University at Albany MBA for Executives Program

06/04/2024

On the road again. Next stop for the University at Albany MBA for Executives Program students? São Paulo! University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany University at Albany School of Business

06/04/2024

University at Albany MBA for Executives Program students heard a powerful and passionate cultural and human rights overview from Silvia Ojeda as she touched on land concentration, illegal land grabbing, deforestation, corruption, and the war on drugs in Brazil. The Graduate School at the University at Albany University at Albany, SUNY University at Albany School of Business

06/04/2024

Samba 101, courtesy of the University at Albany MBA for Executives Program’s Carnavale Experience! University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany University at Albany School of Business

06/03/2024

The University at Albany MBA for Executives Program students took a very neat peek behind the scenes of the Carnaval and learned about the amazing history of this festival that is celebrated every year in Brazil.

We toured the Acadêmicos da Grande Rio shed, one of the main Samba Schools in Rio de Janeiro, dressed up in authentic costumes, and had a free samba lesson from one of the school’s dancers. University at Albany, SUNY University at Albany School of Business The Graduate School at the University at Albany

06/03/2024

Christ the Redeemer, here we come! University at Albany MBA for Executives Program University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany University at Albany School of Business

06/03/2024

Morning is breaking here in Rio de Janeiro (as are the waves!) as day three of the University at Albany, SUNY for Executives’ international trip begins with our first business meetings. The Graduate School at the University at Albany University at Albany School of Business

06/02/2024

Wait, what’s this? Why, it’s a post University at Albany MBA for Executives Program welcome dinner sidewalk conga line! University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany

06/02/2024

Scenes from last night’s University at Albany MBA for Executives Program MBA for Executives Program’s welcome dinner at the renowned Rio Scenarium in cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro! University at Albany School of Business University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany

05/31/2024

Twenty-five intrepid travelers, 10 business visits, eight days, three airports, two cities, and one country. University at Albany MBA for Executives Program students depart for a week-long business and cultural immersion in Brazil in what promises to be a once in a lifetime experience for many of them. University at Albany, SUNY University at Albany School of Business The Graduate School at the University at Albany

05/30/2024

We may be late to this particular party, but we would also be remiss if we didn't announce that Nafeesa Koslik is back in the hospitality house! After a nearly two-year run as Director of Workforce Development & Culture at AIM Services, Inc., she is now the General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Albany Airport.

"My education and experience with the EMBA from the University at Albany School of Business and my fellow students enhanced my knowledge to be a leader my team needed. I was able to take my class lessons and apply them directly to my work," said the 2018 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program alum. "I learned the most from my University at Albany, SUNY cohort members as all came from different industries, countries, and cultures. Some of the best friends I have are from my cohort and they will be my life-long friends."

The position marks Nafeesa's return to hotel management, where she has spent most of the past two decades, primarily at Hilton and Comfort Inn properties. The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association

05/29/2024

As technology consultancy Nuvalence joined EY in an effort to expand digital engineering and generative AI capabilities last month, 2018 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program alum Gavin Hogan found himself in a swanky new position, Managing Director.

He landed at Nuvalence in 2021 and his time there followed a common theme as he advanced into increasingly responsible roles in short order. He started as Vice President and quickly moved up to General Manager a year later and to Partner late last year.

Gavin spent most of his career, nearly 11 and a half years, at CommerceHub, first as a Software Architect and then Vice President and Chief Architect. He was Senior Vice President, Engineering before departing for Nuvalence. Prior to CommerceHub, he was at SUNY - The State University of New York System Administration for a little over four years. The Graduate School at the University at Albany University at Albany School of Business UAlbany Alumni Association University at Albany, SUNY

05/28/2024

Climate Investment has promoted Rick Cutright to Managing Director, Climate Tech Innovation. He joined the company in 2018 as a Technolgy Principal and became Technology Director three years later.

