DBA

Background Daisy Ortiz Berger is originally from the Bronx, New York, and currently lives in River Edge, New Jersey, with her husband Robert and children Maxon and Mikaylee. Daisy’s extensive marketing career includes both the automotive and financial services industries. At Ford Motor Company, she was a Marketing Manager for Ford International Operations covering Puerto […]

Background “Darden,” as he is known by his colleagues, friends and family, specializes in the intersection of entrepreneurship, social movements and sexual and gender identities within entrepreneurial ecosystems. With a strong focus on research methodology, Darden’s work examines how marginalized entrepreneurs psychologically navigate the venture entry process (i.e. fear of failure, guilt and shame proneness). […]

Background Theresa Piwowar was born and raised in New York before moving to Florida as a child. Theresa earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with a major in Accounting, from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. Theresa earned her MBA from UNC Charlotte in 2001 and has enjoyed working in private accounting for over 20 […]

Background As a first-generation college student, Curtis attended UNC Charlotte to earn his Bachelor of Arts focusing on Political Science. Afterwards, he spent over a decade in financial services, providing investment guidance and education to those working in the non-profit sector. As a manager, he coaches and mentors a team of financial service consultants by […]

Background Yogita Pradhan holds a Master of Science in Investment Finance from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Her professional journey spans more than six years across sustainable business operations, health insurance, and the banking industry, where she […]

Background Anu Raina is currently the Director of Information Technology for Purdue Pharma LP.  She has a diverse 20+ year career within the pharmaceutical industry with experience in Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing and IT. Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, as well as Master of Business Administration and Master Certificate in […]

Background MiKayla Raines’ previous academic studies include research on the importance of the fast-casual dining industry in today’s society, especially in North Carolina and the effects that brand image and attitude had in these fast-casual dining facilities. MiKayla has received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She also received a Master’s […]

Background Samantha has her B.S. in Marketing Communications from Plattsburgh State University in New York which included studies abroad at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, England and Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. She completed her M.S. in Organizational Communication, Learning & Design through a partnership program with Ithaca College & Cornell University. […]

Background Christopher has focused on achieving manufacturing, distribution and supply chain operating excellence throughout his career. He is now the supply chain optimization leader for Albemarle’s lithium division, where he is a change agent for driving operational excellence. Christopher is pursuing a DBA to become a transformational operations management industry leader. Christopher received his Bachelor […]

Background Danielle’s commitment to “next is now” reflects her proactive approach to professional development and her dedication to driving positive change in the business landscape. She started her entrepreneurial journey at age 20 with a small tax office in Florence, South Carolina and has been in and out of the corporate workforce ever since. She […]