Babson’s approach to educating and empowering learners to be entrepreneurial leaders is inspiring communities everywhere. I have long held a deep appreciation for the study of entrepreneurship as an academic discipline. From my early days as a Babson MBA student to my time as a faculty member and director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship, I have valued the art of teaching and learning.
Today, Babson is proud to be one of the world’s agship academic institutions for entrepreneurship education. Sophisticated experiential learning opportunities, a faculty with real-world industry expertise, and a rich array of co-curricular experiences contribute to a vibrant and inspired learning experience. Our community of learners and leaders hails from countries and cultures around the globe. The College’s worldwide ecosystem of changemakers and innovators impacts communities everywhere by creating new economic and social value where it’s needed most.
The depth and complexity of a Babson education led to our ranking as the No. 2 Best
College in the United States by The Wall Street Journal
Leading Babson’s continued academic ascension is the College’s newest leadership addition—Provost and Executive Vice President Ariel Armony.
Since joining our community last fall, Ariel has been a visionary partner in imagining what the future of entrepreneurial leadership will hold for Babson around the world. Growing up in Argentina, researching as a Fulbright Scholar in China, and mountain climbing in Nepal have equipped him with a unique perspective of the myriad cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs that contribute to the rich tapestry of our world.
Ariel’s warmth and approachability—as you will experience rsthand in our pro le of him in this issue of Babson Magazine (Page 10)— make it seem as if he has been at Babson for a lifetime. Like our entire community, I am eager to see how his leadership and approach to advancing the study and practice of entrepreneurship will breathe new inspiration into Babson’s already thriving academic community.
The future always brings with it a degree of uncertainty and unpredictability. But, at Babson, we know that no matter what tomorrow holds, entrepreneurial leaders— and those who empower them—will be at the forefront of making the world a better place.
Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD
16 40 10 9
BABSON MAGAZINE STAFF / Vol. 92, No. 1
EDITOR Eric Beato
PUBLISHER Kerry Salerno, chief marketing officer
COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY Danielle Perry
CREATIVE MANAGEMENT Cheryl Robock
CREATIVE ART DIRECTION Cathy Cahill
SENIOR JOURNALISTS Hillary Chabot, John Crawford
CONTRIBUTORS Kara Baskin, Scott Dietz, James Kiley, Francis Ma, Erin O’Donnell, Thecla Ree, Mali Reimer, Vannessa Rodriguez, Melissa Savignano, Wendy Schoenfeld
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Nic Czarnecki
MULTIMEDIA TEAM Christopher Brown, Paul DeWolf, Maggie McGinnis, Adam Pearlman
FEATURES
10 Listener, Learner, Traveler, Teacher
Introducing Ariel Armony, the new provost and EVP.
16 What It Means to Be a Student-Athlete
Inside their robust, rigorous, and rewarding lives.
24 Four Hidden Places on Campus
Take a peek at rarely seen views, both high and low.
DEPARTMENTS
2 Babson and Beyond
The latest news and updates from campus.
8 Office Hours
Sebastian Fixson helps launch the DBA program.
9 People of Babson
Photographer Nic Czarnecki brings a unique view.
28 Advancement Spotlight Impact of the Sorensons’ commitment to the arts.
32 News, Notes, and Nods Undergraduate, Graduate, Connections, In Memoriam
We welcome your feedback on the magazine. Contact Eric Beato at ebeato@babson.edu
Find out more about what’s happening at Babson College at: entrepreneurship.babson.edu
Babson Magazine (USPS 898-140) is published by Babson College, 231 Forest Street, Babson Park, MA 02457-0310, three times a year, in the spring, summer, and winter.
Copyright 2025 by Babson College. Editorial office: Babson Park, MA 02457-0310. Send address corrections to advancement_services@babson.edu, or call +781-239-4044.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
the cover: Photo by Nic Czarnecki
BABSON AND BE Y OND
Phase 2 of the HELV development includes:
• 128 new student beds
• A 275-plus seat dining venue
• 13 classrooms and learning spaces
• Opportunity to address long-standing deferred maintenance
The Executive Lodge and Conference Center includes:
• 70-plus modern guest rooms
• Cutting-edge classrooms in executive event space
• Large banquet space
• Full-service restaurant and bar
• Rooftop terrace
• Dedicated fitness area
BABSON EXPANSION TO TRANSFORM Living-Learning Experience for All Learners
With a new lodging, learning, and event space, as well as increased classroom, dining, and residential capacities, Babson will be expanding its transformative learning experiences for undergraduates, graduates, professionals, executives, and academics.
Babson announced a historic capital plan to transform the executive conference center to complete the full vision of the Herring Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Village (HELV) and build a new Executive Lodge and Conference Center, a lodging and event space for its professional and executive learning programs. The Babson Board of Trustees endorsed the plan, which will be significantly funded by donors to the College.
The capital projects, which also will address long-standing deferred maintenance across the Wellesley campus, is another major investment in the world-class education at Babson.
Building on the success of Phase 1 of the HELV development, the second phase will fully convert the facility to support both undergraduate and graduate programs. When it is completed, the HELV will be the largest investment in entrepreneurship education at Babson. Phase 2 of the HELV
development provides 128 new student beds, a 275-plus seat dining venue, 13 classrooms and learning spaces, as well as addresses deferred maintenance. Construction of the HELV expansion will begin in spring 2027 and is expected to be mostly completed by August 2027.
Babson also will build a flagship, boutique-style executive lodging facility on the site of the current Babson Executive Conference Center garage to serve its professional and executive education programs. The plan for the 77,600-square foot Executive Lodge and Conference Center includes 70-plus modern guest rooms; cutting-edge classrooms in an executive event space; large banquet space for executive, corporate, and community events; full-service restaurant and bar; rooftop terrace; and dedicated fitness area.
Additionally, the center will provide increased capacity to serve the events and lodging needs of the local communities around the Babson campus. Babson is working with the Town of Wellesley and its neighbors to secure the required permits.
The goal is to begin demolition of the garage in May, start construction of the new structure at the start of 2026, and open the new facility in mid-2027.
—
Eric Beato
Read more about the Babson capital projects:
GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH Advances Entrepreneurial Leadership
Decades-old problems persist. New challenges emerge faster than ever in a rapidly evolving technological world. And yet solutions are harder and harder for leaders to find and implement. The real problem may be the entrenched models of leadership that are failing.
New research from Babson proposes entrepreneurial leadership as a gamechanging solution that could have a long-term impact for businesses and organizations. The groundbreaking research offers the first academic model of entrepreneurial leadership.
“Our proposed conceptual model argues that entrepreneurial leadership is a relational process, not just a set of leader traits,” said Scott Taylor, Babson professor of organizational behavior and the lead author of the new research paper that emphasizes the need for leaders and others to work together to identify opportunities, share ideas, and take action in uncertain environments.
“Ultimately, entrepreneurial leadership encourages proactive, innovative, and risk-taking behavior, making it essential for both startups and established organizations aiming to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Entrepreneurial leadership emphasizes the importance of relationships to build collaborative
action to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities collectively, according to the Babson research.
The research paper—“A Conceptual Model of Entrepreneurial Leadership: How Entrepreneurial Leaders Enable Entrepreneurial Opportunity”— was published in the International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal. The research was led by Taylor, also the inaugural Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for Values-Based Leadership, along with five Babson professors: Andrew Corbett, the Paul T. Babson Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies; Danna Greenberg, the Walter H. Carpenter Professor of Organizational Behavior, associate dean of faculty, and chair of the Management Division; Wendy Murphy, professor of management and the associate dean of undergraduate academic programs; Keith Rollag, professor of management; and Jeffrey Shay ’87, MBA’91, professor of entrepreneurship.
“Until now, entrepreneurial leadership has not been adequately defined or differentiated from traditional leadership theories,” Taylor said. The co-authors “have devoted years to conducting research to create a distinct model for this unique type of leadership.”
Their research not only redefines entrepreneurial leadership but also explains how entrepreneurial leaders can more effectively lead organizations to solve problems and create value. This work builds on Babson’s expertise as the No. 1 school for entrepreneurship. In much the same way that the College revolutionized entrepreneurial education as a discipline that could be developed, Babson is advancing the field of entrepreneurial leadership.
NEW PODCAST: From Problems to Possibilities
Entrepreneurial leaders know no limits. They’re not constrained by the organizations they serve, the titles they hold, or the problems they encounter as they work to find solutions and create new possibilities. Now, Babson has launched its first podcast focused on entrepreneurial leadership—“From Problems
to Possibilities: Entrepreneurial Leadership in Action.” Available on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon, each episode explores how entrepreneurial leaders are solving the world’s biggest challenges—from women’s health care to sustainability in business to mental health— with the unique leadership skills needed today.
Babson faculty who co-authored the research paper (clockwise from top left): Scott Taylor, Andrew Corbett, Wendy Murphy, Jeffrey Shay, Keith Rollag, and Danna Greenberg
DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: Babson Launches New Degree Program
Babson College is expanding access to its renowned entrepreneurial education with the launch of its Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, a transformative initiative designed to equip career professionals with academic research skills and the tools to address today’s complex business challenges while fostering innovative solutions.
