Desert Inspiration

DREXEL UNIVERSITY’S LEBOW COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

LeBow Student Maaz Rehan’s Presidential Co-op

Eight Oaks Craft Distillers: From Grain to Glass

Alison Carroll’s Desert Inspiration

SPRING / SUMMER 2016 contents

12 Presidential Co-op 3 Editor’s Note Maaz Rehan worked as an analyst with the President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. 4 Dean’s Word

6 StreetBuzz Reinvent Your Career.

Former Mayor Michael Nutter joins LeBow; students collaborate with Philadelphia Media Network, and more.

28 Ideas BRIDGE students visit the Golden State; Jamila Payne puts ideas into action; Jabari Jones shares lessons learned as a university intrapreneur.

40 U-Turn 16 Desert Wonder A look back at the beginning of business at the Drexel Alison (Altomari) Carroll finds inspiration in the desert Institute of Art, Science as she creates a lifestyle brand around her flagship and Industry. product, Wonder Valley olive oil.

From Grain You and your career are ready for a change, and Drexel LeBow is ready to provide 22 the opportunity. With high-quality faculty, opportunities for experiential learning, to Glass and individualized student support, LeBow is the place to reinvent your career. Twenty-five-year Army veteran Chad Butters earned his MBA to gain the skills needed to run his own craft distillery. 34

People Susan Kelly found the world The Drexel LeBow MBA of fashion fun but fatiguing; Eileen McDonnell is LeBow’s LeBow.Drexel.edu/MBA 2016 Business Leader of the Year.

General MBA_Mira.indd 1 5/13/16 1:37 PM EDITOR’SNOTE

market st Spring/Summer 2016, Vol. 5, Issue 1

Market Street magazine is produced and published Amazing Results: Students Raise by Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business Office of Communications. Money for Bringing Hope Home

ASST. DEAN, COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT Lisa J. Bogan t Drexel LeBow, our students do some amazing things. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lisa Litzinger-Drayton For the third year, LeBow ASSOCIATE EDITOR A freshmen, peer leaders, faculty Jonathan Hartley and staff worked on a project to raise ASSISTANT EDITOR money for the local nonprofit Bringing Natalie Shaak Hope Home, which provides “unexpected ART DIRECTOR amazingness” for local families fighting Susan Rinaldi cancer through financial and emotional ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR support. Allison Chang This year, the effort was expanded MARKETING to include numerous creative grassroots Ebony Staton Weidman initiatives, and the students succeeded at Bringing Hope Home Development CONTRIBUTING WRITER raising more than $8,100 for the nonprofit Coordinator Caitlin Mahon says her Jabari Jones Reinvent – nearly four times more than our students organization found its experience with CONTRIBUTING EDITOR LeBow to be so positive, and the end Brian Hegarty raised last year, and enough to help 10 local Your Career. families struck with cancer. result so great, that they are going to PHOTOGRAPHY utilize it as a model to engage other Jay Carroll LeBow’s 44 peer leaders – sophomore Shea Roggio business students selected to help with colleges throughout the tri-state area. Shantanu Saha freshman onboarding and acclimation Julia LaRosa, an associate clinical Tamzin Smith professor and LeBow’s peer leader Ben Weldon – were tasked with developing and implementing plans to raise funds for faculty adviser, worked with the students DEAN to help them develop their fundraising Frank Linnehan, PhD, R. John Chapel, Jr. Chair Bringing Hope Home during fall term. efforts and maintain enthusiasm among DEAN’S CABINET Through their University 101 classes, the their freshmen groups. “The thing that’s Lisa J. Bogan, Assistant Dean peer leaders and their students engaged Anna Chrulkiewicz, Associate Dean in a competition to raise the most money. remarkable to me is that they raised all Patricia Q. Connolly, Ex. Dir., CCG this money – pennies, nickels, dimes, Brian Ellis, Assistant Dean Some of the ideas implemented included a dollars – mostly from a population that Timothy Gilrain, Executive Director coin jar competition, sponsored events at Teresa Harrison, PhD, Associate Dean restaurants, a crepe breakfast, t-shirt sales doesn’t have a lot of extra money to Paul Jensen, PhD, Associate Dean give,” she says, referring to their fellow Christopher Laincz, PhD, Dir., PhD Program and bake sales. students. V.K. Narayanan, PhD, Associate Dean Peer leader Grace Mellor proposed Ron Nordone, Assistant Dean a 10-mile walk, utilizing social media to “And they also learned that you Kristin Risi, PhD, Exec. Dir., Executive Education can come up with great plans, but Alison Young, Exec. Dir., Leadership Institute raise funds, to her group. “I know that many freshmen tend not to venture out implementation is difficult and requires INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT tenacity in order to be successful.” Eric R. Almonte, JD, Interim Asst. VP into Center City until spring term. So, I Email: [email protected] created a 10-mile route online that was fun, Challenging students to come up with ideas to raise funds for a Accelerate to the next stage of your career with an MBA from Drexel LeBow’s COMMENTS? WE LOVE FEEDBACK! easy and educational. We walked up the Email: [email protected] Schuylkill River Trail to the Philadelphia valuable charitable organization in our Editor: 215.895.2897 campus in Malvern, Pa. Designed for working professionals to complete in Museum of Art, down Ben Franklin community and charging them with LeBow College of Business executing those ideas is exactly the 24 months, it’s the first step to reinventing your career. Office of Communications Parkway, around Love Park, through 3220 Market Street Rittenhouse Square, Penn’s campus and type of thing that sets LeBow apart Philadelphia, PA 19104-2875 Conveniently located at the corner of Route 29 and Swedesford Road, right off ended the walk where we started, in front from other business schools. I’m so CHANGE OF ADDRESS? of Gerri C. LeBow Hall.” proud of all the students who worked the Malvern exit of 202. Send address changes to: Out of her class of 41, Grace reports hard to make this effort such a success. Drexel University’s LeBow College Congratulations! of Business Office of Communications that 22 of her students participated in the 3220 Market Street actual walk, as well as a few other LeBow Philadelphia, PA 19104-2875 students and even her parents. “Originally, or email: [email protected] as a class, we had a goal of raising $820. The Drexel LeBow MBA © 2016 Market Street magazine Our end total was $931.” Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business The winning University 101 class — IN MALVERN Team Summer — raised $1,180 through candy and bake sales, a Cosi fundraiser and LISA LITZINGER-DRAYTON LeBow.Drexel.edu/Malvern asking friends and family to make donations. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Cover photography courtesy of Jay Carroll (jaycarroll.us) Spring / Summer 2016 3

MBA in Malvern_Dale.indd 1 5/13/16 1:08 PM DEAN’SWORD

Mapping Success: Meeting With Alums in NYC DREXEL UNIVERSITY LEBOW COLLEGE OF BUSINESS few weeks back, I set out bright and early via train to spend a day in New York City meeting with alums up and down Manhattan, 14th ANNUAL DEAN’S CUP A and attend a LeBow student-alumni finance networking reception in the evening. Two colleagues from institutional advancement joined me: Eric Almonte, GOLF TOURNAMENT assistant vice president, and Cassie Mesko, regional director for development. Our first stop, downtown across the street from the 1 Staten Island Ferry depot, is to see Clare Hart ’83, president of SterlingBackcheck. Clare joined the firm in 2013 after working as CEO and president of Infogroup and as president of the Dow Jones Enterprise Media Group. 2 SterlingBackcheck does background screening for companies – an industry that has grown considerably over the last 15 years. Her office on the 24th floor at the Join us at the prestigious Aronimink southern tip of Manhattan boasts a beautiful view of the Golf Club to support Drexel University’s Statue of Liberty and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in the distance. Like many alumni, Clare talks enthusiastically LeBow College of Business. Your about her co-op jobs and her time at Drexel. She expresses support helps fund scholarships and interest in our C-Suite Co-op program and connects us with her human resources director to explore hiring a programs to attract the best students. student. We invite her to visit campus and meet with students; she enthusiastically accepts. Our next stop is just around the corner: 3 BATS Global Markets, a global stock exchange operator. At BATS we visit We depart Gerry’s office and walk in a drizzle to the 6 Bob Brooks ’75. Bob’s office is on the 31st floor, with a view Terrace Club to attend our alumni-student reception hosted by equally impressive to Clare’s. Bob is director of project strategy Vince Roth ’99, ’02. We first held this event eight years ago with and commutes here from his home in New Jersey. A seemingly four alumni and just a handful of students in attendance. This quiet man, Bob focuses on regulatory work and is a committed Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 year, the house is packed with students and alums. Al Lord ’89 is philanthropist. the official ambassador for the event this evening and mentions Our next stop is uptown at the 4 Emigrant Savings Bank he was the first LeBow finance major to be hired by a major for lunch with George Dickson, Jr. ’86. George is an EVP at the investment bank. He now owns Lexerd Capital Management. bank and works in private wealth management. Founded by Irish He gives the students his advice about how to succeed on immigrants in 1850, Emigrant now owns a number of companies, Wall Street: “Kick a**.” including Boylan Soda. Boylan, founded in 1851, still makes what they market as cane sugar soda (we drank it with lunch – it was The bus ride home with the pretty good). students is long, and it’s late when George and I have something in common: We both worked at we arrive back on campus. I reflect PSFS, the iconic savings institution in Philadelphia. After leaving on the day and feel a strong sense PSFS for New York, George commuted to New York from the of pride to be part of Drexel LeBow. Philadelphia area so that his children would not have to relocate. Not only have our alumni done well, After a quick coffee break at a very crowded Panera Bread, but they are good people who make we set out for the accounting firm 5 Leaf, Miele, Manganelli, a contribution to their organizations Fortunato & Engel, LLC, to meet with Gerry Esposito ’71, one of and their communities. Reserve your foursome or individual spot today! its partners. We are on the 39th floor of his building on Seventh I part ways with the students Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Avenue. He told us about his daughter’s interesting career – she and wish them a good night, FRANK LINNEHAN, PHD To register, contact: Cassandra Brown at [email protected] or 215.895.6294 currently writes for a TV sitcom in LA and is trying to make it as a knowing they have equally bright DEAN stand-up comedian. futures ahead of them. R. JOHN CHAPEL, JR. CHAIR

