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SEMA

Cassie Hockett – Analyst, MBA Candidate

Connect with me on LinkedIn

About Me

I’m a highly motivated and professional all-source analyst with a proven track record of delivering actionable intelligence assessments across government and private sectors. My expertise lies in synthesizing complex data sets drawing from open-source, classified, and proprietary channels to produce clear, strategic insights for decision-makers in business, law enforcement, national security, and military operations.

With a strong foundation in analytical rigor and cross-functional collaboration, I’ve supported high-stakes environments where precision, discretion, and timeliness are critical. My work bridges tactical intelligence with strategic foresight, helping organizations anticipate risks, seize opportunities, and navigate uncertainty.

Currently, I’m pursuing an MBA with a concentration in project management, innovation, and business analysis at the Rochester Institute of Technology. This academic journey is sharpening my ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, drive operational excellence, and design scalable solutions that align with organizational goals. I’m passionate about transforming data into strategy—and strategy into impact.

Strategy Into Impact

My approach to analysis is rooted in precision, adaptability, and real-world application. I don’t just interpret data, I transform it into strategic action.
With advanced proficiency in Excel, I’ve built dynamic dashboards, automated reporting workflows, and modeled complex scenarios that support high-stakes decision-making. From pivot tables to advanced formulas, I use Excel not just as a spreadsheet tool but as a strategic engine that drives clarity and performance.


Now, I’m reshaping how we view data by integrating artificial intelligence into the analytical process. Through real-world applications with a large company, I’ve begun leveraging AI to uncover patterns, forecast outcomes, and elevate decision-making beyond traditional methods. It’s not just an upgrade in tools—it’s a shift in perspective.


By applying AI, I’m opening a kind of third eye in analysis: one that sees beyond the surface, connects disparate signals, and reveals strategic truths that were previously hidden. This expanded lens allows me to move from reactive reporting to predictive insight, helping organizations anticipate change and act with confidence.


This fusion of human intuition, technical skill, and machine intelligence is transforming how we define impact—and how we deliver it.

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SEMA

Cam Sartini – MBA Student at RIT

Hi. My name is Cam Sartini. I’m a Rochester native who has been studying business at the Rochester Institute of Technology for the last four years. This past spring, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in global business management while also earning minors in both finance and communications, which helped broaden my academic and professional expertise. I seek to further my education by completing the 4+1 MBA program for business administration. I believe this graduate program will be instrumental in shaping my career trajectory and driving future growth and long-term success.

Since 2018, I have had the privilege of gaining invaluable experience at one of the leading grocery store companies in the United States, Wegmans Food Markets. Last summer, I completed a store operations internship, which provided me a deeper understanding of daily operations. Additionally, I took a leadership course at Dale Carnegie to enhance my communication skills as a manager. These experiences together laid a solid foundation for my development in effective managerial practices.

If you’d like to learn more about my background and experience, please feel free to review my resume below or connect with me via my LinkedIn profile by using the link icons below. Thank you for your time!

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SEMA

Max Mekker – MBA Student

Thank you for taking 5 minutes to make a tremendous impact on my project! My goal is to gain as much engagement on this post as possible, and simply clicking on my resume, LinkedIn, and reading this introduction contributes to a strong performance.

My name is Max Mekker and I am an MBA student at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), in Rochester, NY. Completing my undergraduate degree in accounting, I am now pursuing my CPA and MBA certifications which will be completed by May of 2025. I can bore you with the internships I’ve done and what my career plans are… but those can all be found on my resume and LinkedIn profile attached to this post. So instead, I’d like to share a story on what influenced my decision to pursue an MBA.

