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BA RUCH
FALL 2020/WINTER 2021
A L U M N I M AG A Z I N E
President S. David Wu
OUR LEADER FOR EXTRAORDINARY TIMES
MESSAGE FROM
Dear Baruch Alumni,
THE PRESIDENT IN THIS ISSUE FALL 2020/WINTER 2021
I feel incredibly honored and privileged to join the Baruch community at a pivotal
moment in the College’s history. As the nation grapples with the pandemic, the resulting 6 CAMPUS WELCOME Baruch Alumni Magazine
economic damage, and the reckoning to end systemic racism, the entire Baruch A Q&A with President S. David Wu: His Vision for Cheryl de Jong–Lambert
community unified and overcame unimaginable challenges to continue core College Director of Communications
operations and deliver distance learning while supporting our students to keep pace Baruch College and Public Higher Education in the U.S.
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Diane Harrigan
with their education. I have been impressed not only with Baruch’s remarkable, resilient Baruch’s new president, S. David Wu, PhD, talks personal history, first impressions, and bold initiatives,
students, faculty, and staff but with the alumni community. Your welcome has been which include reimagining college education—Baruch style—in the new normal. Says President Wu, SENIOR EDITOR: Gregory M. Leporati
genuine and heartfelt, your connection to your alma mater strong, and your appreciation “Baruch shows what is possible at a time when our country desperately needs a more robust and more GRAPHIC DESIGN: Vanguard
for the value and impact of your Baruch education has been an inspiration for me. inclusive system of public higher education.” OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS
AND VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
Janet B. Rossbach, Director of Alumni
My first 100 days were illuminating and productive. I stood Succeeding at that last goal, in particular, will require
Relations and Volunteer Engagement
up the Task Force for the Future—a group of 23 thought marshalling our talented alumni base. I intend to engage
leaders across the College to help me envision our immediate alumni with programs that range from career networking, 8 THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION David Shanton, Vice President of College
and long-term future. Despite the pandemic, I was able to to student mentoring, to visibility enhancement, and more. An Up-Close Look at Distance Learning Advancement
reach out and connect with key stakeholders of the College, We have an incredibly talented alumni base, and I plan to In the age of Covid-19, “distance learning” has become a
including alumni, business/civic leaders, and student leaders. mobilize it to the fullest extent possible. familiar phrase at schools and universities around the world. Baruch Alumni Magazine
I hosted or joined a wide range of virtual events, such as college © 2020 by Baruch College
How can you help right now? It’s been in place at Baruch since March, when the College
town halls, student and faculty convocations, and meetings quickly shifted to remote teaching. But what exactly is distance The City University of New York
of the 17 Lex Society, the President’s Forum, corporate At a time when the pandemic has disrupted or eliminated
learning, and how have faculty adjusted and innovated? Please address all editorial
alumni receptions, and various other alumni gatherings. many jobs and internships, please make sure that your
Three Baruch professors share experiences and insights. correspondence to:
colleagues, organizations, and networks know about Baruch’s
Given the fast-changing and uncertain nature of our current Baruch Alumni Magazine
talented, diverse, hardworking students and alumni for any
environment, human contact and community connections Office of Communications, Marketing
professional opportunities. Also consider supporting our
are more important than ever. I have therefore prioritized & Public Affairs
urgent 2020–21 fundraising initiative, Stand Up for Baruch. One Bernard Baruch Way, Box A-1503
direct and frequent communications: steady essential updates
3 FACULTY HIGHLIGHT New York, NY 10010-5585
to the Baruch community, balanced by my monthly blog, Alumni support and vision are the hallmarks of every
where I share my personal perspectives. outstanding institution of higher learning. Baruch College Weissman Professor Goes Hollywood email: communications@baruch.cuny.edu
is no exception: the enthusiasm and participation of our A Disney-owned arthouse studio and Brad Pitt’s production company have Please send all inquiries about
From an operational standpoint, my team and I have completed
almost 160,000 alumni are integral to shaping and realizing optioned Bridgett M. Davis’s 2019 memoir, The World According to Fannie the Baruch College Fund, as well as
and started executing our Academic Year 2020–21 remote address changes, to:
our goals. Please read my monthly blog at presidentsblog. Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Numbers, for a feature film. “Given
instruction plan and our Safe Campus Reopening Plan. The
baruch.cuny.edu and feel free to share your thoughts at the moment we’re in, given the country’s renewed interest in racial justice,
The Baruch College Fund
College’s top priority continues to be protecting the health Office of College Advancement
president@baruch.cuny.edu. my mother’s story is a timely one,” says Ms. Davis, a professor of journalism
and safety of our students, faculty, and staff while preserving One Bernard Baruch Way, Box A-1603
Photos of President Wu on the cover, inside front cover and feature by Elena Olivo.
academic and business continuity. Our focus is to ensure that I wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy holiday and creative writing at Baruch’s Weissman School of Arts and Sciences. New York, NY 10010-5585
students maintain academic momentum and continue to phone: 646-660-6060
season and new year.
email: bcf@baruch.cuny.edu
access needed financial resources as they work toward their
professional goals. Many of you helped to fund emergency Sincerely, For information about alumni programs
relief for our students and for that I am immensely grateful. S. DAVID WU ALSO INSIDE and activities, please contact:
From the stakeholder engagement and concrete recommen- President, Baruch College Baruch College Office of Alumni Relations
and Volunteer Engagement
dations from the Task Force for the Future, I was able to 5 NEWS & NOTES 11 CLASS NOTES
One Bernard Baruch Way, Box A-1603
formulate a set of key priorities building on our Strategic During the pandemic, when Healthcare administrator New York, NY 10010-5585
Plan while taking into account the new realities of our world. many restaurants have JC Alejaldre (EMBA ’18) led phone: 646-660-6097
A few highlights that may be of interest: struggled, pizza the effort to fully operationalize email: alumni@baruch.cuny.edu
online: alumni.baruch.cuny.edu
•L aunch an institutional transformation to elevate equity, chains have thrived. Covid-19 tents at NewYork–
diversity, and inclusion A Zicklin professor Presbyterian’s Columbia and
•C reate an Integrated Student Success Center for explains why. Allen Hospital campuses.
in-person and remote services He is also a DACA recipient.
Baruch Alumni Magazine online
•D evelop an efficient infrastructure to expand baruch.cuny.edu/bam
high-quality online and hybrid instruction
•E nhance Baruch’s visibility and national standing President Wu with members of Baruch’s Public Safety staff. “The College’s top
while strengthening external partnerships priority has been to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and
staff while preserving academic and business continuity,” says the president.
FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 1
NEWS&NOTES NEWS&NOTES
Best in Class: Baruch Scores Top Rankings Weissman Professor’s Memoir
The Fall 2020 semester among four-year public colleges nationwide)
kicked off with top rankings and CNBC (#2 “Best Public Institution to Become Feature Film
from Money magazine. In its for Return on Investment”). In U.S. News Searchlight Pictures, the Disney-owned arthouse studio,
“Best Colleges in America, & World Report’s “2021 Best Regional and Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B Entertainment,
Ranked by Value,” Baruch Universities–North” listing, Baruch secured have optioned Bridgett M. Davis’s 2019 memoir, The World
earned the #1 spot for “Best #2 honors for social mobility, #3 for least According to Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit
Colleges for Business Majors” student loan debt at graduation, and the #4 Numbers, for a feature film. Ms. Davis, a professor of
and was named the best school position overall among public institutions. journalism and creative writing at Baruch’s Weissman School
overall in New York State. Princeton Review’s Best 386 Colleges of Arts and Sciences, will write the screenplay, expected to
Washington Monthly named
Baruch #1 among “Best Bang
guidebook praised Baruch’s academics,
career service programs, and campus life.
High Marxe: City & State be completed by 2021, with assistance from Pulitzer Prize–
winning playwright Lynn Nottage.
for Your Buck Colleges” in New “As I begin my presidency, I am thrilled Honors School’s Rising Stars “My memoir chronicles one Black woman’s story as a way of
A
York (and #2 in the Northeast), and inspired by the amazing recognition n impressive number of MPA professionals from the Austin illuminating what millions of Black Americans have endured
while the Wall Street Journal/ Baruch continues to receive, which validates W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs earned and fought against and worked around just to survive—and,
With its distinctive combination of strong Times Higher Education “College Rankings our commitment to our core mission of a place on City & State’s lists of New York’s rising stars and in my mom’s case, thrive,” explains Davis. “My mom made
academics, affordability, low student debt, 2021” placed Baruch #1 among 340 public providing an inclusive, transformational policy leaders. ‘a way out of no way.’ But she should not have had to launch
and student and alumni success, Baruch institutions nationwide for value. education to students,” says President S. Included on City & State’s “40 Under 40: The Rising Stars in an underground, illegal lottery business in order to give us a
College continues to earn top national and Kudos were also forthcoming from Brookings David Wu, PhD. “I am excited to build on NYC Food Policy” list, which highlights leaders working to create middle class life.”
regional rankings. Institution (#1 engine of economic mobility this momentum.” healthy, sustainable food environments, were two alumni of the Fannie Davis, which received widespread praise—including
school’s MPA program as well as a current Marxe student. a New York Times Editors’ Choice and Best Book of the Year
As deputy director of policy in the Office of the Manhattan recognition from Kirkus Reviews—was selected as this year’s
The Zoom Where It Happened: Borough President, Hally Chu (MPA-NUF ’13) manages the Fresh
Food Box program in partnership with GrowNYC and works on vital
First Year Text, the common summer reading assignment for
Baruch’s incoming Class of 2024. As its author, Davis gave
Lawrence Zicklin (’57) Leads New Webinar Series zero-waste issues with the NYC Department of Sanitation and the keynote speech at the Fall 2020 Virtual Student Convocation.
I
members of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board. André Davis sees her mother’s story as especially relevant for today’s
n March, shortly after the College had transitioned to In June, Michael Roth (’67), chairman and CEO of Interpublic
Thompson (MPA-NUF ’13), director of food programs at New York students. “Given the moment we’re in, given the country’s
distance learning mode in response to the coronavirus Group, discussed the pandemic’s effect on advertising, and Lara
Common Pantry, works in service of reducing hunger and food renewed interest in racial justice, my mother’s story is a timely
pandemic, H. Fenwick Huss, PhD, Willem Kooyker Dean Abrash (MBA ’94), chairman and CEO of Deloitte & Touche LLP,
insecurity, in hopes of developing solutions to flawed policies that one,” says Davis, adding, “By adapting the memoir for film, the
of the Zicklin School of Business, and school talked about how cloud technology and other
benefactor and namesake Lawrence Zicklin tools are helping Deloitte adjust to what she cause inequities in vulnerable communities. MPA candidate Joshua story will reach a wide audience, showcasing the ingenuity of
(shown) discussed the challenges confronting called the “next normal.” The most recent episode, Thomas-Serrano is a senior marketing and development manager Black folks like my mother, who always believed she, too, was
not only the Zicklin School but the business “The Price of Being Unprepared: Covid-19 and at Teens for Food Justice, where his efforts include recruiting young entitled to the American Dream.”
world as a whole. Out of these talks grew an Healthcare,” featured JC Alejaldre (EMBA ’18) changemakers to lead their communities in the fight against hunger
idea for a Zicklin webinar series, The New (profiled on page 11), a frontline healthcare and food injustice.
Normal in Business: 2020 & Beyond, which worker at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital, Ron Kim (MPA ’06) and Yuh-Line Niou (MPA ’11) were cited
launched on May 6. alongside associate professor Alex Mills, PhD, among City & State’s “Power of Diversity: Asian 100,” which celebrates
The webinars feature discussions among who is academic director of the Zicklin School’s the most influential Asian Americans in New York politics and policy.
various industry experts, drawn from both Executive MBA program in healthcare administration. The alumni, who are both New York State assembly members, were
the school and the business community, with Each discussion is followed by a question-and- recognized for their community work and for adding to the diversity
NVC photo by Mark Litwa; Zicklin photo by Elena Olivo
Mr. Zicklin serving as moderator. “Larry is a answer session, moderated by Gwendolyn Webb, of representation in Albany. Joining them on the list was Baruch
natural for this format,” says Dean Huss. “The PhD, associate dean for Zicklin’s Executive Programs President S. David Wu, PhD, recognized as one of the city’s most
conversations he leads with the guests are and professor in the Bert W. Wasserman Department influential Asian leaders in higher education. “This place, Baruch, where I
always lively and engaging.” of Economics and Finance. “Lists such as these are a clear indication that our alumni— have spent my 30-year career
The debut webinar, “Is This the New Economy?,” addressed What’s next for the webinars? “Among other things, we will and among the awardees we celebrate here, even our current as a teacher, embodies—
topics including how best to stimulate economic recovery and certainly discuss the new normal in telemedicine, retailing, symbolizes really—all that
Davis photo by Nina Subin
students—make their mark well beyond the campus,” says Marxe my mother sacrificed and
the outlook for fiscal policy. Since then, the series has included education, and a possible permanent reduction in business Dean David S. Birdsell, PhD. “They are leaders, innovators, and worked hard for so that I could
sessions on crisis management, cybersecurity, vaccine distribution, commuting and travel,” says Mr. Zicklin. Stay tuned! —SARA J. WELCH achievers. They shape the fields in which they work and show the excel,” says Bridgett M. Davis,
real estate, and more, with Mr. Zicklin moderating all but one. professor of journalism and
virtue of energy, perseverance, and commitment. We’re very proud creative writing.