4 market st Spring / Summer 2016 5

DeansCup.indd 1 5/13/16 9:25 AM STREETBUZZ STREETBUZZ

Learning Leadership on Ice

aseir Archie didn’t grow up LeBow Senior Chases Kplaying hockey on a frozen Hip Hop Dream pond in Canada. He was raised in Philadelphia’s hardscrabble Kensington t is the dream of every musician to take neighborhood, home to the Scanlon Ithe stage with bright lights shining and Recreation Center, which features an a crowd of thousands going wild. For ice rink and hosts the Ed Snider Youth LeBow senior Zhane Littlepage, this dream Hockey Foundation. Kaseir began KASEIR WITH ED SNIDER became a reality when she opened for attending Scanlon’s after-school popular rappers Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne program when he was 11. Before the at Drexel’s Fall Fest concert in October. rink’s ice was even ready for skating, and the sport opened opportunities well a hockey coach with the Snider beyond the rink in Kensington. While the show was her biggest perfor- mance since she began writing poetry and Foundation started recruiting him. Through the Snider Foundation, Kaseir music at 10 years old, it is the release of was nominated and chosen to serve as a Kaseir resisted, being partial to basketball her first album and her future making music representative to the Alliance for a Health- and unfamiliar with that has Zhane most excited. hockey, but ier Generation Advisory Board. The group the coach’s advocates for making healthy lifestyles Zhane first began working on the album, persistence available to youth in order to combat child- writing all the lyrics, while studying abroad wore him hood obesity. in London and Paris in the summer of 2014. down. With a He was proud to be chosen, but says, “I “I fought music for a long time and would characteristic didn’t really know what a 16 year old from tell myself it was just a hobby and not what willingness Philly could do.” He’d soon find out that he I really wanted to do, because, of course, to commit to was capable of much more than he had it is not the safe route,” she says. “I tried to the work needed imagined. He developed a presentation fight it, but when I was abroad, I said ‘you to excel, his skills on childhood obesity awareness that he can’t fight this anymore.’” quickly improved would deliver at conferences – none big- But it was a move to California for co-op ger than the time he was invited to speak that made her album a reality. She secured at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation two three-month Leadership Summit, where he had the internships that had opportunity to speak with former President her working with two Bill Clinton. different Philadel- The years Kaseir spent working to phia natives. She improve the lives of urban began at Will Smith’s youth convinced him that he film company, wanted to attend a university Overbrook Produc- in a vibrant, connected setting tions, and then Troy in the city. He visited Drexel and Carter’s artist man- says that Gerri C. LeBow Hall made a agement company strong impression. Atom Factory. While there, she not only got to network with top artists but also booked As an incoming freshman international studio time and worked with producers to business major, Kaseir was invited to join complete her album. the BRIDGE community and has since been nominated for the LeBow Learning She released her debut album titled Community Leadership Committee. He still “The Loudest Library” under the stage contributes to Snider Hockey by coaching name Zhane Nichele in March 2015. She at camps and clinics and hopes to create offers it for free download on her website a health app that can connect his advocacy zhanenichele.com. After graduation, she work to what he’s learning in class plans to move back to Los Angeles to at LeBow. pursue her music career.

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ormer Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has joined Drexel The marketing field provided an outlet for FUniversity’s LeBow College of Business as Executive Fellow her creativity, while balancing her inter- Former in Leadership. In this capacity, he will work with Drexel LeBow’s est in business. She applied for a C-Suite Philadelphia Institute for Strategic Leadership (ISL) to shape the future of the Co-op with Agile Therapeutics, a phar- Mayor College’s leadership programs and the Leading for Change maceutical company that specializes in women’s health. The position appealed to Michael Nutter Fellowship — a grant-funded program designed to engage and The deadline-oriented nature of theater her because Agile Therapeutics was still in Joins LeBow accelerate Philadelphia senior/executive level talent development productions left little flexibility for a life out- the process of bringing their first product in the public and nonprofit sectors. Designing a Career Change side work. “I missed some important family to market, so the branding and marketing events. In theater, the show must go on, In addition, Nutter will enhance the LeBow experience for all were still in development. She interviewed and there’s no postponing,” she says. students by delivering two public lectures on leadership at the n a tiny apartment on Manhattan’s and was offered a position working under “I just got to the point where my values College this year, as well as meet with students to mentor, coach IUpper East Side with fabric and in- the company’s chief commercial officer. and advise them on career development and leadership skills. progress costumes filling every inch of changed, and I didn’t want to miss my The co-op was an excellent fit, and by available space, Emily Riggins MBA ’15 family anymore.” Alison Young, Executive Director of the ISL, says that Nutter has the time it ended Emily knew that she want- decided to explore a new career path. Emily enrolled in LeBow’s Full-Time MBA been a strong partner of Drexel LeBow’s Institute for Strategic ed to pursue a career in marketing. Agile Since graduating with a degree in theater program without a clear idea what area Leadership for years. “We are thrilled to continue our collabora- Therapeutics also knew they didn’t want from Bucknell University, Emily found of study she was most interested in. To tion with him. In this role, he will provide invaluable coaching and to lose her creativity and drive and offered success designing and sewing costumes explore her options, she took advantage mentoring to our students, present public lectures on leadership her a position as an associate product for theaters on of the career panels organized by Graduate and shaping the future and growth of the ISL.” manager. Broadway, the Career Services. The final panel focused on Nutter says: “It is a great honor to have been asked by President Santa Fe Opera and marketing, with speakers from several com- She accepted and is currently working John Fry, Dean Frank Linnehan and Young to serve in this new smaller theaters panies, including Comcast. She remembers with Agile to plan the launch of the com- role. The opportunity to work with this team at the Institute for throughout New thinking: “These are my people. They like pany’s first product. In the summer, she’ll Strategic Leadership, and to interact with rising leaders, some of York City. But it was what I like and talk like I talk. Everything welcome the next Drexel C-Suite Co-op whom are students and others who are already leaders in various time for a change. they did sounded really interesting.” student to Agile. industries and business sectors, will be an incredible experience for all of us.” Linnehan says the students stand to benefit the most from Nutter’s new post at Drexel LeBow. “This is a great opportunity for our Business Abroad in students, who will be able to engage with a leader who has been Poland, on international residency. While there, the unique business climates of these a force for change in our city.” Prague and Krakow they explored the culture and commerce of regions firsthand gave the students orty five MBA students traveled to those cities through tours and company visits valuable insights into the local issues FPrague, Czech Republic, and Krakow, to local and international firms. Experiencing that affect the global marketplace. FollowPhilly: LeBow Students Millenialize Local Media

raditional media in Philadelphia has “We are focused on trying to understand Marketing majors Zunteng Lin and Sarah Thad a rough year. how millennials engage with news, what Woode-Afiriyie joined Casciato and Winkle- The closing of City Paper and major layoffs are the trends, how has the industry man as content curators in the fall. In this at online, print and television news outlets evolved… and where is it going,” said Julia role they review the stories coming herald changes in the way millennials Casciato, senior English major and associ- through the PMN network and decide access and consume media. ate project manager. which will appeal most to their target demographic. They then choose headlines Casciato, former editor-in-chief of Drexel’s To address this shifting landscape, Phila- and photos to go with each story on student newspaper, is pursuing a minor in delphia Media Network (PMN), owners of the app. Philly.com, Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily marketing and leads the team with support News, tapped a team of Drexel students from Jordan Motzkin and 2012 LeBow “Figuring out what people will want to read and alumni to find new ways to engage graduate and digital entrepreneur Ari is more than just the topic of the story,” said local college students and young profes- Winkleman. Woode-Afiriyie. “It’s more about things like timing and tone.” sionals with their content. The project began as a consulting course The result of their collaboration is Follow- focused on determining the interests and Ultimately the team’s goal for the app is to Philly, an iPhone app designed to aggre- needs of the target age group. From there, connect young Philadelphians with the city gate local news, curated specifically for 18 a smaller team took on the task of develop- around them. to 34 year olds. The app began the beta ing the technology to make the app “Creating community,” said Casciato. “That’s testing process in the fall term. a reality. much harder than just posting stories.”