"Now as a Managing Director for a leading climate investment firm, I apply the multifaceted lessons from my MBA daily. The program's comprehensive approach equipped me with advanced business acumen and enhanced my leadership and strategic thinking capabilities. Whether advising startups or navigating complex investments, the insights from my MBA are continually at play," said Rick, who graduated the program in 2009. "Reflecting on my journey, I realize that the decision to pursue an MBA at the University at Albany, SUNY was undoubtedly a catalyst in my career, positioning me to lead confidently in the evolving landscape of climate technology.

Before enrolling in the program, his career had blended military service and technical expertise. As a U.S. Navy veteran, he honed his operational and training skills in demanding environments and, in transitioning to the business sector, he delved into roles that bridged research and development with product development in controls and systems engineering, primarily for Plug Power and several GE subsidiaries.

"The University at Albany MBA for Executives Program was pivotal, bridging my technical expertise and the broader business landscape. The program enriched my understanding of essential business domains such as human resources, finance, sales, and marketing. It allowed me to integrate these insights into my systems engineering perspective, fostering a holistic view of business operations and strategy," he continued. "The program's structure - two years of intensive weekend classes - created a unique learning environment. I shared countless hours with a diverse group of peers whose support and perspectives were crucial to my growth. This continuous interaction not only deepened our learning but also formed a network of enduring professional relationships and mutual support." University at Albany School of Business The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association

05/24/2024

Leidos, a Fortune 500® innovation company that addresses client challenges in the national security and health spaces, has promoted 2002 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program alum Craig Papke to Associate Program Manager. He joined the company in 2019 as a Deputy Program Manager.

"The University at Albany, SUNY MBA opened up my eyes to possibilities, as at the time I felt sheltered in the State Farm corporate world and the U.S. Navy world," he said. "Steve Lobel telling his stories of entrepreneurial success and failure, great case studies, and getting to know some really smart and talented people was a positive experience in the pragmatic sense of being around people and professors who ultimately get things done.”

Craig was long involved with insurance prior to Leidos, running his own agency for nearly 15 years, first representing State Farm and later Allstate. In addition, he also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve as Deputy Director for Intelligence Policy, Plans & Exercises. UAlbany Alumni Association The Graduate School at the University at Albany U.S. Navy University at Albany School of Business

05/23/2024

There is a new Chief Strategy Officer at Apollo MedFlight in Amarillo, Texas and his name his Marty Delaney. He joins the company after almost four years as Vice President of Medical Transport for HCA Houston Healthcare.

"The University at Albany, SUNY MBA program had a significant impact on my decision to accept this position. I apply what I learned every day as I engage in the company's strategy, leadership, and financial management," said the 2015 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program grad. "The program expertly blended real-world application with theoretical concepts, aligning perfectly with our industry's performance expectations."

Marty has been involved in medical transport since 1995 when he started with Superior Ambulance as Director of Operations. He became Regional Business Director at Air Methods in St. Louis in 2003 and was promoted to Regional Vice President in 2015. The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association University at Albany School of Business

05/22/2024

Congratulations to the 2024 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program cohort on walking the University at Albany, SUNY graduation stage! We applaud you for the extraordinary job you did in the program and look forward to the difference you will be making in the days to come. Well done, Mercy Alila-Dorbor, Curtis Bargender, Dana Castillo, Stephen Jensen, Lisa Jones, Anthony Ragosta, and Monica Wendell!

Next stop ... Brazil as part of the program's international business trip! UAlbany Alumni Association The Graduate School at the University at Albany University at Albany School of Business

05/22/2024

2017 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program alum Peter Keigley is switching teams. After nearly a year at Pioneer Bank as a Commercial Relationship Manager, he is now a Commercial Banking Officer with Community Bank, N.A.

Pete launched his banking career in 2002 in Florida with HSBC Bank USA. Since relocating to the Capital Region in 2011, he has been involved in branch management, treasury sales, and relationship management for a handful of financial institutions, including First Niagara Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, KeyBank, and Pioneer. The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association University at Albany School of Business

05/21/2024

WOW, WHAT A WEEKEND!