“Babson wants to help the world become more entrepreneurial. Period,” said Sebastian Fixson, the founding academic faculty director of the DBA program. (Read more about Fixson, Page 8.) “This program is another step toward that mission, equipping experienced professionals with the tools to drive innovation and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.”
The 33-month program, which begins this fall, offers an unparalleled opportunity for seasoned leaders— typically with 10–20 years of experience—to take their careers to the next level by emphasizing applied research. They will be able to identify pertinent business challenges, design and execute practical research solutions, and effectively communicate those solutions to others. The DBA has been approved by the state of Massachusetts and fully accredited
by the New England Commission of Higher Education and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Babson’s DBA also will feature the College’s acclaimed entrepreneurial leadership skills as well as teaching excellence.
“The students interested in Babson’s DBA are intellectually curious, highly skilled leaders who want to learn more while in the company of like-minded peers,” Fixson said. “Graduates will be able to apply what they’ve learned directly to their work, whether they remain in their current roles, start new ventures, or transition into academia.”
Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD said the DBA leverages the College’s unique strengths. “The creation of Babson’s Doctor of Business Administration program underscores our commitment to advancing entrepreneurship education across all levels of professional experience,” Spinelli said. “The development of our
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DBA program will provide industry experts and innovative thought leaders with access to Babson’s proven entrepreneurial thought and action framework.”
A key focus of the program is its emphasis on scholarly research, which equips students with the skills to explore and address pressing business problems through an academically robust lens. “The DBA program is designed for accomplished professionals who are still curious and eager to tackle longstanding organizational challenges they’ve wrestled with for years,” explained Fixson, also the Marla M. Capozzi MBA’96 Term Chair in Design Thinking, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
— Hillary Chabot
PHOTO: NIC CZARNECKI
Learn more about Babson’s new DBA program:
METROPOULOS INSTITUTE: Visionary Tech Scholars Named to Key Roles
Babson announced the appointment of two exceptional leaders and technology experts to key leadership roles at the new C. Dean Metropoulos Institute for Technology and Entrepreneurship.
Trond Undheim has been appointed the inaugural executive director of the Metropoulos Institute, and Babson Professor Tom Davenport has been named the inaugural faculty director.
The institute, launched last year thanks to a generous gift from C. Dean Metropoulos ’67, MBA’68, supports and expands curricular and co-curricular programs that amplify the importance of technological innovation in the entrepreneurial process, equipping students to lead in an increasingly AI-driven world.
“These two visionary scholars will advance the institute’s position as a global thought leader that reimagines
the vast potential to move society forward through technological innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD said in announcing the appointments of Undheim and Davenport.
The addition of the Metropoulos Institute to the Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership extends Babson’s leadership at the intersection of technology, generative AI, and entrepreneurship.
“We are excited to have Trond and Tom bring their impressive expertise and experience to the Metropoulos Institute and the Blank School,” said Donna Levin, CEO of the Blank School. “They are inspiring leaders who will play a vital role in enhancing how Babson shapes the future of entrepreneurial leadership.”
BABSON TO ‘SHARK TANK’: MBA Alumnus Reels
When James Pidhurney MBA’08 stepped onto the iconic “Shark Tank” stage with Chalkless co-founder Greg Pope, he wasn’t just pitching a product; he was applying many of the entrepreneurial lessons instilled in him at Babson College.
And, from a flying baseball bat to an early “no” from Mark Cuban, Pidhurney had to think fast and tap into that knowledge as he and Pope presented Chalkless. The product cleanly rubs into your hands to become an innovative grip-enhancer designed to improve performance in sports, the military, or daily life.
The Chalkless duo’s journey from idea to a $400,000 deal with investing Sharks Kevin O’Leary, also known as Mr. Wonderful, and Rashaun Williams highlights the resilience, preparation, and adaptability that Babson alumni are known for.
Pidhurney joins an elite group of Babson alumni who have appeared on “Shark Tank,” such as
Andrew Heath MBA’12 and David Heath ’05, the brothers behind Bombas; Jamie Siminoff ’99, H’21, who founded Ring video doorbells; and Nadine Habayeb MBA’17, who created Bohana, a popped water lily seed snack.
“The Rocket Pitch concept was invaluable—it taught me how to distill complex ideas into compelling, concise messages,” Pidhurney said. “Babson’s focus on value creation and understanding supply chains has been critical in growing Chalkless.”
He added: “Presenting to the Sharks was unlike anything I’d experienced. While I’ve pitched ideas many times, the stakes and unknowns made it nerve-racking. Surprisingly, the pitch itself wasn’t the hardest part—answering questions after was when we hit our stride.”
— Hillary
Chabot
in $400K Deal
Trond Undheim (top) is the inaugural executive director, and Tom Davenport (bottom) is the inaugural faculty director of Babson’s new C. Dean Metropoulos Institute for Technology and Entrepreneurship.
James Pidhurney MBA’08 and Greg Pope pitch their company, Chalkless, on “Shark Tank.”
ILLUMINATING MLK’S LEGACY and the Women Who Helped Shaped It
Régine Jean-Charles, a Wellesley native and Dean’s Professor of Culture and Social Justice at Northeastern University, always knew she wanted to be a college professor. “I love to read. I love to write. I love to think. And I love to talk,” she shared during her keynote address at Babson College’s 22nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Day event.
But, above all, Jean-Charles (pictured right) told the audience in the CarlingSorenson Theater, she loves teaching students how to think. “Critical thinking, which is what we teach in the humanities, is essential for life,” she said. “No matter what field you go into—business, medicine, engineering—critical thinking is a tool that is required.”
Jean-Charles believes teaching students how to think, rather than what to think, fosters an open mindset. “I love seeing that happen in young people,” she said. Through this lens of critical thinking, JeanCharles explored King’s legacy, highlighting the often-overlooked Black women who fought for equality alongside him. She
NEW
spoke about civil rights leader Ella Baker and Black feminist poet June Jordan, emphasizing their crucial contributions.
“Martin Luther King is a towering figure whose ubiquity often obscures the work of others, especially women,” Jean-Charles said, underscoring how Baker, Jordan, and others demonstrated that “Black women have lit the path of love and justice through their activism, advocacy, and writing.”
At the event, Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award honorees this year included Sevyn Williams ’25 (undergraduate), Shenaya Martin Johnson MBA’25 (graduate), Kadia Tubman ’13 (alumni), Natalie Joseph (staff), and Vincent (Vini) Onyemah (faculty). — Hillary Chabot
U.S. GEM REPORT:
Entrepreneurial Activity Returns to High Mark
According to the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024–2025 United States Report, Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) returned to the historic high of 19% reached two years earlier. This signals significant entrepreneurial dynamism across the United States. TEA measures the percentage of adults actively engaged in starting or running a new business.
“This is a powerful indicator of the creativity and ambition of American entrepreneurs,” said Babson College Professor of Entrepreneurship Donna Kelley P’24, who has been leading the annual GEM U.S. study since 2011.
The GEM U.S. report this year was released six months earlier than in previous years, making the data more relevant and actionable with its timeliness.
“By providing more timely insights, we can better inform strategies that support business creation, innovation, and economic growth, maximizing the report’s impact in shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the United States,” said Jeffrey P. Shay ’87, MBA’91, professor of entrepreneurship at Babson College. —Vannessa Rodriguez
Board Chair Honored Babson Board of Trustees Chair Jeffery Perry ’87, P’23 was recognized for his continuing contributions and leadership, as Savoy magazine named him to its list of 2024 Most Influential Corporate Directors. Perry, the founder and CEO of Lead Mandates LLC, also serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards, including for-profit board roles at Fortune Brands Innovations Inc., Equitable Funds, and MasterBrand Inc.
Kauffman Foundation Grant
Babson is part of a consortium of Kansas City organizations to receive an inaugural Collective Impact grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Babson is the only organization outside of the Greater Kansas City region included in the grants, which were awarded to six coalitions of high-capacity organizations committed to creating systems-change strategies to close economic mobility gaps, advance equitable opportunity, and spur economic growth in the Greater Kansas City Region.
Det. Lindland Earns Award
Det. Jennie Lindland of the Babson College Public Safety Department received one of several awards presented by the Massachusetts Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, honoring multiple campus police officers and administrators for their contributions to their campuses and the law enforcement profession. Lindland received the Outstanding Personal Contribution to Campus Public Safety by an Individual award.
Recognition for AI Strategy
For the second year in a row, Babson’s Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) has been honored for its transformative work. ITSD was selected as a CIO 100 Award winner for 2025 for its entry, “EduAI Revolution,” which encapsulates the College’s successful “All-In” AI strategy.
PHOTO: NIC CZARNECKI
An Innovator with a ‘Designer Mindset’
As faculty director, Sebastian Fixson aims to help doctoral students create real-world change
For the rst time in its history, Babson will welcome doctoral students to campus this fall. The new Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program has been years in the making and is led by faculty director and Professor of Innovation & Design Sebastian Fixson.