Working towards my MBA was not always on my radar, at least not until I traveled to Australia for the Fall 2022 semester. On September 4th, 2022, I boarded my flight from Syracuse, NY, and after 22 hours of air travel, I landed in Gold Coast, Australia. The next four months were spent at Bond University, one of Australia’s top private institutions. During those four months, I not only explored Australia’s iconic landmarks—the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, the Outback—but also ventured to Bali and spent two weeks traveling through New Zealand. This journey exposed me to new perspectives and deepened my understanding of the world. It was these experiences that also helped me realize my passion for continuous learning and growth, ultimately leading to my decision to pursue an MBA.

Here are two key lessons I’ve come to embrace from my study abroad journey, and how they shaped my desire to further my education through an MBA program:

1. Be in the Present

From hiking mountains in New Zealand to racing four-wheelers through forests in Bali, I learned the value of being fully present. Letting go of thoughts about the past or worries about the future allowed me to truly absorb everything happening around me. This mindset shift made me realize the importance of adaptability—a skill crucial in business. In today’s rapidly evolving world, the ability to stay agile and embrace new challenges is essential. My time abroad showed me that I thrive in dynamic environments, and pursuing an MBA will allow me to further develop this agility and apply it in leadership and entrepreneurial roles.

2. Gratitude and Global Perspective

Traveling opened my eyes to the diversity of experiences and perspectives around the world. Meeting people from different backgrounds and seeing how they navigate life with optimism, even in challenging circumstances, gave me a deeper appreciation for global business environments. This sparked my interest in learning how businesses can positively impact communities and the importance of ethical leadership. An MBA not only enhances my financial and strategic acumen but also broadens my understanding of global markets.

My study abroad experience gave me a sense of confidence I didn’t have before. These experiences revealed my passion for problem-solving and leadership. Pursuing an MBA felt like the natural next step in building on these strengths. I’m confident that an MBA will provide the tools and network I need to turn these experiences into meaningful impact.

Click on the icon above and connect with Max on LinkedIn!

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SEMA

Jack Connolly-student, MBA program, Website, Resume

MBA student

Hell0! My name is Jack Connolly, I am currently pursuing on getting my masters in Business Administration at RIT. When I was an undergraduate I was getting my bachelors in Visual Media. Which is a mix of photography, graphic design, and marketing. I took some business classes while in my undergrad years and really liked the idea of going to take more classes in business.

This year in particular I hope to improve my knowledge of marketing and advertising career since I do believe it complements what I know currently when it comes to the creative side of what I’ve learned in my undergraduate years. I want to be able to be part of the business and creative side of advertising so that I can see how a marketing agency thinks on the business side of things and then later on decides how they want to get creative with their marketing.

Below is a link to my resume and website! Please feel free to click on either one of these links and let me know what you think about them? I would love to hear your feedback while I try to improve both my resume and my website.Your feedback will be much appreciated, since I will be applying to jobs soon once I am done after getting my MBA. To leave feedback, leave a comment below!

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SEMA

Joseph Kollie: MBA

About me:

Hi, my name is Joseph Kollie,

I am currently at the Rochester Institute of Technology. After completing my undergraduate in Psychology and with my interest for conducting experiments and pulling data, I wanted to further my education in the business sphere, as these research designs and methodologies often overlap. The MBA program allowed me to advance my career and sharpen my research interests, specifically in the investment banking sector. I will be done this summer of 2024.

Projects:

During my undergrad, under the McNair Post-Baccalaureate program I worked with R.I.T Human Resource Department. I was assigned to conduct my project on all 30 competing colleges in line with R.I.T. benefits, ranging from colleges such as Cornell, Duke, Indiana, etc. My Task was to compare each of their benefits in relation to R.I.T.’s. and make recommendations. Most of my data extraction was pulled from university’s websites and put into an excel spreadsheet and graphs to explain my findings.

