ADVANCING ECONOMIC MOBILITY
COLES COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ANNUAL REPORT
The Coles College 40 Under 40. From Left to Right: Jen Riley (Ph.D.), Michael Caldwell (Finance), Michael Clark (MBA), Juan C. Meja (International Business), Fortune Onwuzuruike (MSHMI), Damla Meral (MBA), Ashley Nealy (Information Systems, MSIS), Daniela Carvajalino (Finance), Martin Momtahan (Management), and Martin Branick (Management). Not pictured: Tanner Griffin (International Business, MSIS, MBA), Eli Hogan (Finance), and Muriam Nafees (MBA).
The inductees of the 2024 cohort of Five in Flight
Where Coles Alumni Are Making an Impact
ALUMNI FORGING THEIR PATHS The Impact of a Coles Education
FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES
GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP
All colleges and universities are defined by the strength of their graduates. Coles College alumni can be found working as leaders across industries, bringing innovative new products to market, and earning acclaim for their professional successes and contributions to society. Several members of the Coles College of Business alumni family distinguished themselves during the 2024-2025 academic year, including: Aaron Gagnon, who has spent the last three decades since earning his degree in accounting transforming the audit functions for companies like Abercrombie and Fitch, Apple, and McKinsey, being recognized as an Influential Leader by AACSB International. Robert C. Forrester, a graduate of the Ph.D. in Business Administration Program, became Dean of the Dillard College of Business Administration at Midwestern State University. Information Systems Alumnus Aaron Gwinner was named Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Campbell’s, owner of popular brands like Goldfish Crackers, Pepperidge Farm Cookies, and Sny - der’s of Hanover. Ioana Gheorghiade, a graduate of the Coles College MBA program, was appointed Chief Risk Officer of Banca Comercială Română. She will also serve on the bank’s executive committee. Thirteen Coles College alumni were included in Kennesaw State University’s inaugural cohort of 40 Owls Under 40, which recognizes the careers of young alumni across the University. Among the honorees were the CEO of USA Team Handball, a former Data Architect for NASA, a Senior Lecturer at Vanderbilt University, and the Mayor of Woodstock, GA.
STARTUPS & ENTREPRENEURS
HIGHER EDUCATION
In Fall 2024, the College held its second annual Five in Flight alumni awards ceremony, where we honored graduates in different stages of their professional journeys. The ceremony celebrates individuals who have distinguished them- selves within their industries while remaining deeply connected to the Coles College’s values. Collectively, Five in Flight recipients reflect the College’s commitment to developing ethical, engaged leaders whose influence extends across organizations, communities, and society at large.
The recipients of the 2024 Five in Flight awards were:
Graduate of the Last Decade (Undergrad.)
Graduate of the Last Decade (Grad.)
Martin Branick | CEO, USA Team Handball Erica Moody | Senior Developer of Data Analytics, Warehouse, and Governance, Intercontinental Exchange Vincent Rosamillia | Associate Portfolio Manager, Georgia Office of the State Treasury
Arun Kandel | Chief Information Officer, Southern Poverty Law Center Faisal Saleem | Chief Operations Officer, Children’s Medical Group Brandie Szuda | Chief Medical Data Informatics Officer, MagMutual
Early-Career Entrepreneurship
Late-Career Entrepreneurship
Phillip Moran | Co-Founder, CEO, Digital Opportunities Group
Andy Crowe | Founder and CEO, Velociteach
While their careers have all taken different trajectories, they each began their journey from the same starting point: a solid business education rooted in hands-on learning and professional experience.
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