Proud to BU

Google Resident on Challenging the Status Quo | Parag Vaish (Questrom’03)

Parag Vaish (Questrom’03) has built a career at the forefront of digital innovation, marketing, and design. He rose through the ranks at companies like Disney, Microsoft, MSNBC, StubHub and Tesla prior to tackling his most recent challenge as a founder-in-residence at Google’s internal incubator, Area 120. During his time at Tesla, Parag worked closely with founder, Elon Musk, on all digital developments and customer facing experiences. He is a proud graduate of the Questrom School of Business where he received both an MBA and an MS in information systems back in 2003. Parag is one of more than 9,000 BU alumni who call the Bay Area home, and he’s in good company with over 200 fellow Terriers also working at Google in California.
Recorded August 2019

A Journey from Civil Rights Activism to Finance | Thomas W. Jones (Questrom’78)

In 1969, Thomas W. Jones (Questrom’78) stood firmly at the center of the armed student takeover of Willard Straight Hall at Cornell University. Pulitzer Prize-winning images of Jones and his fellow classmates emerging from the student union after a peaceful resolution powerfully captured widespread frustration over stalled civil rights efforts. Upon leaving Cornell, Jones entered the financial services industry, earned his MBA from Boston University, and continued to break new ground as a pioneering African American executive atop renowned firms like John Hancock, TIAA, Citigroup, and more. Jones recently published a memoir, From Willard Straight to Wall Street, and he joined us on Proud to BU to explore his remarkable journey.
Recorded April 2019

Helping Startups Navigate the Early Stages of Business | Jeremy Shure (LAW’08)

As Managing Director at Silicon Valley Bank, Jeremy Shure (LAW’08) is a partner to startup founders as they navigate the early stages of their business development. Recently named a Kauffman Fellow, Jeremy is now part of a world renowned network of innovative leaders working to transform relationships between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. On this episode of the podcast, hear Jeremy reflect on his time at BU and how he intends to scale his impact in the innovation economy.
Recorded March 2019

Lifelong Educator on her Impact in the Classroom and Beyond | Joanne Steinback (Wheelock’66)

As a lifelong educator, Joanne Steinback (Wheelock’66) worked at the forefront of the transformation of special education in the American school system. Her career is centered on implementing innovative strategies to effectively engage children with emotional challenges and learning disabilities. Joanne reflects on the lessons she learned, the challenges she faced, and the role BU played in sparking her life’s passion.
Recorded March 2019

Pursuing Criminal Justice Reform through Litigation | Somil Trivedi (LAW’09)

Are we living in a renaissance for criminal justice reform? Somil Trivedi (LAW’09), Staff Attorney at the ACLU Trone Center for Justice and Equality, joins Proud to BU to explore his unique perspective on this prescient topic. Somil traces the origins of his passion for social justice and shares the prominent role BU played in scaffolding his platform as a public-minded lawyer.
Recorded March 2019

Climbing the Corporate Staircase | Michael DiSalvo (COM’09)

What does it mean for a company to emphasize people over profit? Michael DiSalvo (COM’09) is a self-proclaimed Ogilvy enthusiast, having called the company his professional home for the last 9 years. In that time, Michael has quickly climbed the corporate “staircase” as he would call it to become the company’s youngest Senior Vice President. He was recently named one of PR Week’s 40 under 40. Michael joined us on the podcast to explore his journey beyond BU, the importance of drinking the free coffee at the office and what he’s learned about creating an authentic, positive, workplace culture.
Recorded October 2018

From the NFL to the NBA | Dan Liburd (SAR’06)

Not many resumes include experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buffalo Bills, and the Brooklyn Nets, but after chatting with Dan Liburd (SAR’06), you’ll quickly hear how it all adds up. As the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Brooklyn Nets, Dan spends his days ensuring his colleagues, who just happen to be some of the world’s most elite athletes, are able to maintain their peak performance. On this episode of the podcast, Dan talks about his experience working in both the NFL and NBA as well as the lessons he learned from remarkable mentors along the way.
Recorded February 2019

Building a Career in Broadcasting | Karen Holmes Ward (COM’77)

