Melina Bradley
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Majors: Human Resources Management
Minors/Certificates: Certificate in International Business
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Internships: PPG as a Human Resources Intern for 2 summers
Student Organizations: Phi Beta Lambda, Human Resources Club, Women in Business, Blue and Gold Society
Study Abroad: Plus3 Ecuador – I spent 2 weeks in Quito, Tena, and the Amazon studying the supply chain of chocolate and roses and learning about Ecuadorian culture.
Hobbies: Reading, hiking
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Colombian Spot
Favorite Place on Campus: Mervis Hall! I love walking into Mervis and seeing so many familiar faces. I love studying next to the big windows or down in the café area with the music.
My Pitt Business Story: I have had many family members attend Pitt before me so I grew up hearing amazing stories about Pitt, seeing family friends go to Pitt, and watching Pitt football games. I’ve always had Pitt pride, but what sold me on Pitt Business was the idea that Pitt Business could take me “From the Classroom, To the City, To the World.” I read the blogs from students who had gone abroad and knew that that was an experience I wanted to have. I also was really excited about Pitt’s location just outside of Pittsburgh with a vast number of companies I would be able to meet.
Thomas Burga
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Majors: Finance, Business Analytics
Minors/Certificates: Bachelor of Philosophy
Hometown: Collegeville, PA
Plans after Graduation: Law School
Student Organizations: The Socially Responsible Investment Portfolio, Pitt Student Ventures, and Partner Leadership Academy
Study Abroad: Haller Global Honors Fellowship – I spent two weeks in Dublin, Ireland, with six other students the summer before my first year. I participated in an International Consulting Project with DoOrder Limited and created a detailed retailer market segmentation to identify the best-performing retailers that supported the DoOrder growth plan. Leadership in the Himalayas – I spent a month in India with 11 other upperclassmen students on a leadership development expedition. Our activities ranged from leadership games, learning about Indian culture, wilderness first aid, and hiking part of the Himalayan mountains for 12 days.
Hobbies: Hiking, Swimming, and Reading
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Piada Italian Street Food
Favorite Place on Campus: My favorite place on campus is the Petersen Events Center. After class, going to the Pete with friends to a basketball game or the gym is always a good way to get rid of stress and have some fun. The restaurants in the Pete are excellent and convenient after a fun workout.
My Pitt Business Story: As a prospective student touring colleges, Pitt always stood out as “student-focused.” I was fortunate to visit Pitt and meet the Pitt Business admission staff on my first visit. From that point forward, the admissions team answered every question I had about transfer credit, classes, and even the living situation. This allowed me to apply to the Haller Global Honors Fellowship, meet lifelong friends, and gain an extraordinary experience. Something I love about Pitt is that you can truly make it your experience. I never thought I could complete two majors, research, participate in two global experiences programs, and still have time for internships at the start of my second year. The College of Business Administration can make all this happen; you only have to ask.
Lauren Gallagher
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Major: Marketing
Minors/Certificates: Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies Minor, Certificate Program in International Business
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Internships: Marketing Intern for the Chicago Park District; Social Media and Marketing Intern for the Global Undergraduate Awards
Student Organizations: American Marketing Association, Pitt Club Softball
Study Abroad: International Internship Program: Dublin – I lived and worked for two months in Dublin, Ireland along with other American students. I worked for a non-profit company in social media and marketing and spent a lot of time learning different cultural aspects within the workplace and through my other experiences in the city.
Hobbies: Listening to music, drinking lots of coffee, hanging out with friends, watching New Girl
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Roots
Favorite Place on Campus: Schenley Plaza, especially when it’s warm outside! I love doing homework or studying at a table or in the grass and having an amazing view of Cathy right in front of me. There are always tons of students out there when it is nice, and some are reading, suntanning, playing sports or just talking to friends. I love the energy there!