“With this innovation, Babson will train practitioner-scholars and take a strategic leadership role in producing practice-relevant research,” Fixson says.
Born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, Fixson brings his multidisciplinary background to leading this program. A mechanical engineer by training with experience consulting on manufacturing projects, Fixson came to Boston to earn his PhD at MIT and taught industrial engineering at the University of Michigan. His early research focused on product development of complex technical products such as automobiles.
“Over time, I realized that what I studied was people innovating,” Fixson says. “Most of the conversations I joined, the journals I read, the conferences I went to were populated by people at business schools.”
This led him in 2008 to a faculty position at Babson in the Operations and Information Management Division. He soon embarked on several administrative roles on campus, including faculty director of the Master of Science in Management in Entrepreneurial Leadership degree program, chair of the division, and associate dean of graduate programs and innovation. The DBA launch has been one of his top priorities and an intense, multiyear effort.
Members of the Babson faculty
had considered a doctoral degree for many years, Fixson says. He began to revisit the possibility of offering a DBA in 2022, in part because demand for these programs had grown signi cantly. Unlike a PhD, which teaches students research methods and disciplinary content for the purpose of generating new theory, the DBA is practice oriented and interdisciplinary. DBA students develop research skills to address concrete business and management problems, Fixson says.
He and colleagues used a “designer mindset” to develop the DBA program. For example, they interviewed 15 DBA graduates from other schools to deeply understand who seeks a DBA and what they drew from their programs. Insights from those conversations helped them shape a Babson-speci c DBA (read more, Page 5).
Fixson aims for Babson’s DBA graduates to apply their new research expertise to make real-world impact through evidence-based management. He gives the example of a DBA graduate from another institution who used his doctoral studies to convince the board of directors of his organization to allow him to create a $50 million innovation fund. Fixson looks forward to similar contributions from Babson DBAs.
He says the DBA project has been a welcome complement to the management challenge of leading the graduate school through the pandemic. “The engineer and designer in me was looking for the chance to create something new,” Fixson says. “This has been a huge team effort involving lots of people. It’s inspiring to launch the program in the world and see its impact.” — Erin O’Donnell
Professor Sebastian Fixson has helped launch Babson’s new Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program.
See some of Nic Czarnecki’s favorite photos from 2024:
Small Talk with NIC CZARNECKI
Nic Czarnecki knew he was going to be a photographer when he was 10. He would take his Olympus 35 mm camera everywhere: hiking Bear Mountain in New York, vacationing in Florida, or even skateboarding. It was the beginning of a life behind the lens. A graduate of the New England School of Photography, Czarnecki was the photo editor and chief photographer for Boston Metro for 10 years before moving to the Boston Herald. Along the way, he photographed some of the nation’s biggest news stories. In August 2023, he joined Babson as a staff photographer in College Marketing, quickly becoming a recognizable figure at campus events.
Which events stand out from your time as a photojournalist?
“I’ll never forget photographing the Dalai Lama or meeting Yo-Yo Ma. Paul McCartney playing Fenway Park was a memorable one. I covered a major breaking news story in New Jersey, and my images were on the covers of all the major newspapers and cable news channels. I traveled to cover U.S. presidents and major national stories like tornadoes, wildfires, Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. One of my photos of Hurricane Sandy was selected for Time magazine’s year in photos in 2013. I still get goosebumps when thinking about covering the Boston Marathon bombings and the manhunt that followed. And I will always remember covering the pandemic from its early stages in Boston. I sometimes feel spoiled by the access carrying a camera has granted me.”
What attracted you to Babson?
“I was drawn to the creative challenge of capturing a large community. There are so many news stories going on here that it’s just a great place to capture more happy, positive elements of life. Personally, I enjoy it more than covering breaking news and always running to things. I enjoy the challenge of finding new ways to capture the same things. I have photographed Tomasso Hall, I would say, hundreds of times. So, when I look at it now, I’m trying to see it differently. It’s fun.” (See another unique view of Tomasso, Page 24.)
What responsibility do you feel photographing such a momentous time in the College’s history?
“I really appreciate having the opportunity to document this historic time at Babson. I take pride in being a visual storyteller for Babson, helping capture and share what I see happening on campus. I do feel like there’s an importance to my work at such a historic moment. Sometimes, I see old black-and-white photos of what life was like here 100 years ago, and I’ll think one day that will be my image, and 100 years down the road, someone’s going to stare at it and think, ‘Wow, that’s what it was like.’ ” — Eric Beato
executive vice
As provost and
president, Ariel Armony serves as Babson’s chief academic officer.
Introducing Ariel Armony, Babson’s new provost and executive vice president. He brings to the College a leadership background in academia, a lifetime of global experiences, and a deep curiosity. As Babson’s chief academic officer, he plays a critical role in guiding the College’s efforts to educate the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.
Most days, Ariel Armony walks to work. He lives just east of Babson’s campus. As the morning begins, he bundles up for the weather and heads out, hiking through the nearby woods, past the deer and squirrels, past the campus of Olin College, before landing at Babson.
The walk takes about 15 minutes. If he’s in a hurry, he can do it in about 12, though if he’s in the right mood and has the time, he might take a detour or two to stretch it out longer. “It doesn’t matter what the weather looks like. I walk,” says Armony, who last fall started at Babson as the College’s new provost and executive vice president. “It is a great way to start the day.”
After his day at Babson is over, Armony heads home through the woods, using a light to guide his way if the path is too dark. On the way, he
ponders the concerns of the day. “When you leave the office, the problems in your head feel unresolvable,” he says. “By the time you get home, you see everything has a solution.”
Such is the power of walking. “When you walk, you think in a different way,” Armony says. “I tell students to go for walks. That’s where you find yourself.”
As provost, Armony serves as Babson’s chief academic officer, a role that’s critical in guiding Babson’s efforts to educate the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. He brings to the position a leadership background in higher education and a lifetime of global experiences. He also brings curiosity, openness, and that penchant for walking and exploring.
Armony often likes to walk around Babson and take in this newest stop in his life’s journey.
Story by John Crawford / Photos by Nic Czarnecki
Ariel
“Babson has a level of energy that is unique. There is a lot of passion. I love to walk around campus just to feel it.”
He listens to the different languages being spoken, sees the fliers advertising clubs, engages with faculty, says hello to students.
“Babson has a level of energy that is unique. There is a lot of passion. I love to walk around campus just to feel it,” he says. “The students are discussing things. They are hanging out. There is intensity.”
A Global Citizen
Armony’s office sits on the third floor of Horn Library. He has traveled through much of the world, and his office reflects that, with masks, paintings, and other mementos from his trips hanging on the wall. “This space tells you a lot about me,” he says.
Traveling has been a way of life for him since he was a child. Armony grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and while his parents didn’t always
have much money, they were committed to finding a way to travel. “With a lot of effort, they always tried to take us to different parts of the world,” he says.
The people and places he has seen have inspired Armony. In Nepal, for instance, he hiked the Himalayas, the mountains feeling so removed from the worries and noise of everyday life. “This is one of my favorite places to be,” he says. “It is just nature. It is you and the universe and nature. It is the most incredible thing.”
For a year, from 2008 to 2009, he lived in China as a Fulbright Scholar. He was amazed by the transformation of the country, in the change between generations. Parents who were peasants with barely any formal education were watching their children go off to college. “To see that change was remarkable,” Armony says.
Armony has traveled much of the world, and his Horn Library office displays masks, paintings, and mementos from his trips.
When researching his first book, he took several days to travel to the hinterlands of Nicaragua, where he met people whose lives had been touched by years of war. “To get to know them, to know about their lives—that was a humbling experience,” he says.
The global mindset of Babson, its mission to prepare entrepreneurial leaders to create value for themselves, their communities, and the world, is a big reason Armony decided to come to the College. “I consider myself a global citizen,” Armony says. “We have a responsibility to think about the planet. We have a responsibility to think about others. We have a responsibility to the next generation. That makes you a global citizen.”
Before Babson, Armony worked for a decade at the University of Pittsburgh, where he most recently served as vice chancellor for global affairs and director of the University Center for International Studies. He’s proud of the impact he had at the center, by forging new international partnerships and deepening the university’s global reach, but he felt the moment was right to step down. “It is important to know when it is a good time to transition in a leadership position,” he says. “A good leader knows when it is time for the next person.”
He sought a new challenge, and Babson’s provost position, with its broad range of academic responsibilities, provided it. “It is really great when you have reached
the top of the mountain you wanted to climb,” he says. “I was open to another opportunity and to climb another mountain.”
A Winding Path
Armony’s path up the mountain, from Argentina to academia in the U.S., has been a winding one. As a young man in his native country, he dwelled in the world of creativity and theater. He first harbored aspirations of being an actor, then tried his hand at playwriting and directing.
“I admire actors, but I didn’t see myself as someone who always said the words that someone else wrote,” he says. “I started to experiment with writing and directing. As a
playwright, you are creating a world. As a director, you are bringing it to life. I thought this was more of who I am.”
