Summer 2024

News, Notes, and Nods: Graduates

A group of alumni pose for a wedding photo
Listen

1975 

Aram Hintlian ’74, MBA’75: See Undergraduates, 1974 


1982 

David Briden ’79, MBA’82: See Undergraduates, 1979. 


1999 

Connie Askin MBA’99 recently was named the Small Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year in the Worcester Business Journal for her role as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts and MetroWest. Askin, who became CEO three years ago, has overseen major changes at the nonprofit, including a physical move to Chestnut Street in Worcester. The nonprofit has 15 employees and generates roughly $1.2 million in annual revenue, according to recent filings with the Internal Revenue Service. 


2003 

Havell Rodrigues MBA’03 recently finished the first close of his impact fund, New Majority Capital (NMC), an impact investing firm that provides training and non-extractive capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs to acquire and scale small businesses through entrepreneurship through acquisition. The first close of NMC Fund I means the company can continue its mission to close persistent wealth gaps in the United States. “This milestone is a testament to the opportunity to build wealth through small business asset ownership,” said Rodrigues, CEO and managing partner of New Majority Capital. 


2005

Jeni Wheeler MBA’05

Jeni Wheeler MBA’05 showed off her Babson pride during a recent safari trip in Kenya. Wheeler co-founded and directs the Family Table Collaborative in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, an organization devoted to increasing nutritional security. The organization has served more than 170,000 meals and is run with the help of more than 500 volunteers. 


2012

Niari Keverian MBA’12 and Richard Aurelio Jr.

Niari Keverian MBA’12 and Richard Aurelio Jr. were married May 11 at the Marriott Stellaris Resort & Casino in Aruba on Palm Beach. Surrounded by dozens of Babson alumni, Keverian and Aurelio enjoyed a weekend of snorkeling, exploring, and celebrating. At the welcome party, Keverian joked to guests that she was “so happy you are able to attend Babson Connect Aruba.” Alumni in attendance included Annie Asrari MBA’11, Matthew Paisner MBA’12, Alfonso Hernandez MBA’12, Kamaal Jarrett MBA’12, Nadia Kalkanci ’04, MBA’11, Elizabeth Lee MBA’12, Karim El-Gamal MBA’11, Hadi El Heneidi MBA’12, Caroline Swingly MBA’12, and Kerem Kalkanci MBA’11. (Photo: Stiven Sanchez Photography) 


2013

Samira Lawande MBA’13

Samira Lawande MBA’13 recently joined the board of directors at the Discovery Museum in Acton, Massachusetts. Lawande, who serves as a senior advisor at Global Health Labs, also lives in Acton. Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum that blends science, nature, and play, aimed at helping families to explore and learn together.


2017

Rishi Tandulwadkar MSEL’17

Rishi Tandulwadkar MSEL’17, founder of ALIV, recently won first prize for the Best Entrepreneur Pitch at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (YEA) summit held in Brazil. The G20 YEA is a global network that brings together young entrepreneurs from G20 countries. Tandulwadkar, representing India at the summit, was one of 500 delegates competing from around the world. ALIV offers state-of-the-art treatments and therapies for regenerative wellness, focusing on the natural healing process. 


2022

Connor Harbison MBA’22

Connor Harbison MBA’22, who opened Atlas Urban Farms in 2021, won the Mass Technology Leadership Council’s Startup of the Year award in February. The award recognizes the region’s tech companies, leaders, and technologies that have made a significant impact during the past year. Harbison, who created Atlas Urban Farms to help chefs grow the fresh herbs and greens they need in house, won the graduate track of the B.E.T.A. (Babson Entrepreneurial Thought & Action®) Challenge in 2022.


MORE NEWS, NOTES, AND NODS FROM THE SUMMER 2024 ISSUE:
Undergraduates »     In Memoriam »

Posted in Community

More from Babson Magazine »

Latest Stories

The Retailing Management course with Jaylen Brown and Joel Kamm MBA’12 outside their pop-up event.
Hands-On, All-In: Babson’s Retailing Management Students Create Unforgettable Pop-Up Experience The Retailing Management class, composed of mostly fourth-year students, brought experiential learning to life, executing a campus pop-up event with Jaylen Brown’s 741 Performance brand, culminating in all they’ve learned at Babson.
By
Melissa Savignano
Writer
Melissa Savignano
Melissa Savignano, a content marketing manager at Babson College, has worked in higher education for almost a decade, where she tells authentic, compelling campus and community stories. Before Babson, she managed communications for Boston University’s largest college, the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. She previously worked in client relations, helping brands of various sizes launch content marketing strategies and storytelling initiatives. When not at work, you will find her in the city of Boston, probably at the movie theater.
December 8, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Babson college students in an improvisational comedy club.
From Stage to Startup: This Improv Group Prepares Babson Students for Boardroom Success  Students Against Gravity, Babson’s long-running improvisational comedy group, blends creativity and business insight, teaching students how to adapt, collaborate, and communicate under pressure.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
December 4, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Ahmed Ahmed poses for a portrait photo
Five Things to Know About Ahmed Ahmed, One of Poets & Quants’ Best Undergraduate Professors Ahmed Ahmed, who was named to Poets & Quants’ list of 50 Best Undergraduate Business Professors of 2025, shares some fun facts, including his childhood ambitions and his passion for underdog soccer teams.
By
Eric Beato
Editor / Writer
Eric Beato
Eric Beato is the Editor of Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Eric has worked as an editor and writer at newspapers across the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Boston Herald. Eric joined Babson College in 2019 after working as the communications director for a private educational travel company and as the managing editor of six regional sports publications.
December 3, 2025

Posted in Community, Outcomes