FUTURE READY:
Lead Boldly. Navigate Change. Create Impact.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING
WELCOME TO DEEP DAY
>> Message from the Dean
Future Ready: Lead Boldly. Navigate Change. Create Impact.
Change has always been a constant, but the velocity and complexity of change in today’s world demand more than just adaptability—they demand leadership. The theme of this year’s DEEP Day, “Future Ready: Lead Boldly, Navigate Change, and Create Impact,” is a direct call to action for our students and partners.
At the Delaware State University College of Business, we believe that education is not simply about acquiring knowledge, but about preparing the next generation of leaders to shape the world they inherit. As global economies shift, technologies transform industries, and communities confront new and persistent challenges, we must equip our students to do more than react—they must anticipate, create, innovate, and lead.
DEEP Day represents the embodiment of that mission. It is a space where students, faculty, alumni, and corporate partners come together to create pathways to leadership and impact. This is where bold ideas are tested, networks are built, and future executives are forged. Our students are not just learning to navigate change; they are preparing to define it.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our corporate sponsors, the Office of Student and Corporate Engagement, our faculty, staff, planning committee, and the many student volunteers whose dedication and vision make this day possible. Your support allows us to create transformational experiences that propel our students toward becoming the best and brightest.
In closing, I encourage each of you to fully embrace this day: engage in meaningful conversations, challenge assumptions, build connections that endure, and dare to imagine a future that you will lead.
The College of Business is—and will continue to be—the furnace where the future is forged.
Sincerely,
Michael H. Casson Jr., Ph.D. Dean | College of Business | Delaware State University
>> Message from the Assistant Dean
Leadership in Action: Where Engagement Meets Impact
Each year, DEEP Day reminds us that professional development is not a one-time milestone—it’s an ongoing journey shaped by experience, reflection, and connection. As Chair of this event, I’m proud to see our students step into spaces where they can ask bold questions, explore new perspectives, and build the confidence to lead with purpose. These moments— whether in a breakout session, a panel discussion, or a handshake with a guest speaker—are where growth truly begins.
This day would not be possible without the generous support of our corporate partners, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the enthusiasm of our student volunteers. Your investment in our students helps us foster a learning environment that goes far beyond the classroom. Thank you for helping us build a culture of engagement, where students are empowered to shape their futures with clarity, courage, and purpose.
Sincerely,
Dr. Yah Williams Assistant Dean | Student and Corporate Engagement
College
of Business | Delaware State University
PURPOSE of Deep Day
The Delaware Executive Exchange Program (DEEP) Day, sponsored by the College of Business at Delaware State University, is designed to develop students’ soft skills to help them become qualified business professionals.
In the College of Business, our top priority is to ensure that students get a quality education and are empowered with academic and professional competencies to succeed in today’s global workplace. Each student has an Individual Development Plan (IDP) built on the Business Education Student Transformation (BEST) model. The BEST model creates a road map for student success that includes: soft skills, mentoring, conferences, field trips, business case competitions, internships and job placement.
To this end, the DEEP Day agenda supports BEST by allowing students to gain relevant knowledge on such topics as: driving innovation, collaboration and teamwork, personal branding, and the art of the interview. DEEP Day helps lead students down a cocurricular pathway which prepares them to transition from the Delaware State University classroom to the executive boardroom. College of Business students are given an opportunity to build on their academic foundation and expand their experiences with a focus on career readiness. DEEP Day is a premier event that assists students on their journey toward becoming successful business executives with a global perspective.