Eventually finding that theater, especially the experimental, boundary-pushing theater that Armony favored, didn’t pay the bills, he gravitated toward journalism. He wrote opinion pieces for newspapers. He hosted a radio show on politics. The work appealed to his analytical side and his curiosity.
“I am by definition a curious person,” he says. “I love to learn, and you learn by meeting people, going to different places, experiencing different things, and always getting out of your comfort zone. That is
Ariel Armony (walking with Vaness Reece Gardner ’26) enjoys meeting and talking with students, faculty, and staff in Trim Dining Hall.
important in learning.”
Then he started taking sociology classes, and the path of his life suddenly took a turn. “That opened a new world to me,” he says. In those classes, he studied democracy, socioeconomic issues, and the troubling political situation in Argentina, which was dealing with the aftermath of a ruthless dictatorship.
The challenging political and economic conditions in Argentina ultimately would convince Armony to leave the country. “I never thought I would leave Argentina, but things were really bad,” he says. “I was recently married. We needed to seek a future outside the country.”
He and his wife, Mirna Kolbowski, came to the U.S., where Armony earned a master’s degree in international affairs at Ohio University and then a PhD in political
science from the University of Pittsburgh. Academic posts followed, at Colby College, the University of Miami, and finally back at the University of Pittsburgh. Along the way, he has published several books, including one on the interactions between China and Latin America and another on the rising global cities of Dubai, Miami, and Singapore. He and Kolbowski also started a family. They have two sons: Ian and Alan.
Through all those changes, Armony never forgot about Argentina. He and his family would visit often. When they were all with his motherin-law, she would ask them, “¿Cómo estamos?” To her question asking how they were, they would reply “juntos,” or “together.”
Armony’s sons are now grown, and Alan, remembering those Argentina visits, got a tattoo with
the word “juntos.” Ian and Armony decided to do the same. At first, the provost admits he was nervous about how painful the process might be, but the tattoo that now sits on his upper shoulder feels heavy with meaning. It’s about family, he says, and the immigrant experience and the difficulties of being distant from the people and places you love.
“One word. Six letters,” Armony says. “You are saying a lot about what matters to you.”
Everyone Has a Story
Many people at Babson know about Armony’s tattoo. That’s because, not long after he started at the College, he attended a community event for new employees and was asked to share a fact about himself.
Armony debated what to reveal, and in the end, he talked of his
To know someone is to listen to their story, Ariel Armony believes. “Everyone has phenomenal stories to tell.”
“I love to learn, and you learn by meeting people, going to different places, experiencing different things, and always getting out of your comfort zone. That is important in learning.”
tattoo. He realizes that many people, especially those with high-profile positions, may not share something so personal about themselves.
Armony, though, believes in openness. He seeks conversations that are rich and honest in which people ask questions of each other and truly listen to the answers.
“It is about making an effort to understand where the person is coming from,” he says. “It’s important for me to understand how your history really informs who you are, to learn about people’s families, their lives, where they come from, what shaped them.”
Many new leaders in an organization go on listening tours. That’s too limiting for him. “There is no such thing as a listening tour,” Armony says. “You listen forever.” To know someone is to listen to their story, and he believes that everyone, no matter their position in life, has a tale to tell and wisdom to share. “It is not about hierarchies. It is not about formal level of education,” he says. “It is about humanity. It is about experiences. Everyone has phenomenal stories to tell.”
and students are always approaching him to chat. “I enjoy coming here because you get to talk to so many people,” he says. After the revelation about his tattoo, a dining employee at Trim introduced herself and told him of her own tattoos, of how they reflected good times and hardships in her life. “We started a conversation so deep,” he says.
the College evolve with the high pace of technological change, and working to educate entrepreneurial leaders in all stages of their careers.
When Armony goes to an event, he often forgets to eat because he’s too busy listening and talking with others. Watch him at Trim Dining Hall, where he regularly eats lunch, and one can see why. Faculty, staff,
Going forward, Armony hopes to have a standing table at Trim, where he can eat and talk with faculty and staff. He’s also looking forward to meeting more students and diving further into his work as provost, strengthening Babson’s global connections, supporting faculty in their research and teaching, helping
He also plans, as always, to keep listening and learning, walking and exploring, writing and traveling. Time is short, and there is much to do. Installed on Armony’s phone is an app called WeCroak, which five times a day sends messages reminding him that he will die one day. That may seem morbid, but the app is inspired by Bhutanese culture, which believes a frequent contemplation of death is crucial to happiness.
Life, in all its opportunity, awaits. “There is no immortality,” Armony says.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A Student-Athlete AT BABSON
By John Crawford
Athletics is an integral part of life at Babson, with about 500 students playing on one of Babson’s 23 varsity teams. Those student-athletes spend many hours honing their skills, balancing their academic and athletic responsibilities. That makes for a robust, rigorous, and rewarding life, one in which student-athletes are playing a sport they love while developing as leaders, building resiliency, and preparing for their futures.
Nate Amado ’25 likes to arrive early to practice. He needs to put up his shots.
The leading scorer this past season in Babson’s conference, the NEWMAC, the basketball player strives to keep his shot efficient and consistent. That’s why he comes early to Staake Gymnasium and gets to work.
He doesn’t typically listen to music, and his teammates may not even be around yet. None of that matters. Amado’s focus is the ball and the basket. He practices free throws and jump shots. He works on his ball handling.
A hundred shots, 150 shots, 200 shots. If the ball goes awry, he thinks about what went wrong and adjusts. If a streak of bad shooting plagued him the day before, those lingering memories are wiped away with each swish. “You see the ball go in,” he says, “and you get that out of your mind.”
Amado puts in this extra shooting at the gym even though, as a student-athlete, his free time is precious. On a typical day,
he may be in class until 1 p.m., and once he eats lunch, he makes his way to the gym around 2. After putting up a couple of hundred shots, he’s then meeting with the trainer to stretch and warm up and, by 4 p.m., he is watching film with the team before the full practice begins at 4:30. Afterward, there may be a lifting session before he showers, eats dinner, and finally gets to his homework.
That’s a full day, but success demands it. “I put everything into this,” Amado says. “If you want to be great at your sport, you have to make that commitment.”
Athletics is an integral part of life at Babson. About 500 students, or roughly one-sixth of the undergraduate student body, play on one of Babson’s 23 varsity sports. Another 2,500 or more participate in the school’s 34 club sports. Students also join intramural teams and keep the Len Green Recreation and Athletics Complex humming with activity. In its ranking of Babson as the No. 2 Best College in America last year, The Wall Street Journal
“I put everything into this,” says Nate Amado ’25, who plays guard and forward on the men’s basketball team. “If you want to be great at your sport, you have to make that commitment.”
PHOTO: NIC CZARNECKI SPRING 2025 / BABSON MAGAZINE
also ranked the College No. 11 for Student Experience, of which athletics plays a prominent part.
Amado’s crowded schedule is typical for the College’s varsity athletes, who spend many hours in the gym, on the fields, and on the court honing their skills. At the same time, they are living a life that’s characteristic of any Babson student. They’re going to class, doing homework, hanging with friends, leading clubs, starting ventures, studying abroad, interning. “We have a special group of people here. They are dedicated and driven,” says Mike Lynch, Babson’s Pamela P. and Brian M. Barefoot Associate Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Advancement.
“They are looking to take advantage of everything Babson has to offer.”
That makes for a robust, rigorous, and rewarding life, one in which student-athletes are growing as people and preparing for their futures while playing a sport they love.
“You get lucky enough to be able to play in college—there’s nothing more you can ask for,” Amado says.
A Team of Best Friends
To understand the joys and demands of being a studentathlete, one needs to walk a mile or two in their sneakers. Take Camille Marsh ’25 as another example. She’s a
midfielder on the field hockey team. Just like Amado, she knows how unforgiving the schedule of a student-athlete can be.
“You have to prioritize so many things at once. We have to know how to balance it all,” she says. “I think I have really good time management skills. Field hockey has taught me to be better at that.”
Over her four years on the team, Marsh and her fellow Beavers have seen much success, never losing a conference game during that time and earning four straight NCAA tournament appearances. During Marsh’s junior year, the team made the Final Four, and she still remembers all the family and friends who traveled to Virginia to cheer on the team. “I have never felt that much support in my life,” Marsh says.
To be a member of a sports team is to be a part of a community. The members of the field hockey team are often together, Marsh says, especially during the season. They’ll text one another their whereabouts, in case people want to meet up. They eat together, gather for game and movie nights, and grab a long table in Horn Library so they can work on homework together. “We are a group of 29 best friends,” Marsh says.
She is particularly close to the four other seniors on the
LEFT PHOTO: NIC CZARNECKI RIGHT PHOTO: JON ENDOW P’17
On a typical day, Nate Amado ’25 may be in class until 1 p.m. before eating lunch and heading to the gym around 2 for his shooting session and stretching with the trainer. By 4 p.m., he watches game film with the team before the full practice begins at 4:30. Afterward, there may be a lifting session before he showers, eats dinner, and finally gets to his homework.