My Pitt Business Story: Choosing Pitt was easy after I realized it had everything I needed. An urban campus within an interconnected city, and a pocket that was just for students, making it feel less urban and more like a small campus. My freshman year, I immediately became involved in everything I set my mind to and am still able to continue to do so without feeling overextended. I’ve found communities in every aspect of my experience here and cannot imagine myself anywhere else. Pitt Business has provided a challenging but interesting education, resources to build my confidence and professional skills and a network of peers, staff and professionals that will support me for years after I graduate.
Haley Johnson
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Supply Chain Management and Marketing
Minors/Certificates: Economics, Certificate Program in Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Internships: Sunny Day Fund (a FinTech startup) as a Sales & Marketing Intern
Student Organizations: Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association, Phi Beta Lambda-FBLA, Women in Business
Hobbies: Going on walks, cooking, and watching reality TV
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Roots!
Favorite Place on Campus: My favorite place on campus is Hillman Library because you have the option to study quietly or socialize with your friends depending on the floor you go on. I also love the team rooms in Sennott Square!
My Pitt Business Story: I applied to 13 other schools before even considering Pitt! As soon as I took an official tour, I felt so welcome and knew I wanted to be a part of the amazing culture on campus. Pitt Business especially feels like such a strong community, and offers the resources to ensure success to those that utilize them. I feel supported by my professors, advisors, student organizations, and many others in Pitts Business, and I am so grateful to be here!
Vanessa Kern
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Marketing, Business Information Systems
Minors/Certificates: Certificate Program in Leadership and Ethics
Hometown: Manalapan, NJ
Internships: Gallagher, Sales Intern – I enhanced my sales experience through insurance industry training in the crane and scaffolding field and hands-on presentation practice. I also earned leadership exposure, mentorship opportunities, and participated in a nation-wide sales competition where I “sold” an insurance plan to executive Gallagher judges acting as a crane company.
Honduras Green Travel as a Marketing Consultant – I worked with the CEO of a Pittsburgh startup to assist in creating a business plan and create her marketing strategy and social media.
Student Organizations: Phi Chi Theta Professional Business Fraternity, American Marketing Association
Study Abroad: Virtual Plus3 Dublin – This was a one-month, virtual global experiences opportunity where I worked on a virtual consulting project with a Dublin startup. I also did the Virtual Leadership in a Global Context Program where I participated in simulations to test and improve my leadership abilities and global intelligence.
Hobbies: Crafts, hiking, reading
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Atarashi
Favorite Place on Campus: Sennott Square
My Pitt Business Story: I knew I had to go to Pitt after my very first meeting with a Pitt Business academic advisor during my senior year of high school. Right off the bat, I came to understand the resources that Pitt Business offers to each individual student and the opportunities that would come from this. Throughout my time at Pitt, all the implemented programs and corresponding staff have helped me feel like I am truly taking advantage of my college experience. I am very appreciative of my experiences with Pitt Business so far and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me with Pitt Business.
Thomas Lee
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Finance
Minors/Certificates: History
Hometown: Montclair, NJ
Internships: Bottleneck Labs, Inc. as a Business Development Intern; Proofpoint, Inc. as a Sales Enablement Intern; Pinto Consulting, LLC as a Consulting Intern
Plans after Graduation: Returning to Bottleneck Labs in a Business Development and Customer Success Role
Student Organizations: Professional Sales Academy, Behavioral Economics Club
Study Abroad: During the May immediately following my junior year, I participated in the month-long Leadership in the Himalayas program in Uttarakhand, India. The program consisted of leadership training, First Aid certification, and learning outdoor skills. This all culminated in a 10 day hike through the Rupin-Supin range deep in the Himalayas. This program was the highlight of my time here at Pitt and I have already felt its impacts in my day to day work in the technology sector. I was also able to receive a CBA Global Experiences Scholarship for the program, making it more accessible.
Hobbies: Surfing, long distance running, travel, reading, horology, linguistics, aviation
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Tuesday night half off burgers at Stack’d.