Karen Holmes Ward (COM’77) is a staple of the Boston media landscape and has built a distinguished career earning her a spot in the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She is the Director of Public Affairs and Community Services and many New England natives or transplants will recognize her as the Host and Executive Producer of the weekly TV talk show, CityLine. Karen joined us on Proud to BU to unpack her journey to Boston University, the many lessons she learned while finding her passion in the local media industry and her experience as the leader of BU’s Black Alumni Leadership Council.
Recorded February 2019

A Chat with Red Sox Manager of Photography | Billie Weiss (COM’16)

Billie Weiss (COM’16) has what many in New England would consider a dream job. For the past seven years, Billie has documented the World Champion Boston Red Sox as the team’s manager of photography. On this episode of Proud to BU, Billie explores his unique journey from BU to Fenway Park and offers a behind-the-scenes look at his remarkable career. To learn more about Billie and to see some of his work, be sure to keep an eye out for the next edition of Bostonia magazine. You can also explore Billie’s portfolio on his website, billieweiss.com.
Recorded January 2019

Blogger on Her Entrepreneurial Journey | Sahara Rose (CAS’13)

Welcome to the Young Alumni Edition of our Proud to BU Podcast. In this first iteration, Corinne Tramuta (MET’17) chats with Sahara Rose (CAS’13) about her path at Boston University and how she developed her brand as a health and wellness blogger, and author of the Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda. In this episode, Sahara Rose (CAS’13) explores her entrepreneurial journey from starting a health and wellness blog during her time at BU to becoming a best-selling author of the Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda. From there, Sahara went on to publish her second book, Eat Feel Fresh, and her brand now encompasses a massive social media following, a popular podcast called “The Highest Self” and much, much more.
Recorded December 2018

Shedding Light on the Importance of Networking in the World of PR | Monique Kelley (COM’03)

Curious about what it’s like to work for one of the top public relations agencies in the world? We had the chance to chat with Monique Kelley, senior vice president at Weber Shandwick, about her experiences and how she got to where she is today. Recently named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR for 2019, Monique Kelley (COM’03) serves as Senior Vice President and Global Client Experience Lead at Weber Shandwick. During her time at BU, Monique uncovered her passion for public relations and found invaluable mentors along the way. On the podcast, Monique shares lessons she’s learned through professional resiliency and advice on how to build a powerful network to support your career success.
Recorded December 2018

Exploring the World of Private Equity & Venture Capital | Alejandro Garcia Amaya (Questrom’07)

Working at the intersection of art, branding, and technology, Alejandro Garcia-Amaya (Questrom’07) has his hands in many industries. Not only is the host of the well-known podcast series “Getting Here“, but he is also the CEO of a new and flourishing investor-backed venture. For tech start-up CEO, Alejandro Garcia-Amaya, entrepreneurship runs in the family. Alejandro learned the ropes alongside his mother and brother as they built the experiential brand marketing company, InterMinds. Today, Alejandro is charting his own course as CEO of the investor-backed team, Mulu Labs in Silicon Valley, and he is the host of the Getting Here podcast. On this episode of Proud to BU, Alejandro explores the lessons he’s learned from the worlds of private equity and venture capital; and what it means to be named one of the ‘Top 20 Latino Tech Leaders’.
Recorded December 2018

International Relations with a US Ambassador | Mary Beth Leonard (CAS’84)

How does one become the US Ambassador to the African Union? For Mary Beth Leonard (CAS’84), it started at BU honing her passion for French, economics, and her intrigue with Africa. Becoming an effective storyteller at home and abroad has served Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard well throughout her distinguished career in foreign service. Having held diplomatic positions in Cameroon, Namibia, Togo, South Africa, Mali and more, Ambassador Leonard has transformed her BU experience into a career dedicated to building a more peaceful and prosperous Africa. She was appointed as the US Ambassador to the African Union in 2016 by President Barack Obama and in her conversation on Proud to BU, Ambassador Leonard shares a behind-the-scenes look at her journey navigating the complexities of international diplomatic relations.
Recorded December 2018

A Chat with an Award-Winning Global Marketing Executive | Josh London (CAS’94)