of each and every one.” —JASON M. EPSTEIN
2 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 3
NEWS&NOTES NEWS&NOTES
Talent Pool: Bearcat Swimmer
New Weissman Dean Committed to Student Success Named Scholar-Athlete of the Year Pandemic
Pizza:
A
“Ask any Weissman School of Arts and Wasserman Jewish Studies Center.
simina Hamakiotes (’20), a four-year Bearcat swimmer
Sciences faculty or staff member what Lang is especially proud of the school’s
and Macaulay Honors student, was named The City
An Even Bigger
makes Weissman so special and you will faculty: “Many institutions establish their
University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC)
hear about our students—their authenticity, identities as either research based or teaching
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the 2019–20 season. The
their determination, their engagement with
their courses of study,” says Jessica Lang,
based. Weissman faculty are teacher-scholars
who model the power, excitement, and
three-time CUNYAC Swimming All-Star graduated this spring Slice of the Pie
with a 3.7 GPA, having earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics
PhD. The former English department chair relevance of knowledge in connection with From small establishments to
with double minors in philosophy and interdisciplinary studies.
and professor was appointed to a two-year the broader world.” restaurant chains, the pandemic
In her first two years on the team, Ms. Hamakiotes helped
term as the school’s interim dean in July. In her new role, Lang has taken on a number has badly hurt many food service industry businesses. But one
Baruch win back-to-back CUNYAC Championships. In 2016
Dr. Lang brings a wealth of academic, of critical initiatives, foremost among them segment has notably bucked the trend: Americans are eating
she took gold in the 800 freestyle relay and silver in the 200
scholarly, and administrative experience ensuring the delivery of high-quality academic more pizza.
individual medley. In 2019 she continued to make waves,
to this position. Not only has she served programming and students’ progress toward When called upon by Forbes magazine to offer expert
collecting five medals: one gold and four silver. She finished
as chair of one of the College’s largest timely graduation. Longer-term projects business insight into the current pizza boom, Shan Li, PhD,
her last season by qualifying for the Eastern College Athletic
departments, she has taught undergraduates include working closely with the school’s says she had to “do her homework.” An assistant professor
“The Weissman School is a remarkable place,” Conference (ECAC) Open Championships and breaking a
at every stage of their Baruch careers. department chairs to identify and address says Jessica Lang, PhD, appointed the school’s in the Zicklin School’s Narendra Paul Loomba Department of
school record.
In 2017, the interim dean was recognized areas in need of support and reinvigoration. interim dean in July. Management, Dr. Li studies operations management with an
The star swimmer also excelled on dry land. She interned at
with a Presidential Excellence Award for “This is an extraordinary and extraordinarily emphasis on how human behavior, including that of managers
the New York Stock Exchange, received research grants from
Distinguished Teaching, among her many challenging time for institutions of higher been more relevant or more important—and and customers, impacts firms’ operational decisions. “So it was
the National Science Foundation, traveled to compete at trade
honors. She is also the founding William education,” says the interim dean. “It is also this is part of what excites me not only my natural instinct to pursue the customer-behavioral angle
events, and studied abroad at one of the best mathematics
Newman Director of Baruch’s Sandra Kahn enormously clarifying. Our mission has never about my role but about our collective role.” when I started to look at the pizza industry,” she explains.
programs in the world, the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics.
Hamakiotes says she owes a big part of her success as a Li, who earned a PhD in industrial engineering and operations
student-athlete to head swimming coach Charles Lampasso. research at the University of California, Berkeley, and worked for
“He’s always been there for me,” she says, adding that her Amazon, Philips Research, and American Express before joining
Seeds of Change: Baruch’s Climate Scholars coach was “always supportive when it came to my academics.” Baruch in 2013, proved to be a quick pizza study.
E
very first-year student at Baruch is now talking about climate change as part of their introduction Her future academic endeavors include pursuing a PhD in According to the professor, the rise in demand for food delivery
to the College—all “because of five undergraduate Climate Scholars,” says Mindy Engle-Friedman, mathematics at the University of Connecticut. —JOHN NEVES in the lockdown should come as no surprise and neither should
PhD, chair of the Baruch College Task Force on Sustainability and associate professor of psychology. pizza’s capitalizing on this moment. “The pizza industry has
Dr. Engle-Friedman and seven other members of the Baruch Climate Change Faculty Seminar been equipped to deliver and fulfill carryout service for
(BCCS)—which represents all three of Baruch’s schools—were instrumental in getting a $40,000 CUNY decades,” she says. Add the pandemic’s impacts to the
Interdisciplinary Climate Crisis Research Grant to fund the intensive nine-month Baruch Climate Scholars economy, employment, and customers’ constrained budgets:
Program. Each Climate Scholar receives a $5,000 stipend and a $900 conference travel allowance. “It’s natural that customers sought out pizza. It’s a top choice
The Climate Scholars participate in twice-weekly faculty- and guest-led seminars, three months of for feeding a family at low cost.”
cross-disciplinary research in one of five climate research labs, and a two-month internship. They also But not all pizzerias and pizza chains have benefited equally.
present their scholarship and engage students in conversation about local climate impacts and strategies According to Li, before the pandemic Pizza Hut and Papa
for mitigation and resilience. So far the scholars have reached out to Baruch’s First Year Seminar classes John’s were struggling, with Domino’s the strongest of the big
as well as middle and high school students in the Baruch STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) three. “With the growing opportunity provided by the lockdown,
Academy. That outreach helps prepare the next generation of students to have conversations about climate Domino’s winner advantage, which was brought about by its
change in their classrooms and begin to think about climate careers. long-term investment in advancing its delivery capabilities,
For its first cohort, the BCCS chose students based on academics, diversity, and commitment to climate has been accelerated.”
change education and careers. The undergraduates, who are majoring in economics, entrepreneurship, Will pizza’s gain—especially Domino’s—stick once the virus
finance, journalism, and public policy, explore climate issues through the lens of the natural sciences, is under control? Yes, predicts Li. “Whenever the pandemic
Hamakiotes photo by Denis Gostev (’13)
psychology, business, public policy, migration, and communication. NEW ATHLETICS ALUMNI NETWORK winds down, the focus on health, safety, and convenience is
New alumna Hamakiotes, as well as generations going to remain.”
