Featured Alumni
Women Advisors Fill Key Roles in Financial Services T here are approx- imately 350,000 financial advisors “There’s retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, all of these,” she said. Miller created
Sylvia McCallum Bateman (’12, international business) is a stand-up comedian after a career in financial consulting. She has performed nationally from New York to Texas and is auditioning for America’s Got Talent. Ashlyn Benton (’18, supply chain management) is an EDI coordinator at McLeod Software, where she has worked since graduation. Jacob Bivin (’17, finance) is a senior business analyst in the finance department of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, where he has worked since shortly after graduation. Megan Broccard (’16, MBA) was promoted to general manager of analytics for Global Airport Customer Service at Delta Air Lines in December 2020.
in the United States, but only 15 to 20% of those professionals are women. Stacy Miller, a Certified Financial Planner™, not only
the program “Budget Like a Boss” for a professional group of women in Tampa who were looking for tools, tips and tricks for manag- ing finances. This singular creation has evolved into a webinar and is the key topic
recognizes that women are underrepresented in the industry, but also that they can make a profound difference in people’s lives. “Diversity allows for more creative solutions across the board, whether it’s fi- nancial services or another industry,” said Miller, a Tampa, Florida, resident who earned an MBA in 1998 from the Harbert College and is Partner/Vice President at Bright Investments in Auburn. “Women are receiving more wealth, whether it’s generational or otherwise, and they are looking for women advisors to help them because sometimes that’s an easier, more trustworthy relationship and connection. This is an opportunity for us in financial services, but it’s also an opportunity for women who want to delegate because they don’t want to do it or don’t have the time to do it well.” Miller, who received an undergraduate degree in sociology from Boston Universi- ty, was encouraged to become a Certified Financial Planner to make a difference in the lives of others, with a focus on wom- en’s initiatives. “The definition of financial advisor is extraordinarily broad… broad in educa- tion, experience, licensing and approach,” Miller said. “Approach is really one of the things that helped me choose my defining characteristic within the industry. A lot of financial advisors have products that they sell, and that did not hold much interest to me. Helping people is the approach that I like to take and becoming a Certi- fied Financial Planner™ was a path to get to that place.” Miller approaches each client on a strategic level.
in numerous speaking engagements. “Many do not learn personal finance in school,” she said. “This program not only helps manage finances, but credit scores, spending less than you earn, etc. People know that—but they don’t always apply it. “It’s really important that you under- stand the future financial implications of what you’re doing now, for retirement or whatever long-term goals you have. You have got to understand what’s happening in your finances now and how to achieve those goals.” At the end of the day, Miller’s passion is making a positive impact for her clients. “Just knowing that I have helped relieve stress, helped a client find a solution for a problem, whether it’s finding enough money to retire or getting finances in order because a spouse passed away,” she said. “I like to know that I have added value to someone in their quality of life.”
Matthew Bryant (’10, MBA) is the founder and CEO of Artisan Labs, a skincare cosmetic contract manufacturer in Hansen, Idaho. Brett Buchanan (’17, accounting) is a licensed CPA and senior accountant at a private equity CRE investment/development firm headquartered in Atlanta.
Dara Castrodale (’16, human resource management) is the director, people services for Equinox / SoulCycle brands. She previously worked with Amazon. Dylan Clark (’19, supply chain management) is a manufacturing planner for Lockheed Martin MFC in Orlando. He has earned both a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification and an APICS CPIM - Certification in Production. Barrett Cornelius (’13, finance) is a VP private client advisor with the Private Bank at Bank of America in Atlanta.
Stacy Miller ('98, MBA) Certified Financial Planner Bright Investments
Harbert Business, Winter 2021 55
Alumni Notes
Jonathan Hall (’18, finance) is a graduate student at the University of Buffalo, completing an MS in Econometrics. He will soon begin an internship with M&T Bank’s Credit Risk Management Department. Florence Holland (’16, Executive MBA) is the head of consulting at The Diversity Movement, leading organizations to create strategic goals to make systemic changes regarding diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace. Chelsea Hood (’15, human resource management) was promoted to senior analyst on the Welfare Benefits Team-Financial Services team at Chick-fil-A’s headquarters in Atlanta in December 2020. She and her husband welcomed a baby boy in November. Akexandre Jassoud (’19, MBA) is a microbiology laboratory manager in the pharmaceutical industry. Ayaz Khan (’14, Physician Executive MBA) is president & medical director of Pain Management of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, medical director, PA Treatment & Healing of Milton, Pennsylvania and the CEO of two online companies—Effleurer Cosmetics and Effleurer Nutraceuticals. He was listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America 2020-21. Porter Kennedy (’19, finance) is a financial analyst for British-based Informa Financial Intelligence as well as a finance officer in the Army Reserves. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Lipscomb University. Virginia Luptak (’18, Executive MBA) was promoted to engineering operations director at Elbit Systems of America after five months. She provides leadership to the Configuration & Data Management team and the Parts Components Engineering team.
Peyton Oglesby Mann (’16, human resource management) works in Real Estate Lending Mortgage Innovation as a Project Manager II for Navy Federal Credit Union in Florida. She recently earned her MBA from The University of Southern Indiana and plans to obtain a Project Management Professional certification. president of sourcing for Acuity Brands Lighting. He and his wife, Ellen Reece Matthews (’12, nursing), welcomed their second child, Holden, in October. Emmalyn Merrill (’17, human resource management) is a recruiting specialist for Cloud Construction. Eric Matthews (’10, supply chain management) is the global vice Andrew Milligan (’12, MBA) Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, is the commander, 42d Operations Support Squadron, leading global airfield and gateway operations for Maxwell Air Force Base. Chelsea Anheuser Mills (’10, marketing) is a senior associate in business development for IAC’s Care. com HomePay, working closely with financial professionals, nanny placement agencies and senior care placement agencies to onboard as partners. Quincy Minor (’12, Executive MBA) is former president/COO of Information Transport Solutions and current VP of Managed Services. He is also the franchise owner of the new Wing It On! in Prattville, Alabama.
Brooks Moody (’13, business administration) is the PGA Certified Head Golf Professional at the Auburn University Club, earning his PGA certification in January 2019. He is responsible for running day- to-day golf operations, managing golf tournaments, teaching lessons and managing the golf shop. Nicholas Morbidelli (’17, accounting) is working towards his Master of Science in Biological Sciences from Auburn and plans to graduate from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2025. Becca Nelson (’18, marketing) is the director of marketing for Southern Preparatory Academy. Shawn Ogden (’18, supply chain management) recently transitioned from a medical platoon leader to the chief medical logistician for the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division. Amber Payne-Gregory (’15, Executive MBA) is director of medical operations for International Air Ambulance Service. Alex Pikul (’13, finance) will open Kind Cafe in Fairhope, Alabama, in May 2021 with plans to open locations in Mobile and Pensacola by the end of 2022. Terran Ray (’19, supply chain management) works in the government and public sector supply chain for Deloitte Consulting. Robert Russell (’19, finance) is a financial analyst for Amazon, leading a project that introduced virtual reality PIT training for Amazon fulfillment centers. Melissa Sanford (’18, Executive MBA) is the principal sales consultant overseeing the Department of Defense at Hitachi Vantara Federal with focus on Air Force, Space Force and the Army.
Mathew Mokler (’11, business administration) is living in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, after leaving the military in 2015. He is now an enterprise account executive for Cumberland Group where he manages a team of engineers, architects and developers.
Harbert Business, Spring 2021 57
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60Powered by FlippingBook