, UNC Chapel Hill

About

Natalie is a dynamic clinical research professional with over five years of expertise managing Phase I-III trials in oncology, respiratory, immunology, and rare diseases. She is currently serving as a project manager at Caidya, a global, multi-therapeutic Contract Research Organization partnering with pharmaceutical companies to bring innovative treatments to market. She holds both PMP and Scrum Master certifications.

Natalie is passionate about leveraging AI technology to optimize business processes and enhance healthcare outcomes while maintaining a strong commitment to mentoring colleagues and developing future industry leaders through knowledge sharing and collaborative leadership. As an advocate for innovation in the life sciences, she actively seeks opportunities to bridge the gap between traditional clinical research and emerging AI technologies. Her career aspirations include contributing to organizations at the forefront of AI development and applying her project management expertise to advance intelligent solutions that enhance healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Beyond the professional realm, she maintains an active lifestyle through running, fitness training and diverse dance pursuits including salsa, heels, and contemporary. She is also an avid traveler and food enthusiast who enjoys exploring culinary scenes across the world.

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Drew Nicholson

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Insurance & Risk Manager, NC State University

Previous Education

BS Accounting, University of Richmond

About

Drew is a dedicated professional with a passion for cultivating resilient and adaptive environments within the higher education sector. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he values team growth and personal development, investing time to mentor others and promote a strong culture of engagement. With over 11 years of experience in risk management and insurance, Drew has an extensive background in identifying opportunities to minimize risk while fostering organizational growth and stability. His professional experience spans across the commercial insurance industry, from underwriting to brokerage and higher education risk management. Currently, Drew is the Insurance & Risk Manager at NC State University, where he leads the Insurance & Risk Management team, oversees the insurance portfolio, and directs risk assessment and programming. Drew enjoys solving complex problems and finding innovative solutions to streamline business processes and mitigate risks.

Drew’s commitment to lifelong learning, leadership and professional growth led him to pursue the Jenkins MBA at NC State University’s Poole College of Management. He will graduate in December 2024 with business leadership and business analytics certificates, focusing on enterprise risk management (ERM). Drew previously attended the University of Richmond, where he earned a BS in Business Administration with a major in accounting.

Originally from Richmond, VA, Drew moved to the Triangle in 2017. He and his wife recently bought a house in Knightdale, NC, where they live with their two-year-old puppy, Merritt. They look forward to welcoming a baby boy to their family in April 2025. Drew believes in the importance of helping others, practicing empathy, forming meaningful connections and seeing the good in people. No matter how big or small, he hopes to leave a positive impact each day. When he’s not working or taking classes, Drew enjoys spending time outdoors, playing soccer, golf, disc golf and running.

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Prince Patel

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Engineering Manager, Pike Engineering

Previous Education

Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering, NC State University

About

Prince Patel is an engineering manager at Pike Engineering, leading teams in upgrading and modernizing the electric grid. With seven years of experience in the power industry, he focuses on creating innovative solutions that make electricity more affordable and sustainable.

He is particularly interested in exploring the potential of automation and AI to tackle the challenges faced by the electric utility sector – driving energy efficiency through cutting-edge technology. Outside of work, Prince mentors students and participates in outreach programs to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in engineering and sustainability.

Currently pursuing an MBA to enhance his strategic thinking skills and drive transformative change within the industry, Prince is dedicated to people-centered leadership, inspired by his faith and servant leadership values. In his free time, he enjoys hiking national parks with his wife, Mirangi, playing sports and volunteering.

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Stefano Rivera

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Previous Education

BA Journalism, UNC Chapel Hill

About

Stefano Rivera is an MBA candidate specializing in innovation and marketing management and holds a BA in Journalism from UNC at Chapel Hill. Stefano has experience in various industries, including education technology, pharmaceutical sales, sustainable startups and sales consulting.

A committed sustainability advocate, Stefano previously served as the director of commercial accounts at CompostNow, a local Raleigh startup that provides home and commercial composting services. He also spent time as a teaching assistant and after-school STEM educator after graduating from UNC.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Stefano enjoys watching soccer, salsa dancing and spending time with his wife, Lindsay, and their dog, April.

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Olivia Rojas

Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA)

Employment

Research Communications Specialist, NC State Poole College of Management

Previous Education

BA Media and Journalism, English and Comparative Literature, UNC Chapel Hill

About

Olivia Rojas is in her final year of the Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) program. In addition to her MMA degree, she is also in the process of obtaining the business analytics graduate certificate from Poole College. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2023.

Olivia has a variety of experience in the marketing, advertising and media industries, with a background in both analytical and creative roles. She currently serves as the research communications specialist at Poole College. Her focus is on communications for the Poole Thought Leadership news platform, specifically on the business and enterprise risk management implications of NC State’s STEM research. She also serves as a student ambassador for the MMA program and as a Pack Promise coach.

In her free time, you can find Olivia with a good book and a cup of coffee in her hand, with her friends exploring new places or spending time with her family in her hometown of Sanford, NC.

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Cassandra Serre

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Point of Care Specialist, UNC Health

Previous Education

BS Medical Laboratory Science, Brigham Young University

About

Cassandra is a Point of Care Specialist for UNC Health. She enjoys working with healthcare providers across various departments as she trains and educates them on Point of Care instrumentation. With the best of both worlds, working in Point of Care allows Cassandra to maintain critical laboratory skills while also working with teammates across the hospital system and learning about healthcare regulations. After graduating from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah with a degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Cassandra started her career as a generalist and later transitioned to a specialty lab performing high-complexity coagulation testing. During her time in the lab during the Covid-19 Pandemic, she recognized the need for strong leadership to help advocate for healthcare professionals and decided to pursue her MBA. Graduating in December 2024, Cassandra is excited to put her MBA and leadership certificate knowledge to use.