Favorite Place on Campus: My favorite place on campus has to be the Cathedral of Learning. It feels like you are transported to Hogwarts and always helps me hit that final gear when I need to make a push for midterms or finals. Sennott Square is a close second as I spend a lot of time there and it is a great environment to collaborate with other business students.
My Pitt Business Story: As a prospective student, I sought a university that offered diverse academic, personal, and professional opportunities. High school ignited my passion for History and Finance, inspiring me to delve deeper into these subjects. My perspective expanded during two weeks in Berlin, reinforcing the importance of international exposure and global experiences. Pitt Business uniquely appealed to me, allowing a strong business degree paired with a history minor. Its vibrant campus life, extracurricular activities, and focus on global experiences made it my ideal choice. Here, I’ve completed substantial history credits and participated in a unique global experiences program, thanks to Pitt Business’s distinct approach.
Benjamin Leighow
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Majors: Marketing
Minors/Certificates: Public & Professional Writing, Digital Media
Hometown: Clearfield, PA
Internships: Marketing and Promotions Intern for Stage AE, PromoWest Productions – Stage AE
Career Interest: Heavily interested in the entertainment/music industry
Student Organizations: Music and Entertainment Business Association, American Marketing Association, Beta Theta Pi Social Fraternity, Pitt Cheer
Study Away: I plan on participating in “Pitt in LA” Study Away Program
Hobbies: Running, camping, hiking, and music
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Pamela’s
Favorite Place on Campus: Objectively, the best place on campus is the Cathedral Lawn. Laying out a nice blanket or rug to lay on and soak in the scenery is one of my favorite pass-times. There’s always either a game going on, a group of students studying, or even friends just hanging out. It’s truly a gem of Oakland, and it’s for sure my favorite place on campus.
My Pitt Business Story: I toured many colleges as a prospective student, but I knew where I wanted to end up after my admitted students day at Pitt. I was amazed by the campus, the faculty, and the welcoming environment. The vast number of programs offered by the business school made Pitt Business stand out to me. Not to mention the fact that I absolutely love the city of Pittsburgh. In my time at Pitt Business, the number one thing that I have learned is that this experience is exactly what you make of it. You are given all the tools you need to excel, and I believe that everyone can become the best version of themselves through Pitt Business.
Sean McDonald
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Finance and Accounting
Minors/Certificates: Certificate Program in Business Analytics, Minors in Economics and Applied Statistics
Hometown: Downingtown, PA
Internships: FX Capital Markets Intern at PNC; Business Analytics Intern at Pitt Athletics; Information Security Intern at 1486 Labs; Accounting Intern at Riskfree Tax LLC
Plans after Graduation: Accepted full-time employment at PNC as an FX Capital Markets Analyst
Student Organizations: Club Running at Pitt, Panther Equity, League of Emerging Analytics Professionals, Accounting Association, Undergraduate Finance Club
Hobbies: Running, watching movies, listening to music, and eating new food
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Sushi Atarashi
Favorite Place on Campus: Mervis Hall! I love walking into the building knowing that I am about to be surrounded by people that are just as dedicated to their academics as me, if not more. Nothing beats the view of walking out of the finance lab around sunset and seeing all the warm colors out of the back windows, as the sun sets on Oakland.
My Pitt Business Story: As a high school student trying to find my home for a few years, I aimed to be at the school that gave me the best opportunity for success following graduation. Pitt quickly became my top choice because of the rigor of academics, its placement so close to a city, and the opportunities that were offered. After being here for a few years, I can confidently say that Pitt Business has far exceeded my expectations, giving me everything I could want and more – challenging classes, extremely willing and dedicated staff and faculty, students with the same desire to succeed, and a network of very helpful alumni that will never fail to amaze me.
