Alumni & Friends News

Fisher Alumni Awards honorees with their awards group photo
October 12, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Celebrating an anniversary of alumni excellence

Fisher celebrated 30 years of alumni accomplishment by recognizing six individuals for their significant impact as leaders, professionals and citizens. Meet the graduates who, by the virtue of their hard work and selflessness, exemplify the college’s legacy of excellence and were named 2023 Alumni Award recipients.
2023 Alumni of Color Network Weekend Award winners
September 21, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Alumni of Color Network Weekend celebrates success and connections

The third annual Alumni of Color Network Weekend celebrated the connections among Fisher graduates and the personal and professional achievements of seven trailblazing alumni. Meet the individuals honored for their meaningful contributions to their profession, impact in academia and legacy of excellence in their professional careers.
Prateeksha Prabhakar creating designs on her computer in a design lab
September 15, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Sustainably in vogue: Prateeksha Prabhakar

A passion for fashion and the environment drives Prateeksha Prabhakar’s desire to create sustainable clothing solutions. Discover how the third-year student is making her mark in the fashion industry and plans to continue to turn the runway green.
Caterinna Sampe Baesse portrait outdoors along the ocean
September 14, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Fueling recovery following disasters: Caterinna Sampe Baesse

Whether starting and growing her own petroleum business or providing valuable services following natural disasters in Puerto Rico, Caterinna Sampe Baesse (MLHR ’10) has put to use skills she learned as a graduate student at Fisher. Meet the alumna who has emerged as one of the few female leaders in the energy industry in the Caribbean.
Chad Zipfel mentoring students
August 16, 2023
The Ohio State University Alumni Magazine

How five campus mentors approach sharing their wisdom

“Mentoring is in my nature,” says Chad Zipfel. Learn more about why the senior lecturer in finance enjoys giving back to tomorrow's business leaders.
Richard Castellano sailing his yacht.
August 14, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Sailing the open seas: Richard Castellano makes yachting his business

Richard Castellano (BSBA ’82) turned to business to fulfill his lifelong dream of leading large companies, traveling the world and eventually becoming an entrepreneur. He shares how his Ohio State experience — and an early pivot in his education — provided him with the foundation for a successful career that led to his “perfect” retirement on the sea.
HUD Secretary Fudge urges graduates to make a difference
August 8, 2023
The Ohio State University

HUD Secretary Fudge urges graduates to make a difference

At The Ohio State University’s 2023 summer commencement Sunday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge (BSBA '75) encouraged the graduates to effect positive change.
Cintas VP of Taxation Sowmya Aggarwal earns Forty Under 40 honors
August 8, 2023
Businesswire

Cintas VP of Taxation Sowmya Aggarwal earns Forty Under 40 honors

Sowmya Aggarwal (BSBA '07, MAcc '07), vice president of taxation at Cintas Corporation has been named to the Forty Under 40 list for 2023 published by the Cincinnati Business Courier.
Julie Sloat rises through the ranks to lead American Electric Power as CEO
July 27, 2023
Columbus CEO

Julie Sloat rises through the ranks to lead American Electric Power as CEO

Julie Sloat (BSBA '93, MBA '99) runs one of the U.S.’s largest electric utilities in a challenging period. Colleagues and analysts say she’s the right leader at the right time.
Song Qi poses at the Continental Group headquarters.
July 10, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

A global perspective on manufacturing: Song Qi

Adapting to different business cultures, economic drivers and customer needs guides Song Qi’s (MBA ’99) business success as an international executive. See how he’s broken barriers and what he’s learned as a manager of a global manufacturing team.
Imran Nuri with his 50-year-old camera on his "Advice from America" road trip.
June 14, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Snapshot of an entrepreneur

Imran Nuri (BSBA ’20) set out on a 15,000-mile road trip to find the meaning of life and himself. In the process, he laid the foundation for his newest entrepreneurial venture, “Advice from America,” a published collection of advice and guidance from complete strangers.
Raven Tiem
May 11, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Science, technology and advocacy: Raven Tiem

A passion for diversity, advocacy and changing the world for the better have guided Raven Tiem’s (MAcc ’17) purpose-driven career. She discusses her career change from accounting to technology and what prepared her to forge new paths leading diverse teams, creating new apps and helping find treatments for cancer.
Torrington Ford posing in front of a plane
April 20, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Taking flight: Torrington Ford (BSBA ’23)