“You have to prioritize so many things at once. We have to know how to balance it all,” says Camille Marsh’25, a midfielder on the field hockey team.
“I think I have really good time management skills. Field hockey has taught me to be better at that.”
PHOTO: NIC CZARNECKI INSET PHOTO: TEMI BAJULAIYE
team. They live together in a suite in McCullough Hall, and when Marsh studied abroad last year in Barcelona, Spain, she was able to meet up all over Europe with three of them who were studying abroad at the same time. “It is so nice to always have people to rely on,” Marsh says. “They have made such an impact on my life.”
Because Marsh and her teammates are so close, and because they all are determined to improve as a team, they can be honest with one another about their efforts on the playing field. Feedback is accepted and expected. “Everyone is so kind and cares about everyone else succeeding,” Marsh says. “Everyone knows they have the potential to grow. At the end of the day, we all want to win and do better than the year before.”
Those interpersonal, human skills utilized on the team—communication, collaboration, leadership— carry over to other aspects of Marsh’s life. “It can translate so easily to school and professional experiences,” she says. “I am able to collaborate more effectively. I am able to lead teams. I feel more confident.”
That personal development, that flourishing both on and off the field, represents one of the critical benefits of being a student-athlete.
Camille Marsh ’25 shares a suite in McCullough Hall with the other four seniors on the field hockey team, which has a close bond, often eating and studying together.
The Right Balance
Kristen Getchell, an associate professor of business communications and the Karani Term Chair, knows firsthand about the personal development one undergoes as a student-athlete, having played on the tennis team as an undergraduate. “You learn a lot about yourself in athletics that sets you up for success in other places,” Getchell says. “I like to say athletics is a lab for our students to practice leadership and teamwork.”
Because she is such a supporter of college sports, Getchell serves as Babson’s NCAA faculty athletics representative, a role that acts as a liaison between professors and athletics. She helps both sides to come together and address any
concerns that can arise, such as a scheduling conflict or a need for tutoring. “I have a lot of respect for our student-athletes,” she says. “I am very impressed by them.”
Babson’s varsity teams compete in the NCAA’s Division III, which unlike the big-money, highpressure upper echelons of college sports, isn’t as all-encompassing of student-athletes’ lives. Yes, athletes at Babson work hard, but they still have time to join clubs, serve internships, and excel in the classroom.
“I believe D-3 is the best representation of college athletics,” Getchell says. “It is very much about balance. Any D-3 program understands that. They are truly student-athletes.” As such, what happens in the classroom is not an afterthought. “They need to prioritize academics,” Getchell says. “That is not even questioned here, and Babson is one of the most successful D-3 programs in the country.”
Lynch has seen how Babson’s student-athletes, on a bus trip to a game, will flip open their laptops to squeeze in some homework before arriving. Last year, the night before a critical NCAA tournament quarterfinal game, he watched as a half-dozen members of the men’s soccer team gathered in the hotel lobby. Their season may have been on the line the next day, but that evening, they had a different focus: a project due for class. “They want to be as good as they can be as members of the studentathlete population,” Lynch says.
Not that winning isn’t on their minds. Thanks to funding from the College and pivotal donations from alumni, Babson is able to significantly invest in team travel, coaching, support services, and facilities for athletics. As a result, more and more of Babson’s 23 varsity teams are chasing postseason success every year. Just in the last decade, Babson teams have made more than 80 appearances in national tournaments. “They are championship driven,” Lynch says.
For Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD, some of his favorite memories as the College’s president have been watching Babson teams compete. To be in the stands is to witness their character and competitive spirit, to appreciate all the time they’ve spent in pursuit of both athletic and academic excellence. “On the playing field and in the classroom, they set an example for teammates and classmates,” he says, “and leave a lasting standard for the next generation of students at Babson.”
With significant support from alumni and the College, Babson’s varsity sports teams excel in competition, with more than 80 national tournaments appearances in the past decade.
Camille Marsh ’25 and Nate Amado ’25
You learn a lot about yourself in athletics that sets you up for success in other places. I like to say athletics is a lab for our students to practice leadership and teamwork.
– Kristen Getchell, associate professor of business communications and the Karani Term Chair
Feeling Grateful
Both Amado and Marsh are seniors, which means the yearlong effort of being a student-athlete, from in-season practices and games to offseason workouts and training, is coming to an end. To their post-Babson lives, they’ll bring with them their resiliency and dedication, as well as the connections they’ve made in the athletics alumni network. Many students form relationships with alumni, who support them during their playing days and then mentor them in their careers. “It is an inside path to a great future,” Lynch says.
The two seniors also bring with them their memories. Amado doesn’t linger on the tough losses the team endured during his four years. “You can look at most games we lost, and you can pick out something we could have done better. That’s life,” he says. “I can be at peace with
it. I’m aware of the errors I made and how I learned from them.”
Instead, he thinks of his friends and the times they spent together, such as those moments in the locker room before a practice, the team all together, talking about life and laughing. “It’s stuff like that you’ll miss,” he says. “You’re as close to 10, 15 guys as it gets.”
After graduation, Amado plans to return to Babson to earn a master’s degree in business analytics. Marsh, meanwhile, is seeking work in marketing. She’s holding tightly to her final weeks on campus. She admits to feeling sentimental, about the people she has met, about the team, about all she has learned.
“I made the most of my time here,” she says. “I think about how incredibly grateful I am to have found a place like Babson.”
PHOTOS: NIC CZARNECKI
With their experiences as student-athletes, Camille Marsh ’25 (left), who is pursuing work in marketing, and Nate Amado ’25, who plans to return to Babson for a master’s degree, are well prepared for life after graduation.
Hidden Places ON CAMPUS Four
From the top of Tomasso to the depths below the Babson World Globe, we take a photographic glimpse at just a few of the unique spaces on campus— vantage points that not many people get to see.
TOP OF TOMASSO
One of the most iconic images of campus is stately Tomasso Hall, which was built in 1939 and served as the library until 1980. High atop the building—up small staircases and ladders—sits the tower that houses the campus bell, which chimes on the hour and half-hour. The bell now is coordinated with the campus clock system, and very few workers need to access the tight space.
Photos by Nic Czarnecki
BELOW THE GLOBE
The Babson World Globe, which was moved from in front of Coleman Hall to Kerry Murphy Healey Park in 2019, is the signature photo spot on campus. But, hidden in its base is a ladder down to the control room, which includes panels for the globe’s rotation and the park’s lighting. Facilities workers visit the concrete enclosure, 50 feet by 50 feet, for routine maintenance about twice a year to change the oil and keep the globe spinning.
ABOVE THE STAGE
The Carling-Sorenson Theater, inside the Richard & Sandra Sorenson Center for the Arts, hosts many campus performances, events, and lectures. Only performers and guests visit the theater’s green room and backstage, and even fewer people access the catwalk that crawls over the top of the seating area and stage. The vantage point is not for the squeamish but offers unique views of the action below.
INSIDE A HISTORIC ROOM
Long admirers of Isaac Newton and collectors of Newton memorabilia, founder Roger Babson and his wife, Grace, purchased Newton’s foreparlour from his London home in 1938 and placed it within the new Babson Institute Library. The well-maintained room, including the original pine-paneled walls and carved mantel, now resides on the third floor of Horn Library and serves as a special meeting space.
ADV ANCEMENT SPOTLIGHT
With the enduring commitment and support of the Sorenson family, the arts occupy a unique place at Babson, providing students with the opportunity to pursue their creative interests while excelling at the No. 1 school for entrepreneurship. Sorenson Arts Scholars reflect on the impact of the Sorensons’ commitment to the arts.
The Sorenson family name is synonymous with arts at Babson College.
Richard W. Sorenson MBA’68, H’23, P’97 ’00, G’27 and Sandra L. Sorenson P’97 ’00, G’27 have been longtime supporters of the arts on campus, generously investing in facilities, scholarships, and other initiatives that provide opportunities for students to explore their creativity and expression and for the community to enjoy and learn from artistic performances of all kinds.
The College’s main arts facility— recently renamed the Richard & Sandra Sorenson Center for the Arts—includes the Carling-Sorenson Theater and the Sandra L. Sorenson Rehearsal Studio. And, the Rick and Sandy Sorenson Endowed Scholarship for the Arts provides financial support for undergraduate
students who have demonstrated an interest and proficiency in pursuing the creative arts during their time at Babson.
The commitment to supporting and enhancing the arts at the No. 1 school for entrepreneurship creates a powerful combination for students and the College community.
“My wife and I love the arts. We just enjoy it so much because the arts are such a creative thing,” Richard Sorenson said in 2023.
“And, really, they’re entrepreneurial, because an individual is giving of themselves, and they’re providing something unique.”
Here, a few current Sorenson Arts Scholars—who shared their works at their annual showcase—re ect on the impact of their scholarship and the Sorensons’ commitment to the arts at Babson:
Although Babson is a business school, the arts community here is mighty.
“Being a Sorenson Arts Scholar has connected me to an inspiring and encouraging group of artists on Babson’s campus. I’ve been able to try my hand at new forms of art, like ceramics, while also having the resources to improve my passion for painting. I have also met a lot of students and staff here who share my interest in art, which has enhanced my love for it.