8 market st Spring / Summer 2016 9 STREETBUZZ STREETBUZZ

Students in LeBow’s undergraduate busi- Students Dispense learned is that consulting is more than just ness and engineering and supply chain Healthy Advice to understanding business. “It’s also about un- management and logistics programs were Olive Oil Manufacturer derstanding people. You have to basically selected to consult with American Airlines become the client’s best friend. You have eventeen lucky Drexel students on improving their baggage handling pro- to learn how they think, what they like, recently traveled to Saluzzo, Italy, to cedures. The consulting course was devel- S what they don’t like – and learn what their present their findings and ideas at the oped by the Dornsife Office for Experiential perspective is so that you can guide the conclusion of a LeBow consulting course Learning and supported by a team of four client in the direction where he or she’s that focused on helping a small, family- LeBow faculty members and one from the going to be most profitable College of Engineering. run olive oil company forge a path toward The group that participated in this class Trina Andras, PhD, the Drexel LeBow pro- expanding into the international market. and trip was comprised of students from The students used knowledge gained fessor of marketing who led the consult- In this course, students were tasked with LeBow College of Business, Goodwin Col- from guest speakers on the transportation ing course, gave the students props for putting together an expansion plan for the lege of Professional Studies and Center for industry, airport observation, research convincing the client to change his mind client that included everything from ship- Hospitality and Sport Management. and interviews to guide their suggested about one important decision related to ping, distribution and manufacturing costs improvements. exporting: He wanted to avoid using a mid- The consulting course was delivered to social media campaigns and interactive dleman for fear that it would be too costly. through Drexel LeBow’s Dornsife Office for websites. “But, very professionally, utilizing facts and Experiential Learning. You assume that“ your luggage is Marc Patterson, a sophomore majoring in evidence, they were able to convince him BELOW: STUDENTS VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF getting to the plane somehow finance, said the most important thing he this was the best option,” she said. GASTRONOMIC SCIENCES IN ITALY. but there’s so much work behind the scenes that goes into that process. ” “You never really think about it. You drop off your bag; it’s good to go. You assume that it is getting to the plane somehow but there’s so much work behind the scenes that goes into that process,” says Jackie King, a senior dual major in economics and operations and supply chain management. In addition to learning about the transpor- tation industry, the students on the project were able to directly apply the concepts they were learning in the classroom. “[The project] took all the foundational con- cepts we learned in class and had them play out in the real world,” says Taylor Mosca ’15. After 10 weeks, the team presented their suggestions for reducing mishandled and lost baggage to top executives from the Students Consult airline. According to faculty and students to Improve involved in the project, the executives Baggage Handling were impressed by the innovative ideas they offered. or many travelers, worrying over the After completing the project, the students Fsafe arrival of their baggage at their felt they had gained a different experience final destination can be the biggest source than what they were accustomed to in the of stress when traveling by air. With the classroom and on co-op. For some it was help of eight Drexel students, American about learning new skills and working with Airlines hopes to ease that stress for a team. For others, the ultimate value was passengers traveling through Philadelphia found in the unique opportunity to make an International Airport. impact on real life processes.

10 market st Spring / Summer 2016 11 MAAZ REHAN’S LISA LITZINGER-DRAYTON Many Drexel students have landed Specifically, Maaz worked within the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), one of the Executive Offices of the President, on a team that manages $31.1 billion of the president’s great co-ops that provide ample drug budget. “I was privileged in this case. Because I came here on a six- bragging rights. Mohammad “Maaz” month co-op, as opposed to the typical three-month White House internship, I was asked to take on a full-time staffer’s portfolio,” he Presidential explains. “I was not doing typical intern work.” Rehan has most, if not all, of them Maaz was responsible for assisting in the analysis of spending proposals on behalf of the ONDCP, to make sure they align with beat. He recently completed a President Barack Obama’s strategy for drug control. He interacted heavily with five federal agencies’ drug budgets, working with co-op at the White House. several departments’ Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Co-op12 market st PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMZIN SMITH Spring / Summer 2016 13 He worked with the State effectively it was spent working on both the Department’s United States Agency for fiscal year 2016 and 2017 budgets, which International Development and Bureau are currently released on whitehouse.gov. of International Narcotics and Law “Our data team was collecting intelligence, Enforcement. Within the Department so we could analyze it. That way we could of Defense, he worked with the Drug see if the agencies’ performance matched Interdiction and Counterdrug Activities up with what they were reporting.” and Defense Health Program. Within the He says he learned a lot about What’s most important is Department of Homeland Security, he databases during this co-op experience. worked with Custom Border Protection, “And the Excel skills that I learned at the experience“ that you are the Federal Law Enforcement Training Drexel, specifically in classes such as Center, Immigration and Customs analytics and statistics, were key. I was able getting, the people you are Enforcement, the Federal Emergency to do these big time equations and queries.” meeting, your daily tasks Management Agency and the United States Maaz says that business students are Coast Guard. not typically taught what a government and your self-growth. His supervisors trained him on what budget looks like or how it works, so the to pay attention to. “They know these co-op was a fairly novel experience for him accounts and trained me on what to flag,” where he had to learn most of what he was he says. doing along the way. He was also assigned with tracking He had the opportunity to meet and how money was spent – as well as how chat briefly with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Maaz is a self-described go-getter. Maaz, a finance and business analytics “Meeting them was unbelievable,” he “I’m always striving for more. I look major, has co-op advice for other Drexel says. “They are as genuine and beautiful to accomplish tasks outside of my job students: What’s important is “not so much in person as they are on-screen and very description, volunteering for things that” how much you are getting paid or the humble people. When they arrived in the I don’t have to do,” he says. “A lot of my name of the company you work at. What’s room, they brought an immense amount of friends don’t think it’s necessary to ask to most important is the experience that you energy with them – their force of presence see what else they can do or try to spread are getting, the people you are meeting, is incredible. People were just ecstatic with out past what their job description says. your daily tasks and your self-growth.” joy. The Obamas’ humor influenced that.” But in doing so, I’ve learned so much, met As for future aspirations, he’s Maaz boasts about the “cool perks” so many great people and had so many open-minded. “I sought out this he got to experience that were unique to great opportunities, just because I put opportunity to gain some perspective working for the White House, like access myself out there.” pertaining to public vs. private sector.” to the White House bowling alley (first In fact, he volunteered to serve on Career-wise, he’s open to either, but one created as a birthday gift for President the ONDCP’s event planning committee, thing he does know for sure is that he Truman in 1947), which he was able to which led to his being nominated to serve wants to earn a graduate degree, probably reserve to hang out with friends. He was as the emcee for the agency’s holiday in business, at some point after even invited to attend the big White House party, held at the Executive Office of the graduation. holiday reception as his director’s guest. President. “At the end of the party, the Maaz Rehan expects to earn his “Not a lot of interns get that opportunity, so agency’s director, Michael Botticelli, called degree from LeBow College of Business in hard work does pay off,” he says. me out to thank me for my participation.” December 2016. market st Maaz transferred to Drexel as a sophomore and was determined to try to land a co-op at the White House from the get-go. Not only because it was the White House, but also because of his previous work for drug prevention in his earlier years, influenced by his religious faith and personal experiences. He heard about the ONDCP opportunity through a connection he had made during his high school participation on the national Student Leadership Council of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), the largest nonprofit peer-to-peer organization in the nation. This contact mentored him through the process of interviewing for and landing his co-op position.

14 market st Spring / Summer 2016 15 ESERT ONDER Business inspiration in an unlikely place.

