Alumni
Achievements
Advancing Equity
Maurice Parent (B.S. 2002) has translated his passion for Black theater into action by co-founding Front Porch Arts Collective. The organization delivers workshops for youth and adults in all aspects of the theater, from acting and playwriting to theatrical design and directing.
“With The Porch, it’s been great to make something that creates work for my community of artists,” Maurice said. “That’s where my business degree becomes helpful. Also being an educator, I turn my focus on people other than myself and build a company focused on their success. Those two roles combine to help me be a really good arts administrator, where I’m happy to work hard to see other people shine.”
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Recent Alumni Named Tartans on the Rise 2024
Blake Chasen (TPR 2016), Kyle Eberly (TPR 2018), Torrell Jackson (HNZ 2017, TPR 2017), and Ananya Kapur (MCS/TPR 2021) were recognized as Carnegie Mellon University Tartans on the Rise 2024. The program celebrates recent alumni who are making an impact in their organizations, in their communities, across the nation, and around the world through leadership, innovation, and career achievements.
Chasen is the co-founder and co-CEO at Tally Labs. He created Jenkins the Valet, an internet personality and NFT cartoon ape avatar, attracting thousands of followers. Jenkins' storyline is guided by NFT holders, blending fan fiction with interactivity. Chasen's anonymity as the creator stems from his desire to use software to engage fans without personal attachment. Jenkins, represented by Creative Artists Agency, has achieved celebrity status, with a digital novel by Neil Strauss. Tally Labs, co-founded by Blake, aims to revolutionize entertainment by integrating AI with interactive storytelling. Their latest project, “The Writer’s Room,” lets fans direct their own versions of Jenkins' adventures, potentially transforming the industry.
Eberly is the founder of sitreps2steercos.com and an engineering program manager at Google Wide Trust Governance. A former U.S. Army aviation officer, he understands the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian careers. He now helps Google executives manage strategic trust issues and supports other veterans through his initiative, sitreps2steercos.com. This platform offers practical advice on graduate education and career transitions via social media, a website, and Discord. Eberly also co-founded the Tepper BELL Veterans Fellowship, which helps veterans at Carnegie Mellon pursue MBAs by covering gaps in tuition and additional costs not covered by the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program.
Jackson is the senior director of Business Manufacturing & Operations, Orthodontics, Envista Holdings Corporation. He transitioned from finance to healthcare after a family health crisis, inspired to make a meaningful impact. After earning his MBA from the Tepper School, he joined Danaher Corporation’s management training program. His versatile skills led to an executive role at Envista Holdings Corporation, overseeing a team of 200 in developing and distributing dental products like clear aligners and braces. Jackson emphasizes the transformative power of improving smiles, aiming to boost confidence. He balances competing dental technologies, aiming for optimal patient outcomes, and aspires to become a CEO to be a well-rounded leader.
As CEO of Type Beauty, Kapur is revolutionizing the Indian beauty industry by applying her dual degrees in chemistry and business administration to create inclusive and effective makeup products. Inspired during the COVID-19 lockdown, she developed vegan formulations targeting specific skin concerns like oily skin, dark spots, and wrinkles. Her innovative approach merges skincare and makeup, allowing users to enhance their appearance while treating their skin. With a growing presence on social media and a range of products from concealers to lip products, Type Beauty is rapidly becoming a go-to brand in India, with plans to expand internationally.
Alumnus Named Best Professor
Ersin Körpeoğlu (Ph.D. 2015), associate professor of operations & technology at UCL School of Management, University College London, was named to Poets&Quants’ 2024 Best 40 Under 40 MBA Professors. He describes himself as a conductor rather than a lecturer during class discussions with MBA students because of the workplace experiences they bring.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Nicholas Swaminathan (MBA 2024), a recent Tepper School of Business alumnus and 2022–24 James R. Swartz Entrepreneurial Fellow, earned the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Tepper School. His company TurnUp was a finalist in the 2024 McGinnis Venture Competition, a platform exclusively for CMU’s community of student entrepreneurs. TurnUp predicts turnover with its unique ML-models that identify an employee's intention to leave with 90% accuracy up to six months in advance.
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Using her Voice
Shriya Boppana's (B.S. 2021) social impact organization, Becoming a Voice, has helped save children from black market trafficking rings around the world. The organization provides resources and support to survivors of sex trafficking and sexual assault. Boppana is able to amplify awareness for this cause through her role as a pageant winner, and has connected with organizations including the United Nations Foundation, the Malala Fund, the Department of Justice, the Obama Foundation, She's the First, and Bachpan Save the Innocence.
“I love connecting with the communities as they work to rebuild their lives and it's the most humbling experience. It makes me want to keep helping more people,” said Boppana.