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Marta Vazquez Serra: Student, MBA Candidate

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Hello everyone! My name is Marta Vazquez, and I am currently an MBA student at Rochester Institute of Technology. I recently graduated from RIT with my degree in Finance, and I decided to continue my education through the MBA program because I want to build a broader understanding of business beyond just finance.

My background is mainly in finance and business, but I have had the opportunity to explore several different areas through my work and internship experiences. Most recently, I worked as a Financial Compliance and Procure-to-Pay intern at Constellation Brands, where I worked on financial compliance projects, tax-related work, and process improvement. I also had the opportunity to work with SAP and contribute to an AI market-intelligence project that focused on providing departments with more relevant competitive insights. That experience showed me how different areas of a business can come together and how technology can be used to make processes and decision-making more effective.

Before that, I worked as a Marketing Data Analyst intern at Bonadio, where I researched businesses and industries and used Excel and data to help identify potential growth opportunities. That experience was especially interesting to me because it showed me that I enjoy working with data, but I also enjoy understanding the people and business decisions behind the data. It made me more interested in how companies use information to understand customers, make decisions, and grow.

Although my undergraduate degree is in finance, I have never wanted to limit myself to one area of business. I am interested in learning how different parts of a company work together, especially when it comes to marketing, technology, analytics, and strategy. I like being able to look at a problem from different perspectives and figure out how information can be used to make better decisions.

Outside of school and work, I am very interested in fitness, health, and wellness. I currently work at the YMCA as a Wellness Coach, which has given me experience working directly with people and helping them reach their fitness goals. Long term, I am interested in finding a career where I can combine business with my interests in health, fitness, and wellness. I am still exploring exactly what that career will look like, but I know I want to continue developing my business knowledge and gaining experience in different areas.

Check Out My Resume

Connect With Me on Marta Vazquez Serra | LinkedIn

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Caroline Lupisella: MBA Student

Caroline Lupisella is a recent graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Public Relations. Currently, she is on track to graduate in May 2027 with a Master of Business Administration.

Regarding her professional experience, Caroline has worked in the fields of advertising and public relations for a local branding agency, ninety two. In that role, she focused on building ninety two’s social media presence and boosting the company’s SEO with informative blog posts. Her client work consisted of writing website copy and managing social media accounts. Past employers and collaborators have highly marked Caroline’s work ethic, problem-solving, and leadership.

One of Caroline’s greatest passions is her involvement in Linking Hands for Learning. LHFL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports school construction efforts in developing countries. Caroline has fundraised for and volunteered to build 10 schools in the mountain communities of El Sauce, Nicaragua. As of August 2024, she earned the position of board member and now participates in decision-making.

In the future, Caroline hopes to utilize her passion for creativity and storytelling by developing engaging advertising campaigns. As a Rochester native, she knows the area and is interested in furthering her career with local companies.

Connect with Caroline Lupisella on LinkedIn

Download Caroline Lupisella’s Resume

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SEMA

John Williams

Hello there! My name is John Williams, and I am a marketing professional and graduate student at Rochester Institute of Technology. I earned my Bachelor of Business Marketing from RIT’s Saunders College of Business, where I developed a strong interest in digital marketing, social media, marketing analytics, and professional selling.

My professional experience has allowed me to apply these skills in real-world settings. At Bishop Kearney High School, I work in marketing and communications, where I manage social media content, develop digital marketing materials, analyze performance data, and create communication workflows. I have also supported admissions marketing efforts and used tools such as Hootsuite, Canva, Excel, and Meta Business Suite to develop and evaluate marketing strategies.

In addition to marketing, I have a passion for communication and helping others develop their professional skills. As a consultant with RIT’s Expressive Communication Center, I work one-on-one and in groups with students from a variety of academic backgrounds, helping them improve presentations, speech content, delivery, confidence, and audience engagement. This experience has strengthened my belief that effective communication is an essential part of successful marketing and business.