I compiled a list of 11 sectors that were the main driving force of our economy. From each sector, I selected three companies that my research proved to be undervalued & underperforming but had an opportunity for growth. I went about this by looking at each sector and tracking their indexes. From there, I looked at those companies’ lists and researched them individually. Once a company was selected, I watched their prior years and their stock trend patterns from over ten years, as well as how much they fluctuated year to year, and ran randomization and probability to see what the likelihood of them repeating the same pattern would be while adding and subtracting their prices differences over the years. This project helped create a diversified portfolio that mimics their index but had better returns. Netflix, which I bought at 270, and Nvidia at 200, have succeeded in this project since I started this in 2022.

”An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin

Please take a moment to read my resume below and connect with me on LinkedIn.

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Shannon Stevely

Shannon J. Stevely: An Introduction

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“F-E-A-R has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours.”

― Zig Ziglar

Shannon J. Stevely is excited to complete a Masters in Business Administration in the program at RIT’s Saunders School of Business in fall 2023, following a successful professional journey. She holds a summa cum laude Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from SUNY Brockport and recently earned a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt from RIT, enhancing her process improvement and operational efficiency skills.

During her career, Shannon completed two impactful internships. At Advantech Industries, she managed the Epicor system, handled quotes, and ensured compliance with sensitive documents. Her University of Rochester Medical Center internship involved optimizing workflows, participating in financial meetings, and implementing Lean methodologies.

In her role as Administrative Project Specialist at HARBEC, Shannon led projects, coordinated with stakeholders, and ensured flawless execution. Earlier, as an Administrative Secretary, she managed office supplies and provided crucial support.

Anticipating her MBA journey, Shannon aims to contribute her diverse skills to the business community. Her background in healthcare administration, Lean Six Sigma certification, and extensive internships prepare her for future challenges. She looks forward to furthering her education and career at RIT while networking with peers and professionals.


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SEMA

Matthew Chase

Hello, I’m Matt Chase, an MBA student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. I graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Ithaca College in May 2023. During my time at Ithaca, I was a member of the baseball team, achieving two conference and regional tournament victories. I received recognition as an all-conference player and was honored as the most outstanding player in the conference tournament. Additionally, I was selected for the Liberty League all-academic team during my Junior and Senior years. My college sports experience instilled valuable skills like time management, leadership, and teamwork. Moreover, I contributed as a peer success coach and a member of the school’s social media team.

During my undergraduate years, I had the privilege of interning at remarkable organizations. One such experience was as a baseball operations intern for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Baseball League. In this role, I honed skills in analytics and player development, responsible for crafting daily scouting reports on opposing pitchers and optimizing our lineup analytically. Winning the championship capped this incredible experience.

I also gained valuable logistics experience at the FISU 2022 World University Games in Lake Placid, addressing shipping issues, maintaining precise purchase order records, and overseeing logistics support activities, including repair analytics and test equipment recommendations.

Additionally, I served as an operations manager for College Truckers at Ithaca College, overseeing operations and marketing, along with recruiting and managing a team of workers. My responsibilities included scheduling and ensuring the smooth functioning of the storage service for students during summer breaks.

Please take a moment to view my resume using the link below, and please connect with me on LinkedIn if you would like to chat. Thank you!

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Adele Francois SEMA

Authentic PM from Atlanta : Adele Francois

Authentic PM from Atlanta

Welcome! My name is Adele Francois, and I would consider myself an authentic PM from Atlanta, GA.

I am a Grad Student at Rochester Institute of Technology that is currently pursing a Masters Degree in Product Development. My undergraduate degree was in Software Development.

I have previous experience working in a variety of industries (Medical, Finance, etc.) Currently, I work at a global marketing communications agency. This year I’ve had the pleasure of working on two cool projects: the development of a mobile app and a VR game. When I’m not working, I am usually attending events and connecting with other Product Managers from Atlanta.

Aside from this, I enjoy playing video games, crafting, roller skating, and building Lego sets. I am currently playing through Starfield and FaeFarm. My most recent Lego build was The Office set.

I am passionate about growing my career in Product Management, creating and facilitating the development of products that have lasting impact, and empowering women and diverse people in technology.

Cheers!