Four of the five Climate Scholars are students of color. “We know that the climate change professions lack
Lang photo by Hubert Williams
of other Baruch athletics alumni, have a new way of As for Li, she’ll likely be enjoying her own favorite: “The Thai
diversity. That’s really a problem,” explains Engle-Friedman, “because we want to be sure all students have access keeping connected: the Baruch Athletics Alumni Network
to the opportunities that climate change poses and because communities of color will be maximally disadvantaged chicken pizza from California Pizza Kitchen, because of its
on LinkedIn. Former student-athletes from across all unique flavor and toppings. I like its pleasingly sweet and
by climate change impacts.” sports can now network and keep up-to-date on
Engle-Friedman praises the “magnificent group” that comprises the Climate Scholars cohort, adding that spicy taste.”
the latest in the Bearcat sports alumni community.
she hopes to scale up the program. “It is a model for what can be done at Baruch, CUNY, and beyond.”
4 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 5
A Q&A with President S. David Wu
“Ibehave always wanted others to
offered the same opportunities
DOES THIS BACKGROUND HELP YOU
CONNECT WITH BARUCH STUDENTS?
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP INITIATIVES?
In a nutshell, three things:
passion for Baruch with their colleagues
and employers, helping to showcase
Baruch as a powerhouse for new talent.
I was given when I came to Coming from a modest background helps I want us to reimagine college education— Given the quality and reputation of this
me to appreciate what’s important in life
America almost 40 years ago,
says S. David Wu, PhD, Baruch’s
” and to never take anything for granted. For
me, it’s about being able to do something
Baruch style—in the new normal.
Drawing on our unique heritage and
institution and the diversity of our student
body, this should be an increasingly easy
accomplishments, I want to raise these sell—if we launch a concerted effort to do
“
new president. Unfortunately,
that American dream is slipping
that has impact. I see those same values in
many of our students and alumni.
questions: How do we empower our
people to innovate in the post-pandemic
it intentionally and persistently.
environment? How do we systemize Read more about President Wu’s ideas,
away for far too many people. ” S. David Wu’s journey to the Baruch College
presidency began in Taipei, Taiwan. The youngest
of four children, he is shown here with his family
WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMING TO
THE U.S. AS AN INTERNATIONAL
our student-centric culture with even
better, more sophisticated structure
philosophy, and plans for Baruch College at
presidentsblog.baruch.cuny.edu.
circa 1960. GRADUATE STUDENT? and technology sensitive to students’
Meet President WELCOME! WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST
The education that I had in Taiwan, though
excellent, did not always support independent
diverse needs and help them advance
their career success?
About President Wu
S. David Wu
thinking. In the U.S., creativity and Second, to revitalize, build, and reshape Describes himself as “curious,” “passionate,”
IMPRESSION OF BARUCH COLLEGE? intellectual independence were encouraged, “sincere,” “open and open-minded,” “active,
Baruch’s reputation with new energy, new
Dynamic and energetic. I first came to and I had a sense of total liberation. ideas, and a boldness to lead. We should be fun-loving”
BY DIANE HARRIGAN Baruch last winter, before the pandemic, in the forefront of keeping our curriculum
I also experienced firsthand the openness A Family Man: Married for 38 years; has
and the campus was full of students, faculty, at the cutting edge, while expanding our
O
and generosity of everyday people. For me, known his wife since first grade. Two children:
and staff. I was instantly infatuated with instructional modalities (in-person, hybrid,
that’s the true spirit of America. a grown daughter and son, both living and
n July 1, S. David Wu became Baruch College’s eighth the place. and online classes) to reach more students. working in New York City.
president and the first Asian American to lead a CUNY YOU’RE A SYSTEMS ENGINEER. HOW As a national brand, Baruch can have an
HOW DO YOU VIEW BARUCH AS Favorite Book: Consilience: The Unity of
college. With a career spanning more than 30 years DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR PERSPECTIVE even broader impact on higher education.
AN EDUCATOR? Knowledge by E.O. Wilson
at major private and public institutions, President Wu is an AND APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING? Third, to truly leverage our location as
Baruch should stand as a model for public one of our distinctive characteristics.
NYC Favs: Cultural attractions, restaurants/
accomplished scholar, a technology innovator, and a bold and higher education in the U.S. To be frank, we
Systems engineers try to solve problems ethnic cuisines, farmer’s markets
by understanding how actors relate and At Baruch, the world is right around us,
visionary academic leader. would all hope that a place like Baruch— literally. So how do we integrate New York Unwinds by running, swimming, tennis,
interconnect in large, complex environments.
that delivers top-quality academic programs City in the education of our students, so golf, Citi Bikes. Highlight: His daily morning
His journey to the Baruch presidency began in Taipei, Taiwan, while serving as an engine for social
So being trained as a systems engineer
gives me a useful lens to approach data, that they can benefit from it and the city run along the
where his parents, having fled the Communist Revolution in mobility for a wide spectrum of students— East River.
uncertainty, and complexity—all of can in turn benefit from us? We already
mainland China, built a new life and a family. After earning his would not be so unique. That’s what public
which helps in making thoughtful and have plans to enhance our corporate,
higher education is supposed to do.
undergraduate degree at Tunghai University and completing his informed decisions. alumni, and community relations.
mandatory two years of military service in the Taiwanese Navy, Baruch shows what is possible at a time
he came to the U.S. to pursue his master’s and PhD degrees in
when our country desperately needs a more WHAT ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES HAS THE AT THIS POINT YOU’VE MET, ALBEIT
robust and more inclusive system of public VIRTUALLY, MANY ALUMNI. WHAT’S
systems engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. CURRENT STATE OF SOCIETY IMPOSED
higher education. That’s critical not only
ON YOUR FIRST MONTHS AS PRESIDENT? YOUR SENSE OF THIS GROUP AND THEIR
for our economic prosperity but also for ROLE IN BUILDING BARUCH’S BRAND?
Dr. Wu practiced as a systems engineer before embarking on The pandemic and its economic impacts—
social justice and the long-term health of
an academic career that included the Iacocca Professorship and combined with the national reckoning of I enjoy meeting Baruch alumni. They
our democracy.
social justice issues—has put our society are inspiring. I hear their stories, and
deanship at Lehigh University’s Rossin College of Engineering
at a crossroad. I believe these challenges each of them resonates with me on a
and Applied Science and, most recently, the role of provost TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY YEARS. very fundamental level. They are
and opportunities highlight the role of
and executive vice president at George Mason University, the Following WWII and the Communist higher education as not only a private the essence of the Baruch story.
largest public university in Virginia, which achieved Carnegie Revolution, many intellectuals fled to good but also a public good. We’re not As proud graduates of Baruch,
Taiwan, including my parents. We lived in only helping our students to be successful;
tier-one research (R1) status under his leadership. His spirit of conditions that were not much better than
and owners of the Baruch
we are also helping to solve much larger story, alumni can share their
innovation will help move Baruch forward as a national model today’s refugee camps. But my parents had societal challenges.
in higher education. everything they needed—an education,
books, and ideals—and our home was Motorcycling is one of the ways President Wu
LEARN MORE ABOUT PRESIDENT WU IN OUR Q&A ➡ filled with love and support.
unplugs. For that, he prefers the backcountry
roads of Pennsylvania.