NATALIE SHAAK

ven in the hot desert sun, Alison (Altomari) Carroll is the epitome of cool – relaxed and confident without an air of cockiness or a single drop of sweat. E “It takes a certain type of person to live in the desert,” she says, as she seems to fit seamlessly with the California desert surroundings she now calls home. It should be of no surprise then that she and her photographer husband Jay Carroll chose Wonder Valley, the Mojave desert area about 30 miles east of their home in Joshua Tree, Calif., as the inspiration for their business, a lifestyle brand comprised of health and home goods. “Wonder Valley is a real place in the desert. Our brand is based not so much on that place but what that place represents. It’s kind of a blank canvas. It’s open landscapes. It does something mentally being out there. It opens you up in ways. It’s a place where a lot of different ideas meet and become something new.” For the Carrolls, the blank canvas of the desert inspires new ideas and projects and drives the expansion of their business. _____

Hailing from Princeton, N.J., Alison’s journey to the desert “Wonder Valley is a began at Drexel LeBow where she majored in marketing. She credits her father, Al Altomari ’82, LeBow grad and member of the real place in the desert. Dean’s Advisory Board, with making her, and many of her friends, want to go to Drexel. Our brand is based “When I think about my time at Drexel, it’s not so much about what I learned in the classroom,” she says. “I think about the not so much on that confidence it gave me early on to not wait to have the skillsets you place but what that need for a job but just start doing, and you’ll learn along the way. “Drexel put a lot of value on the experience. It also taught me place represents.” early on how important mentors are.” In her final year at Drexel, after completing two co-ops with Tierney Communications and one with a pharmaceutical public relations company in New York, she found the opportunity to use her electives to explore new areas. PHOTOGRAPH BY JAY CARROLL “I got really interested in food and cooking during my fifth year.”

16 market st Spring / Summer 2016 17 identified with an olive oil from the time it is fruit on a tree to oil in a bottle. So when tasting olive oil, unlike tasting wine, it’s about identifying if there is anything wrong with it. The process is like being a detective.” Olive oil production has a very long history and extensive tradition in other parts of the world. However in California, the industry traditionally focused mostly on canned black mission olives. In Napa Valley in the early ‘90s, vintners began experimenting with the olive trees on their properties and began making olive oil. At the time, regulation and standards in the olive oil industry internationally were becoming lax. The industry saw much adulteration and fraud so the California Olive Oil Council was formed to regulate the products developing in California and keep their work pure. “When you’re trained, you can smell a certain defect and then be able to trouble shoot for the farmer. You can say, your equipment is dirty or you didn’t press it quickly enough because that is what that PHOTO BY JULIA WRONA tastes and smells like.” During her two years in the role, she restaurant worked with 42 local food Her focus came back to working worked not just in marketing the council “At some point I felt like I needed purveyors on a weekly basis, ranging with agriculture. This is where she but also with policy and regulation changes from produce to seafood. Alison was began her journey into the world of olive and industry advocacy. to do something different. I told immediately drawn to the purchasing side oil. She secured a marketing position She was the youngest member of the of the operation. with the California Olive Oil Council, a council by about 20 years, but it gave her myself, food is where a passion is Alison admits the day-to-day rigors 20-year-old non-profit based in Berkeley, the opportunity to cultivate relationships of the kitchen were not the best fit for her Calif., responsible for the certification of with tasters, growers and millers who building, so I need to figure it out.” long term, but an interest in agriculture California olive oils as extra virgin grade. would become her mentors and future and buying was born. She looked forward business partners. She began taking courses in the culinary arts program, then to moving back to the United States, It was in Los Angeles, where they part of the Goodwin College of Professional Studies, and started having visited and fallen in love with her “When tasting olive moved when Jay secured a new job, that he a blog called à la Alison, to document her adventures with food. now husband, and California, just a week encouraged her to explore the opportunity She also credits her roommate with broadening her experience of before leaving for Barcelona. An extended oil, unlike tasting of making her own olive oil. the Philadelphia food scene. They began taking catering jobs and pen pal friendship stemming from their Wonder Valley olive oil was first created jams for various pop-up shops. After graduation in 2010, respective blogs and her curiosity in wine, it’s about released in November 2014. The initial she continued focusing on food part-time while she worked full- photography had initially connected pressing of 600 bottles sold out in under time in advertising. them online. identifying if there is a month. For the second pressing, they “At some point I felt like I needed to do something different. “It gave me something really exciting tripled production for the November I told myself, food is where a passion is building, so I need to to come back to.” anything wrong with 2015 release. figure it out.” After she completed her stage, she it. The process is like “We started selling in February, and Two years post-graduation, she secured a four-month stage packed up and moved to San Francisco. we are already down to a fraction of the (unpaid culinary internship) in Barcelona at a restaurant owned Her first opportunity in California came being a detective.” product. It sells too quickly, which is a by the CEO of a major pharmaceutical company. through partnering with In a Jam, a jam good problem.” “Everything was top-notch. I’ve never worked in a restaurant maker in East Bay and Oakland. Her olive oil is certified 100 percent with that kind of freedom to order what they wanted and source “It was exciting to see a woman In her role, she led a team of 20 extra virgin crafted from a proprietary produce how they wanted. It was really exciting but incredibly owning her own business and the things professional tasters who met weekly to blend of Taggiasca, Arbequina and rare exhausting, challenging and unfamiliar.” she did to make it a reality. She was a great certify olive oil. It was the first panel of its Ascolano olives hand-picked at the Despite not speaking any Spanish and being the only woman mentor to me,” she says. “It was really kind in North America. perfect level of maturity to create the PHOTO BY SARAH ST. CLAIR RENARD in the kitchen, it was the experience at wine-centric MonVínic rewarding, but it wasn’t something that “Olive oil as a term means ‘free of light, balanced and buttery flavor of that piqued her interest in where products were sourced. The could sustain me.” defects.’ There are 11 defects that can be Wonder Valley.

18 market st Spring / Summer 2016 19 “Like a lot of things, once you taste a really good olive oil, you can’t really go back.” Unfortunately, most California olive oil is only available locally at farmers markets and is not accessible to of the rest of the country. One of Alison’s goals with Wonder Valley is to bring good olive oil to a newer, younger audience. This was the reasoning behind the unique design of the Wonder Valley bottle. Alison wanted it to be beautiful and eye-catching but also functional in protecting the oil from its biggest enemies – light, heat and time. They didn’t want to use the industry standard green glass bottle but were challenged as a small producer to find a company that would custom tint glass for them in the shape they envisioned. Eventually they found a producer to make a black matte glass that they could combine with the other natural materials in their packaging.

“Like a lot of things, once you taste a really good olive oil, you can’t really go back.”

“We wanted everything to not be plastic. It’s real paper, real cork, real wood and real glass. It’s all really beautiful,” she says. “We wanted it to be very California and new.” The most notable design element is the Wonder Valley siren on the label, which was created by an artist based in Austin, Texas. Because of its beautiful packaging design, a number of design The olives are cultivated in a diverse growing region in stores and even a Los Angeles museum gift shop carry Wonder northern California’s Tehama County, while most California olives Valley olive oil. It’s also available via the company’s website, are grown in the Fresno area. Alison chose the Tehama region welcometowondervalley.com. because of the unique olives available there. _____ “Tehama has a really unique pocket of really old trees and interesting varietals of olives that don’t grow in other parts In November Jay and Alison bought a 1950s homestead cabin and of the state.” 1952 Vagabond trailer and moved full-time to Joshua Tree, with She works with one of the top millers in the state, a mentor their German shepherd, Lefty. she met during her time working with the California Olive The pair stays busy balancing their home rehab projects and Oil Council. According to Alison, 400 people in California are road trips with creative and consulting projects, including buying currently making olive oil, but there are only 40 mills. for hotels and contributing to travel guides and magazines like “The mill is where a lot of things can go wrong. They control Bon Appétit (May 2016 issue). They are starting a production the quality and what makes a good product.” company to support the increased interest in editorial photo Alison and Wonder Valley are at the center of an exciting time shoots in desert locations and have a big, new project on the for the developing California olive oil industry. horizon that will “bring all their passions and skill sets together.” “It’s kind of how the wine industry was in the ‘70s. People Of course, while busy they remain focused on expanding the have this preconceived notion that European is better. They think Wonder Valley brand. Italian and Spanish olive oils are just what you buy. California, Taking inspiration from the growing artist population in their since the beginning of producing olive oil 20-some years ago, has new desert home, they are expanding the business from just olive been doing it the long and hard way – the right way.” oil into home goods with plans to sell furniture, linens and textiles Alison notes that many people have grown used to cheaper as well as health and pantry products from artists around the blended olive oils and are surprised by the flavor of top-quality world. Some items will be developed collaboratively with friends. olive oil. “It’s all about creating an experience in the world.” market st

20 market st Spring / Summer 2016 21 FROM PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHEA ROGGIO JONATHAN HARTLEY Grain to Glass traditional red barn is hardly a noteworthy structure and investors have opened a craft liquor distillery and tasting Lehigh Valley started to feel like home to him and his wife. “We in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley as family farms are room where they serve cocktails and gather direct, unfiltered weren’t born here, but I like to say that we got here as fast as we still strung along this rolling stretch of countryside feedback on a product line that currently includes vodka, gin, rum could,” explains Chad. A for miles in every direction. But neighbors and craft and a lesser-known spirit called applejack. As they looked ahead to a career after the military, they let spirit connoisseurs know that the headquarters of Eight Oaks Among his neighbors in Lehigh County, Chad is a relative themselves dream and gradually narrowed their options. The Craft Distillers, though disguised to blend with its neighbors, is no newcomer. He first arrived in the area approximately eight years least negotiable element of the plan was that whatever came agricultural relic. The spirits being produced are the harbingers of ago when he was stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve next would need to keep them close to home. Military travel had a locavore revolution that took hold in farm-to-table restaurants Base Willow Grove. A 25-year veteran of the Army as a Black offered its adventures, but it was time to focus on family and and has now spread to craft spirit distilling. Hawk helicopter pilot, Chad and his family had endured many friends. Inside the “barn,” with bright white trim and a traditional moves, having never been stationed in a single place for more “I knew I was interested in agriculture and wanted something Pennsylvania Dutch hex sign above the entrance, Chad Butters than a few months, until a deployment in Willow Grove, Pa., that didn’t involve travel. My wife and I wanted to spend more MBA ’12, the owner of Eight Oaks, and his team of family, friends which lasted eight years. In that time, the rolling hills of the nights together, and we wanted a family business,” says Chad.