“As an incoming college freshman, I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough time to continue creating art. I soon realized this wouldn’t be an issue, because although Babson is a business school, the arts community here is mighty. The staff helped ensure I have the resources and drive to make art. There is also a special energy here on campus when student artists share their work with one another. As an artist, I have felt very welcomed by this environment of collaboration. By being involved with the arts, I have been able to develop my confidence in my own art and my ability to present my pieces. Some of my most memorable moments at Babson have been just after presenting my work as a Sorenson Arts Scholar to this tightknit community.”
“The opportunities that I have received from the generosity of the Sorenson family have been life-changing and have helped shape the trajectory of my college successes and beyond. Being involved with the arts at Babson has introduced me to a variety of unique creators.
As a woodworker, it is invaluable to be exposed to artists working in different mediums who display their creativity in amazing ways. Working with my fellow scholars and seeing their work at the annual spotlight is such a memorable experience that always inspires me to keep creating and pushing the limits of what I think is possible. Additionally, by continuing to develop my skills at Babson, it reaffirms the role that art plays in my life and my desire to continue woodworking well after college, urging me to seek out fellow artists wherever life may take me.”
Gabi Garozzo ’25 / HAVERHILL, MASS.
Julian Ivarra ’25 / DALLAS, TEXAS
“Being involved with the arts at Babson has been an incredibly enriching experience. While Babson is known for its entrepreneurial environment, having a dedicated space to focus on my art has reinforced and deepened my passion for fashion. It not only keeps me motivated but also allows me to explore how I can merge my two greatest passions—entrepreneurship and fashion— into a future career. This experience has shown me that creativity and business are not separate but can work together to build something truly unique and impactful.”
“The Sorenson Arts Scholarship has profoundly shaped my Babson experience. The financial support has given me the freedom to fully engage in campus life and opportunities without the burden of a job during the school year. Additionally, the community created by the scholars and advisors has encouraged me to explore new art forms and step out of my comfort zone. I am truly grateful for the opportunities this has given me.
“Being at a school where everything is business-minded is a great gift. However, I think to become a well-rounded individual it is important to engage in activities that are completely separated from business. Having a creative outlet through the Sorenson Arts Scholarship has given me a platform to be expressive and step away from the business environment. I feel like this has not only made my college experience more enjoyable but set me apart from other students when applying for summer internships.”
Rosie Ruben ’27 / BROOKLYN, N.Y.
Ben Yaeger ’27 / PLYMOUTH, MASS.
“As a Sorenson Arts Scholar, I am so grateful to be able to share my art with my friends and family at the spotlight event. It is always one of my favorite and most special days of the year. The most meaningful part of being involved in the arts at Babson has been having this close and unique community. It has allowed me to meet wildly talented and interesting people in all class years.”
Nora Ryan ’25 / ABINGTON, MASS.
“I am so grateful for the Sorenson family’s generous donations to the arts at Babson. … I grew up doing musical theater since I was 8 years old. I started doing a cappella and choir in high school as well. The arts were my safe space that always made me feel welcome, happy, and at home. Now that I’m in college, I’m so glad I could continue doing something that makes home feel a little less far away and college more comfortable.”
Leah Paragano ’26 / MENDHAM, N.J.
The Sorenson Arts Scholars gathered to present their work at the annual showcase event at the Richard & Sandra Sorenson Center for the Arts. From left: Samantha Gambaccini, director of BabsonARTS; Rosie Ruben ’27; Brigid Kelly ’28; Izzy Russo ’28; Julian Ivarra ’25; Jenny Zheng ’28; Nora Ryan ’25; Gabi Garozzo ’25; Leslie Chiu, associate dean, Campus Life; and Leah Paragano ’26.
NEWS NOTES AND NODS
UNDERGRADUATE
Richard L. Kozacko ’57, a media broker, was recently featured on a panel of experts discussing investments in broadcast media. The seminar, presented by the Radio/Television Business Report, was held November 13 at the Harvard Club in New York City. Kozacko has been operating as a media broker, specializing in the appraisal and sale of media properties, since 1967. He opened his own business, Kozacko Media Services, in 1985.
Joy Gustafson Weintz ’87 recently joined the Americares Board of Directors, a nonprofit health-focused relief and development organization. A longtime supporter of the organization, Weintz said she is deeply committed to advancing Americares’ mission of saving lives and improving health for people affected by poverty or disaster.
Six members of Babson’s first women’s basketball team formed in 1974 were honored over the course of a weekend in November as the College celebrated the 50th anniversary of women’s basketball. The players—(from left to right) Marion Browning ’77, Kathy McCann O’Brien ’78, Adrienne Halsey Wald ’78, Sue Jackson Fitzgerald ’78, Helen Ruff Copeland ’78, and Maria Serpentino ’78, P’05—were honored with an in-game presentation, a postgame reception, and brunch with the current women’s basketball team.
1995
Juan Santa Cruz ’95, founder of a highly exclusive trio of restaurants called Casa Cruz, returned to Babson in February to speak with students about his life and career. Cruz has opened exclusive Casa Cruz restaurants in Buenos Aires, London, and, most recently, New York. He spoke to students at eTower about his journey—from attending Babson and working in private equity to eventually launching several restaurants across the globe.
2001
Rodrigo Albir ’01 and his work as an interior designer at Studio RODA in Miami were featured in ELLE Décor magazine. The November issue published an article about a three-bedroom apartment in a Miami highrise designed by Albir and his studio. Albir designed the 5,000-squarefoot apartment with elements of disco-era glamour, incorporating mirrors, shimmering metallics, and occasional pops of retro color.
Yan J. Katz ’00, managing partner of HUB Wealth Strategies, has been named as a President’s Council qualifier by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian). President’s Council, one of the highest honors Guardian gives, is awarded annually to financial professionals who demonstrate outstanding service and dedication to their clients. The prestigious milestone comes as Katz celebrates 15 years at HUB Wealth Strategies. “I’m honored to be recognized with this prestigious designation as it is my passion to always put my clients at the center of the conversation, and help them reach their unique goals and aspirations,” Katz wrote. “Being named to the Guardian President’s Council is not something I take lightly; it is a true honor to be included with this remarkable group of elite financial professionals.”
(second from left) is the treasurer of Hope Laugh Play (HLP), which hosts onsite LEGO Build Events at hospitals, camps, and schools for children facing illnesses, disabilities, or other life challenges, serving about 1,000 children in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta each year. Len Iglar P’28 (third from left) recently connected with Millier about getting involved with HLP, and he and his team at Iglar Asset Management (IAM) have volunteered with HLP at the Arthur Blank Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. IAM also has covered the costs for all HLP events in Atlanta in 2025. Iglar praised the incredible impact that Millier is making through his work with HLP.
2014
Alex Deeb ’14, co-founder of the education video service ClassHook, announced that the company has been acquired by ClickView, an Australian educational technology company. Deeb and ClassHook co-founder Joyce Ang ’14 launched the platform to provide teachers with short video clips from popular movies and TV shows, helping them capture students’ attention and
connect daily lessons to pop culture.
With the acquisition, ClassHook, already used by K–12 educators in more than 25,000 schools, will reach even more classrooms, Deeb said.
“ClickView’s mission aligns perfectly with ClassHook’s—making learning more relevant and engaging for students. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead to support more classrooms across the U.S. and reimagine how educators use video,” Deeb wrote.
Kara Connolly Diehl ’92, founder of a scripture-inspired jewelry company named Gracelets, was recently featured on “The 700 Club” on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), which reaches 159 countries and airs in 85 languages. Diehl’s business, which she started in 2012 from her dining room table, donates a portion of proceeds to fight sex trafficking. Gracelets now ships to more than 14 countries. “I’ve always had a passion for jewelry, and it felt like a natural fit to combine my love for design with sharing God’s love,” Diehl said. “Being featured on CBN’s ‘The 700 Club’ was an amazing opportunity to share globally.”
2018
Adolfo Olloqui ’18 recently was featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Ecuador as co-founder of new messaging software company called Sendo. Olloqui, who serves as CEO of Sendo, began the company in Ecuador and has plans to expand to Panama, Mexico, and Honduras.
Li Li ’20, who owns Pain Relief Therapy clinic in Boston, recently traveled to Antarctica and brought a little bit of Babson with her. Once on the icy continent, Li made sure to don a Babson hat and plant a flag highlighting the Babson-born brand ReviMo. Li has been serving as an advisor for ReviMo, a mobility device company founded by Aleksandr Malashchenko MBA’24, since 2023. “What a humbling experience,” Li wrote about the trip. “The ReviMo flag not only landed but was flying high on the Antarctica continent, signifying the goal of creating unlimited opportunities for everyone.”
Nicholas Bourdon ’20, co-founder of Reef Arches, a concrete marine structure meant to slow beach erosion and restore ocean habitats, stands next to one of the arches his company installed off Palm Bay, Florida. Bourdon (left) and Reef Arches co-founder Parker Hedrick (right) installed their patented technology arch along the shoreline at the Marine Resources Council headquarters in Palm Bay.