STUDENT Agenda
8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Check-In and Continental Breakfast 2nd floor lobby
9 a.m. Welcome Address Longwood 113
9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Opening Keynote Panel Longwood 113 Powered by Barclays
10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Alumni Panel Discussion Longwood 113
11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Session I (Concurrent sessions)
Innovative Mindset: Unlocking Creativity in Business Room 201 The Perfect Pitch Room 213 The Future of Leadership Starts with You: Mental Room 217 Health as Your Strategic Advantage
12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Lunch 2nd floor lobby Networking Luncheons Rooms 308, 309
12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Company Info Fair Lobby, 1st & 2nd floor
1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Session II (Concurrent sessions)
Future Ready Thinking: The Power of AI Room 201
Creating Impact: Leading with Purpose and Influence Room 213 Brand You: Crafting Your Personal Band and Room 217 Executive Presence
1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mock Interviews Suite 106
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Garage Tours Garage
2:30 p.m. Business Case Competition Longwood 113
4 p.m. Closing Remarks Longwood 113
CORPORATE Partner Agenda
8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Corporate Table Setup Lobby, 1st & 2nd floor
8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Check-In and Continental Breakfast Innovation Cafe, 1st floor
9 a.m. Welcome Address Longwood 113
9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Opening Keynote Panel Longwood 113 Powered by Barclays
10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Alumni Panel Discussion Longwood 113
11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
Session I (Concurrent sessions)
Innovative Mindset: Unlocking Creativity in Business Room 201
The Perfect Pitch Room 213
The Future of Leadership Starts with You: Mental Room 217 Health as Your Strategic Advantage
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Company Info Fair Lunch Innovation Cafe
12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Lunch: Corporate Speakers and Panelists Room 310
12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Company Info Fair Lobby, 1st & 2nd floor
1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Session II (Concurrent sessions)
Future Ready Thinking: The Power of AI Room 201
Creating Impact: Leading with Purpose and Influence Room 213 Brand You: Crafting Your Personal Brand and Room 217 Executive Presence
1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mock Interviews Suite 106
2:30 p.m. Business Case Competition Longwood 113
4 p.m. Closing Remarks Longwood 113
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Corporate Partner Closing Reception Early Childhood Innovation Center, 2nd floor
HOST
Blake Saunders
Entrepreneur, Owner and Creative Director of Front Street Video Productions
Blake Saunders is a dynamic event emcee and host known for his charismatic presence and engaging style. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Saunders has successfully hosted a wide range of events, from corporate conferences to high-profile galas. His ability to connect with audiences and keep events running smoothly has made him a sought-after talent. Saunders’ passion for creating memorable experiences shines through in every event he hosts. As a proud alumnus of Delaware State University, he credits his time there for shaping his confidence, voice, and commitment to excellence both on and off the stage.
After college, Saunders made the decision to take his leap of faith and became a full-time entrepreneur as the Owner and Creative Director of Front Street Video Productions. Saunders believes in growth and success through one’s failures, coining the phrase “Failure is Dope,” a movement that redefines failure as a stepping stone to success. Having faced and learned from personal and business setbacks, Saunders speaks from experience, sharing real-life lessons on resilience, adaptability, and growth. Through powerful storytelling and actionable insights, Saunders challenges conventional thinking, inspiring audiences to embrace setbacks, transform obstacles into opportunities, and unlock their full potential. Their journey proves that failure isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something greater.
KEYNOTE Opening
Panel powered by
Danielle Davis is an Assistant Vice President at Barclays Bank Delaware, where she leads strategy and marketing initiatives for the Airlines Partnership co-brand team within the Existing Cardmember segment. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Davis brings a wealth of expertise and proven leadership across customer experience, marketing operations, compliance, and digital marketing. She serves on the leadership team of Barclays’ Black Professional Resource Group (BPRG) and is an active member of the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), championing inclusive workplace culture and professional development. Davis holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a dual focus in Accounting and Finance, as well as an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Leadership—both from Wilmington University.
Danielle Davis Assistant Vice President
Kimara Bonhomme Chief Operating Officer and Global Head of the Office of Legal Obligations
Melody Griffin Vice President of Procurement Client Partnerships
Nadja Lawrence Vice President – Segment Acquisition Lead, US Consumer Bank
Kimara Bonhomme serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Barclays Americas and is the Global Head of the Office of Legal Obligations. As the COO, Bonhomme is instrumental in designing, planning, overseeing, and executing business strategies and plans for the Americas region. She sets comprehensive goals for business growth strategies and initiatives, ensures effective stakeholder relationships— particularly with external regulators and auditors—develops resources, maintains cost transparency, ensures regulatory compliance, and upholds resilience plans for the region. In her role as the Head of the Office of Legal Obligations, Bonhomme is responsible for designing and executing a sustainable framework that demonstrates the firm’s ability to effectively monitor and comply with laws, rules, and regulations. Bonhomme is a licensed attorney in New York, holding a Juris Doctor from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington and Lee University.