22 market st Spring / Summer 2016 23 Chad’s fundamental vision for his distillery, and the name he chose – Eight Oaks – is rooted in his passion for what he calls “micro history.”

ABOVE: OWNER CHAD BUTTERS GIVES A TOUR OF THE DISTILLERY. BELOW: CHAD SPEAKS WITH MARY KATE LO CONTE, DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNT SERVICE AT MERZ GROUP.

With only the first hints of a business A new possibility that offered an ideal Valley. He acknowledged that the idea was distilling courses through Michigan plan, Chad enrolled in the Drexel LeBow blend of the business and lifestyle Chad still taking shape, and fundraising hadn’t State and Cornell universities to learn Online MBA to learn business skills that envisioned emerged with the signing of even begun, but Mary Kate said that his the somewhat intricate chemistry of life in the military hadn’t provided. “Things Pennsylvania Act 113. This bill, which passion and the freshness of his vision won producing liquor. Around the same time, like generating revenue, paying taxes and became law in December 2011, made her over. he bought a 25-acre farm in New Tripoli, brand’s name and logo was inspired by his accounting for employee benefits did “limited distillery licenses” available in “After witnessing Chad’s enthusiasm Pa. That October, he planted the winter grandfather’s habit of signing his letters not come from the Army,” he says. “But Pennsylvania. The new license made it and commitment to Eight Oaks, I talked wheat that he’d later use to distill the first with the number, shorthand for the eight discipline of thought transfers. You have to possible for a craft operator to distill, to the rest of the agency leadership and batch of Eight Oaks vodka. Several miles letters in “I love you.” Chad adopted the be able to have a disciplined, methodical bottle and sell their liquor all in one we decided that regardless of their size it down the road, he leased land to build the practice in emails with his own children approach.” building. It also allows for a tasting business plan and PowerPoint pitch for would give us the chance to work in an distillery and 28 more acres for crops from and eventually integrated it into his brand. As he pursued his MBA, Chad room, a fundamental part of the direct investors. exciting new category with some great a local farmer and family friend. As Eight Oaks went from concept to continued to narrow the focus of his post- customer-distiller relationship vital to the With the plan for Eight Oaks still in people,” she says. Chad’s fundamental vision for his reality, roots in local history continued to military career move. He became enamored unique locality of the “grain-to-glass” craft its infancy, Chad enrolled in his final MBA Mary Kate and her colleagues at distillery, and the name he chose – Eight inform Chad’s decisions on every aspect with the farm-to-table movement that distilling movement. course – a residency at Drexel LeBow’s the Merz Group saw Chad’s start-up Oaks – is rooted in his passion for what of the brand. For the structure that would had caught on across the country. Drawn To Chad, distilling looked like a fit for Malvern campus. On a lunch break, Chad as a project in branding basically from he calls “micro history.” Born perhaps out house Eight Oaks’ headquarters, Chad to the link between agriculture and the post-military lifestyle he was seeking. began a conversation with classmate scratch. Eight Oaks had no logo, website or of his years of constant movement around purposely chose a design that would fit local consumers, he considered options “It’s a thing that you can do together as Mary Kate Lo Conte MBA ’15 a director of marketing materials, but it had a visionary the country and abroad at the behest of the with the local landscape. The hex sign including brewing beer or starting a a family, and it keeps you close to home,” account service at Merz Group branding founder with strong ideas about the Army, Chad has a curiosity about history affixed to the southern wall of the two- winery, but dismissed both as somewhat he explains. While still on active duty, agency. Over lunch and in a subsequent authenticity he’d like his brand to embody. on personal and local levels. To name story structure was custom-designed to saturated markets with too narrow a space Chad began putting his newly acquired email exchange, Chad laid out his vision As the branding and plans for his distillery, he tapped a story he had resemble the Pennsylvania Dutch folk art for creativity. education into practice with a draft of a for a craft distillery based in the Lehigh Eight Oaks solidified, Chad enrolled in heard from his father. The “Eight” in the that adorns homes and barns throughout

24 market st Spring / Summer 2016 25 eastern Pennsylvania. To Chad, it’s a very The spirits that followed – vodka, visible symbol of his appreciation for rum and gin – made use of local crops the traditions of the farmers who came whenever possible with only the rum’s before him. sugarcane being imported from outside The attention to history doesn’t the immediate vicinity. Going forward, stop when one steps inside Eight Oaks’ Eight Oaks’ sourcing will only get closer headquarters, where the tasting room to home. Chad’s farm has been planted has been designed with textured, with rye for whiskey and several acres dark wood tables, exposed beams and surrounding the distillery will grow corn country-style décor that gives the space a for bourbon that’ll be aged in barrels for farmhouse warmth. Gleaming two-story two years on site. Finally, a “gin garden” Everybody wants to know where stuff comes from copper distillation towers dominate the will supply the botanicals that will give workspace visible from the tasting room Eight Oaks’ gin a flavor directly connected and the story of things. through large windows and serve as a to its origins. central attraction for customers sitting at Chad acknowledges that the grain- the bar. When in use, they fill the entire to-glass movement has benefited from the structure with a distinctly sweet, banana- recent trendiness of eating and drinking like smell as the grains are boiled. locally, but he’s confident it’s much more The towers and nearby storage tanks than a passing fad. “Everybody wants are connected by a web of pipes, gauges, to know where stuff comes from and the knobs and levers that to the untrained story of things,” says Chad. eye are reminiscent of something in Beyond the good feelings that Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. They drinking and shopping locally grown were ordered from a custom-fabricator produce, Chad is quickly becoming versed in Germany and took over a year to be in how sourcing locally forms an economic delivered, assembled and installed. web that knits an area together. He After such a long wait, Chad was counts his neighbors among his suppliers, understandably anxious fire up his new employees and customers – an economic equipment and produce the first batch bond he takes seriously. of Eight Oaks spirits, but state regulations As the weather warms, the crowd from kept the operation dormant for a few Eight Oaks’ tasting room will be welcome more months. The Pennsylvania Liquor to spill out onto the adjacent patio. Though Control Board performed their final they may not realize it, in the distance inspection on Dec. 2, 2015. “They gave they’ll be able to see the homes of some their approval at 11 a.m., and by 11:01, of the farmers who grew the grains that the still was fired up,” says Chad with a produced the spirits they’re sipping. And proud grin. harder to miss will be the surrounding With an eye to history, the first spirit acres of corn and wheat that will ultimately distilled on Eight Oaks’ equipment was a be harvested, distilled and bottled just a spirit known locally as applejack. “In this few yards away. area, before there was rye, before there As they sip cocktails and snack on was bourbon, there was applejack,” food from one of the gourmet food trucks explains Chad. Chad invites to the distillery on weekends, A byproduct of fermented apple cider those customers will have their own chance ABOVE: CUSTOM-MADE COPPER DISTILLATION TOWERS IN EIGHT OAKS’ DISTILLING SPACE. LEFT: CHAD BUTTERS SPEAKS WITH EIGHT OAKS STAFF AND MARY KATE LO CONTE OF MERZ GROUP. BELOW: CUSTOMERS SAMPLE DRINKS IN THE TASTING ROOM. stored outdoors in the winter, applejack to influence the product as valued critics. became a favored spirit in colonial “Our rule for customers is that there are America as it went from happy accident none. We want to hear blunt honesty,” to a purposefully distilled drink. With a says Chad. long tradition of home-distilling, there’s Even as Eight Oaks’ sales grow no official record of applejack production, beyond the walls of the distillery but Chad is confident that Eight Oaks’ – Pennsylvania law allows limited version is “the first legal applejack made distribution of craft spirits – Chad believes around here in many years.” face-to-face interactions in the “social For his version, Chad sourced lab” of the tasting room will always be additive-free, unpasteurized apple cider the most instructive. After all, a product from a local family-owned orchard and, grown, distilled, bottled and served locally he notes, followed all applicable laws and must ultimately be judged just as close

regulations. to home. market st

26 market st Spring / Summer 2016 27 IDEAS IDEAS

Networking Coast to Coast: BRIDGE Heads to the Golden State LENNY COMMA ’92, CEO OF JACK IN THE BOX, WELCOMES BRIDGE STUDENTS TO THE COMPANY HEADQUARTERS IN SAN DIEGO.