I am particularly interested in the intersection of marketing, analytics, and communication. I enjoy using data to better understand audiences and make informed marketing decisions while also finding creative ways to tell a compelling story. I look forward to continuing to develop these skills throughout my career.

John Williams

Connect with me on LinkedIn

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Mariella Santiago: Journalist. MBA Candidate.

Hello, and welcome to my page! My name is Mariella.

I’m currently pursuing my MBA through RIT’s accelerated program to develop the strategic business skills shaping modern media. I thrive when working in writing, editing, reporting and broadcast journalism.

As a Journalism undergraduate student at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Editor in Chief of Reporter Magazine, I’ve built a strong foundation in editorial leadership, storytelling and multimedia communication.

Professionalism starts with humanity. I strive to approach my work and the people around me with empathy, patience and kindness.

✨Click here to download Mariella’s resume.

📝Click here to connect with Mariella on LinkedIn.

📸Click here to see Mariella’s portfolio website.

Mariella Santiago (left) sits for an interview with Dan Povenmire, co-creator of the Disney animated series ‘Phineas and Ferb.


thank you for visiting.

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SEMA

Jaharie Waterman-Jordan: Engineering, Business, People, and Everything In Between

You’ve Found Jaharie. Now Click Here to Get the Full Story.

Hello there! My name is Jaharie Waterman Jordan, but most people call me Jaharie. I am currently an MBA student at Rochester Institute of Technology after recently graduating from RIT with my degree in Robotics and Manufacturing Engineering Technology.

My background is a mix of engineering, manufacturing, project management, and leadership. I currently work full time at L3Harris as a Production Planner, where I work with production and planning to help keep things moving. Before L3Harris, I worked as a Project Manager Co op with JCS Process & Controls. That experience allowed me to work on automation projects, budgeting, data, process improvement, and working with different teams to take projects from an idea to something actually being used.

Although my degree is in engineering, I have always found myself interested in more than just the technical side of things. I really enjoy looking at how people work, how processes work, and where things can be made more efficient. I tend to look at a problem and immediately start thinking about what is causing it, what is slowing things down, and how we can make it work better. My engineering background definitely plays a role in that, but my experiences in leadership have also taught me that you can have the best system in the world and it still will not work if you do not understand the people using it.

Outside of work and school, I have spent a lot of time involved in student organizations, leadership, and event planning at RIT. I have helped lead organizations, supervise students, plan large events, and work with different groups to bring ideas to life. Those experiences are actually a big part of why I decided to pursue my MBA. I want to understand the business side of the things I have already been doing and eventually use that knowledge to help lead teams, improve organizations, and potentially run a business of my own.

Right now, I am especially interested in the connection between people, technology, business, and efficiency. I do not necessarily know exactly where that will take me yet, but I know I want to be somewhere where I can solve problems, work with people, and make things better.

Want to Know More About Me? Check Out My Resume

Want to See What I’m Up To? Connect With Me on LinkedIn

I’m not trying to make it complicated. I’m trying to figure out why it was complicated in the first place. - Jaharie

The Stuff You Won’t Find on My Resume

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Raimi Tapiawala

Hi everyone! My name is Raimi, and I am from India. I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Hospitality Business Management at Rochester Institute of Technology, after completing my Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management at Endicott College. I’ve had the opportunity to explore different sides of the hospitality industry, including food and beverage, bakery operations, and hotel operations, and each experience has taught me something new about the industry and about myself.

Baking has always been a big part of my life, and during the pandemic, I turned that passion into my own home-based baking business, The Dessert Galore. I loved being able to create desserts, interact with customers, and handle everything from taking orders and sourcing ingredients to marketing and managing the business. Outside of school and work, I enjoy playing tennis and dancing. I am excited to continue learning and see where my experiences in hospitality take me!

