Alumni & Friends News

From navigating uncertainty to reflecting on work-life balance, authenticity and her biggest failures, Becky Griffin kicked off Fisher’s LeadX: Unplugged speaker series with candid perspectives appreciated by Business Buckeyes. Learn more about what lessons, shared by JPMorganChase’s top Columbus executive, resonated with a ballroom filled with Fisher students.

JPMorganChase has invested in Fisher countless ways, from hiring interns and graduates to supporting projects and programs. Learn how this vital and longstanding partnership has benefitted both the college and the company.

James J. Kavanaugh (MBA ’92) has never stopped being curious — or successful. Learn how IBM’s CFO turned his passion and appetite for learning into a highly prestigious career.

Fisher alums are coming back — not as guests, but as recruiters, tapping into Buckeye connections to bring students into their firms. Discover how returning alumni are shaping futures and careers on campus.

Climbing the corporate ladder has never been a solitary exercise for Nicole Balkenbusch (BSBA ’07). Find out what motivates her to lift others as she’s advanced in her career at Amazon.

Neethi Johnson (MBA ’19) has long been motivated to serve — whether delivering meals, leading nonprofit boards or working with her peers on statewide initiatives. Find out who inspired her desire to give back.

Meet Marna Ricker (BSBA '91), Global Vice Chair of Tax at EY and proud Business Buckeye, who has a worldview of business and a strong desire to pay forward to the next generation of global leaders.

Nicole Mazullo (BSBA ’21) can add Survivor 49 to her resume. Meet the financial crimes consultant and former Honors Cohort student who had hoped that her wit and business savvy would take her all the way to the final Tribal Council on the hit reality show.

Dr. Henry Xiang’s medical research has made a profound impact on pediatric care and inspired a new generation of scientists. Learn what — and who — motivates this renowned scholar, devoted mentor and visionary leader.

When John C. Waggoner Jr. (BSBA '70) learned that his beloved fraternity was shut down, he spent 25 years rebuilding it from the ground up, transforming it into such a leadership powerhouse that they renamed the house in his honor.

Roberto Abramson (MBA '77) has spent more than 50 years building Ohio State's presence in Brazil, helping recruit the next generation of international students from 4,900 miles away. Learn more about Roberto and why he was named the recipient of Ohio State's 2025 Ralph Davenport Mershon Award.

Grit, family and Ohio State helped Chris Garner (BSBA ’99) complete his life’s ambitions, including more than 10 years in the SEC as a college football official.

Entrepreneur Daniel Chi-Hang Leung (BSBA '98, MBA '04) hosts game watches in the middle of the night and has raised funds for sick children — all while building Ohio State's presence across Asia.

When it comes to betting on himself and his career, Nicolas Meader (BSBA ’23) is a clear winner. At just 23, the young investor has grown a personal portfolio worth millions of dollars and joined the founding team of a venture capital firm. See why some call him an industry disruptor.

Former Ohio State golfer Neal Shipley (SMB-A '23) is headed to the PGA Tour. The 24-year-old is the third Korn Ferry Tour player to secure PGA Tour status for 2026.

A $5 million gift from Jeff Prestel is launching a dynamic sales academy at Fisher, equipping business students at Ohio State with real-world skills, credentials and confidence to lead in today’s competitive sales marketplace. Learn more about Jeff and why he chose to pay forward.

Two Executive MBA graduates ― Dr. Ricardo Carrau (EMBA '19), a otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon, and Dr. Daniel Prevedello (EMBA '22), a neurosurgeon ― are helping provide care to patients from abroad through the Destination Medicine Global Health Care program at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Serving as chief technology officer and co-owner of Manifest Solutions, creator of the Manifest Agility Bootcamp and co-valedictorian of his EMBA class earned Christopher M. Judd the honor of one of Poets&Quants best and brightest EMBAs to watch for 2025.

When Fisher alumni bank on Business Buckeyes, the return on their investment is great. Two years ago, 16 members of the college’s Alumni Board formed a committee to connect and engage with student organizations. Their gifts of time and experience are just another powerful way our alumni are giving back in ways students truly appreciate.

Meet the next generation of trailblazers: eight Fisher-affiliated innovators, athletes and entrepreneurs named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Columbus. Their leadership is shaping the future of health care, marketing, manufacturing and more.

Every time Jimmy Franklin ignores his “fear voice,” something good happens. Overcoming that hesitation and doubt has led to professional roles managing major brands at Unilever and Suntory Global Spirits, landing on Out Magazine’s Out100 list, coordinating a successful brand partnership with GLAAD and meeting celebrities, and producing an album of original songs.

Meet Akanksha Gupta, whose MBA was a catalyst for her transformation from oil and gas engineering to a career in strategic operations at Uber.

Venkatesh G. Rao (MBA '06) is Accenture’s Data and AI Lead for the Americas. In this role, he leads business transformation by scaling gen AI, helping global clients make smarter decisions, automate processes and create resilient business models.

Building on Ohio State’s 85-year history of scientific leadership research, the Fisher Leadership Initiative hosted more than 200 professionals for a unique opportunity to assess their personal leadership styles and hear from storytellers, peers and behavior experts at the inaugural Conference on Principled Leadership.

Rachel Friedman, founder and CEO of TENFOLD and TENSPACE, former Alumni Award winner, and keynote speaker for Fisher’s Pre-Commencement ceremony, says the sky’s the limit when you live with purpose, passion and principles.