Allison Ray, President

As the President of the GBA, my goal is to provide the MBA class with opportunities and resources to make the UConn MBA program a continued success, and pave the way for students to have successful careers in the future. I will continue to promote the MBA program by enhancing its attributes and I am motivated to make this a memorable experience for all of us.

As we near the end of our first year, I am sure we all have ideas for improvement to help us in our final year and help those entering their first year in the fall. My goal is to collaborate with everyone to help implement those ideas, fill the void and make the MBA experience more valuable for all of us. I vow to maintain strong communication channels and teamwork between the administration and the GBA. Through monthly ‘town-hall’ style meetings with all students, I plan to ensure that the GBA and all other MBA clubs are serving the class in the most effective way possible. The relationships we make here in our MBA program will last forever, and we can start building those memories now!

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Noreen Kidwai, Vice President of Professional Development

Entrepreneurs say the best way to predict the future is to invent it. For MBA students, the best way to predict their future is to develop it! With your support, as the VP of Professional Development, I will help provide the essential resources to enhance our skill set.

Professional grooming, business etiquette, resume crafting, interviewing skills, corporate networking – these are all important career building tools. Equally important is providing a customized corporate network to allow us to showcase our unique skill sets. My objective is to tailor the recruitment process to the eclectic mix of our student body. I hope to achieve this by offering flexibility and diversity in all my initiatives as the VP of Professional Development.

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Abraham Kyele King'oo, Vice President of Communications

As VP of communication, I will seek to improve the variety, assembly, and dissemination of information about the UConn MBA community through the GBA website and newsletter. My goal is to revamp these tools into responsive platforms that cater to the needs of both MBA students and their external audiences. I also hope to inspire GBA members and alumni to participate in the strategic framing of the UConn MBA community as a leading source of professional and academic talent.

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Brandon Guadalupe, Vice President of Finance

As VP of Finance for the GBA, I will practice fiscal responsibility with the GBA funds and be a voice for all students as a leader in the GBA. I will have an open door policy to any colleague with concerns about the GBA that they wish to voice to me and I will bring them to the attention of the GBA leadership team. I will maintain the highest level of integrity while serving the MBA student body as Vice President of Finance.

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Mirela Ehlers, Co-Vice President of Social Activities

Melissa Mateja, Co-Vice President of Social Activities

As Co-VPs of Social Activities, Mirela Ehlers and Melissa Mateja aim to strengthen the network within the UConn MBA community. They plan to achieve this by designing and planning business savvy events, creating connections, and expanding the social and professional networks. MBA students are not only your classmates but also your friends, and can be excellent resources for job prospects, both now and in the future. As an energetic team, we aim to foster a healthy, well-balanced atmosphere within the MBA community. We will always be open to everyone’s suggestions and ideas and we will strive to make them happen!

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William Viets, Chair of Community Service Committee

As an MBA community we collectively possess a diverse skill set that we can leverage to assist the community around us. The Community Service Committee (CSC) will focus on involving MBA students in activities that will not only impact the local community, but also enhance MBA business skills that are critical for career development.

As Chair of the CSC I will actively search for opportunities that will allow MBA students to share and develop their skills with local non-profit and community organizations. In an effort to increase participation in the fundraising process I will work with the Social Activities VPs to plan events such as charity bowling and golf for MBA students and friends. The CSC will also continue to support fundraising and donation activities such as Toys for Tots to assist those in need. I am open to any suggestions concerning the CSC and I encourage participation among all MBA students. Together we can make a difference.

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Experience:

David Watrous, Chair of Mentorship

Connecting incoming first-year students with second years who share similar background/interests and concentrations is vital. The 2nd years will arrange one-on-one meetings with the 1st years (if possible to meet in person, if not, via email) where they will discuss classes, UConn MBA expectations, and answer questions that the 1st years have. I will also act as a prime point of contact for any first year student who requires immediate attention and/or response on a matter, or from his mentor, or if a new student needs further clarification on specific questions.