Spent it launching International Business, celebrating the 2024 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program cohort's graduation, listening to guest speaker Alan Oliveira provide his perspective on Brazil, and feasting on South American cuisine at Moliendo_cafe. Action packed! University at Albany, SUNY University at Albany School of Business The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association

05/17/2024

A well-deserved congratulations to 2019 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program grad Pam Fisher, who recently received a 2024 Woman of Distinction award from New York State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.

Pam, who is the Director of External Affairs at Hudson Headwaters Health Network, was recognized for her board service, work at Hudson Headwaters, the parenting of her two children, and instances of personal and professional success as a leader with a disability.

The cherry on top for Pam was being introduced at the award ceremony by her 17-year-old daughter, Claire, who reminded everyone about the importance of championing others. University at Albany, SUNY University at Albany School of Business UAlbany Alumni Association The Graduate School at the University at Albany

05/17/2024

After a quick 18 months at Nike as Accounting Manager-Converse Wholesale Inventory and Supply Chain, 2020 alum Ben Giannetti recently landed at Warner Music Group as Accounting Manager-10K Projects Label, ADA Distribution.

A licensed CPA since 2013, Ben previously worked in the public accounting, non-profit, and global chemical manufacturing sectors for 10 years.

"I believe my career growth is undeniably due, in part, to my experience in the University at Albany MBA for Executives Program," he said. "I took something away from each course, and I've found the relationships developed within the cohort to be enduring." University at Albany, SUNY University at Albany School of Business UAlbany Alumni Association The Graduate School at the University at Albany

05/16/2024

Congratulations, David Smith, a former instructor in the University at Albany MBA for Executives Program, on a well-deserved honor. University at Albany, SUNY University at Albany School of Business The Graduate School at the University at Albany

David Rousseau, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, and David Smith, professor and chair of the Department of Finance in the Massry School of Business, have been named Collins Fellows for 2024.

05/16/2024

Is there any stopping Whitney Grey Philippi? We think not, particularly after she accepted the role of Chief Advancement Officer at Northern Rivers Family of Services.

"It’s my dream job. I have worked in nonprofit fundraising and marketing for over seven years and have been a foster parent for over two and this position aligns with my professional goals and personal passions in every way," she said. "When I graduated from the University at Albany MBA for Executives Program in 2021, I could only dream that one day I would be able to marry the two at some point in my career. I never thought it would happen so quickly. The University at Albany School of Business program equipped me to take on such a role, and I know I owe so much of my professional success to my participation in it. I am so grateful that I am able to use my professional skills to serve the community I love so dearly.“

Those seven years of nonprofit fundraising included three years as Director of Advancement for the Loudonville Christian School and nearly four as Vice President of Development for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. Prior to entering the world of not-for-profits, the Texas native served as Assistant General Manager for the Franklin Hospitality Group for seven years. University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association

05/15/2024

Tom Ostrander has accepted a Technical Project Manager contract position with Akkodis USA. The 2002 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program grad will provide technical project management support to research and development projects being executed at GE Research for GE Aerospace.

"The MBA program has boosted my career by exposing me to financial skills that have helped my technical jobs," he said.

Tom had been Project Manager at IHI Terrasun Solutions since 2022 and, prior to that, spent 32 years with GE and GE Energy in a multitude of engineering, program, and product management roles. University at Albany, SUNY University at Albany School of Business The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association

05/14/2024

Jake Lansley's career is taking off once again! After seven months at The Boeing Company in South Carolina, the 2019 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program alum is on the move, having accepted a Tool Project Manager position at Intel. Intel is expanding its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and investing billions of the dollars in the U.S. and he was hired to assist in this expansion. He will be the project manager for the installation of new semiconductor tools at the Hillsboro, Oregon campus.

It marks a return for Jake to the semiconductor industry as he had worked at GlobalFoundries for six years.

"The University at Albany School of Business MBA program helped me to recognize that I could make a bigger impact in my role. It gave me the tools I needed to understand the bigger picture as well," he said. "But most importantly, it gave me a group of friends that I can reach out to and discuss issues with honesty, without worrying what they think."

Prior to joining the Malta chip manufacturer in 2018, Jake was Manufacturing Operations Manager at GE for a couple of years and had been involved with warehouse operations at Target and Ace Hardware for two more.