6 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 7
BY GREGORY M. LEPORATI An Up-Close Look at Distance Learning
An Up-Close Look at Distance Learning REPORTING REMOTELY the Pandemic Scramble Life Along El
Paso–Juarez Divide,” which can be read in
repertoire, and increase accessibility
for all students.
Innovation, Challenges, and the Future of Higher Education In March 2020, Andrea Gabor, the
Bloomberg Professor of Business
Dollars & Sense, Baruch’s award-winning “The global pandemic opens a rare
online student magazine. window of opportunity for us to take a
A
Journalism at Baruch’s Weissman School
s a result of Covid-19, “distance learning” of Arts and Sciences, was making final Despite the success of the project, Gabor fresh look at what we do and challenge
preparations for an eight-day trip to finds online education to be “far from ourselves to envision what is possible,”
has become a familiar phrase at schools and the Texas–New Mexico border with ideal.” As an education columnist for says President Wu. “Zoom and video
universities across the globe. It’s been in her political reporting class, which she Bloomberg, she has studied the rise of conferencing are only a small part of
co-teaches with Associate Professor of distance learning over the years and has digital pedagogy. With help from the
place at Baruch since March, when the College quickly Journalism Vera Haller. The students were long cautioned that it cannot be viewed task force, as well as input from the
shifted to remote teaching, and the vast majority of eager to tackle the politically charged as a direct replacement for in-person Baruch community, we are working
Southwest and “had been doing all sorts teaching. “There’s a certain spontaneity to build a comprehensive educational
courses remain online-only. that you only get from a live classroom,” technology infrastructure so that
of research on state legislative elections,
voter suppression, environmental politics— she explains. “It lends itself to conversation we can serve our students’ diverse
But what exactly is distance learning, and how have you name it,” Professor Gabor says. and interaction.” needs, both in-person and online,
faculty adjusted to this new, fully online environment? So when Covid-19 locked down New York She continues, “There’s an enormous with top quality.”
Three Baruch professors share their experiences with City only days before the trip, “it was amount of pressure throughout the Waisanen, who serves on the president’s
heartbreaking,” says Gabor, “but suddenly country toward online as a cost-saving task force, agrees. “What will make
the new paradigm and discuss what it could mean the light bulb went on.” The two professors move; that would be a mistake.” Baruch special will be the combination
for the future of higher education. got in touch with their contacts and arranged of the in-person experience that we
for the students to conduct, via Zoom, dozens THE FUTURE IS NOW had before plus the value added of the
of group and individual interviews with Reimagining higher education in the complementary digital formats we’ve
nearly all of their original sources. “Because post-pandemic world is a top priority for all been using these past several months.”
the students were so well prepared, those Baruch President S. David Wu, PhD. The Marxe professor is already looking
ZOOM BOOM empty rooms to send student groups to, Center for Teaching and Learning. Her interviews proved to be an incredibly rich Early in his tenure, he established the Task ahead to how virtual reality and other
For Don Waisanen, PhD, professor since I don’t want them to be influenced website includes a homepage for her class give-and-take,” Gabor observes. Force for the Future, a group of Baruch emerging online tools will further transform
of communication at Baruch’s Marxe by what they hear other groups say during that features course materials, blog posts, In the end, the students produced a thought leaders tasked with analyzing how the classroom experience. “This is not
School of Public and International role plays,” he explains, adding, “I’ve been and a forum where students interact and fascinating collection of stories entitled best to incorporate technology to expand some far-off future anymore,” he says.
Affairs, teaching this semester has blown away by how well this all translates respond to her prompts between classes. “The Border Interrupted: Politics and instructional modality, enrich pedagogical “It’s the present—and it’s really exciting.”
occurred entirely on Zoom, the online to Zoom.” “Since I teach innovation and creativity—a
video-conference platform that became social process—it is important to me that
ubiquitous during the pandemic. Using SMALL WORLD, BIG IDEAS students still have a community,” she says.
a tripod, laptop, and iPad, Dr. Waisanen The Fall 2020 semester truly put the “Students who wouldn’t raise their voices
is able to view and speak with all of his “distance” in distance learning for Maria in a physical classroom now have more
students as he shares his tablet’s screen, Halbinger, PhD, assistant professor time to think about these topics and make
which faces a whiteboard. “Having two of innovation, entrepreneurship, and valuable, thoughtful contributions.”
f e s s o r s’
3 Pro tives
screens makes it feel a bit more like creativity in the Narendra Paul Loomba The website also serves as the home for
you’re all together in a real classroom,” Department of Management of the
3 Professors’
the class’s Innovation Competition, in
e c
notes Waisanen, who teaches political
s p
Zicklin School of Business. “On the first
e r
which teams develop and pitch a creative
Perspectives P
communication and public advocacy. day of class, I did a survey and found that small business idea, much like the popular
Of paramount importance, Waisanen says, my students were joining me from four TV show Shark Tank. This year, students
is keeping students engaged by using all of different continents!” she says. worked remotely to produce polished videos “Students who wouldn’t Andrea Gabor of the Don Waisanen of the Marxe
Zoom’s interactive capabilities, including Like Waisanen, Dr. Halbinger uses Zoom and other multimedia promoting their raise their voices in a Weissman School champions School sees Baruch’s educational
polls, quizzes, and the platform’s chat bar. to conduct her class’s “synchronous” businesses, which they posted to the website, physical classroom now a balance of online and future as “the combination of
His favorite feature is the virtual “breakout meetings, in which everyone is logged in and graded each other’s pitches using Google have more time to think in-person experiences, the in-person experience that
rooms,” where he can send students for at the same time. But she also incorporates Forms. The online format “actually saved … and make valuable, saying, “There’s a certain we had before plus the value
small-group discussions that often involve “asynchronous” elements hosted on a valuable class time,” Halbinger explains. thoughtful contributions,” spontaneity that you only added of the complementary
role-playing and listening exercises. website she created through Blogs@Baruch, “And the students were able to think more says Maria Halbinger of get from a live classroom.” digital formats we’ve all
“When we were on campus, I’d be running a WordPress-based platform for the Baruch critically about their evaluations, so the the Zicklin School. been using.”
around the halls before class looking for community maintained by the College’s entire experience was improved.”
8 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 9
CLASSNOTES WE WELCOME YOUR SUBMISSIONS! Contact: Office of Alumni Relations and Volunteer Engagement, Baruch College/CUNY,
One Bernard Baruch Way, Box A-1603, New York, NY 10010-5585. Or email alumni@baruch.cuny.edu.