Growing up, Josh London (CAS’94) always loved novels and poetry. This passion for literature is what led to him to open up a new world of opportunity through the power of a liberal arts degree at Boston University. How far can a degree in English take you? Since earning his English degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, Josh London has become an award-winning global marketing executive with c-suite experience at IDG, Ziff Davis and CNET. Josh shares a few words of wisdom centered on the gift of a liberal arts education, the power of perpetual curiosity and the importance of wandering with intention.
Recorded November 2018

Launching a Successful Career in PR | Negin Kamali (COM’98)

Before arriving at Boston University’s College of Communication, Negin Kamali (COM’98) could not have told you what Public Relations was. Fast forward to today and she’s now the Director of Public Relations at Princess Cruises. For Negin, her journey at BU and beyond has been about observing, listening, and learning from her mentors, which ultimately lead her to where she is now in her career. In the rapidly changing world of public relations, Negin Kamali has established herself as a thought leader with an impressive track record for success. Prior to becoming the Director of Public Relations at Princess Cruises, Negin held a variety of roles at the renowned agencies Golin and Bishoff Solomon where she worked with brands like Mattel and McDonalds. She spoke about the many lessons she’s learned in building her career including the art of networking, how she learned to manage up and why her professional resiliency has been key to her success.
Recorded December 2018

How to Become a C-suite Headliner at Live Nation | Alan Ostfield (LAW’90, Questrom’91)

If you’ve ever bought concert tickets, there’s a high chance you’ve used Live Nation to purchase them. Enter Alan Ostfield (LAW’90, Questrom’91), a sports fanatic who ironically never really an interest in music growing up, but now finds himself as the President of the North Atlantic Division of Live Nation. After earning his JD and MBA from BU, Alan Ostfield went on to occupy the c-suite of legendary organizations including the San Diego Padres, the Detroit Pistons and now, the North Atlantic division of the world’s largest live entertainment company, Live Nation. Alan explores the process of building his career, learning from his mistakes and his advice on how to pivot when the future of your career stretches beyond your control.
Recorded December 2018

Channeling ADHD into a Superpower | Peter Shankman (CGS’92, COM’94)

Sometimes the things we consider “flaws” can be undiscovered gifts. Growing up with ADHD, Peter Shankman (CGS’92, COM’94) knows what it's like to be labeled as “broken." Today, he now realizes it simply means “differently abled”. Channeling his ADHD into a superpower has propelled serial entrepreneur Peter Shankman to incredible success. Perhaps best known for founding Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a company connecting journalists to sources, Peter has built and sold three successful businesses, authored five books, and built a brand as a keynote speaker, podcast host, angel investor, and frequent cable news contributor.

Combining a Love for Literature and Technology | Ferol Vernon (CAS’03)

The moment an author gets published, they need to start thinking about how they’re going to promote their work. Enter Ferol Vernon (CAS’03), who built an online platform to help authors and publishers get the most eyes on their work as possible. From computer science to classical civilizations, Ferol Vernon’s path to success as an entrepreneur is anything but ordinary. Today, Ferol combines his love of literature with his passion for technology as the Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Written Word Media. His company is focused on connecting readers with their next great book and providing a high-tech platform to help authors and publishers reach new audiences.
Recorded December 2018

A Journey from Comm Ave. to Silicon Valley | Anthony Harrison (COM’81)

Want to know what it’s like to work for Facebook? How about working in Public Relations for the tech giant? Enter Anthony Harrison (COM’81), who describes himself as “a living, breathing PR Swiss Army knife.” Leading a team tasked with telling Facebook’s story has been both the ultimate challenge and the ultimate opportunity for Anthony Harrison, who serves as Director of Corporate Media Relations for the social media giant. Anthony shares his journey from Comm. Ave to Silicon Valley as a seasoned PR expert with experience shaping brands like LexisNexis, Microsoft, and Starbucks.
Recorded November 2018

The Importance of Networking | Christine Fletcher (CAS’91)

When it comes to making the next move in your career, one can never have a network that’s too large. This is something Christine Fletcher (CAS’91) learned as she advanced in her career as a practicing lawyer. After earning a degree in French Language and Literature from BU, Christine Fletcher went on to become a partner at the Burns & Levinson law firm in Boston. Christine was selected as a 2018 Woman Worth Watching® by the Profiles in Diversity Journal and is also a regular online contributor for Forbes where she shares her expertise on trusts and estates.
Recorded November 2018