Melody Griffin is a resultsdriven executive with 20-plus years of leadership experience. In her current role as Vice President of Procurement Client Partnerships at Barclays, she partners with senior executives to shape strategy, drive efficiency, and deliver large-scale business transformations. Throughout her career, Griffin has led enterprise-wide initiatives that achieved multimillion-dollar cost savings, supplier simplification, and supported digital transformation across global organizations in retail, apparel, and financial services. She is recognized for her ability to empower stakeholders, challenge the status quo, and drive outcomes by combining strategic insight with disciplined execution. Beyond her corporate leadership, Griffin is passionate about mentoring the next generation of diverse leaders and equipping them with the tools to thrive in complex, fastchanging environments.
Nadja Lawrence serves as Segment Acquisition Lead for Gap Inc. within the Cards and Payments division at Barclays US Consumer Bank, based in Wilmington, Delaware. In this role, Lawrence leads strategic acquisition initiatives across Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta Retail Partnership, focusing on customer-centric growth and performance optimization across co-branded and private label portfolios. With deep expertise in consumer marketing, partner engagement, and digital acquisition strategy, Lawrence plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing campaigns that support Barclays’ expansion goals. She collaborates closely with cross-functional teams—including technology, operations, and analytics—to ensure seamless delivery of acquisition programs that align with both partner objectives and Barclays’ broader business strategy. A proud second-generation Hornet, Lawrence graduated from Delaware State College in 1992.
ALUMNI Panel Discussion
Coreia Benson
Coreia Benson joined BlackRock in 2022 on the Accounting Services and Oversight team within the Global Accounting and Product Services (GAAPS) team within Technology & Operations. This group is responsible for institutional and commingled fund accounting, board management, portfolio and regulatory compliance, and operational infrastructure oversight for BlackRock’s commingled funds (registered and unregistered). In addition, the teams also support Latin America business operations, performance measurement attribution, strategic fund conversions, vendor oversight and product lifecycle events. Benson is responsible for overseeing third party fund accounting service providers to ensure accuracy of the BlackRock U.S. Registered Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds, and BlackRock Collective Investment Trust Fund’s Net Asset Values (NAVs). Benson solely manages NAV and fee oversight for BlackRock Alpha Strategies Fund (GPS) and BlackRock Private Investments Fund (BPIF), playing a pivotal role in ensuring operational accuracy and supporting team-wide accountability. She also leads the process for booking ECJ (European Court of Justice Tax Reclaims) Claims in BlackRock Funds working with the Product Tax team and Fund Accounting. Benson graduated cum laude from Delaware State University with a B.S. in Accounting in 2021 and earned her MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics in 2022.
David Hawkins
David Hawkins is a proud graduate of Delaware State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Financial Economics. During his time at DSU, he distinguished himself as a student leader and innovator, earning recognition as a DEEP Day Case Competition winner for his strategic problem-solving and financial acumen. After graduation, Hawkins began his professional journey at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), working in the Digital Assurance and Transparency practice as an auditor. There, he developed a strong foundation in financial analysis, risk management, and data-driven decision-making—skills that would later fuel his transition into entrepreneurship. Today, Hawkins is the founder and owner of Infinite Shine Detailing LLC, a Delaware-based mobile detailing and power washing company. Under his leadership, Infinite Shine has built a reputation for excellence, professionalism and community engagement, serving both individual and commercial clients across the region. Hawkins’ story reflects the power of combining education, corporate experience, and entrepreneurial vision. He remains deeply committed to inspiring the next generation of Hornets to pursue purpose-driven careers, take ownership of their ideas, and create sustainable impact in their communities.
>> FROM CAMPUS TO CAREER: LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH
Hear firsthand from recent graduates as they recount their journeys from college to successful careers in the corporate world.
This panel provides honest insights into the transition from student to professional, emphasizing the leadership, soft skills, and co-curricular experiences that contributed to their success. Panelists will share what they wish they had known, what made them stand out, and how current students can better prepare for post-graduation life.
Whether you’re exploring career options or gearing up for your first job, this session offers practical advice and inspiring stories.
Speakers: Coreia Benson, David Hawkins, Asya Jones, Jason Nunley
Asya Jones is a proud alumna of Delaware State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication. She currently serves as the Director of Strategic Alumni Engagement in the Office of Alumni Engagement at the University, where she leads efforts to strengthen connections between alumni, students, and the broader University community. In her role, Jones works collaboratively across departments to cultivate meaningful engagement opportunities that highlight alumni success and enhance the student experience. Jones is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Marketing at Morgan State University. With a strong commitment to student success and institutional advancement, she is dedicated to developing initiatives that connect students with alumni and professional opportunities, fostering a culture of mentorship and pride within the Hornet community.
