Alumni & Friends News

Students in Fisher’s Full-Time MBA program had the opportunity to experience firsthand the reach of the Ohio State alumni network as part of a Tech Hop to San Francisco.

For Jaja Liang, a Fisher student majoring in international business and marketing, having the opportunity to experience an eight-week global internship where she lived and worked in Southeast Asia was an amazing time that was made possible by donor support.

When Tim Kelly (BSBA ’18) reflects on his time as an Accounting Honors student at Fisher, he can’t help but speak fondly of the memorable experiences he had in the Honors Cohort program. From the impactful opportunities he had to travel domestically and abroad, to the lifelong friendships he forged, the Honors Cohort program stands out as an unforgettable part of his years as a Fisher student.

Stephanie Paxton (BSBA ’12) shares why she returned to Fisher to join with students and alumni to volunteer as part of VITA, which provides free tax prep to low-income and disadvantaged individuals.

JPMorgan Chase's local leader and Columbus 2020 board member Corrine Burger (BSBA '85) has her hands in efforts to grow and diversify Columbus talent.

Melissa Blackburn and Danielle Lim became friends while classmates in Fisher’s Working Professional MBA program. Since graduating in 2011, they’ve remained connected and co-founded Haven Collective, a co-working space in the Columbus area.

Students and alumni of Fisher’s Full-Time MBA program recently connected at an event highlighting how MBA students are leveraging their Fisher experience to align with their passions.

During her year on campus, Gloria LaCourse (MAcc ’18) had opportunities to get involved through MAcc Gives Back, a day of community outreach for students, faculty, staff and alumni; and Project THRIVE, a program that creates a community of minority and underrepresented Accounting and Management Information Systems students that is equipped to succeed at Fisher and beyond.

Harley Blakeman (BSBA '17) will bring his message of redemption as part of the TEDxOhioStateUniversity conference, showing how he has used self-confidence — sometimes to a fault — to make his progression from drug dealer to an Ohio State graduate, published author, speaker and CEO of Honest Jobs, a company that helps ex-convicts find employment.

The magazine has recognized Idelle K. Wolf (BSBA '74) on a list of female executives, achievers and leaders contributing their leadership and talents to the boards of respected corporations and major organizations.

TONE Networks, an expert-driven online micro-learning platform designed for working women, has added Ida Abdalkhani (BSBA '05, MBA '05) to their impressive list of experts. 

Paula Bennett (BSBA ’71) has been named to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business’ (AACSB) 2019 Class of Influential Leaders.

More than 25 Ohio State alumni have answered the call to help current graduate students grapple with professional and personal challenges as part of a coaching program delivered by the Fisher Leadership Initiative.  

After a successful career in real estate, Harley Rouda Jr. (EMBA ’02) made a successful run for public office in California and now serves in the U.S. House of Representatives. Recently, Rouda took some time to answer questions about his experiences as a student at Fisher and how his studies have benefitted him throughout his career. 

As a student at Fisher, CJ Stover (BSBA ’18) received a well-rounded education while majoring in logistics management.

As part of the "There's a Better Way" podcast, Aravind Chandrasekaran, associate director of the Center for Operational Excellence, talks with Charles Goodwin (MBOE '12), director of airport operations at Columbus Regional Airport Authority, about how lean thinking and standard work allow for smooth operations even during a time of uncertainty.

Lawrence Funderburke (BSBA ’94), who is putting his finance degree to work as a successful financial planner, shares why it is important to incorporate a value system when making financial decisions.

Nokian Tyres P.L.C. has hired Stephen DeCastro (MBA '06) as its head of finance and controlling for the Americas region. In his role, Mr. DeCastro will lead North American financial operations from the company's corporate office in Nashville.

Edwin Jones (BSBA ’08, MBA ’15) is a husband, new father and client representative for IBM who lives and works in Columbus. He’s also active in the Alumni Undergraduate Mentor Program at Fisher College of Business, which is how he met Rose Pansick (BSBA ’15). 

Student Austin Ward shares how scholarships have enabled his journey from a rural, blue-collar community to Fisher's campus. The video is part of Ohio State’s Scarlet and Grateful: Scholarship Stories series.

For Jodi Abbate (BSBA ’02), serving in a financial reporting leadership role at Nationwide Insurance seems natural, given that she earned a degree from Fisher in finance. But her path to where she is today required a lot of hard work, advice from trusted mentors and one other very important thing: additional coursework in accounting from Fisher. 

Alex Jackson (MBLE ’10) is one of many MBLE alumni working at more than 150 companies in 15 countries. At DHL, Alex helps global companies design supply chains to meet their ongoing challenges. Alex shares his perspectives on his MBLE experience.

See how Gavin Meyers (MBA '11) and Tim Ward (MBA '12), founders of North High Brewing, used their Fisher College of Business experience to tap into Columbus’ entrepreneurial support system to successfully launch and expand their business.

Alumni and friends of the Max M. Fisher College of Business gathered to celebrate the 2018 recipients of the college’s Alumni Awards.