CLASSNOTES
40s In August Impact News Service
80s A Forbes article in August beaded purses and accessories. Prior to an illustrated children’s book about a
A Message from the Director
named Sidney Silvers (’49, highlighted Sai Chow (’80) this, Chow had worked at Citigroup friendly shih tzu puppy. The alumna
MA ’54) its Veteran of the Day. A member and her daughter, Susanna, who teamed until her retirement in 2013. Donna previously worked on Wall Street
of Alumni Relations and of the Navy, he served as a radar specialist
on the USS Heyliger in the 1940s and later
up to create a new fashion brand in 2018.
Called “Susanna Chow,” the mother-
Saccone-Pinamonti (’83) published
her first book, King Claude and the
before becoming a teacher. In July
Dan Clivner (’85), a member of the
Volunteer Engagement worked as director of auxiliary services for
NYC high schools. He currently lives in
daughter business sells handcrafted, Talking Dog (Page Publishing, 2020), continued on next page
Dear Alumni: both New York City and Boca Raton, FL.
What a year it has been! In spite of 2020’s hardships and unique challenges,
many of our alumni achieved professional success and personal milestones. 60s In August Harness Racing
Update published an article
We are delighted to celebrate them here, as well as profile a few fascinating about George Segal (’60), chronicling his
alumni, some of whom went above and beyond at the height of the business career in Chicago commodities
Covid-19 outbreak. as well as the growth of his Brittany
As we look to 2021, I encourage you to ask yourself: What do I want Farms, one of the most storied breeders
to achieve? How can the Baruch Alumni Network support me, my of harness champions. The farm has
ambitions, and my dreams? produced numerous world championship
horses and Breeders Crown winners,
We are a community of nearly 160,000 alumni in 113 countries. and Segal says he plans “to keep racing
In the coming year, please join your Baruch alumni family on social media, and keep breeding although on a far
including the Baruch Alumni Network (Official Group) on LinkedIn smaller scale.”
(alumni.baruch.cuny.edu/LinkedIn). Post jobs, share articles, and help DACA Dreamer and Healthcare Hero: JC Alejaldre (EMBA ’18)
plan virtual alumni events within your company, city, or industry.
70s Swain Greiner (’75) is
I
president/partner of Greiner n March 2020, Juan Carlos (JC) Alejaldre—an administrator in Born in Colombia, Alejaldre came to the U.S. with his mother
Together we can transform the Baruch Alumni Maltz Investment Properties. The New the Division of Community and Population Health at NewYork– when he was six. “She wanted a better life for me,” he says,
Network into an even better, more robust, York Real Estate Journal included him on Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center— adding he had no idea his family circumstances differed from
and more supportive community. its “2020 Ones to Watch” list, featuring received an urgent call from his supervisor. his peers’ until years later when trying to apply to—and afford—
That is my goal for 2021. a Q&A in which he discusses his most With the medical center’s Emergency Department overwhelmed college. At that point they had overstayed their visa; his mom
inspiring real estate deals. Matthew by rising numbers of Covid-19 patients, Mr. Alejaldre was worked any job she could get, and they lived in a single room.
Can you help? Email me your ideas
Blank (MBA ’76) joined the board informed that “on Monday we would help decamp the depart- In 2020, with help from his employer, Alejaldre was able to
at janet.rossbach@baruch.cuny.edu.
of directors of CuriosityStream, ment, the Army Corps of Engineers would set up medical tents, renew his DACA status. He wrote about his experience in an
a leading independent factual media and I would be responsible for running them.” op-ed for CNN in which he points out that there are more than
Best wishes to all, company that has more than 13 million 200,000 DACA recipients who are considered “essential work-
Alejaldre admits that, at the time, he did not fully understand the
paying subscribers worldwide. Blank immensity of the task. Nonetheless he found himself heading up ers,” with 43,000—like himself—in healthcare.
previously served as chairman and a massive team of doctors, staff, and hospital senior leadership “There are folks out there fighting for our country—fighting
CEO of Showtime Networks Inc., and to fully operationalize Covid-19 tents at Presbyterian’s Columbia Covid-19 and for heath equity—who are also forced to fight to
worked on a variety of iconic television and Allen Hospital campuses. Within 24 hours, his team had remain in this country,” says the Dreamer, whose immigration
Janet B. Rossbach re-created an entire inpatient floor. status prevented him from visiting his mother on her deathbed
franchises, including Homeland, Dexter,
and Billions. Hanover Bancorp, Inc., “I tried to bring a sense of calm to the effort,” explains the in Colombia last year.
promoted Brian K. Finneran (’79) to alumnus, who notes that in the beginning, they would receive As a DACA recipient, he remains without a direct path to
president and CFO. He joined Hanover new guidelines from the CDC on a near-hourly basis: “It felt a bit citizenship. “It’s heartbreaking, but our hope is that we’ll
in 2017 and has been responsible for like whiplash.” When New York City’s Covid-19 numbers finally continue to push until we effect permanent change.”
all facets of financial management, became manageable in June, the tents came down. —GREGORY M. LEPORATI
including budgeting, strategic planning, In addition to the pandemic, Alejaldre was simultaneously
tax and investor relations, and liability fighting another, more personal, battle: renewing his Deferred
management. Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
10 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 11
CLASSNOTES CLASSNOTES
executive committee at Sidley Austin Board of Trustees. St. Joseph’s College on its “2020 Ones to Watch” list. He is a story of her battle with dissociative identity
Helping New Yorkers Breathe Easier
LLP, appeared on the podcast Drinks named Jerome Grossman (MBA ’86) managing member of H Equities, which disorder. Conan previously documented
with the Deal. In a wide-ranging director of graduate management studies. deals with real estate in New York, New her mental health journey in a 2015 New
conversation, Clivner talked about He has more than 35 years of experience Jersey, Florida, and Atlanta. Vivian Conan York Times article. David Rogal (’89) Anisha Rathod (MPA ’16)
hiring laterally, building relationships, working in marketing and advertising for (MS ’88) published Losing the Atmosphere: married Ron Carlivati in August. Rogal
W
and his advocacy for LGBTQ and clients including Procter & Gamble and A Memoir, A Baffling Disorder, A Search served as a longtime interior designer at hen Anisha Rathod chose to specialize in respiratory care, she knew there
diversity issues. He is also the vice Schweppes. The New York Real Estate for Help, and the Therapist Who Understood Vicente Wolf in Manhattan, and Carlivati would be some difficult and hectic days. “That’s where the action is,” she
president of the Baruch College Fund Journal featured Elliot Horowitz (’87) (Greenpoint Press, 2020), which tells the is the head writer of daytime drama Days says. “You’re always needed in critical care situations.” She had no idea,
of Our Lives. though, that she would one day be working on the front lines of a global pandemic—
one that brought New York City, and much of the world, to a standstill.
