Advisory Board Adds A Great New Mix of Members!
The MBA Advisory Board is heading into its 6th year., created by Ingrid Martin, Director of MBA Programs at CSULB, and several charter members, it has had many successes and is hard at work to continue to improve the student and alumni experience.
For example,
- A few years ago, the Board recommended that there be a mentoring program. The program was created, and it will be starting its 3rd year in the spring. Each year it has expanded and enhanced the program for the MBA students.
- The Board also founded and funds a scholarship each year. This is a great help to deserving students and an opportunity for Alums to give back and add to this scholarship.
The Board is made up of local industry leaders, faculty, recent grads and a student representative. Four new members are bringing a jolt of new ideas and engagement. From their own hands-on contributions to financial and internship support from their companies.
We are excited and honored to introduce and welcome the new members:
Representing Industry
Lori Bell - A Managing Partner in a Financial Services Firm, a CSULB MBA Alum, an experienced non-profit Board member and professional networker/connector. Lori earned both her BS Finance and MBA degrees from CSULB while working full time. She understands the challenges students face, especially during the pandemic and feels this is the perfect time to join the Board and bring her experience and support to the college. When asked, why join the Board now, she stated that, “this is an important time for alumni who are business people in the Community to get involved and make a difference.” She knows she can help be a bridge between the students and industry by leveraging relationships with businesses with the needs of the students and the college. She brings all of this and is already making a difference.
Kevin Okerstrom - An industry expert in environmental health and safety and an MBA, CSULB Alum. Kevin was heavily involved in the Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD) Advisory Board for several years. He was Chair of that Board and implemented many new initiatives to enhance the program and it grew greatly under his leadership. He now feels called to contribute in a new way by joining the MBA Board. Bringing an environmental health and safety background will add depth to the Board, as well as bringing experience from another CSULB Advisory Board. His leadership and strategic skills will have a strong and immediate impact.
Representing Faculty
Pia Gupta – Professor and Chair of Finance at CSULB. Her areas of expertise include corporate finance and governance, and investments. Her research is published in leading finance journals, including Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, Managerial Finance, and the Review of Financial Economics. She is very active in her field by serving on the board of the Western Decision Sciences Institute. It’s an organization that allows academicians and business professionals from all over the world to share information and research with all aspects of education, business and organizational decisions. She is currently the chair for the conference that will celebrate its 50th anniversary at its conference in 2022.
She’s joining the Advisory Board because she wants to be involved with student success, organize networking opportunities, make industry connections to help with student placements, and contribute to decisions regarding curriculum updates and changes.
Pia brings a great wealth of knowledge, along with a focus on students and their connection to industry.
Representing the Students
Susan Bavol – A current MBA student in CSULB’s inaugural Online MBA program. Susan holds a BS in Chemistry from Michigan State University and is currently leading the Research and Development department at Starbucks’ Evolution Fresh juice division. She has been in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing industry for nearly 30 years and over that time has developed a passion for mentoring and coaching, and providing career path direction to others. She is excited to bring both the full-time working student perspective, as well as a science background to the MBA Advisory Board. She looks forward to being a voice for the students and providing opportunities for further collaboration with alumni and faculty. She will be a major link between students and the Board that is always key in Board decisions.
If you are interested in being involved with the Board (as a Board member, support sub-team efforts and/or other initiatives) please contact Barbara Barcon, Advisory Board Chair, barbara.barcon@csulb.edu It’s a great way to stay involved, give back, contribute, influence and network.
Back to October 2020 Newsletter