NATALIE SHAAK After each panelist shared their that reflected much of what had been said supply management departments along hile many college students career journeys and advice on finding the throughout the day. with Comma, covering a wide range of spent their spring break right job, participants had the opportunity Freshman Melisa Czeplowodzki took professional and personal topics. visiting family, working or to explore the extensive collection of cars Parham’s advice about hard work to heart. On the final day of the trip, the Wrelaxing on the beach, LeBow in the company’s historic automobile “She told me that even if you don't students visited the Johnson & Johnson BRIDGE students were receiving invaluable museum. like the work you are doing, you should Innovation Labs and shared dinner with career and life advice from Drexel alumni and Not wanting to miss the Hollywood do it anyway and be the best at it because alumnus Mark Gleiberman ’79, MG top business leaders across California. experience, they visited the Walk of Fame that is the only way that you will surpass Properties Group CEO. “The business professionals I was able to and Paramount Studios, where they met obstacles and reach your end goal.” While students enjoyed the interact with throughout the week provided opportunity to relax and visit various me with insight into various industries and “Remain authentic. Authenticity is staying true to yourself tourist attractions in Los Angeles and their experiences, which gave me a new no matter what. Not only will this guide you through San Diego, the time spent with alumni perspective on where I'd like to see myself in and business leaders was the star of 10 years,” said sophomore Shania Smith. ethical situations, but it will set you apart because your the trip. The annual spring cultural immersion individuality provides a unique perspective.” Junior Emmanuel Valery reflected trip has become a highlight of the BRIDGE on the drive and motivation of each of the program, a learning community and support people he met throughout the trip, and network created in 2012 to support high- Earl Lestz ’61, who spent over 20 years When the trip moved on to San one piece of advice stood out. “You have achieving underrepresented students as they as president of operations at Paramount. Diego, students engaged in community to follow your instincts and maintain a develop into leaders. The trip allows students A tour of the studio grounds showed the service at the San Diego Food Bank, then high level of integrity throughout your to learn and network while visiting popular impact of his hard work and dedication, joined Lenny Comma ’92, CEO of Jack in life and career to be successful.” cultural institutions and even participating in which reflected the advice he gave students. the Box, at the company’s headquarters. For junior Cayla Riggs, on her community service. “Do what you do better than anyone They toured the space, met staff from second BRIDGE spring break trip, This year’s trip began in Los Angeles else,” he says. “Listen to the people who all areas of the company and even got authenticity was a theme that was where students met top executives from work for you, and always live up to your to try a new menu item in the research repeated with each executive they met. Toyota for a breakfast panel discussion. commitments.” and development kitchen. At the end of “Remain authentic. Authenticity The panel included CFO Tracey Doi, who The busy day in Los Angeles concluded the day, Comma invited the students to is staying true to yourself no matter coordinated the visit, Senior Financial with dinner with another Drexel alum, his home for dinner. For many, this was what. Not only will this guide you Analyst Steve Park and Senior Manager for Richelle Parham ’91, former CMO of eBay. the highlight of the trip. They were able through ethical situations, but it will set Multicultural, Brand and Crossline Strategy Students talked one-on-one with her about to talk with representatives from the you apart because your individuality Mia Phillips. their career goals, and she offered advice company’s IT, marketing, operations and provides a unique perspective.”

28 market st Spring / Summer 2016 29

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Support LeBow’s

philanthropic, but most never actually find the time to make Learning Communities Jamila Payne Finds Bliss in it happen,” Jamila says. “This product helps people with the planning necessary to make those dreams a reality.” Putting Ideas Into Action “The Daily Success Routine” was chosen by West Elm to be part of its West Elm Local initiative, which features and tests LeBow Learning Communities are cohorts of LeBow freshmen who There are different kinds of communities to meet the LISA LITZINGER-DRAYTON products from area designers and makers with the potential for needs of LeBow students: live together and/or attend classes together, but they offer so much participants to expand their products to additional stores. As – Business Learning Community (BLC) amila Payne ’00, MBA ’06 started her first business at part of this initiative, it will be featured at a “Pop Up” at the West more. These communities are designed to ease transition to university 10, and by the time she was a student at Lankenau High Elm located on the 1300 block of Chestnut Street on Aug. 3, – Global Learning Community School, she was earning $500 a week making and selling 2016, from 6-8 p.m. life, enhance student academic performance, provide opportunities for jewelry to fellow students. One of Jamila’s current personal projects is shaping up J student engagement and networking and improve the overall student – Economics Learning Community (ELC) As an MBA student at LeBow, Jamila also ran her business for a bodybuilding competition. She says her success routine full time, Milla By Mail, which was an inaugural e-commerce methodology is helping her make that goal a reality. “I’m experience. They also provide students with a built-in community of – Business and Engineering Learning Community startup in the Baiada Institute’s incubator. (She points out that training five to six days a week to get myself in the physical learners and a current and future professional network. many people think “Milla” was a reference to her name, but it’s shape to walk across a stage feeling fit, strong and healthy. I have – LeBow Commuters actually a Hindi word that translates to “I got it.”) a lot of mini tasks under this big project. Daily practices, like Nowadays, Jamila runs another business, Ideas Action juicing my kale at night, so every morning it’s already there. If – BRIDGE Scholars Design, which as the name suggests offers stationary products and something comes up, it won’t derail me. I map out the days I’m a community that helps people bring good ideas to life. Inspired to going to go to the gym every Sunday and put the dates in my (Building Relationships in Diverse Group Settings) help more people take action to reach their goals, she constructed planner. a 90-day planner that’s based on a productivity methodology that “So you see, having a daily practice of chipping away at she designed, and named it the Daily Success Routine. those projects leads to the completion of the bigger projects, For the past two years, she has been teaching the system which leads to the completion of the “ Supporting the Business Learning Community (BLC) enables me to support students when they often need aimed at making productivity simple at conferences and bigger goal.” it most — during their critical first year at Drexel LeBow. I believe that helping them to become ingrained workshops for business leaders, entrepreneurs and college She compares the Daily Success within the College community by making strong connections with other students and alumni will lead to students. Thus far, Jamila’s workshops have trained 3,000 people Routine mindset to the ancient practice a better rate of student success.” BRUCE G. FISCHER ’77, MBA ’83, FORMER SUNOCO EXECUTIVE on how to use the routine to their advantage. of yoga. “It’s really about reaching for the “A lot of people have a dream they want to come to pose – not necessarily getting the pose, life – writing a book, starting a business or doing something but always reaching for that next step.” For more information contact Eric R. Almonte, JD, Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts at 215.571.4517 or [email protected] 30 market st Spring / Summer 2016 31