Jason Nunley Jr.
Jason Nunley is a dynamic leader, researcher, and entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of finance, sustainability, and innovation. As Director of the Center for Sustainability and Economic Research (CSER) at Delaware State University, he leads efforts in grant management, stakeholder engagement, and crosssector collaboration, driving initiatives that empower communities through environmental resilience and sustainable infrastructure financing. Concurrently pursuing his Ph.D. in Finance at Morgan State University, Nunley’s research examines corporate liquidity management, governance, and financial resilience, contributing to the broader dialogue on how firms adapt to volatility and environmental challenges. Beyond academia, he is the founder of Prestige Landscaping, a rapidly expanding residential and commercial brand, and an early-stage investor in ventures like Zenjoy, a wellness beverage company. His entrepreneurial focus extends into AI-driven innovation and The Exchange (The XG), a media platform exploring the convergence of technology, entrepreneurship, and culture.
Asya Jones
SESSIONS Deep Day
Session I
>> THE INNOVATION MINDSET: UNLOCKING CREATIVITY IN BUSINESS
Innovation involves more than just big ideas; it requires fostering a mindset of curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving. This session examines how creativity contributes to business success and how students can cultivate habits that promote innovation across various roles and industries. Discover ways to challenge assumptions, think creatively, and transform new ideas into actionable solutions. Whether you’re starting a new venture or working within a team, this session aims to help you unlock your creative potential.
Speaker: Martin Harrison | Sponsored by Exelon
>> THE PERFECT PITCH
Whether you’re sharing a business idea, interviewing for a job, or connecting with professionals, your pitch truly matters. This session will guide you on how to craft and deliver a clear, confident, and engaging message that grabs attention and shows your value. You’ll learn the key parts of an effective pitch, practice how to deliver it smoothly, and get helpful tips for customizing your message for different audiences. By the end, you’ll feel confident and ready to present yourself or your ideas with impact and genuine authenticity.
Speaker: Shawnice Shields | Sponsored by PwC
>> THE FUTURE OF LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH YOU: MENTAL HEALTH AS YOUR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
As you step into a world defined by rapid change and constant demands, one of the most powerful tools you can develop as a future leader is your mental health. Emotional resilience, self-awareness, and mindfulness aren’t just personal wellness goals—they’re leadership essentials. In this session, you’ll hear from leaders who are redefining what it means to lead from within. They’ll share real-world stories and practical strategies you can use to strengthen your own mental resilience, make better decisions, and build trust with others. You’ll walk away with insights and tools to help you care for your mind, lead with authenticity, and turn mental well-being into your strategic advantage—starting now.
Speakers: Dallas Speicher-Ramirez, Christian Mills, Dr. Raé N. Lundy, Jean Leconte II | Sponsored by The Steve Fund
Session II
>> FUTURE READY THINKING: THE POWER OF AI
Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work, learning, and leadership. This session introduces students to the practical applications of AI across industries and how to think critically about its ethical and societal impact. Attendees will gain insights into emerging technologies and learn how to position themselves as future-ready professionals. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just curious, this session will challenge you to think boldly and strategically about the power of AI.
Speakers: Lauren Jamison, Abhishek Thakur, Jen Mench, Anthony Muhammad | Sponsored by Barclays
>> CREATING IMPACT: LEADING WITH PURPOSE AND INFLUENCE
Discover how purpose-driven leadership can create meaningful impact in your career, community, and personal life. This session explores how influence is built through authenticity, vision, and service—not just titles or authority. Students will learn practical strategies for leading with intention and inspiring others through values-based action. Whether you’re leading a team or shaping your own path, this session will help you define what impact means to you.
Speakers: Ahmir Manning, Chrishaun Hutchinson | Sponsored by Travelers Insurance
>> BRAND YOU: CRAFTING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND AND EXECUTIVE PRESENCE
Your personal brand is more than a resume—it’s how you show up, communicate, and lead. In this session, students will learn how to define and express their unique value through intentional messaging, professional image, and executive presence. Discover how to build credibility, confidence, and influence in academic, social, and career settings. Whether you’re preparing for interviews or stepping into leadership roles, this session will help you stand out with authenticity and impact.