Logan Ryan
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Finance
Minors/Certificates: Economics, International Business
Hometown: Portsmouth, NH
Internships: Brokerage internship at JLL with their Agency Leasing Team; Finance Intern at Banna Property Group during my semester abroad in Sydney, Australia
Career Interests: Working as an Analyst in a commercial real estate brokerage or getting my master’s degree in real estate
Student Organizations: Pitt Business Global Ambassadors Program, Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi Social Fraternity, Pitt Real Estate Association, IM Soccer
Study Abroad: First-Year student year I participated in a virtual edition of the Plus3 Program due to COVID-19 called the Plus3 Global Projects Program which was essentially a consulting case competition for a healthcare firm in Brazil. This past spring, I participated in the Global Business Institute Program in Sydney, Australia in which I took classes as well as completed a part-time internship for a family-owned commercial real estate firm
Hobbies: Soccer, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, playing the guitar, spending time with friends and family
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Chick-fil-A or Szechuan Express
Favorite Place on Campus: Sennott Square! I feel like I have spent so much time in this building over my past 3 years and I wouldn’t want it any other way. There’s not a time I’m in Sennott that I don’t see a familiar face to stop and chat with on my way to class or work in the Global Experiences Office. I speak for most Pitt Business Students when I say that at some point in your college career, Sennott Square will start to feel like home!
My Pitt Business Story: Going into my college search, I knew that I wanted an urban campus in a new city I’ve never lived in before. Pittsburgh had always been on my radar; however, it wasn’t until I attended a Blue and Gold Day the summer before my senior year of high school that I was able to finally seal the deal that Pitt is where I wanted to be. One of the big draws for me was the global experiences opportunities offered through Pitt Business, specifically the Plus3
Sona Sharma
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Global Management, Marketing, Honors Joint Degree
Minors/Certificates: Economics, History
Hometown: Lawrence, NJ
Internships: BNY Mellon as a Securities Services & Digital Intern; Tornabuoni Tuscany as a Marketing and Sales Intern; Benefits Plus Consulting Group as a Marketing Consulting and Strategy Intern
Student Organizations: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Incline Consulting Group
Study Abroad: GBI Florence – I spent a semester abroad studying marketing and international business in Florence, Italy. Through this experience, I gained a greater understanding of global affairs through interactions with students and professors from around the world. Beyond the classroom, I also immersed myself in the Italian culture by taking an Italian class, visiting local restaurants, and exploring famous art galleries. I was also able to travel around Europe, visiting cool locations such as Paris, France, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Bucharest, Romania!
Hobbies: Thrifting, traveling, taking pictures
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Oishii Bento!
Favorite Place on Campus: Cathy! It really is the most beautiful building, both inside and outside, and the atmospheric lighting and cool Gothic architecture make you feel very inspired to crack open a book and study.
My Pitt Business Story: As my senior year of high school was cut short due to COVID, I did not have the opportunity to visit many of the colleges I had been accepted to, and, after some consideration, decided to take a gamble and accept my offer from Pitt. After three years, I am happy to say that that risk paid off – both Pitt and Pitt Business have shaped my college experience like no other. From engaging coursework to incredible professional development opportunities to the wealth of connections I have made, I know that my time at Pitt Business has provided me with all the tools I need to be successful both in and out of the classroom.
Sydney Sparks
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025
Majors: Finance, Business Information Systems
Minors/Certificates: Certificate in Business Analytics
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Internships: TEG in Sydney, Australia as a Financial Assistant Intern
Student Organizations: Phi Beta Lambda – Professional Business Organization, Blue and Gold Society, Smart Woman Securities
Study Abroad:
Haller Global Honors Fellowship – This was a virtual 2-week consulting project where I worked with a non-profit in the UK to solve some of their ongoing issues.
Plus3 Germany – I spent 2 weeks analyzing the future of the automobile industry and traveling around to different companies in Germany including GROB and BMW. I also went on a lot of cultural site visits to Munich, the Alps, Dachau, and a ton of cities to learn more about German history and culture.
GBI Sydney – I spent 6 weeks working a part-time internship and taking two global courses in the heart of Sydney. I interned at TEG in the Touring sector of their Finance department and learned about the role of Sydney as a global city through my coursework. Along with taking classes, I was able to explore the state of New South Wales and the beautiful Darling Harbour in Sydney.
