In 1993, the Fisher Alumni Board created the Fisher Alumni Awards to establish a tradition of honoring graduates who personify the college’s legacy of excellence. Thirty years — and more than 88,000 living alumni later — Fisher graduates, faculty and staff came together to celebrate six individuals for their significant impact as leaders, professionals and citizens.

“The Fisher Alumni Awards celebrate what makes the Fisher community such a special one: The collective impact of our college’s greatest legacy, our passionate alumni,” said Anil Makhija, dean and John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business. “This is, of course, a special year because we’re marking three decades of recognizing the greatness of our alumni – those who are leaders in their industries, committed public servants, patrons and pioneers in the arts, friends to our college and champions of principled leadership.”

During an evening celebration at The Blackwell, Alan Patricof (BSBA ’55), Richard Lewis (BSBA ’69), Corrine Burger (BSBA ’85), Larry A. Hilsheimer (BSBA ’78), Jeff Schumann (BSBA ’08) and Dr. Zeenia Kaul (MBA ’16) were recognized for their professional achievements, entrepreneurism, global business impact, service, lifelong achievements and leadership.

“We are here to celebrate something special — a spirit of community — that connects generations of Buckeyes and Business Buckeyes,” emcee Amjed Osman (BSBA ’16) told the attendees. “Included in this global community are six special individuals who, by virtue of their hard work, selflessness and leadership, exemplify the best of our best.”

The honorees serve as powerful examples of the positive impact that Fisher College of Business alumni can have for future generations of business leaders, Makhija said.

“These individuals set an example for the students who walk our halls today,” he said. “Their stories stand as inspiring testimonials to personal and professional drive, and they illustrate the power that our connected, collective alumni family can have for each other and for business, industries and marketplaces around the world!”

Distinguished Leadership Award

Inspired by Max M. Fisher's legacy of leadership and dedication to others, the Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award is presented to an alumna or alumnus who has served as a principled leader in their company and their community. They are service-oriented catalysts who affect positive change in their profession and seek to advance the common good.

Alan Patricof (BSBA ’55)
Chairperson and Co-Founder
Primetime Partners

Alan Patricof is the co-founder and chairperson of Primetime Partners, an early-stage venture capital (VC) fund focused on servicing the aging population. He created Patricof & Co. Ventures Inc., a predecessor to Apax Partners — one of the world's leading private equity firms with $75 billion under management. In 2006, he founded Greycroft Partners to invest in leading early and expansion stage investments in digital media.

Alan has been instrumental in growing the VC field from a base of high net-worth individuals to its position today with broad institutional backing. He has helped build and grow major global companies, including, America Online, Office Depot, Cellular Communications, Inc., Apple Computer, Audible, Huffington Post and Axios. He was also a founder and chairman of the board of New York Magazine. He recently released his memoir, “No Red Lights: Reflections on Life, 50 Years in Venture Capital and Never Driving Alone.”

He is a board member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, the Finance Committee of Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem, The Board of Overseers of Columbia School of Business and The Fortune Society. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Achievement Award

This award is presented to an alumna or alumnus in recognition of their outstanding career accomplishments and leadership, positive community impact and unrivaled passion for The Ohio State University. The award is a testament to the incredible ways Ohio State business alumni are creatively shaping industries and organizations worldwide.

Richard Lewis (BSBA ’69)
Actor, Comedian, Author

Entering his sixth decade in the arts, Richard has shaped his lifelong anxieties into a compelling art form. In December 1989, he achieved a personal goal of performing to a sold-out Carnegie Hall. Regarded by his peers as a ‘comic’s comic,’ Lewis’ neuroses have also become part of our vernacular with the popular phrase, “I had a (blank) from Hell.” With countless TV and film appearances, close to his heart was co-starring in the critically acclaimed series “Anything But Love,” with Jamie Lee Curtis. He returns to HBO’s triumphant series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” for the upcoming 12th season.

Richard is especially grateful for having an Ohio State diploma in his hip pocket, being sober for over 29 years and for the 25 years with the love of his life, Joyce, and their rescue pup, Lila.

Excellence In Service Award

This award is presented to an extraordinary alumna or alumnus who has demonstrated a consummate commitment to service — to their alma mater, in their local community and to humankind.

Corrine Burger (BSBA ’85)
Chief Control Manager
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Corrine is chief control manager for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Her team provides governance and oversight to ensure internal issues get identified, escalated and remediated. She also serves as the lead executive overseeing the Columbus Strategic Hub, one of the firm’s largest workforce hubs with more than 17,000 employees.

In the community, Corrine is a trustee on the boards of the Columbus Partnership, Columbus State Community College, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, One Columbus and the Dean’s Advisory Council at Fisher.

Corrine and her husband Joe live in Dublin, Ohio. They have four adult children and a granddaughter.

Global Business Excellence Award

This award is presented to an alumna or alumnus recognized nationally and internationally for significant contributions to business — and for helping to advance the global learning of Fisher students.

Larry A. Hilsheimer (BSBA ’78)
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Greif

Larry joined Greif in May 2014 as chief financial officer. Previously, he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro; executive vice president and chief financial officer and president and chief operating officer of multiple business units of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; and vice chairman and regional managing partner for Deloitte & Touche USA, LLP.

Larry serves on the board of directors of IBP, Battelle for Kids, Root Insurance and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. He previously served on the finance and audit committees of the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University. He also sits on the Dean’s Advisory Council at Fisher and has served as a board member for The Ohio State University Alumni Association and numerous other charitable and civic boards.

Larry holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fisher and a law degree from Capital University Law School.

Entrepreneurship Award

This award is presented to an alumna or alumnus recognized for significant contributions to the entrepreneurship community through the development, launch and investment in successful new ventures. This award also recognizes outstanding commitment to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Jeff Schumann (BSBA ’08)
Co-Founder and CEO
Aware

Jeff began his career in cyber intelligence prior to graduating college, collaborating with the Central Intelligence Agency to intercept dark web terrorist communications. His technological acumen propelled him to lead enterprise collaboration for a Fortune 50 company.

Jeff’s most notable achievement is the co-founding of Aware, a high-growth cybersecurity and people analytics firm, backed by Goldman Sachs. The company, under Jeff’s guidance, has become a trusted partner to global giants such as Starbucks, T-Mobile, Walmart, National Geographic and Delta Airlines. Jeff's unique trajectory, blending deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, establishes him as a formidable ally in safeguarding some of the world’s most reputable brands.

Professional Achievement Award

This award is presented to an alumna or alumnus in their early to mid-career who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in business, civic involvement and service to the college.

Dr. Zeenia Kaul (MBA ’16)
Co-Founder, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer
ReHeva Biosciences

Dr. Zeenia Kaul is a trained biomedical scientist and proven executive leader with demonstrated ability to deliver results in high-pressure, competitive startup environments. As co-founder, CEO and CSO of ReHeva Biosciences with more than 10 years of executive leadership experience, Zeenia leverages her business proficiency, financial acumen and exceptional interpersonal skills to lead a multidisciplinary, global team in the discovery and development of new product assets.

Zeenia’s business acumen in the Ohio biopharmaceutical ecosystem has earned her awards such as Next Up Columbus Honoree and SMART50 Award Honoree, which recognizes top executives of the 50 smartest companies in the central Ohio region. She was recently awarded first-place at Startup 302, a premier funding source for technology-enabled startups led by underrepresented founders. In 2022, Zeenia was featured in Authority Magazine as a “Female Disruptor” and was recently spotlighted in the Conquering Columbus Podcast series for her contributions to business and science throughout the city.