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One of my earliest attempts at student intrapreneurship provided one of my greatest lessons. My first co-op, a commercial corridor walk-in survey, gave me a look at the target market in Philadelphia. During spring and summer of 2014, I walked up and down commercial corridors and interviewed business owners and their employees around West Philadelphia. I used notepads to take notes on those interviews, surveying the state of small business, the needs for technical assistance and financial products and general business observations for over 500 small businesses. In retrospect, it would’ve been so much easier to take notes on an electronic tablet. I ended up with two heavy stacks of legal pads, and it made the process of doing a final report a really long two-week endeavor. My final report and conclusions were sent to the Federal Reserve Bank for internal uses on how they can better serve underrepresented communities. The Federal Reserve is also considering publishing the report. With this great experience on the Lessons back end, I was able to design a proposal I Learned as a Community Activist to Drexel’s senior leaders on how the and University Intrapreneur university could be more welcoming to small-businesses and assist in their long- term growth. The proposal hinged on JABARI JONES the creation of a student-led office at the Editor’s Note: Jabari ach year, hundreds of college students come up with University that could assist local small article praising me for how devoted I was focus on a project like that at that time. small businesses and help them thrive. I Jones is a LeBow College potentially great ideas on how to initiate change at their business owners by applying our students’ for looking for ways to help small-business This led me to perhaps the most also believe that my work at Drexel has of Business senior major- universities. These ideas often involve enhancements to different perspectives and academic owners. important lesson for any student helped the University to frame a mindset ing in legal studies with student life, improvement in the overall academic expe- backgrounds to propose solutions to issues And then the day came to present intrapreneur: one must constantly leverage around the opportunity it has to create certificates in brand and E reputation management rience and support of the surrounding community. Despite some facing the small-business community at a finalized proposal with the feedback the needs of the community, or target economic growth in commercial corridors. and social responsibil- of the best intentions of the most gifted students, many of these large. The shining climax of my proposal of existing offices at Drexel. I felt that I constituent, with the resources of the Student intrapreneurship is important ity in Business. In 2014, attempts to initiate change ultimately fail and don’t even generate was a small-business center that would was ready for any question on how this University. A student intrapreneur needs and valuable. It gives the administration Jabari worked with publicity. house this new office and be built on the would benefit the community, but one of to be realistic and find balance between the at a university the ability to see things senior Drexel officials to Students who attempt to initiate change – what I call, closest commercial corridor to Drexel, the first questions thrown at me knocked two in order to have a successful initiative. from a different perspective. Students strengthen relations be- tween the university and “student intrapreneurship” – tend to hit common obstacles. I have Lancaster Avenue. me completely off guard. The question I continued to refine these ideas and also tend to be risk-takers and innovative local businesses. Today, experienced some of these challenges firsthand. These experiences At this point, I had drawn heavily was what the schedule would look like for developed more recommendations to the in their thinking, and can provide the Jabari runs a collabora- have helped me design a mental framework on how to approach from classroom knowledge of being a implementing these pieces of the proposal administration on connecting with the administration with fresh new ideas. tive of West Philadelphia’s innovation at a university. student at LeBow. I had properly surveyed – especially the creation of a new small- small business community. And from my Through student intrapreneurship, business associations, the My passion has been around economic development my target market, and I had worked with business center. proposal, Drexel expanded its reach into students also have the opportunity to have West Philadelphia Corri- dor Collaborative which via entrepreneurship, and I firmly believe the best way to business groups and individual small- The staff walked me through the small business economic development, input on how their university functions. addresses macro issues strengthen a community is by encouraging its citizens to business owners. I received feedback and proposal, and I came to see how some creating programming at its Dornsife facing small business. become entrepreneurs. Through entrepreneurship, individuals letters of support from key University aspects weren’t as feasible as I had Center for Neighborhood Partnerships to can take ownership in their communities, create employment administrators and had even received originally seen them. I had anticipated enrich businesses. I have often consulted opportunities for other residents and serve as role models for the positive feedback from Drexel President an immediate acceptance followed by with the staff there on that agenda. I Jones plans to compile his experiences and next generation of entrepreneurs. My intrapreneurship efforts John Fry. Each of these conversations and implementation. The administration have also seen a rise of younger students the lessons learned in a new publication that have all been tied to this passion. For example, I proposed a new praises made me feel even more confident explained the process and how long it proposing ideas to the University on he hopes will help student intrapreneurs platform for students to apply multi-disciplinary backgrounds to and passionate. The proposal had so much would take to gather resources to build impacting the local community. successfully lead movements for innovation tackle some of the toughest economic development challenges in input from the community that I felt the something like a small business center. I am optimistic that Drexel will see and change in their universities. West Philadelphia. For me, being a student intrapreneur has had benefits it presented were undeniable. The I realized that I had overestimated the the value in considering how the University its trials, successes and failures. University City Review even published an resources the University might be able to can better position itself to support local PHOTO BY SHANTANU SAHA

32 market st Spring / Summer 2016 33 PEOPLE PEOPLE

an account representative at White Stag, Kelly was let go, along with many others. Time Is a Luxury and then it was on to Anne Klein, where After a short hiatus, she was approached she worked for the next 11 years. As an by the French luxury brand Paule Ka, in the World of account executive at Anne Klein, she was which was looking to establish a presence responsible for selling the line to Saks Fifth in the States. Kelly was brought on as vice High Fashion Avenue, Neiman Marcus and other luxury president and an officer of the company, retailers. in charge of the new U.S. subsidiary of LISA LITZINGER-DRAYTON A buyer at Neiman Marcus learned that brand. She soon found that her life of an opening with Armani, the Italian was just as crazy, if not crazier, at Paule usan Kelly has always loved luxury brand based in Milan, and urged Ka than it was at Armani. Monthly trips fashion. In fact, she remem- Armani to hire Kelly immediately. She to Paris became the norm. bers what she wore to the started there as an account representative “I worked literally 24/7. After a Sfirst day of her first co-op in 2001 and within a few years, worked her long day of work in New York, I took my at Strawbridge & Clothier at 8th and way up to senior vice president, managing laptop to bed with me and fielded phone Market in 1980: a Lilly Pulitzer patch- an annual sales volume in excess of $150 calls from Europe in the middle of the work wrap skirt with a lime green million. night,” she says. She successfully got the cardigan and espadrilles. “I swam with sharks every day,” she U.S. subsidiary up and running, but when “From a young age, I knew I says of the intensity of the position. She the parent company declined to hire wanted to go into fashion and become had married an attorney who worked more staff at the appropriate time, she a buyer,” the Fort Washington, for the United Nations and whose work saw that she had to leave. “Burned out is Pa., native, whose maiden name is was equally demanding and says they an understatement,” she deadpans. Mariotz, says. “It stemmed from a recognized that “the idea that professionals These days, her life is much more desire to turn shopping and my love of can ‘have it all’ — big jobs, children, calm with travel between Manhattan clothes into a job.” endless vacations, loads of time for and Shelter Island (off the East End More retail co-ops with personal endeavors — is just unrealistic.” of Long Island) taking the place of an Strawbridge’s followed, and by the At Armani Collezioni, Kelly earned endless stream of transatlantic flights. time she graduated from Drexel’s the ability to grow and says, “it was Choosing consulting as her next path, business school, she had five job offers. tremendous. I built a team and structure she is working with her best friend, Of course, one offer was from that I was very proud of in the States. the well-established interior designer Strawbridge’s. “That was the hardest My work took me to Milan with great Marshall Watson, to help him promote one to say no to,” Kelly says. “But I frequency, all the while running the his brand — Marshall Watson Interiors. really, really wanted to give it my best Armani Collezioni operation in New York.” He is writing, and the pair are working shot in the industry, and if I was going At one point, too many hours on together to produce a book that will serve to do that I had to be in New York, airplanes led her to develop not one, but as a retrospective Milan or Paris. So I went to three blood clots in her leg simultaneously. of Watson’s New York.” There was no glamor in that particular and work around There, she took a job at Lord dangerous situation — the gravity of which the world. It will & Taylor as an assistant buyer, in seems to weigh on her to this day. be published by the Ralph Lauren department. “I In 2012, yet another new president Rizzoli and launch thought I died and went to heaven,” took over at Giorgio Armani Corp. and he in March 2017. she says. A couple years later she was chose to bring in his own team at all levels. MARSHALL WATSON

Practical Fashion Advice From Susan Kelly

“Bergdorf’s is the only department store with any personality left, but I think the coolest thing is Joe Fresh. They make great products for dirt cheap, and as long as you have the right belt, the right shoes, the right handbag, you can get away with a lot.”

34PHOTOGRAPHYmarket st BY BEN WELDON Spring / Summer 2016 35 PEOPLE

DREXEL LEBOW’S 2016 BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR: Eileen McDonnell, CEO of Penn Mutual

LISA LITZINGER-DRAYTON

ix months after Eileen McDonnell joined Penn Mutual as chief marketing officer in 2008, she declared to its asso- ciates: “We are not going to participate in the recession.” S Instead, she led the formation of Penn Mutual’s “decade of opportunity” – a strategy that would set the company apart from its competitors by the year 2020. The company focused on going “back to the basics with folks,” she says. “We educated individuals and small-business owners about the value that permanent life insurance brings to any financial plan. You do need to have investments and other things as part of your overall financial plan. And if you have permanent life insurance at the center of your financial plan, it makes everything from disability insurance to retirement planning work better.” She says, “It’s like the stars, sun and moon aligned really well” for that strategy. Post-economic crisis, people didn’t want to take as many risks. Instead, they wanted guarantees – one of the Reinvent features of permanent life insurance. Your Career. McDonnell says her company is still following that back- to-basics 10-year strategy and has met or exceeded every metric they set out to meet. “We have altered some of our tactics, but strategically, we have not deviated.” In fact, 2015 was “I’m a firm the company’s sixth straight year of record earnings. believer that if any In the business world, person empowers one thing McDonnell is “Millennials expect these things,” she says, adding that Penn known for is her belief that a Mutual is now better aligned to attract the best young talent. themselves — glass ceiling for women does She says millennials should not wait to invest in their Elevate your expertise with a concentrated MS degree from Drexel LeBow. women in particular not really exist. “All I saw futures. “Starting early is important, including the purchase of was my possibilities; I had a life insurance. You’re probably at the best health you’ll ever be. Learn to think strategically from world-renowned faculty and top practitioners — you take control dream for myself and a sense And the better your health, the younger you are, the lower your in an environment of unparalleled academic focus. of urgency,” she says. Which premium for your lifetime. of your own is why it was probably not a “People think of life insurance as only a death benefit, but it destiny.” huge surprise to her when, in can be an important savings vehicle. Starting with early savings Accounting | Economics | Marketing | Business Analytics 2013, the company’s board habits, such as investing in permanent life insurance, at a young appointed her CEO. age is an important step to secure your future,” she says. Finance | Supply Chain Management and Logistics In 2015, Forbes wrote an article about McDonnell’s career ____ successes and her thoughts on gender and leadership. “I’m a When she’s not working, McDonnell loves to travel, and firm believer that if any person empowers themselves — women in DREXEL LEBOW particular — you take control of your own destiny,” she spends weekends in the barn with her daughter Claire, 11. “Claire told Forbes. is an equestrian. She loves to ride. I’m a city girl,” says the Long Since being named CEO, McDonnell also made moderniza- Island, N.Y., native. “She has taken me to new places with that. Master of Science tion a priority. Penn Mutual, which was founded in 1847, is the So my weekends are spent in the barn. I have learned to do second-oldest life insurance company in the nation. She leads with everything, including grooming a horse.” LeBow.Drexel.edu/MS a progressive mindset on work/life balance and expanded flex Claire has an offbeat nickname for her eternal-optimist mom: work arrangements for the company’s employees. “chick flick. Because everything has a happy ending.”