Before launching his civilian career in 2014, he served as Operations Sergeant in the U.S. Army for 23 years. University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association

05/13/2024

Ar Kee hasn't quite completed his first year in the University at Albany MBA for Executives Program and already he is moving up the corporate ladder!

The University at Albany, SUNY 2025 cohort member has been promoted to Auto Salvage Coordinator at Travelers Insurance after joining the company in 2020 as a Claim Operations Specialist. He will be managing the paperwork and title work for salvaged vehicles, ensuring compliance with state titling laws as well as verifying proper ex*****on of inbound field titling documents and notifying others for claim payment when appropriate. Ar will also be responsible for resolving errors, reviewing auto sale lists and photos, auditing sale prices, documenting activities throughout the salvage process, and conducting periodic reconciliation reviews of credits/debits.

"Participating in the University at Albany School of Business MBA program has empowered me to step out of my comfort zone and pursue diverse roles within my industry," said Ar. "It has motivated me to actively engage with leaders beyond my immediate sphere, recognizing that certain projects necessitate insights and expertise from those at different levels of management." The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association

05/10/2024

We are proud to announce that Mac-Arthur Louis is the recipient of the University at Albany, SUNY College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity's CEHC Excellence in Teaching Award for Information Sciences and Technology. The 2010 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program alum was selected following nominations from CEHC students and was recognized during the May 10 awards ceremony.

And there's even more great news coming about Mac later this month so stay tuned! UAlbany Alumni Association University at Albany School of Business The Graduate School at the University at Albany

05/10/2024

After working as a radiologist assistant for 13 years, 2022 University at Albany, SUNY MBA for Executives alum Nathan Hunt took over as Director of Radiology for ImageCare last month. He oversees day-to-day operations of eight ImageCare locations and 165 employees. He is also responsible for balancing the needs of patients, providers, radiologists, and staff as related to medical imaging.

"The University at Albany MBA for Executives Program prepared me for many of the obvious things one would expect, including human resource considerations, employee recruitment, marketing, process improvement, leadership, public speaking, and financial statement analysis," he said. "What I found most useful, however, was the confidence it instilled in me. Completing the MBA program gave me the courage to believe that I could cross over from the clinical world into the business world. I will be forever grateful to the professors who ultimately are responsible for helping foster that courage."

Nate launched his career in 2008 as a Registered Radiologic Technologist at Milford Hospital in Connecticut before moving on to Ellis Hospital as a Registered Radiologist Assistant in 2011. He joined the Community Care Physicians radiology team five years later. The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association University at Albany School of Business

05/09/2024

Francine Cerneck Fredette, a 2016 University at Albany MBA for Executives Program grad, is the new Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Facilities for the New York State Department of Financial Services.

She enters state service after seven years at Excelsior University, first as Director of Budget and then Executive Director of Budget, and 13 and a half years as Business Manager in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Provost Office and School of Architecture. University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association University at Albany School of Business

05/09/2024

The University at Albany MBA for Executives Program held its 4th Annual Alumni Networking event at Wolferts Roost Country Club a few weeks ago, providing more than 50 students, alumni, prospects, faculty, and staff the opportunity to network, hear remarks from University at Albany School of Business Interim Dean Kevin Williams, and listen to an insightful yet entertaining keynote presentation by Ben & Jerry's Patrick Pipino, a University at Albany, SUNY MBA alum. UAlbany Alumni Association The Graduate School at the University at Albany

05/07/2024

Monica Wendell (left), Senior Human Resources Generalist with Ballston Spa National Bank and the 2024 cohort president, earned the Outstanding Graduate Student Achievement Award-MBA for Executives, at last week's University at Albany School of Business ceremony. She is pictured with long-time University at Albany MBA for Executives Program finance instructor Dr. Rita Biswas. University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany Alumni Association

12/14/2023

Dr. Mark Hughes gets the Accounting for Managers ball rolling with the University at Albany MBA for Executives Program's 2025 cohort last weekend. University at Albany, SUNY The Graduate School at the University at Albany UAlbany School of Business