Cassandra enjoys serving her community and regularly serves local youth in Durham and the surrounding areas. A fan of audiobooks and her local library, she averages one book every week and a half. After living in Brazil, Cassandra is fluent in Portuguese. She enjoys learning languages and has a five-year streak (and counting!) on Duolingo. She also loves spending time with her family and traveling the world while experiencing new cultures with them.

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Ishwar Sharma

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Director, Data Architecture, AI/ML/LLM, Fidelity Investments

Previous Education

Bachelor’s degree, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Tribhuvan University
Master of Engineering, Lamar University

About

Ishwar Sharma is an experienced data architect currently working for Fidelity Investments. He has been working at Fidelity for the last 12+ years, where he focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs). Born and raised in Nepal, Ishwar pursued his early academic career with a focus on engineering, culminating in a master’s degree from Lamar University. His work at Fidelity has been instrumental in driving data-driven strategies, delivering impactful solutions, and helping transform complex data systems to support advanced analytics and AI initiatives.

Currently, Ishwar is in his third year of the Professional Evening MBA program, which complements his technical expertise with a strong business foundation. Residing in Apex, North Carolina, with his wife and three children, Ishwar enjoys a balanced life of family, work and outdoor pursuits. A passionate hiker, he relishes exploring mountainous landscapes reminiscent of his homeland. In his spare time, he also enjoys playing ping pong and tennis, embodying a spirit of curiosity and active living both personally and professionally.

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Shannon Speer

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Method Transfer and Validation Scientist, QC Portfolio Management, Pfizer

Previous Education

BS Chemistry, Rhodes College
PhD in Biological Chemistry, UNC Chapel Hill

About

Shannon Speer is in her final semester of the Professional Evening MBA program, with aspirations of becoming a people leader in the pharmaceutical industry. A native of Waxhaw, North Carolina, Shannon remained in her home state after earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is passionate about working with diverse teams to develop innovative analytical methods for characterizing protein-based drugs.

Dedicated to advancing equity in science, Shannon currently serves as the Sponsorship Chair for Women in Bio’s RTP chapter. Additionally, she is the president of the Raleigh Rotaract Club, where she is committed to giving back to the community.

Outside of work, Shannon is an avid runner, kayaker, and pet lover, spending time with her four pets: Lily, Luna, Lemon and Leo. She also enjoys baking sourdough bread, decorating, and crafting stained glass art in her free time.

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Sedrick Sweat Jr.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Previous Education

BS Marketing & BS in Entrepreneurship Management, University of South Carolina

About

Sedrick Sweat Jr. is a second-year full-time MBA student residing in Raleigh, North Carolina. Originally born in Durham, NC, Sedrick spent most of his childhood just outside of Atlanta in Kennesaw, GA.

Presently, Sedrick has found a plethora of ways to get involved at NC State during his academic tenure. He became a founding member and sits as the Vice Chair of the Graduate Student Advisory Board (GSAB). He is the President of the Marketing Club within the MBA Student Association (MBASA). Lastly, he is an MBA Ambassador and assists with admissions. Outside of his academics, he is a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which is an organization that promotes brotherhood and develops leaders while also serving its communities.

Sedrick first attended the University of South Carolina’s Honors College, where he obtained a dual degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship Management. After graduating, he worked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car (Enterprise Mobility) for two years and was promoted to an assistant manager role. Sedrick has developed many skills around teamwork, growth metrics/analysis, and strategic management and has leveraged those in his everyday environment.

Driven to be more competitive in the workforce and excel in his education, Sedrick opted to pursue his MBA, for which he is getting a dual concentration in Marketing and Innovation Management and is also pursuing a certificate in marketing.

Sedrick is excited about this opportunity with the McLauchlan Leadership Series and is looking forward to seeing the next doors God opens for him for his next chapter.

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Beth Torrie

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Owner, Torrie Communications

Previous Education

BS, Mass Communications, Philosophy, Boston University

About

Beth is a dynamic leader with twenty-five years of experience transforming industry analyst relations, marketing strategy and media communications for startups, midmarket and enterprise companies. She regularly delivers against aggressive goals to help companies meet and exceed their business objectives. Her work grows sales and valuations.

She’s built several of the most well-regarded analyst relations programs from the ground up at companies including FatWire, RedDot, Cybage Software, Contentstack, Sitecore and OpenText. Since 2019, she has led Torrie Communications, a boutique consulting firm in Chapel Hill, NC. She regularly advises software and services companies, venture capital and private equity companies on growth strategies. Beth has an outstanding reputation and is widely known for being a trusted advisor and thought leader. She will complete her MBA at NC State in May 2025 with a certificate in leadership.

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Zoe Winston

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Employment

Global Talent Development Senior Manager, Merz Aesthetics

Previous Education

MA, Higher Education Administration, University of Alabama
BA, History, University of Alabama

About

As the Global Learning and Development Manager at Merz Aesthetics, Zoe is passionate about fostering growth and enhancing the capabilities of teams worldwide. With a strong foundation in education and leadership, Zoe’s journey in talent development began at The University of Alabama, where she served as a Peer Education Programs Coordinator. Later, as the assistant director at the Center for Service and Leadership, she honed skills in program management and leadership development, fueling her commitment to empowering others.

Currently pursuing an MBA at NC State, Zoe strives to stay at the forefront of innovative leadership strategies. Her background in higher education administration and history drives a dedication to continuous growth, and she is eager to apply these insights to help organizations thrive by aligning business strategy with employee support.

Outside of work, Zoe enjoys traveling, cooking, and running. She is married with two kids and has a rescued French bulldog named Shorty.

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