Speaker: Aleja Lomax, Christopher West, Devon Morrison, Dontia Brown | Sponsored by Bank of America
CORPORATE Participants
Dontia Brown
Dontia Brown is a visionary leader in campus recruiting and talent partnership strategy with over five years at Bank of America. She currently leads the U.S. Core School Recruiting Strategy for the Enterprise Campus team, where she drives innovation in early talent engagement, brand elevation, and partnership development across universities nationwide. Previously, Brown led Bank of America’s national HBCU recruiting strategy, establishing milestone partnerships and welcoming the largest HBCU intern class in company history. Her work continues to shape inclusive hiring pipelines and strengthen the firm’s university ecosystem. Before joining Bank of America, Brown worked in financial services as a Senior Internal Auditor, where she co-led an African American Women’s Employee Resource Group and served as Marketing Co-Chair for a local Urban League Young Professionals chapter. A proud 2016 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Brown earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Marketing.
Martin M. Harrison
Martin M. Harrison joined Pepco Holdings (PHI) in 2022 and serves as Workforce Development Manager for the Delmarva Power region. Harrison builds coalitions with community stakeholders in Delaware and Maryland to deliver training programs that prepare community members from underrepresented communities for careers in the energy sector. Before joining PHI, Harrison served as Director of Corporate Relations & Strategic Partnerships at Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-grant HBCU. He has over 14 years of community development experience and is an advocate for equitable access and opportunity. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Harrison earned his B.S. in Political Science from Lincoln University.
Chrishaun Hutchinson
Chrishaun Hutchinson is an Account Executive (Underwriter) at Travelers Insurance, specializing in Management Liability for Public Companies. His journey into the insurance industry began during his time at Morehouse College, where he studied Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. While still an undergraduate, he accepted a part-time sales position at State Farm, which sparked his passion for insurance. Since then, Hutchinson has held a variety of roles across the industry, developing broad expertise in both Property & Casualty (P&C) and Management Liability. His diverse background enables him to provide strategic insight and tailored solutions to public companies, ensuring they are properly protected against complex and evolving risks. Within Travelers, Hutchinson is recognized as a team leader and trusted resource, known for his willingness to help others and share his expertise. Beyond his underwriting work, Hutchinson is deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the insurance industry.
Lauren Jamison
Lauren Jamison is a Digital Product Owner at Barclays US Consumer Bank, where she leads the implementation of digital strategy and delivers innovative customer experiences. Jamison is an active member of the GenAI group within the Product Office, contributing to the advancement of generative AI initiatives across the organization. She is also the creator and lead organizer of the Copilot Treasure Hunt event, designed to engage teams in hands-on exploration of AI-powered productivity tools. Jamison’s commitment to responsible AI adoption extends to her community work. As a leader in the YMCA Black Achievers program, she heads the STEM cluster and has hosted workshops on AI for high school students, inspiring the next generation to explore careers in technology.
Jean Leconte
Jean Leconte is currently a Business Engineer at Meta, where he partners with business teams to prototype and deploy AI solutions across Meta’s advertising platforms. Previously, he was an AI Governance Fellow at the Equiano Institute, studying societal risks and economic impacts of advanced AI systems, and a Lecturer at Caltech, where he taught applied machine learning and generative AI. His engineering career includes building distributed systems at Amazon and Adobe as well as working as a consultant at Google.
Aleja Lomax
Aleja Lomax is a resolute finance professional—Financial Analyst Intermediate Officer, FP&A—for the Consumer Reporting, Forecasting and Analysis team of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) group at Bank of America. Based in Newark, Delaware, Lomax plays a key role in supporting Month End Close and Baseline Forecast for the Consumer Card Transfer portfolio contributing to the accuracy and strategic insights of financial operations. Since joining Bank of America in June 2022, Lomax has established herself as a collaborative and forward-thinking analyst. She has actively strengthened the bank’s relationship with Delaware State University, her alma mater, through outreach and engagement efforts that promote career development and financial literacy. Lomax is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture and professional growth. She is an active member of several employee networks including LEAD for Women-Delaware, InterGenerational Employee Network (IGEN), and Black Professionals Group (BPG). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Delaware State University and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University.
Dr. Raé N. Lundy
Dr. Raé N. Lundy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Steve Fund Mental Health Expert, a higher education leader, and mental health advocate known for her work at the intersection of psychology, equity, and leadership. As Director of Counseling Services at Georgia State University and founder of The Self-Care Doc, she champions culturally responsive, accessible approaches to mental wellness. A TEDx speaker and national presenter, Dr. Lundy focuses on resilience, trauma recovery, and self-care as pathways to sustainable leadership and personal growth. Her mission is to normalize mental health conversations and empower individuals—and institutions—to lead with empathy, balance, and authenticity.