Hobbies: Shopping, hanging with friends, drinking caffeine
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Jimmy John’s
Favorite Place on Campus: Sennott Square! I love seeing my fellow classmates and Panera is only a few steps away to feed my caffeine addiction.
My Pitt Business Story: I applied to 14 colleges during my college process because didn’t really have a top choice/dream school. One of my best friends came to visit Pitt and saw Sennott Square and told me I had to check out Pitt. I ended up getting in and coming to tour, which is when I fell in love with the area. Being from New York, I knew I didn’t want to go to school in a city like NYC, so Pittsburgh was the happy medium. After evaluating my choices, I realized that Pitt checked all my boxes and made the jump. Looking back now, I am so thankful my best friend made me apply and tour the campus because I have had the best experience at Pitt Business so far. The number of resources that Pitt Business has truly amazes me every day and has provided me with a plethora of experiences I would not have gotten elsewhere. I have also made some of my best friends in CBA through my organizations and classes which I am beyond grateful for. H2P!!
Jermaine Sykes
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Marketing and Human Resources Management
Minors/Certificates: Certificate in Sports Management, Minor in Economics
Hometown: Glen Burnie, MD
Internships: Pittsburgh Penguins as a Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Intern; BNY Mellon as a People Team (HR) Summer Analyst
Student Organizations: Sports Business Association, RCMBA, The Pitt News
Hobbies: Watching sports, working out, video games, and hanging out with friends
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Chick-Fil-A
Favorite Professional Sports Team: New York Giants
Favorite Place on Campus: Mervis Hall or 3rd Floor of Hillman Library. Mervis has a professional vibe to it but I always see my friends there which makes me feel at ease. The classrooms are always great to study in as well. The 3rd floor of Hillman is by far the best floor, as it is a perfect mix of quiet but not too quiet.
My Pitt Business Story: Despite being born and raised in Maryland, I wanted to venture out and experience something new, and Pitt fulfilled all my needs when applying. Coming into Pitt, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do, but I was interested in business. I joined the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences as a freshman and after a year, I transferred into the College of Business Administration. Through CBA’s prerequisite course work, Pitt Business student organizations, and my academic advisor, I was able to combine my strengths and interests into a beneficial degree. My experiences here in just four years have made me a proud Panther for life.
Maddie Wess
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Majors: Human Resources and Marketing
Hometown: Poland, Ohio
Internships: Human Resources Intern at TriState Capital Bank. This summer I will be a Business Operations Intern at Caterpillar.
Student Organizations: Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity (President, Vice President of Professional Activities), Professional Development Consultant in the Career Development Center
Study Abroad: Plus3 Ireland – This was 2-week trip to Ireland where we were able to network with companies and blog each day. On the weekends, we went on excursions and toured the country!!
Hobbies: Watching reality TV (Selling Sunset >>), going on walks, doing anything outdoors!
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Roots and Hello Bistro
Favorite Place on Campus: Sennott Square! I love seeing all my classmates and friends while being productive. This year, Sennott also has more team rooms! So, there are plenty of places to quietly study and do work.
My Pitt Business Story: Tough look as a Cleveland Browns fan going to school at the University of PITTSBURGH (sorry Dad). But Pitt Business won me over. During my senior year of high school when I was weighing my college options, I always considered the school’s views regarding community impact because what happens outside of the classroom is paramount in addition to a comprehensive and supportive curriculum.
Pitt Business holds these values at its core, allowing me to invest in improving my global competence with its expansive abroad curriculum, volunteer opportunities from student organizations, and providing me with a ton of networking opportunities. Pitt Business has not only given me confidence that I am receiving the most forward-focused education, but it also cultivates my desire to expand my thoughts and be introduced to new views on the world. I cannot imagine myself anywhere else and would recommend Pitt Business to any student who wants to be involved but still have a healthy balance between academics, work, and still have a social life… Pitt Business allows you to do it all!!
