11th Annual Executive Mentorship Dinner Provides Connections for Students and Alumni
When entering the business world, it’s often said securing a job is as much about who you know as what you know. Every year, McCombs Alumni Relations combines both during its annual Executive Mentorship Dinner.
On Thursday, February 15, 2024, 142 BBA students enjoyed dinner and conversation with 18 of McCombs’ most illustrious alumni and faculty.
“We are always so excited for this event,” said Christine Burdell, Director of Alumni Relations. “We look forward to seeing how eager the students are to meet these incredible industry leaders. It’s a great opportunity for them.”
Held in the Hall of Honors at McCombs, mentors and students spent time discussing future plans, effective networking strategies, and how to make the most of their McCombs experiences.
“My freshman year, I lacked both dinner etiquette and the ability to ask specific questions to get the most value out of [this event],” said Antonio Meza, a BBA student who attended the event. “Thanks to the McCombs Success Scholars and countless etiquette dinners in partnership with Deloitte, I’ve learned proper dinner etiquette to the point where it’s second nature.”
That is just the kind of experience Christine and the alumni team hope to provide to students on the brink of their careers.
“Our job is to provide as many value-add opportunities as possible for students to connect with alumni,” said Christine. “And I think our mentors get just as much out of it as the students do.”
Any BBA student may attend the dinner, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
McCombs is grateful to the following executive mentors for attending this year’s event:
- Brandon Bean, MPA, ’96, Co-Founder and CEO, Lumin Fitness; Former CEO of Gold’s Gym – Dallas, TX
- Rene Benedetto, BBA ’92, Managing Director, Certares Management LLC – Austin, TX
- Dr. Bill Cunningham, former UT President, Chancellor, and Dean of the College of Business – Austin, TX
- Brandi Eppolito, MBA ’16, Vice President of Marketing, Propello – Austin, TX
- Abram Finkelstein, BBA ’90, President, StaffLink Outsourcing – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Kevin Frizzell, MPA ’03, Senior Vice President of Finance, Qualcomm Inc. – San Diego, CA
- Michael Lattibeaudiere, BS ’01, Vice President of Health, Safety, Environmental, & Security and Corporate Sustainability, Marathon Oil Corporation – Houston, TX
- Hans Malzar, BBA ’11, Head of Gaming, Americas, TikTok – Austin, TX
- Keith Manbeck, CFO, CAO, & EVP, Whole Foods – Austin, TX
- Emily Mir, BA Journalism, Moody ’98, Corporate Communications Manager, ExxonMobil – Houston, TX
- Jorge Mendoza, BBA ’06, CEO, Banobras – Mexico City, MX
- Diana Palchik, Legal Counsel, Palchik Law & Consulting – Dallas, TX
- Tony Rogers, MBA ’97, CMO, Signet Jewelers; former CMO, Walmart U.S. and Walmart China – Austin, TX
- Karen Starns, BBA ’89, CEO, Houseful; former CMO, OJO – Austin, TX
- Ed Tonkon, BBA ’78, President, Zebra Retail Solutions – Dallas, TX
- April Underwood, BBA ’01, CEO & Founder, Adverb Ventures; Co-Founder, #ANGELS – San Francisco, CA
- Carlos Whitaker, MPA ’00, Senior Managing Director and President of Blackstone Private Credit Fund (BCRED), Blackstone – New York, NY
- Rachel Ybarra, MPA ’93, Co-founder, Concordant Capital; Founder & CEO, Embrace Any Future – Dallas, TX
View photos from the evening here.
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