Jonathan Prevst (MPA ‘16) feels lucky to be alive. He had no idea that he was born with a rare heart condition—which he later learned is called an “anomalous coronary artery” and an “enlarged aortic root”—and required sudden open-heart surgery in 2020. “On average, when you wake up, you have a 50% chance of sudden … Continue reading Grateful to Give Back
Charting New Courses
As a world-class competitive sailor, Barbara “Basia” Karpinska Hopkins (MBA ’02) is used to adapting to change. The outlook has served her well, both as an athlete and as a business leader. Born and raised in Kraków, Poland, Karpinska Hopkins earned an MS in physical therapy from Kraków’s University School of Physical Education amidst major … Continue reading Charting New Courses
Playing Well With Others
For Kristi Zhang (’14), every day at work involves a healthy dose of fun. Zhang is the global marketing manager of LEGO Friends, a franchise within the multinational toy company the LEGO Group. Based in Billund, Denmark, she collaborates with marketing executives to develop and implement strategies to bring children joy with LEGO sets. The … Continue reading Playing Well With Others
With Ethics in Mind
For Kimberly Bloomston (’05), technology and ethics go hand in hand. The former philosophy major, now chief product officer at the San Francisco-based tech company LiveRamp, keeps ethics at the forefront of her work. Bloomston always had a curiosity for learning. An avid chess player, she has always been fascinated by how people think, and … Continue reading With Ethics in Mind
Political Trailblazer
For Steven Raga (MPA ’15), politics is local—literally. He has spent the majority of his career working for nonprofits, advocating for his community in Queens, NY, where he was born and raised. But now he’s experiencing politics from a different perspective: He was elected to serve in the New York State Assembly, representing parts of … Continue reading Political Trailblazer
Getting Serious About Fun
The career of Lisa Radcliffe (MBA ’17) is all about fun and games—with a healthy dose of business acumen. She is the founder and CEO of PunkinFutz, a Brooklyn-based company that designs toys and accessories for children with adaptive needs. Inspired by the struggles of her own son and daughter, who have disabilities, Radcliffe launched … Continue reading Getting Serious About Fun
Service Above Self: Quamid Francis (’17)
For Quamid Francis (’17), service to others has always been his north star. He has volunteered with organizations such as Best Buddies, the Ronald McDonald House, and Habitat for Humanity. He also joined the Marine Corps, serving in the war in Afghanistan and later working directly with communities in the Philippines and Japan as part … Continue reading Service Above Self: Quamid Francis (’17)
For the Love of Animals: Elizabeth Shafiroff (’13) Turns Compassion into Global Action
A single act can have the ability to spark a whole new career path. That’s the case for Elizabeth Shafiroff (’13), a freelance photojournalist who in 2017 changed course to found Global Strays, an animal welfare nonprofit. Animals hadn’t always been top of mind for Shafiroff. She studied psychology at Baruch—inspired to attend by her … Continue reading For the Love of Animals: Elizabeth Shafiroff (’13) Turns Compassion into Global Action
A New Angle: Victor Chu (’08) Pioneers Drone Videography
Victor Chu (’08) sees the world differently. It all started when he got his first digital camera in high school and learned how to edit silly photos of his friends. His interest in photography continued once he enrolled at Baruch College, leading him to join The Ticker, Baruch’s student newspaper, as photo editor. “My work … Continue reading A New Angle: Victor Chu (’08) Pioneers Drone Videography
Agent for Change: Jessica Holtz (MBA ’12) Scores Groundbreaking Contracts for Two NBA Players
Competitiveness, passion, and drive are three key attributes for successful athletes, but they also make Jessica Holtz (MBA ’12) one of the most notable sports agents in the game. In July 2022, Holtz—an agent with California-based firm Creative Artists Agency (CAA)—made history as the first woman to negotiate two NBA supermax contracts—elite among the league’s … Continue reading Agent for Change: Jessica Holtz (MBA ’12) Scores Groundbreaking Contracts for Two NBA Players