The Offbeat Path
90s Marline Alexander (’90)
joined the Board of Trustees
“When I think about it now, it’s like a blurry memory,” recalls Ms. Rathod, who serves
as a respiratory care supervisor at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital in Flushing, Queens.
When Covid-19 first hit the city, Rathod’s hospital—like nearly every other hospital in
of the Baruch College Fund. She serves
Investment Manager Turned Jazz Guitarist Robert Mwamba (’98) as senior vice president and head of C&I New York—experienced an overwhelming spike in patients.
portfolio management at Bank Hapoalim “We normally have 80 emergency calls each month,” she says. “From March into May,
Zambian-born Robert Mwamba moved to New York City as a teenager to study economics at Baruch College, but an unexpected that number jumped to 550 a month. We were running around nonstop. It was like a
International and has been a mentor
friendship with a jazz legend sent him down a very different path. bad dream.”
in the Financial Women’s Association
“Moving from Africa to New York was a big change, and it felt like something was missing,” recalls Mr. Mwamba. “To my surprise, since 2012. Professional poker player Rathod and her fellow respiratory care providers were desperately needed to operate
music ended up filling that gap.” Micah Raskin (’91) was honored for his mechanical ventilators, which are an essential part of treatment for patients with
He took up guitar under the direction of Milt Hinton, one of the most iconic jazz bassists of all time and the instructor of Baruch’s contributions to Shaare Zedek Medical serious cases of Covid-19. Operating a ventilator, Rathod explains, takes two years
Jazz Workshop. The two struck up a close friendship, and Mwamba quickly developed into a formidable and technically precise Center, Jerusalem’s largest multidisciplinary of training and is an incredibly intricate and detail-oriented task. Specialists must
guitarist. medical center. Raskin has earned close manage how many breaths are needed per minute, how much air volume is required,
what percentage of oxygen to use, and more.
After graduating from Baruch, Mwamba put his business degree to use, working as an investment manager for Bank of America. to $2 million competing in the World
In addition to his traditional nine-to-five job, he continued to play jazz shows at night, developing a strong reputation within the Series of Poker and also serves as president “And no two ventilators can be programmed alike,” she says. “Every patient is different.”
music community. of a direct marketing and software company. Normally, Rathod and her colleagues manage about 10 ventilators each. But that
When Bank of America unexpectedly laid him off in 2005, it did not take long for his jazz friends to come calling. “Within two Warren County Schools in North Carolina number skyrocketed during the pandemic to anywhere between 20 and 30, requiring
weeks, the Grammy Award–winning trumpet player Wallace Roney called me up and asked if I’d like to tour Europe with him,” named Michelle Dunbar (’92) Principal her to work shifts of 12 hours or more, five days a week. Her weekends were spent
Mwamba says. “I jumped on that, hit the road with him for a year, and have been a full-time jazz musician ever since.” of the Year. She has served as principal of working from home trying to secure additional equipment and staffing for her hospital.
Today, the alumnus is a regular performer at two of the most famous jazz clubs in the U.S.: The Blue Note in New York City and the Northside Warren Elementary School Rathod notes that NewYork–Presbyterian is well prepared and
Blues Alley in Washington, DC. He has played private events for such celebrities as Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and English billionaire since 2019. Visiting Nurse Service of New ready for potential future spikes in virus patients. Doctors
Richard Branson, and he also served as the musical director of the United Nations Jazz York added Karen Boykin-Towns (EMBA and nurses have been conservative with PPE in case there is
Band—a particularly rewarding role since Mwamba’s father was a longtime diplomat. ’93) to its board of directors. She serves as another surge, and certain administrative processes have been
president/CEO of Encore Strategies, LLC, streamlined to make the overall workflow more efficient.
In 2016 Mwamba released a debut album, Coastin’, which features a number
of jazz heavyweights playing alongside him. and vice chairman of the NAACP board She deeply appreciated all of the attention—and nightly
of directors. Chicago-based brokerage firm applause—bestowed on healthcare workers during the height
He currently mentors younger musicians. “I have great respect in the industry
R.J. O’Brien named Emre Degirmenci of the pandemic. But Rathod is most grateful to have learned
because of my background in business,” he says. “Probably 90 percent of
(MBA ’95) managing director, EMEA so much about herself during this tumultuous period.
jazz musicians have only played music their whole lives and have no idea
how the business side of this works. They often seek me out for guidance (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). He “It probably sounds corny, but my career choices make sense
and look up to me.” has 25 years of experience in treasury, now after experiencing this pandemic,” she says. “No one
risk management, and finance roles at anticipated we’d ever face
And although his mentor, Milt Hinton, passed away in 2000,
major banks and commodities, including something like this in our
Mwamba is certain that the jazz legend would be proud of all
Citigroup and Royal Bank of Scotland. lifetime. But I know now that,
he has accomplished. “He was just a beautiful man. If you
during an emergency like this,
Google him, you’ll be amazed to see how accomplished he
00s In August PRWeek named there’s no other position I’d
was,” says Mwamba, citing Hinton’s varied, decades-long
rather be in.”
career and his work with music icons from the 1930s onward. Bettina Garibaldi (’04) to
“These are the types of true masters we need to honor, now its “40 Under 40” list of PR professionals —GREGORY M. LEPORATI
and forever.” steering the industry into the next
—GREGORY M. LEPORATI generation. As senior vice president at
Ketchum—a PR and marketing consulting
continued on next page
12 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 13
CLASSNOTES CLASSNOTES
firm—she executes a number of
10s In October, Illinois Governor recipients. Antonio Alfonso (’12) was
Paying Dividends
campaigns focused primarily on travel J.B. Pritzker appointed Charles named the political director of the
brands. Anthem Sports & Entertainment Archer (EMPA ’11) to the state’s Youth Democratic Organization of Queens
Alan Chen’s Crusade for named Frank Tanki (EMBA ’04) general Budget Commission. Archer also serves County. In this role, he oversees the
manager of TV properties at AXS TV as the president and CEO of One development of the county’s political plan,
Financial Literacy and HDNET Movies. Prior to this Hope United, a private human service including managing communications,
L
ike many Baruch students, Alan position, Tanki enjoyed numerous organization helping children and families evaluating voter engagement programs,
Chen (’17) had a lucrative, full-time roles at Viacom, working for TV Land, through a variety of support programs. and collaborating with national, state,
job offer at graduation. But there was CMT, Spike TV, and Nickelodeon and The New Norwich Free Academy named and local officials. Tessa Jean (MPA
one significant problem: He had no idea overseeing marketing for such global hits Richard Freeman (MPA ’11) director ’12), practice administrator, Employee
how to properly invest his first paycheck. as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the of finance and human resources. He Health Services, at NewYork–Presbyterian
Explorer. Mashhood Ahmed (’05) previously served as director of finance Hospital—recently named the #1 hospital
“My starting salary was more money than
and Brandon Procak (’06) became for the NYC Department of Education. in New York and #4 hospital in the nation
my parents had made over years,” says
fast friends as Baruch students and, The National Gallery of Art appointed by U.S. News & World Report—led this
Mr. Chen, who had found employment as
20 years later, created their own business Sheila McDaniel (EMPA ’11) an year’s employee flu vaccination effort.