If you’d like to know a little more about me and my experiences, I’ve attached my resume below, and you can also connect with me on LinkedIn:

Resume

LinkedIn

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SEMA

Joshua Michaels

“Horses don’t stop, they keep going” – Young thug

< me in Austin lol

Howdy y’all! 🤠 I’m Joshua, a kid from Queens who spent two summers in Texas and came home a Cowboys fan. Yes, I know. No, I will not be taking questions at this time. When I’m not defending my football choices, I’m a first gen marketing grad at RIT working toward my MBA, and I’m happiest wherever pop culture and strategy collide. This summer I was at 7-Eleven HQ talking coffee, Slurpees, and Big Gulps with some of the biggest drink brands on the planet, so if your brain freeze hit different this year, I’m taking a little credit.

Before that I was building hype for local indie games and films, running socials for a production studio in LA, and pitching a healthcare app that actually got funded. During undergrad I also founded two clubs that really took off, PFC (Personal Finance Club) and BARS (Black Artists & Records Society), because campus needed more music and a crash course in adulting. Off the clock, you’ll catch me at the gym or making music. My whole vibe? Tell a great story, back it up with real data, and make something people can’t scroll past. Slide into my inbox and let’s cook.

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Diya Iyer – MBA

Hi! I’m Diya, a creative technologist, designer, and lifelong storyteller who loves bringing ideas to life.

I’m currently pursuing my MBA at Rochester Institute of Technology, building on my background in New Media Interactive Development and Psychology. My work sits at the intersection of creativity, technology, and people. Whether I’m developing an interactive experience, managing a team, creating a social campaign, or designing a workshop, I’m always interested in how ideas can become experiences that people connect with.

I’ve had the opportunity to work across product management, marketing, game development, interactive media, and student leadership. These experiences have taught me that I enjoy being the person who can move between the big picture and the small details: figuring out what we’re trying to accomplish, understanding who we’re creating for, and then helping turn that vision into something tangible.

Outside of work and school, I’m drawn to storytelling in all its forms. I’m a game designer, an artist, and someone who has always loved creating worlds and inviting other people into them. I enjoy experimenting, learning new things, and finding unexpected connections between my interests.

At the core of everything I do is a simple idea: good experiences are built around people. I want to create things that are not only functional or visually engaging, but that make people curious, excited, connected, or inspired to participate.

Click here to view my resume!

Click here to connect with me on LinkedIn!

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Anna Cosh – Global Marketing Manager & RIT MBA Candidate

I’m deeply passionate about brand strategy and implementation, event management, and digital marketing. Regardless of the speciality, I believe data should drive decisions and I excel at executing complex strategies and tactics to ensure brand and market growth.

When I’m not developing an epic marketing campaign or executing on top tier brand strategies, you’ll find me exploring the great outdoors, photographing my friends and family and watching/playing sports! To learn a bit more about my experience download my resume or connect with me on LinkedIn at the links above!

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Kaleigh Vita, RIT MBA Candidate

Hi, my name is Kaleigh Vita, and I am from Rochester, NY. I graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing, with a minor in French. I’m currently pursuing my MBA at Rochester Institute of Technology, with a concentration in Marketing and Management Information Systems.

During my time as an undergraduate at Loyola University Maryland, I was involved in the Business Honors program where I had the opportunity to develop my business and leadership skills among a cohort of other fellow business students. I also was a part of the student steering committee for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship where I helped to engage students with entrepreneurs through events and speaking engagements. I further developed my business and marketing skills through participating in two internships, one at Flaum Management Company and the other at Stanley Black and Decker.

After graduating from Loyola, I have gained industry experience in entertainment, professional services and higher education. As a participant in the Disney College Program, I learned the importance of great customer service through Disney’s emphasis on the customer journey. I worked on the front lines of the parks and was able to make this a reality by tailoring customer purchases so they could have the most memorable experience. I then transitioned to digital marketing at Harris Beach Murtha, a regional law firm, where I gained experience in website, email and social media marketing. These skills have been transferrable to my current role in University Advancement at RIT when I engage with donors and alumni through different communication channels including phone, email and in-person.

If you would like to learn more about me or connect, please see the links below to download my resume or to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Connect with me on LinkedIn!