He graduated high school and community college and enrolled at Ohio State at age 15. He was piloting planes before he was driving and now, at age 20, Torrington Ford is graduating with a dual major in air transportation and aviation management. Learn more about his incredible story and the support he’s received from family, friends, mentors and donors.
Telhio Credit Union appoints Nick Biratsis to vice president of marketing
April 5, 2023
CUInsight

Telhio Credit Union appoints Nick Biratsis to vice president of marketing

Telhio Credit Union recently announced the appointment of Nick Biratsis (BSBA '99) to the role of vice president of marketing. 
Cynthia Turner, Melinda Whittington and Paula Bennett participate in a panel discussion at the 2023 Women's Leadership Symposium.
April 4, 2023
The Ohio State University

Fisher alumni share business success during Women’s Leadership Symposium

What’s the secret to business success? Learn how confidence, collaboration, balance, and being intellectually, emotionally and socially agile have guided Fisher alumnae into leadership roles and C-Suite careers.
A smiling Kathleen Sharp portrait
March 20, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Kathleen Sharp’s legacy of Lean

Kathleen Sharp (MBOE ’15) left her mark on the world by improving health care for patients. Learn how, through a lifetime of living Lean, she changed the lives of people in her community and left a legacy for future Lean leaders at Fisher.
Student Pace Setters award honorees with Dean Anil Makhija
March 16, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Spotlighting leaders at Fisher’s annual Pace Setters Awards

Meet Fisher’s best and brightest principled leaders and humble servants. This elite group of high achieving students, faculty and alumni were honored as Fisher’s very best ambassadors at this year’s Pace Setters awards.
Elicia Azali on five things you need to be a highly effective C-suite executive
March 9, 2023
Authority Magazine

Elicia Azali on five things you need to be a highly effective C-suite executive

What skills helped Elicia Azali (BSBA '05) establish herself as a strong business leaders? "I would say that having emotional intelligence, staying humble, and building strong relationships are all character traits that were the most instrumental to my success." Read more about Azali's ascent to marketing leadership positions at a number of high-profile companies.
Noah Jellison speaks to attendees at the 2023 Risk Annual Conference
March 8, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Jellison named executive director of The Risk Institute

Meet Noah Jellison (BSBA ’07) and learn how his experience will help the Risk Institute advance enterprise risk management practice and research.
Technology entrepreneur Ratmir Timashev shares secrets of success with Ohio State students
February 22, 2023
The Ohio State University

Technology entrepreneur Ratmir Timashev shares secrets of success with Ohio State students

Fisher students had an exclusive opportunity to connect with Ratmir Timashev (MA ’95) and to learn more about the professional possibilities that the software industry can provide. Timashev’s fireside chat at Fisher coincided with the announcement of his $110 million gift to Ohio State to create the Center for Software Innovation.
Record-setting $110M gift will launch the Center for Software Innovation at Ohio State
February 16, 2023
The Ohio State University

Record-setting $110M gift will launch the Center for Software Innovation at Ohio State

A historic, $110 million gift from the Timashev Family Foundation to The Ohio State University will establish the Center for Software Innovation, which will bring together the College of Engineering, Fisher College of Business and other partners in creative new ways, including through the creation of endowed professorships, cutting-edge academic offerings and hands-on industry experience for students. 
Cynthia Turner and her two sons
February 7, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Turner recognized nationally for her dedication to DEI at Fisher

Learn more about Assistant Dean and Chief Diversity Officer Cynthia Turner (MAcc '95, PhD '96) and why she was recently recognized for her work advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at Fisher.
Medical Advertising Hall of Fame inducts Regan, Flaum
February 6, 2023
Medical Marketing and Media

Medical Advertising Hall of Fame inducts Regan, Flaum

The Medical Advertising Hall of Fame opens its doors to the late Sander Flaum (BA '58) and Maureen Regan, two of the agency world’s most accomplished — and admired — leaders.
Headshot of Tyree Pollard
February 6, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Bringing purpose to problems: Tyree Pollard (MBA ’16)

Tyree Pollard (MBA ’16) shares the impact that the BRIGHT program has had on his professional journey and his goal of helping Columbus City Schools, its students, teachers and administrators reach their full potential.
Gavraj Sohal and classmates
January 23, 2023
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Support to spread his wings: Gavraj Sohal

Meet Gavraj Sohal, a fourth-year finance major who credits the belief of his family and generosity of donors for shaping his academic career.