Ahmir Manning
Ahmir Manning received his B.S. in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing in 2009 from Delaware State University. Upon graduating, he worked as an Inside Sale Rep for Star Gas Partners (Petro Oil), eventually working his way up to Inside Sales Manager. Manning joined Travelers in 2013, holding multiple roles as an individual contributor and leader and serving as Unit Manager in the Property Department of the Metro NY/NJ Claim Center since 2021. During his time with Travelers he held roles in Operations, Workers’ Compensation and Property as a Claim Professional before moving back to Operations as a Unit Manager in 2019. All of his experience with Travelers has been in claim, whether directly involved in claim handling or supporting each line of business with their claim-handling needs. He takes pride in being a leader at Travelers and looks to use every resource Travelers has to offer to support his personal and professional development.
Jen Mench
Jen Mench is a member of the Transformation Management Office (TMO) within the USCB Product Office driving the new Ways of Working (WoW) for USCB. Prior to the TMO role, Mench was a member of the MarTech team. She joined Barclays in 2022. Prior to Barclays, Mench spent 24 years in a variety of roles at JPMorgan Chase, primarily focused on the Product Management, Program Management, and Chief Administrative Office. She also worked at Wilmington Trust. She began her career as a Business Process consultant with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). Mench earned her Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management and Business Administration from the University of Delaware. Mench is passionate about mentoring and serves on the Board of CGI (Connecting Generations, Inc.), and is a mentor to multiple students at Eastside Charter.
Christian Mills
Christian Mills is an Educator and Student Engagement Specialist in the Office of Career Services at Delaware State University. A strategic and innovative thinker, she brings a wealth of experience in project management, education, and relationship building. Driven by a passion for equity and empowerment, Mills is dedicated to helping underserved and underrepresented students gain the tools, access, and confidence to define and achieve their
own version of success. Throughout her career, Mills has worked with learners across the educational spectrum, from K–12 students to college scholars and adult learners, helping each navigate their unique pathways to personal and professional growth. She holds a B.A. in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Delaware and an M.Ed. in Educational Studies with a concentration in Special Education from Wilmington University.
Devon Morrison
Devon Morrison is an AVP and Cons Prod Strategic Analyst IV at Bank of America. Prior to transitioning to Client Protection, he was a Small Business FP&A Senior Financial Analyst. In this role, he is responsible for delivering comprehensive reporting, analysis, forecasting and business support for the Practice Solutions, Small Business Card, Lines & Loans, and Merchant Services. Morrison started at Bank of America in 2015 as a contractor in the Fraud Department and then became a permanent employee, earning the title of Senior Fraud Analyst. In early 2016, Morrison transitioned to Collections and had the opportunity to work though the different stages of delinquency as a Senior Collector. Based on his performance, he became a member of the Executive Escalations Team (CET). In March of 2018, Morrison transitioned into a proficiency coach role, where he was responsible for coaching and developing Collections employees on creative and efficient ways of requesting a payment, and offering the best solution based on the customer’s financial situation. After completion of the Employee Development Program, Morrison transitioned into a reporting developer role supporting the Collections QRT/PRT Quality Review Team with daily and monthly performance reports. After leaving Collections, he transitioned into an Operations Project Consultant (Tester) role under Document Workforce & Operations. Morrison earned his undergraduate degree from Delaware State University (Mass Communication) and master’s degree from Wilmington University (MBA: Organizational Leadership).
Anthony Muhammad
Anthony Muhammad is driven by a simple idea: build smarter, stronger, more resilient financial systems—and help institutions stay ahead of the risks they cannot yet see. As a Director of Operational Risk at Barclays, he leads strategy for capital planning, stress testing, frameworks, and risk governance—overseeing critical initiatives such as risk identification, structured scenario analysis, model development, and Basel compliance for the U.S. intermediate Holding Company (IHC). He also chairs the firm’s Operational Risk Research Working Group, an analytics-driven forum that leverages time series analysis, threat intelligence, and cross-functional expertise to proactively scan the risk horizon. Beyond oversight and governance, he partners closely with executive leadership to shape risk transformation initiatives that aim to help secure the future of the firm. He is also a frequent speaker at industry events, most recently making appearances at the 2025 Risk Americas CefPro and the 2024 ORX CCAR conference. To stay ahead of the curve, he recently completed the “Designing & Building AI Products & Services” program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and later this year he will be a keynote speaker at the “Operational Risk & Technology Europe” conference by CEFPRO in London, UK, on the topic of “Operational Risk Monitoring – Using Patterns & Anomalies to Anticipate Control Failures.”
