When it comes to building bridges between sports teams, partners, and communities, Lina Cruz (’15, MA ’23) has tackled everything from “America’s pastime” to “the beautiful game.” She currently works as director of partnership marketing for New York City Football Club (New York City FC) of Major League Soccer—a career she never quite expected to … Continue reading Major-League Impact
The ABCs of Slang
Growing up in his native Guyana—the only country in South America where English is the official language—Edgar Henry (’78) heard more than his fair share of street slang when going out to the local markets. “They certainly weren’t speaking the Queen’s English,” he recalls with a laugh. For example: a thousand-dollar Guyanese bill was condensed … Continue reading The ABCs of Slang
An Inspired Career
Amy Hau (EMBA ’01) may have begun her role as director of The Noguchi Museum in January 2024, but she has a much longer history with both the legendary artist and the Queens-based institution. “I worked for Isamu Noguchi from 1986 until he passed away in 1988,” Hau explains. “At the time, it was really … Continue reading An Inspired Career
From MBA to IPA
Plenty of home beermakers have dreams of launching their own brewery. But how many of those dreamers also have a marketing and finance pro for a life partner? At Montclair Brewery in New Jersey, Denise Ford Sawadogo (MBA ’00) and her husband, brewmaster Leo Sawadogo, have joined their talents to found a microbrewery that produces … Continue reading From MBA to IPA
Pitch Perfect
In July, Howard Smith (’65), Director and Vice Chairman of Finance for Starr Insurance Companies, threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. It was familiar territory for Smith: Back in his student days, he threw the only known complete game no-hitter in Baruch/CCNY history! According to a New York Times summary of the game, … Continue reading Pitch Perfect
Fit to Print
Paul V. Reilly’s Winning Strategy for a Changing Industry In the print industry, says Paul V. Reilly (’74, MBA ’76), “You need to have the ability to look forward and be open to new technology.” As a co-founder of New Direction Partners—the leading investment banking and financial advisory firm in the graphic communications industry—Reilly has … Continue reading Fit to Print
From Underdog to Topdog
A self-proclaimed “underdog founder,” Edrizio De La Cruz (’06) began his entrepreneurial career selling guavas on the street to support his family in his hometown of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. When he immigrated to the Bronx, he continued to help support his family, working full time as an aircraft mechanic at JFK Airport for six … Continue reading From Underdog to Topdog
An Iconic Championship Run
Donald Brennan (MBA ’66) and his daughter, Maureen, enjoy a dominant season in polo. Polo is a unique and demanding equestrian sport. And even though it is co-ed—with no rules barring women from competing against men—it’s been male-dominated throughout its history. But Maureen Brennan is helping to change that. She’s both the owner of, and … Continue reading An Iconic Championship Run
Art of Transformation: Elizabeth Sutton (’11)
Among the vibrant works of art produced by Elizabeth Sutton (’11) is a painting of a vintage, big-finned Pontiac convertible cruising the boldly colored byways of Cuba. Its title: “Driving to New Destinations.” In a sense, you might even say that’s the theme of Sutton’s life. Her unexpected career transition to an artist led to … Continue reading Art of Transformation: Elizabeth Sutton (’11)
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