John Millier ’89
Ashley Korizis ’01 and several other Babson alumni from the Charlotte, North Carolina, area reunited for a New Year’s celebration. More than a dozen former Babson students gathered at Legion Brewing in West Charlotte to catch up with friends and ring in the new year. Korizis wrote that the alumni community in Charlotte has been growing as recent graduates and retirees relocate to the area. The group plans to meet again in June as part of Babson’s summer reception series. Pictured (from left): Joel Odeniyi MBA’24, Devin Collins ’02, Paul Baker ’80, Susan Baker ’83, Harrison Le ’24, Henning Brieger ’24, Luca Antonacci ’23, Korizis, Prabhat Adhikari MBA’02, Faith Hickey ’92, MBA’99, James Zarokostas ’98, Wendy O’Brien ’82, Tricia Radford Roark MBA’10, and David Mathai ’23
Anjali Merchant Majithia ’12 (center) was recently featured, along with her father, Viren Merchant (left), and sister, Radhika Ambani (right), on the cover of Entrepreneur India magazine. Majithia was featured in the article as she and her sister are about to take over Encore Healthcare, a company focusing on pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing. “I am thankful for my years at Babson as they were formative in helping me navigate and grow in the business world,” Majithia wrote.
Purin Waranimman ’15 and Thu Tran ’15 celebrated their wedding in Phuket, Thailand, on Nov. 9. The couple met during their first year at Babson in 2011 while taking the College’s signature entrepreneurship class, Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship. Many of their Babson friends and classmates also attended the
row, standing, from left: Vipada Vongsiridej ’14, Pavadee Jitngamplang ’14, Soozin Kang ’15, Jia Jun Teo ’15, Agnes Wong ’15, Natalie Barba ’15, Chris Minor ’14, Florenza Phung Minor ’14, Tran, Waranimman, Paris Waranimman ’15, Daniel Shaffer ’15, Jared Silber ’15, Somia Farid Silber ’15, Lisa Wang ’17, and Christopher Maddox ’17. Front row, kneeling, from left: Hung Chung Lau ’15, Kris Supavatanakul ’15, Louis Kim ’15, Carmen Ho Gall ’15, Jae Chung ’15, Vivek Dodani ’17, An Truong ’16, and Simon Shi ’15
ceremony. Back
Evan Shirley ’15 and Lorraine Shirley ’17 were married September 14 in Oceanside, California. Many of their Babson classmates attended the celebration, including Anna Ivashko ’11 MBA’20, Christianne Kinder Cancellieri ’15, Glenn Anderson ’15, Brianna San Diego Anderson ’15, Dominick Tocci ’15, Alan D'Adamo ’15, Jay Ruvane ’15, Andrew Lepine ’15, Rolando Chinchilla ’15, Lana Le Tanna ’16, and Rushab Tanna ’13
Pallavi Jain ’24, who recently began working at UBS Global Wealth Management (GWM) as a GPT analyst, attended an award-winning evening that prominently featured many Babson alumni. The GWM annual Field Leadership Meeting, held Jan. 16 in Boca Raton, Florida, culminated with an award night to celebrate the top managers in North America. The event was hosted by Greg Toskos ’99, managing director and head of global financial sponsors at GWM. Michael Sarlanis ’01 was named the New York International Market Executive winner. Also in attendance was Kreg Pearless ’05, market director of the Boston Private Wealth Office.
Pictured (from left): Pearless, Toskos, Jain, and Sarlanis.
Anna Dibble ’22 is working in Stockholm as head of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing for Alight, a Swedish solar developer. She also was featured recently in a Financial Times article discussing the differences in ESG investing in Europe and America.
Brianna San Diego ’15 and Glenn Anderson ’15 were married September 27 in San Francisco. Many Babson alumni joined the celebration, including Lisa Wang ’17, Simon Shi ’15, Helen Voloshin ’15, Jessica Santiago ’15, Somia Farid Silber ’15, Jared Silber ’15, Connor DeFiore ’15, Samantha Donovan ’15, Ramone Doyley ’15, Sanjay Dasari ’15, Alan D’Adamo ’15, Yousef Al-Humaidhi ’15, Michael Diamond ’15, Rolando Chinchilla ’15, Patrick Bagley ’15, Joseph LaGrasso ’15, Kyle Tagen ’15, Matthew Wei ’15, David Miller ’15, Kendall Valencia ’16, Kseniya Topdjian ’15, Joshua Noble ’15, Angela Price ’16, and Alicia Wilde ’16
CONNECTIONS
Babson alumni and friends gathered at events throughout Florida during the annual SUNSHINE STATE SWING in March, as well as at BABSON NIGHT AT THE GARDEN
Tim Nolan ’14, Emily Tropsa, Venezia Nolan ’14, Bobby MacDonald MBA’24, Michael Sexton ’01, David Barber ’81, P’16 ’17, Kevin Small ’88, Naomi Lufkin ’75, Bob Lufkin ’75, MBA’76, Marcia Campbell, and Stuart Cooper ’65
and
NAPLES:
JACKSONVILLE: Kaydia Anderson ’00, Larry Kennedy MBA’81, Karen Campbell, Kathi and Todd Connor MBA’05, Frank Samperisi MBA’08, Drew Thomas ’22, Reggie Grant ’79,
Tyler Saldutti ’06
MIAMI: Miguel Muchacho ’96, Eduardo Eraña ’98, P’26, Philip Boulton ’97, P’28, and Alfonso Gómez ’97 at the annual Babson Alumni Advisory Board golf tournament
PALM BEACH: Torry Cullen ’04 and Deborah Heines ’08
BOSTON: Smitha Gudapakkam MBA’13 (left), along with her daughter, Maya Smikar, and friend Karthik Mukund, snap a selfie at a Celtics game during Babson Night at the Garden.
GRADUATE 1988
Tom Raffio MBA’88, president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, said the company was recently recognized as one of only five companies in the United States to win the 2024 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Baldrige Award is the highest award for performance excellence presented in the nation. Raffio will accept the award during a formal ceremony in Baltimore this spring. Raffio and his wife, Ellen, also recently published a children’s book, The Little Gingerbread Runner.
1999
Stuart Clarfield MBA’99 recently released a documentary that he produced and directed about the Kensington Market neighborhood in Toronto. The film, Kensington Market: Heart of the City, is the most recent release from Clarfield’s film company, The Mission Media Company Inc. The documentary looks back at 160 years of the Kensington Market neighborhood, which Clarfield said became the Ellis Island of Toronto.
2002
Hans Christinger MBA’02, CEO and founder of Modig Life Sciences, was recently appointed to NewYorkBIO’s board of directors. As one of 13 members on the 2025 board, Christinger joins a group of leaders in the life science industry who seek to play an instrumental role in guiding NewYorkBIO’s efforts to advance innovation of treatment and cures that improve health outcomes and quality of life for New Yorkers and patients around the world.
2009
Yully Cha MBA’09 recently began as senior vice president of research and policy at Embrace Boston, a social justice nonprofit focused on educational equity in Boston. Cha, who also holds the title of senior advisor at the organization, will oversee the expansion of Embrace’s research and policy division, focusing on community engagement and storytelling.
Peter Gordon MBA’96 recently was hired as the head of cash and money movement at Cash Solutions, a company under Fidelity Wealth. “I look forward to leading innovative strategies and developments in cash and money movement, including managing the FDIC Sweep Program, Emerging Money Movement, Bill Pay, Check, and ACH,” Gordon said about his new job. “I am excited to continue driving forward-thinking solutions in Cash Solutions, making money movement faster and safer.”
2010
Alice Palmer MBA’10 recently was appointed chief marketing officer at InvoiceCloud, a company that helps people pay their utility, insurance, and other government bills online. As part of the executive team, Palmer will oversee InvoiceCloud’s marketing strategy and lead its marketing organization. “Alice’s proven ability to drive demand and delight customers across a range of B2B tech industries makes her the ideal leader to help us capitalize on our significant market opportunity,” said Kevin O’Brien, CEO of InvoiceCloud.
Vladimir Perez MBA’22 recently opened Cosmo Nightclub in New York City, a sophisticated Parisian-themed nightlife destination. Perez and his partners at Paris Society Hospitality created the spot for a “culturally diverse and discerning audience.” The nightclub offers a curated lineup of house music meant to attract an international audience. In an announcement about the club’s opening, Perez said his time at Babson helped him create and open the nightclub. “Babson’s MBA program, with its focus on Entrepreneurial Thought & Action®, refined my skills and deepened my ability to innovate, culminating in the creation of Cosmo Nightclub.”
Silvia Brady MS’02 recently became the chief financial officer of Telenet, a Belgian telecommunications service. Brady joins Telenet, a well-known provider of entertainment and telecommunications, with more than 20 years of leadership in the finance industry. Most recently, Brady held a similar role at Stryker’s international division, driving growth, profitability, and operational excellence.