a software engineer at Rent the Runway,
a popular online designer clothing rental venture: RentCity, a tech platform that administrator. She oversees administrative Marketing consultant Basheer Alebdy
service. Chen’s parents, who immigrated aims to disrupt the apartment renting support, capital improvements, facilities, (’14) founded the website DaBash Deals, BABY BEARCAT
to the U.S. from China in their twenties process by providing comprehensive personnel, security, and more. Previously which compiles online coupons and In Bloom: Stephanie (’14) and
and never graduated high school, “did a great job of shielding me from the fact that data and firsthand reviews from tenants. she served as deputy director of finance discounts for such major retailers as Mariusz “Mario” (’14) Gornicki
we were part of the low-income bracket,” he explains. “If you needed food, it was there. Clayton & McKervey, a certified public and operations at The Studio Museum Walmart, Amazon, and eBay. This welcomed baby girl Maya Emilia
accounting and business advisory firm, in Harlem. In August USA Today named October Jimmy Rivera (He, Him, His) in May.
But we had no savings, which is not a healthy financial outlook.”
promoted Nina Wang (’05) to senior Cristina Jiménez Moreta (MPA ’11) (’14), vice president of the Stonewall
Chen set out to improve his financial literacy and spent months scouring the Internet manager in the firm’s tax department. one of its Women of the Century, in Democratic Club of New York City
for every useful tip and tutorial he could find. Soon he had become something of With a specialty in international tax, celebration of the 100th anniversary and member of Bronx Community the Cannabis Cultural Association.
an armchair expert on everything from high-yield savings accounts, to Roth IRAs, to A longtime cannabis activist, he advocates
Wang supports domestic businesses of the 19th Amendment. She is the Board No. 4, was selected as a “40
mutual funds. To share his knowledge, he created a blog—TomoonFund.com—and for increased accessibility, affordability,
and foreign-owned entities with parent co-founder of United We Dream, the Under 40” NYC Rising Star by City
began hosting free seminars and webinars for Baruch students and recent graduates and awareness of cannabis products.
companies in Europe, North America, nation’s largest immigrant youth–led & State. Amoy Barnes (MPA ’16)
through the Starr Career Development Center and the Office of Alumni Relations and Alan Broman (’18), who works in
and Asia. Victor Catano (MBA ’06) network, which advocates for DACA serves as Staten Island Borough director
Volunteer Engagement. asset management at Gatsby Enterprises,
was named CFO at New Canaan Country (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) for the NYC Department of Education.
Chen hopes that his blog and workshops will help fill the financial-literacy knowledge School, a coed, independent day school Christian A. Velez (’16) is the founder recently married Michal Elkouby. The
gap that he believes is far too prevalent in U.S. education, especially for individuals serving students in Westchester and Fairfield of Cano Coffee Company, which he Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based
from low-income families. He cites recent data from the Council for Economic Education, education nonprofit, selected Ontay
which indicate that only 21 states have financial literacy requirements in high school.
counties. Gustavo Agosto-DaFonseca NCAA Probation Served began during his senior year at Baruch.
Johnson (MPA ’18) as an Education
(’07, MPA ’15), a major in the U.S. Army, The Venezuelan-born alumnus served
“But even teaching it in high school is ineffective, since you don’t make serious money; completed a yearlong program at the Baruch College Athletics successfully in the U.S. Air Force for eight years Entrepreneur Fellow. As a fellow,
this needs to be taught in a just-in-time manner, because that’s when people are most Command and General Staff College met all the requirements of its and spoke about his experiences at Johnson will work to launch EmpowerED
receptive to it.” at Fort Leavenworth, KS, earning the four-year imposed sanction and “Primer Cafecito,” a virtual Baruch Families, an independent nonprofit
In addition to working his day job at Rent the Runway and hosting Baruch webinars, designation “Distinguished Graduate.” was released from NCAA probation alumni event held in October in that will promote access to high-quality
Chen is busy developing a financial-literacy software tool that can provide users with In April Myriam Simpierre (’08) effective June 30, 2020. During the celebration of Hispanic Heritage education. Jennifer Galliano (’19)
immediate financial knowledge and answer tax questions. “It’s sort of like Clippy—the opened Buy Better Foods—a grocery probationary period, the College’s Month. When Covid-19 hit the U.S. was named to the Baruch College
little paper clip character who used to offer editorial advice in Microsoft Word—except store—in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Division III Athletics program was in March and April, Owen Martinetti Fund board as a recent graduate trustee.
better,” he says. She was featured in an MSN article rebuilt, with modifications focused (’17) and Christopher Abbenda (’18) She is a wealth management analyst at
about entrepreneurs who found a way on compliance, policy implementation, made headlines for securing millions of Morgan Stanley. Genevieve Martin
And what is Chen’s top financial tip for Baruch alumni? Communicating about finances
to succeed despite starting their business and a departmental overhaul. Having medical masks and donating thousands (MA ’19) was just named managing
is key, he says. “A lot of people think it’s taboo to discuss money, but you should be
amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Public persevered through the final leg of throughout New York. Martinetti is the director at the Center for Italian Modern
talking to your coworkers about salary and talking to your friends about 401(k) plans.
accounting firm MBAF promoted the probationary period in conjunction co-founder of Naturae Oils, one of the Art. She previously worked at Christie’s
Share research and tips—that’s very important.”
Jimmy Vora (’08) to director in its with the Covid-19 pandemic, the first licensed hemp farms and cannabidiol and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and
Chen will be hosting more free webinars for Baruch alumni during the spring and audit department. He focuses on College is looking forward to new processing plants in New York, and TheArtGorgeous—a female-empowering
summer of 2021—check alumni.baruch.cuny.edu for full event details. opportunities for success with a organization for art professionals—called
audits that integrate the organization’s Abbenda works for the company in
—GREGORY M. LEPORATI compliance and its basic financial renewed sense of pride in the program. business development. Jacob Plowden her one of NYC’s rising stars in the arts.
statements. (’17) serves as the deputy director of continued on next page
14 BARUCH ALUMNI MAGAZINE baruch.cuny.edu/bam baruch.cuny.edu/bam FALL 2020/WINTER 2021 15
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