Connect with Adele Francois on LinkedIn and feel free to download Adele Francois’ resume to see not only what she has done already, but also what’s to come!

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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SEMA

Jen Hill: New Media Marketing Student

Hi there!

My name is Jen Hill and I’m a senior at Rochester Institute of Technology studying New Media Marketing with a minor in Economics.

Experience

During my time at RIT, I have been very involved in campus life, and have held multiple leadership positions in campus clubs and organizations. I currently represent the university’s female students as the Women’s Senator in Student Government. I have also held positions as the President of the Mock Trial team, the Vice President of Marketing for Women in Business, the PR & Social Media Chair for RIT College Democrats, and the Treasurer for the Marketing, Advertising, & Public Relations club. 

I have interest and experience working in nonprofit organizations, specifically museums. During the summer of 2021, I worked at Genesee Country Village & Museum as a marketing assistant intern where I worked closely with the Museum’s Director of Communications to assist with creating and tracking promotion materials. 

Goals

After graduation, I hope to move on to attend law school and eventually work with nonprofit organizations in advocacy or policy creation.

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SEMA

Lauren Paige: Empathetic and Resilient Game Designer and Producer


About Me:

Hi! My name is Lauren Paige, and I’m a fourth-year game design and production student in the School of Individualized Study with a minor in psychology at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). I graduate in May of 2022 and am currently looking for fitting job opportunities. I pride myself on my time management skills, my hard-working attitude, and my positive energy, and if you talk to me just for five minutes, you will understand why I pride myself in these immediately.

Mission:

My objective is to be a full-time game designer or game producer at a game company when I graduate in May. I am hoping to relocate since I have lived in Rochester my entire life but I am open to many locations. I excel in positions that let me use my organizational, analytical, and design skills, and I strive to create a positive environment where I can make the people around me feel empowered and confident. If my qualities sound similar to your company’s values, please hit the button below to connect with me on LinkedIn!

Experience:

I have worked since I was 16 and have had a vast array of jobs, starting out as a busser at a sushi restaurant to becoming a sales leader and influencer for a major brand. During my freshman year at RIT, I worked five different jobs at once to work full-time while balancing being a full-time student, and in my final semester of college, I continue this work-school balance. Working so much has taught me resilience, independence, and the importance of a positive mindset and reframing situations, and has let me develop and cultivate my skills with leadership, time management, conflict management, scheduling, organizing and sorting through data, prioritizing, and adapting.

Currently, I work five different jobs at three different organizations. I am a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) for Prof. Sten McKinzie, a senior lecturer in the Game Design & Development program at RIT, and I TA four of his classes, including 2D Animation, Level Design, and Graduate Level Design. I am the Director of Sports Media and a Board Operator for the Division I men and women’s RIT hockey games for WITR 89.7, our campus radio station. As mentioned above, I am also a Sales Lead and Influencer for American Eagle. By being an influencer, I have also become incredibly interested in marketing, specifically social media marketing, and my skills within the marketing space have expanded greatly within the past nine months. While these jobs are all very different and rewarding in their own unique ways, I am constantly challenged with new situations and obstacles in each of them every day. This continuously lets me grow and learn as both a leader, team player, and person, and I look forward to getting a job that has an environment similar to this where I can flourish and be successful.

I am also currently the first-ever president of Proof of Purchase (PoP) acapella at RIT, and I have been the choreography director for the past three years. Although not paid, I take PoP very seriously and have numerous responsibilities as president, such as scheduling our entire semester, coordinating with the executive board on a daily and weekly basis to keep our group on track, resolving any conflicts, and being the main point of contact for any concerns in our group and between groups. As the choreography director, I coordinate all choreography meetings, brainstorm and execute ideas with our choreography committee, and teach the entire group. My paid job experiences have shaped me as a person, but PoP has similarly shaped me and made me bloom and grow as a leader.

If you’d like to know more about my job experiences, take a look at my resume below.