News & Stories
In other news: July 2025
Celebrating MAC graduates
Congratulations to the 90 Master of Accounting (MAC) Program students who became the School’s newest alumni following a June 20 graduation ceremony at the Carolina Club.
Commencement speaker Hillary Salo (BSBA ’02, MAC ’03)
Commencement speaker Hillary Salo (BSBA ’02, MAC ’03), vice chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, shared her wisdom with graduates. “As you head out into the world, I want to encourage you to say yes, especially to the opportunities that scare you a little,” she said. “The ones that make you pause and think, ‘Am I really ready for this?’ Because more often than not, you are.”
Luke Gentry (BSBA ’24, MAC ’25)
In a LinkedIn post, Luke Gentry (BSBA ’24, MAC ’25) thanked his professors for pushing him to think deeper and work harder. He also thanked his parents, writing, “Your dedication, patience and belief in me laid the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished.”
Thought leaders
- Scott Giberson (MD ’26, MBA ’26) helped discover a flaw in the system surgeons use to scan for surgical sponges accidentally left in the body. The research team found that whenever a metallic object is next to the sponge, the scanner used to identify retained sponges no longer functions properly.
- Professor Melissa Hart shared practical budgeting advice with WalletHub, emphasizing the importance of tracking spending habits and setting realistic financial goals to build long-term financial stability.
- Research from Professor Timothy Kundro, Salvatore Affinito (PhD ’21) and Daniela Rodriguez-Mincey (MS ’24) shows that both the public and offenders prefer tailored consequences that fit the crime and promote learning.
- Professor Camelia Kuhnen shared insights on declining consumer sentiment in 2025, pointing to “unbelievably high” uncertainty around U.S. economic policy and international trade.
Growing future business leaders
The first cohort of high school students took part in UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Tar Heel Business Academy in Charlotte last month.
During the weeklong program, 80 students worked with Professor Paul Friga, Professor Markus Saba and Associate Dean Tammy Samuels to develop important critical thinking and leadership skills.
Grace Lozier, a rising senior at Providence Day School, shared her experience on LinkedIn: “Thank you, UNC Kenan-Flagler, for creating a space where students are pushed, supported and inspired all at once.”
Standout students and alumni
- Communications company IotaComm announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Chapel Hill. “This move represents more than a change of address—it’s a strategic investment in our future,” Chairman and CEO Terrence DeFranco (MBA ’22) said. The company grew out of Innovate Carolina’s startup hub and DeFranco partners extensively with the Ackerman Center for Excellence in Sustainability.
- Urvashi Shivdasani (MBA ’03) was named chief financial officer at R/GA. “I’m thrilled to help shape what comes next in this new intelligence age,” she shared on LinkedIn.
- Adelino Dias (MBA ’02) was named a financial advisor at UBS International. Dias previously served as director for seven years at Citi Private Bank, following an 11-year tenure at J.P. Morgan.
- Arun Shivdasani (MBA ’02) was named chief financial officer at 2U. “I’ve watched 2U pioneer online education for years and am thrilled to join the team at this pivotal moment,” Shivdasani said in a LinkedIn post.
Spotted on social
Global Entrepreneurship Lab students in Luxembourg.
- Executive MBA students in Professor Ted Zoller’s Global Entrepreneurship Lab traveled to Luxembourg to collaborate with startups and immerse themselves in the region’s growing innovation ecosystem. Zoller shared photos from the experience on LinkedIn.
- The story of Shibumi Shades, the company behind the popular wind-powered beach shade, was featured by the University. Founded by Carolina alumni Scott Barnes (BS ’12), Dane Barnes (BSBA ’09) and Alex Slater (BA ’09), the brand estimates Shibumi Shades have made it to 800 beaches around the world.
- The head of the Lawhill Maritime Centre at Simon’s Town School shared a video taken while MBA students studied in Cape Town, South Africa, on their Global Immersion Elective in March.