36 market st MS Programs_Carlynn.indd 1 Spring / Summer 20165/12/16 4:1437 PM PEOPLE PEOPLE

He joined three other runners from volunteers, he was able to increase from six to 13 miles in just two months. He credits the Philly Achilles and chapters from around organization with helping him be able to run marathons only a few short years later. the world to take on the course that went For Kinzey, the hardest part of running has nothing to do with his visual impairment. through all five New York City boroughs. He struggles with the same challenges as all runners – developing the endurance to make He said the thousands of fans cheering him it to the end of the race. on helped him keep going. “The miles are the hardest part,” he says, laughing. “It is hard staying disciplined “At the end of the day, I finished one of and not falling into bad habits with eating or stretching. It’s important to stay within a the biggest marathons in the world, so I got routine. That is the most important thing in everything I do.” to be a part of it. If I do it again, I would do Kinzey received significant news coverage over the past few years because of his some things differently. Hopefully, I’ll get a running, with stories by Philadelphia Magazine, Philly.com, 6ABC, CBS Philly and U.S. better time next time.” News and World Report. He began his preparation for the race the prior winter when he found out he would be running it. His training kicked he says. “But I just felt like I was being told into high gear over the summer, with a that I needed to make a phone call.” He regimented schedule, cross training and called a pre-screening number at Emory a strict diet. Kinzey stuck with the tough Hospital, where Callaway was being treated training schedule even after he started his and left his contact information. After a first co-op in the fall, working in market return call and a series of pre-screening research studying customer satisfaction at questions, he was sent a test kit and PECO. determined to be a likely match. While he admits the New York City Chris traveled from his home in Texas Marathon was one of the hardest races he’s to Emory Hospital in Atlanta to undergo done, it was not his first marathon. Kinzey further testing. When it was determined competed in the 2014 Chicago Marathon that he was a definite match, he reached and ran the full Philadelphia Marathon out to Callaway and his family. They in 2013. He has also completed the became fast friends and found that though Philadelphia Broad Street Run three times. their lives were separated by hundreds of A little over a month after the New York Alum Answers miles, they shared values and a faith that marathon, he completed the Philadelphia quickly bonded them. half marathon with his father. Plea for Kidney Kinzey began running in middle Visualizing “ I just felt like I was being told school as part of the track team and joined Donor that I needed to make a phone call.” the Finish: cross-country during his freshman year JON HARTLEY Blind LeBow Student Tackles at Perkiomen Valley High School. Being a NYC Marathon part of the race wasn’t always easy for him, hris Carroll had taken risks The kidney transplant was a success. but he persisted. before. After earning his Drexel Chris was able to return to work within “I kept showing up to practice so NATALIE SHAAK LeBow Executive MBA in weeks, but most importantly to him, the eventually they had to do something,” he 2008, he changed careers and transplanted organ put Callaway on his or most runners, just making it says. “The coaches would have to run with C co-founded HMS, a healthcare manage- way to a full recovery. “I felt blessed with across the marathon finish line can me or have other students do it.” Eventually ment company, during the worst years good health, and it was a blessing to give be seen as a huge accomplishment. he found a guide, the husband of one of his of the Great Recession. He admits, how- someone a kidney so that he could raise his FBut for LeBow sophomore Kinzey high school teachers. While his coaches and ever, that donating a kidney to a man he young daughters,” says Chris. Lynch, who was born with a visual condition teammates accepted him, competing at hadn’t met was unlike anything he had The story of Chris’ selfless act made that severely limits his vision to light, shad- the high school level was another hurdle done before. news locally and nationally. Both families ows and colors, it was not enough to just for Kinzey. While browsing news online, Chris resolved to use the exposure to bring complete the 2015 TCS New York City Mar- “One of the things I had to go through came across a photo of young women awareness to the need for living kidney athon. He completed it with flying colors. was being told by my athletic conference holding a sign that read, “Our Daddy donation. They’ve been able to spread their Kinzey finished the race in just 4 hours that my visual impairment would make Needs a Kidney!” The photo, reposted message through appearances together and 22 minutes and placed 30th in his age me a liability, but then they said having a thousands of times on social media, was on The Dr. Oz Show and were featured group, finishing in the top half of the over guide was unfair advantage. It took a good a plea by Raleigh Callaway’s daughters on ABC News and USA Today, among 50,000 runners to cross the finish line. chunk of freshman season to actually get for an organ donor. Their father had been other outlets. Despite his great placement, he was unhappy recognized as part of the team.” diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure and To learn more about the importance of with his final time. During his junior year he found the there was tremendous pressure to find a living kidney donations, visit The National “I was hoping to end a bit faster,” he says. Achilles International organization. Their donor quickly. Kidney Foundation at kidney.org. “I wasn’t expecting as many hills, but I can mission is to lower barriers for people with Chris was moved by the family’s plea. live with it. I finished it, but it was difficult. It disabilities to participate in mainstream “I had donated blood in the past, but a ABOVE: CHRIS CARROLL (FAR RIGHT) AT APPEARANCE really wore me out, but it was a lot of fun.” sports. With the help of organization kidney is a much bigger deal than blood,” ON THE “DR. OZ SHOW.”

38 market st Spring / Summer 2016 39 U-TURN

he fall 2016 term marks the beginning of celebration of a key The Drexel University anniversary T– 125 years of innovation in Engage With Us Beginning education. While the vision of AJ Drexel has remained strong, much has changed since it was founded as the Drexel Institute of Business of Art, Science and Industry in 1891, including the instruction of its business Engagement with Drexel LeBow leads to strong, at Drexel curriculum. Business courses were offered as far strategic relationships between students, faculty back as our founding, but looked much different than they do today. According to and industry. By joining forces to create mutually the 1895-1896 undergraduate academic beneficial relationships, organizations that bulletin, the Business Department offered three “courses of instruction” or tracks partner with us gain access to our world-class taught by 13 instructors, including the JAMES MACALISTER Institute’s first president, James MacAlister. research, highly skilled and motivated students, The “Commercial Course” was amanuenses in business offices. This track alumni, and innovative programming offered intended to be a general overview of included courses in English and civics business in a practical sense completed in in addition to stenography, typewriting, both on campus and online. two years split into fall and winter terms. reading and business correspondence Classes included industrial and commercial and forms. The program was considered • Corporate Relations and Executive Education arithmetic, penmanship, bookkeeping, ideal for “a finishing course of a practical • Innovation Accelerator Projects Business courses were offered as far back as our founding, • Business Consulting Projects • Recruitment but looked much different than they do today. • Research Collaboration typewriting, rapid calculations, commercial character for young women who can spend • Center for Corporate Governance geography, business correspondence, public another year at school, but who do not • Institute for Strategic Leadership speaking, economics and specific business find any immediate need of seeking office • Solutions Centers (Neuro-Business and classes focusing on law, customs, printing employment.” Business Analytics) and advertising. This track was created The “Normal Course” was a to “place the greater emphasis upon the commercial teacher education program • Events instruction which encourages originality completed in one year, specifically • Student Mentorship Opportunities of effort, clear and quick perception, good developed because of the recent growth • Advisory Board Membership judgment, breadth of culture and a larger of urban public high schools. Students knowledge of the world's complex systems in this program were encouraged to take For more info, contact Anna Koulas of industry and trade advantage of resources through the library at [email protected] or 215.571.3766 The “Stenography and Typewriting and newly created Commercial Museum Course” was to be completed in one year and studied courses on the history of and focused on preparing men and women education and school economy in addition to take roles as secretaries, assistants and to the commercial track coursework.

STUDENTS ACROSS ALL BUSINESS COURSES IN 1895-1896 TOOK REQUIRED TYPEWRITING COURSES LIKE THE ONE PICTURED ABOVE. LeBow.Drexel.edu/corporateservices 40 market st Spring / Summer 2016 41

CorporateServices_Ad.indd 1 5/13/16 12:55 PM NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHILADELPHIA, PA 3220 Market Street PERMIT NO. 144 Philadelphia, PA 19104 LeBow.Drexel.edu

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