Shawnice Shields
Shawnice Shields, EA, is a Tax Senior Associate at PwC in the Specialized Tax Services—Research & Development (R&D) practice, where she has served since August 2024. In this role, she specializes in helping clients identify and document research and development activities to maximize tax incentives and ensure compliance. Her expertise lies in navigating complex tax regulations to support innovation across industries.
Dallas Speicher-Ramirez
Dallas Speicher-Ramirez is a Graduate Assistant for Operations & Facilities within Delaware State University Athletics and also serves as the Office of Student Engagement Graduate Assistant in the DSU College of Business. An emerging sports operations professional passionate about event management and community engagement, Speicher-Ramirez has spent the past four years working with DSU Athletics in various operations and media roles. This past summer, she completed a 10-week internship with the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever as a Fan Engagement Intern, and you can often find her on the sidelines of DSU home football games serving as the Sideline Replay Assistant. A former Division I softball player, Speicher-Ramirez earned the 2023 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award and graduated in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, achieving a 3.97 GPA. She is now pursuing her master’s degree in Sport Administration at DSU, with aspirations to work in professional or collegiate athletics in fan engagement or game day operations.
Abhishek Thakur
Abhishek Thakur is a Digital Practice Lead at Barclays, where he champions the adoption of digital best practices to enhance customer engagement. With over six years of experience in the finance sector, Thakur brings a unique blend of strategic insight and technical expertise. Prior to his current role, he led the UX practice at ServiceNow, driving user-centered design across enterprise platforms. His academic foundation spans engineering, statistics, and human-computer interaction—equipping him to bridge the gap between data, design, and digital strategy.
Christopher West
Christopher (Chris) West is currently located at the Christiana Center campus in Newark, DE, as a Vice President and Group Operations Manager for Merchant Client Operations (MCO) in the Enterprise Merchant Operations (EMO) organization at Bank of America. West is responsible for leading the efforts of employees within the Christiana and Addison (TX) sites that provide client and internal business partner support for the end-to-end merchant transaction process from the initial cardholder swipe through the funding process. West a member of the Native America Professional Network (NAPN), LEAD for Women—Delaware and serves as the Tri-chair of BPG Delaware Philadelphia Chapter. He joined Bank of America as a college student in February 2000 as a Teleservices New Account Specialist in Teleservices at the Hunt Valley, MD, campus. Since joining
the company, he has held multiple positions in the fields of Sales, Customer Service, Workforce Management, Operations/ Support Management, Project Consulting/ Management and Performance Management across four different site locations: Hunt Valley (MD); Kennesaw (GA); Deerfield (DE) and Christiana (DE). West graduated from Wilmington University in May 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
YOU To Our Sponsors!
The College of Business would like to sincerely thank you for your continued support of our students! Your contributions made DEEP Day possible.
COMPETITION Business Case
>> Case Premise
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the finance industry at an unprecedented pace. From automating trading and enhancing fraud detection to improving customer experience through personalized financial advice, AI is driving efficiency, accuracy, and innovation across banking, investment, and insurance sectors.
However, rapid adoption of AI also brings new challenges—ethical concerns, data privacy risks, regulatory hurdles, job displacement, and the risk of over-reliance on algorithms that may reinforce biases or make opaque decisions. Balancing innovation with responsibility will be critical for financial institutions in the next decade.
Your team has been hired by a large global bank that wants to develop an AI strategy for the next 5–10 years. The bank hopes to use AI to improve customer service, reduce risks, and remain a leader in the industry—but they want to do this in a way that is fair, ethical, and sustainable.
>> Case Question
Opportunities and Challenges
What are the biggest opportunities AI creates for banks and the finance industry?
What challenges and risks should the bank be aware of when adopting AI? (Think: privacy, ethics, jobs, regulations.)
AI Strategy for the Bank
Recommend a clear strategy for how the bank should use AI over the next 5–10 years.
Include ideas for how to keep AI fair, transparent, and trustworthy.
Suggest how the bank can train and support its employees to work with AI tools.
Implementation Plan
Propose a step-by-step plan for how the bank should roll out its AI strategy.
