Eller Executive MBA Class of 2019: Students Taking Over the Workforce

May 12, 2020

Being both a full-time MBA student and working full-time is no easy feat, but professionals in the Eller College’s elite Executive MBA continue to find a way to balance student life with corporate life—and the dividends are paying off.

 Examples from the most recent graduating class alone prove the point:

  • Stephany Kennedy was promoted to health outcomes liaison manager at Greenwich Biosciences.  
  • Matt Propes accepted a position as director of corporate accounts at Betco.
  • James Harris received the Most Impactful Product Launch and Exemplary in the Field of Marketing awards at Rainbird.
  • Richard Warsaw was promoted to director of food safety and quality at Greengate Fresh.
  • Gabriela Avila was appointed director of finance and administration at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Science.
  • Allison Otu was appointed executive director for corporate and community relations in the Office of Communications at the University of Arizona Health Sciences.
  • Daniel Malechuck was appointed CEO of Kalera.
  • Chad Wolver was appointed vice president of Bank of America.
  • Chris Stemple received the Young Alumni Volunteer Award from the University of Arizona College of Engineering.
  • Rebeca Lopez received the Phoenix Business Journal Small Business Community Impact Award.
  • Mike Gardner was promoted to crisis and justice system manager at Banner Health.
  • Eric Cornidez received the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award.

In fact, eighty-seven percent of the 2019 graduates had the ability to be promoted as a result of the program. Another seventeen percent changed employers, and 36 percent plan to start a new business.

“Completing my Eller Executive MBA provided me the opportunity to round out my resume and more easily open career doors,” says Daniel Malechuck ’19 MBA. “The tools I learned will undoubtedly be leaned on heavily in leading my company through international expansion.”

The program’s flexible schedule brings executives together for two rigorous days of on-campus classes every month in addition to online courses. Students complete the program in 21 months and are ready to continue to flourish in the corporate world.

“The Eller Executive MBA class of 2019 are an exemplary group of leaders and businessmen and women,” says Megan Forristall, program director. “I am certain that they will flourish and continue to be prosperous in all of their future endeavors.”