Elena (Ruan) Visovsky ’14, MSA’14 married Frank Visovsky on July 15, 2023, at La Bella Vista in Waterbury, Connecticut. The couple were joined by many friends and loved ones they met while attending Babson. Pictured (from left): Madeline Pickering ’14, Ina Kao ’16, Sam Gabales ’18, Chelsea Cates-Rollins ’18, Nina Sufrin ’14, MBA’22, Zach Sufrin ’15, Nicole Letti ’14, Matt Caron ’14, Frank Visovsky, Elena Visovsky, Natalie Barba Padilla ’14, Paula Chrestka ’14, Eni Bashllari ’14, Shawn Koid ’14, Olivia Pomeroy ’15, Aaron Pomeroy ’15, Michael Kowaguchi-Guiness ’13, and Sarina Kowaguchi-Guiness ’13 (with Aria Kowaguchi-Guiness)
Matt Larson MBA’12 recently published his first book, 4000s by 40, a memoir about climbing New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot mountains. The book explores themes of fatherhood, middle age, and continuing to work for long-held dreams. “I loved the entrepreneurial mindset at Babson, and it’s in that spirit I ventured to write this story,” Larson wrote.
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IN MEMORIAM
Irving Ross Stewart ’52, of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Nov. 9
Dr. Frederick Trask Pease ’53, of Cornelius, North Carolina, Jan. 31
Dr. Leandre W. Giguere ’55, of Warren, Massachusetts, Feb. 5
Stewart L. Stokes Jr. ’56, of Topsham, Maine, Oct. 26
Richard Paul Beck ’57, MBA’60, of Bozeman, Montana, Nov. 24
William Timothy “Tim” Cashman II ’57, of Wilmington, Delaware, Feb. 20
Robert R. Severson ’57, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Jan. 28, 2024
Neil A. Abrahamson ’58, of Naples, Florida, Nov. 28
Henry Nathaniel Arnold Jr. ’58, of Lady Lake, Florida, Dec. 20
Charles D. Bonanno ’59, of Palm Beach, Florida, Oct. 8
Joseph Boyer Candler Jr. ’60, of Vero Beach, Florida, Dec. 16
Richard Charles Como ’60, of Bedford, New Hampshire, Feb. 21
Dr. William Nicholas Hunter (Avtges) ’60, of Bethesda, Maryland, Jan. 11
David Charles Seidman ’60, of Wilmette, Illinois, Aug. 8
James Edward Hamblet MBA’60, of North Andover, Massachusetts, Nov. 19
Alan F. Hughes ’61, of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Nov. 23
William Stone Turner ’61, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, Jan. 19
Paul Joseph Garrity MBA’63, of Hingham, Massachusetts, Dec. 4
John A. Pliakas ’64, of North Andover, Massachusetts, Oct. 15
William Ring Oakes MBA’64, of Middletown, Connecticut, Jan. 12
Theodore Francis Patrick Villa MBA’64, of Winchester, Massachusetts, Dec. 8
David Arnold Galloway ’65, of Richmond, Texas, Oct. 10
Lee Douglas Thomson ’65, of Austin, Texas, Sept. 19
Stephen A. Bleyer ’67, of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Feb. 23
Rudolf R. “Rudi” Giger ’67, of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, July 1
Kevin Franklin Michael Kavanagh ’67, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, Feb. 17
Theodore (Ted) Peter Theodores MBA’67, of Charlton, Massachusetts, Dec. 24
Stephan (Steve) Adamic ’68, P’92, of Eastman, New Hampshire, Nov. 7
Christopher Edward Egan Jr. ’69, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, Jan. 20
Russell Swartz MBA’69, of Scottsdale, Arizona, June 2024
Richard Paul O’Brien MBA’70, of Stow, Massachusetts, Nov. 6
Thomas Hugh Bradford ’72, Feb. 25
Arthur “Gordon” Bishop Jr. ’73, of Bedford, Massachusetts, Jan. 21
John Phillip Brunelli MBA’73, of Franklin, Massachusetts, Dec. 5
Henry M. Chapman III MBA’73, of Natick, Massachusetts, Oct. 22
Ronald L. Roberts ’72, MBA’73, of Bedford, New Hampshire, Jan. 18
Thomas R. Stickel MBA’73, of San Marcos, California, Jan. 17
Alfred S. Puccetti MBA’74, of North Smithfield, Massachusetts, Dec. 12
Michael B. Ekman MBA’75, of Wilton Manors, Florida, Dec. 2
Brian J. Glynn ’76, of Hingham, Massachusetts, Feb. 13
George Nicholas Sarikas MBA’76, of Norfolk, Massachusetts, Feb. 1
John “Jack” Patrick Kenney MBA’77, of Amesbury, Massachusetts, Jan. 9
Stephen Richard Anderson ’78, of Cobalt, Connecticut, Jan. 28
Mark D. Barrett ’79, of Auburn, Maine, Nov. 6
Robert N. Christensen Jr. MBA’79, of Holliston, Massachusetts, Oct. 28
Malcolm J. Dougherty MBA’79, of Falmouth, Massachusetts, Nov. 9
Alan Jay Warner MBA’79, of Lynn, Massachusetts, Nov. 17
Lisa Maria (Fiorentini) Miragliotta MBA’80, of Methuen, Massachusetts, Feb. 13
David W. Caldwell ’82, of The Villages, Florida, Dec. 17
Laura A. Weatherhead MBA’83, of New York City, New York, Dec. 20
Cynthia Lee Rawson, MBA’84, of Boston, Massachusetts, Nov. 24
Julia “Julie” M. Rose MBA’84, of Salem, Massachusetts, Dec. 23
Jeffrey Lawes Gwilliam MBA’89, of Washington, D.C., Jan. 1
Michele Simeone Abrecht MBA’90, of Weston, Massachusetts, Dec. 17
Dennis Robert Murphy MBA’91, of West Dennis, Massachusetts, Feb. 9
Michael James Grady MBA’95, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, Dec. 8
David Elliot Philbrick MBA’96, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, Nov. 1
Robert F. Merriam MBA’00, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, Jan. 23
Brenda E. Lyle Lord MBA’09, of Westborough, Massachusetts, Jan. 15
César Colón ’13, of Dallas, Texas, Feb. 3
Driving Real Change Through Sustainability
Fromher rst steps on Babson’s campus as an international student from Singapore to her leadership in sustainability efforts on campus and beyond, Natalie Chong ’25 has demonstrated her entrepreneurial leadership skills in proving that business and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.
Chong’s journey to Babson was sparked by inspiration close to home. During high school, she learned about a Singaporean entrepreneur who introduced frozen yogurt to the country, adapting the business model to t local culture. The moment ignited a passion for entrepreneurship.
But it was in Babson’s signature Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship (FME) course that Chong’s interest in sustainability took root. As a rst-year student, she and her team developed a venture centered on reusable cotton pads, aiming to offer a sustainable alternative to single-use products.
“That project really opened my eyes to how business and sustainability can coexist,” Chong says. “I realized that entrepreneurship isn’t just about pro t—it’s about solving real problems.”
The experience introduced her to Babson’s Sustainability Of ce, where she would lead several campuswide sustainability initiatives that challenge students to reconsider their environmental impact. One of the earliest projects, Slash the Trash, encouraged them to collect and analyze their weekly waste, sparking eye-opening conversations
about recycling and consumption habits.
“When students physically see how much waste they produce, it changes their perspective,” Chong says.
Another initiative she championed, soft plastic recycling, emerged from her frustration with the sheer volume of Amazon packaging waste on campus. Recognizing that most large-scale recycling facilities do not process soft plastics due to machinery constraints, she helped launch a collection program that diverted nearly 70 pieces of plastic in just two weeks.
A look at entrepreneurial leaders shaped by their Babson College experience.
NATALIE CHONG ’25 CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES ON CAMPUS AND BEYOND
“It started as a small experiment,” she says, “but now we’re talking about a long-term solution.”
Her impact extends beyond waste reduction. Working with Babson’s dining provider, Chartwells, Chong helped lead a food waste awareness campaign at Trim Dining Hall. By weighing students’ leftover food, the initiative provided tangible data on food waste while fostering discussions on consumption habits. “It’s not just about reducing waste,” she says. “It’s about making people more mindful of their choices.”
Chong’s in uence is not limited to Babson’s campus. Last summer, she interned with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Singapore, working
on supply chain transparency and circular economy initiatives. “My time at Babson has shown me that businesses have a responsibility to lead the way in sustainability,” Chong says.
Through her senior thesis, Chong is examining how sustainability is integrated into FME, highlighting how rst-year students navigate the intersection of pro t and environmental responsibility. Her ndings reinforce the notion that sustainability can be an opportunity for innovative business solutions.
“If you can make sustainability pro table,” she says, “that’s when real change happens.” — Hillary Chabot
Natalie Chong ’25 focuses on long-term sustainability solutions.
The Babson part-time MBA program is a great opportunity for full-time professionals to access a top-notch education and network. The program expanded my reach professionally and challenged me to think outside of the box. I feel more confident than ever in making future career decisions as I complete my Babson MBA.”
