News & Stories
In other news: October 2023
More insights and highlights from the UNC Kenan-Flagler community
Thought leaders
- Professor Camelia Kuhnen was named director of research for the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. Kuhnen is an expert in corporate finance, neuroeconomics and behavioral finance. Her research focuses on how people make economic and financial choices.
- Professor Stephen Arbogast, director of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Energy Center, shares the importance of a business education in energy as many companies transition from relying on fossil fuels to sustainable energy methods.
- Research by Professor Vinayak Deshpande explores the most effective strategies for airlines to minimize flight delays.
Major milestone
In 1953, UNC Executive Development offered its first education program to 25 North Carolina business executives. Now, 70 years later, it has trained thousands of leaders from over 20 countries. Congratulations to the UNC Executive Development staff, Business School faculty and clients who made it possible.
Standout students and alumni
- Angel investor Jan Davis (MBA ’79) advocates for the importance of a strong tech community and attracting families to North Carolina.
- Kat Kerr (MBA ’24) started her career at Spectrum as a technician. Now as area vice president of eastern North Carolina, she oversees 1,000 employees and is responsible for 1.3 million customers and 50,000 miles of cable.
- Manfredo Thibau (MBA ’10) was named one of 2023’s top 25 healthcare technology leaders in Houston. Thibau is the chief financial officer of Professional Compounding Centers of America, a pharmaceutical supplier and personalized medicine company.
- Jason Kilar (BA and BSBA ’93) has joined the board of directors at online gaming platform Roblox. Kilar was the founding CEO of Hulu and later co-founded and served as CEO of subscription video service Vessel. He stepped down as CEO of WarnerMedia in April 2022.
- SmartSky Networks in Morrisville, launched by Ryan Stone (MBA ’11), continues to deliver cutting-edge technology for airplane pilots.
Maribel Carrion
Strong support
A generous gift from Maribel Carrion (BS ’77, MBA ’86) establishes the Carolina Latinx Center’s first endowed fund. The Carrion Global Experiences Fund supports UNC-Chapel Hill students who have opportunities to travel and study abroad.
“When you find something you really want to help with, you find a way to make it happen,” said Carrion. “Seeing the impact my gifts have had on students’ lives just makes me want to do more.”
After a three-decade career in software development, Carrion returned to Carolina. She is now the executive director of student administration and enterprise reporting in UNC’s Information Technology Services department.
- Joshua Alexander (MBA ’23) was appointed chief operating officer at Auburn Community Hospital in New York. He was previously the manager of business administration for New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center’s nursing department.
- Meet the members of the Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 who were awarded fellowships by the UNC Kenan-Flagler Leonard W. Wood Center for Real Estate Studies.
- Lindsey Moorley (MBA ’20) was named the chief financial officer of Elite, a provider of practice management and financial solutions for law firms. “It’s a very exciting time to join Elite and be part of the team that’s leading the digitalization of the legal industry,” said Moorley.
- Rob Jeske (MBA ’12) will serve as the first general manager of the newly revamped Finley Golf Club, scheduled to reopen to limited play in mid-October 2023 following a yearlong closure.
- Doug Whittlesey ( MBA ’14, MAC ’21) was one of the national winners of the annual Elijah Watt Sells Award, an honor given to CPA candidates who pass the Uniform CPA Examination on the first try with the highest cumulative score across four sections.
Sreedhari Desai at the Harvard Women and Power Summit 2023, via Linkedin.
Spotted on social
Professor Sreedhari Desai shared her unforgettable experience at the 2023 Harvard Women and Power Summit, where she gave a presentation on the art of negotiation and influence.
To submit news items to be considered for “In other news,” email jordan.bartel@kenanflagler.unc.edu.