The college years are a time when professionals establish the beginnings of their professional networks. It is a time when students meet and work alongside peers, faculty, alumni, and business professionals. In doing so, they build long-term relationships that can significantly contribute to long-term career success.
The next Wednesday Night Wisdom online speaker event from the NIU College of Business will feature three business alumni who built careers and businesses with the help of their NIU networks. The event will also introduce the newly-appointed NIU College of Business Senior Director of Advancement, who facilitates networking throughout the College of Business alumni network.
This WNW event is entitled: “Engaging Alumni – How to make your alma mater network work for you.” It is scheduled for October 27th from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (CDT).
Registration is free and open to the larger NIU community and the general public.
Event Panelists
Eric Wasowicz, ’80, Founder of Greenbrier Group LLC and NIU Board of Trustees Chairman. Wasowicz has founded three companies, Greenbrier Group LLC, Uwantsavings.com, and Greenbrier and Russel, Inc., all with ties to NIU. He is an investor and advisor for NxTeam, Inc. and Kenway Consulting, IT services companies and and advisor to True Interactive, digital marketing agency.
Janet Viane, ’80 and ‘83, Chief Strategy Officer, Red Caffeine, former Chair of the NIU Business Dean’s Board of Executive Advisors and former Director and Marketing Chair for the Northern Illinois University Foundation Board. Viane is a go-to-market leader with experience at international Fortune 500 pioneers, mid-caps, and start-ups. Using her network, she has connected them to experiences and opportunities through the years.
Claudia Carmichael, ’99,: Founder and CEO of Organic Hair Care Inc. Carmichael began Organic Hair Care, Inc. in 2012. The relationships Carmichael built at NIU have helped with product development and with opening doors to new networks.
Scott Gluck, NIU College of Business Senior Director of Advancement. Gluck joined the NIU College of Business in the fall of 2021. In conjunction with Alumni Relations, Gluck is a key connector for NIU Business alumni.
The event will be moderated by Reggie Bustinza, Executive Director of Operations and Alumni
Engagement at the Northern Illinois University Foundation.
As the college marks its one-year anniversary of the Wednesday Night Wisdom online speaker series, College of Business Dean Balaji Rajagopalan and the program founders/producers reflect on the past year’s programming.
Dean Balaji Rajagopalan remains grateful to alumni for sharing their knowledge on topics, such as tapping into networks during this challenging time, managing finances through retirement and leadership through a crisis, among others. He adds, “Our alumni and faculty members have stepped up to provide a wealth of information and are helping others to stay focused on and productive in their business, school assignments, projects and personal lives.”
“We are very pleased with the success and engagement we’ve had over the past year,” says Amy
Buhrow, senior director of Strategy, Student Success and Accreditation. “Connectivity is the core of the college experience, and the Wednesday Night Wisdom series has kept our students, alumni and friends connected to one another and to learning during the last 12 months.”
“The college has an expansive and highly informed base of alumni and faculty, any one of whom could be described as an expert in any number of fields,” says Cassandra Young, director of Alumni Relations for the college. “Time and time again, they have proven the value of their knowledge as consultants through publications, to students and to other alumni. We are proud and delighted to feature their expertise and perspectives in this online series.”
“What truly distinguishes Wednesday Night Wisdom, is the human element guests bring to the conversation. They are leaders and experts driven to help others succeed. Live discussions encompass stories of real-life trials and challenges, as much as they do success. These genuine conversations are relatable and inspiring for a diverse crowd of listeners, of all ages, universally,” says Rachel Schmit, senior event coordinator for the college. Schmit adds, “The production team is working to make its episodes available as podcasts that can be streamed, or downloaded, on various platforms.”
by A. Buhrow, Senior Director, Strategy, Student Success & Accreditation, NIU College of Business; edits by M. De Jean, Director of Marketing, NIU College of Business