Identify who will be most affected (executives, employees, customers, regulators).
Discuss possible pushback or resistance from these groups and how to handle it.
Ethics, Leadership, and Soft Skills
How should the bank ensure its employees demonstrate ethical judgment, empathy, and cultural sensitivity when deploying and using AI systems?
What soft skills (e.g., communication, adaptability, teamwork, emotional intelligence) will be most critical for employees and leaders as they integrate AI into daily work?
How can leadership foster a culture of trust, integrity, and responsible innovation so that employees, customers, and regulators remain confident in the bank’s use of AI?
Measuring Success
How can the bank measure whether its AI strategy is working?
Propose key indicators to track success for customers, employees, and the bank’s overall performance.
>> Judges
Hanif (Adam) Ahmad | Community Reinvestment Act Officer — Barclays US Consumer Bank
Pat Chilson | Vice President, Culture & Engagement — Barclays US Consumer Bank
Jasmin Jackson | Graduate Analyst — Barclays
Andi Williams | Director of Existing Customer Strategy for American Airlines — Barclays US Consumer Bank
Hanif (Adam) Ahmad
Adam Ahmad is the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Officer at Barclays US Consumer Bank in Wilmington, Delaware. Ahmad has risen through the ranks at some of the financial industry’s biggest names — utilizing his background in real estate and control as well as his passion for the surrounding community — to reach his current position with Barclays. As CRA Officer, Ahmad takes lead on Barclays’ commitment to return a share of its capital back into the community in which it operates. He is responsible for identifying opportunities for capital investment and working with business owners, nonprofits and real estate developers to determine how Barclays can best help each organization be successful in their ventures. He currently oversees a $250M portfolio of loans and investments. Ahmad joined Barclays in 2013 as a Partnership Control Lead (CCO), looking at the processes involved in various business ventures and putting controls in place to ensure the company stayed protected throughout new product launches and initiatives. Prior to Barclays, he worked in real estate at JPMorgan Chase and as the Senior Risk and Control Analyst at Bank of America. During these past positions, he honed his forecasting skill as well as his ability to identify and mitigate reputational risk, both of which are necessary in his current role.
Pat Chilson currently holds the role of Vice President, Culture & Engagement. In this role, he is responsible for working with the business areas within the US Consumer Bank to develop a culture that the colleagues of Barclays can thrive and be fully engaged. In addition, Chilson is responsible for running the Early Careers intern and graduate programs within Barclays US Consumer Bank. Prior to his current role, he held various roles within Human Resources, having an opportunity to work in New York City and London. Overall, he has more than 25 years of experience in the consumer finance industry and prior to Barclays he held roles with JPMorgan Chase in Human Resources and Randstad Technical Services, where he started his career as a recruiter. Chilson graduated from Ursinus College with a B.A. in Politics and holds an MBA from Penn State.
Jasmin Jackson
Jasmin Jackson is a 2025 graduate of Delaware State University, where she earned a degree in Business Management with a 4.0 GPA and was honored as a Presidential Award recipient. She currently works as a Graduate Analyst at Barclays on the Marketing team. Guided by her faith, Jackson is passionate about making a lasting impact and leaving every space better than she found it. Her professional experience includes internships with Barclays, The Coca-Cola Company, and Project Destined. She is a 2x Case Competition winner and is the founder of the DSU Real Estate Club.
Andi Williams
Andi Williams is a Director of Existing Customer Strategy for American Airlines, US Consumer Bank, currently responsible for partnership management with American Airlines as well as delivering a seamless deconversion project, currently the largest one in US Consumer Bank history. Williams has over 15 years experience within the financial services industry in roles spanning various aspects of product and relationship management at Chase, Citi and TD Bank. Since joining Barclays in 2017, she has achieved key successes including leading the Apple deconversion project which migrated over 1 million card members into new, customer-driven card products and for which she earned Barclays’ Exceptional Achievement Award. She also demonstrated thought leadership for Airlines partners in a Marketing Strategy role, shepherding new acquisitions offers through governance processes, and developing strategy for the Refer-A-Friend pilot, driving meaningful learnings within a previously untested channel. Williams places a tremendous value in having integrity and excellence across her colleague an partner interactions, while empowering the voices of others. Williams has a strong attention to detail and customer-centric focus, and is an empathic leader, skilled at leading cross-functional-teams driving collaboration and building consensus. Williams obtained a BS in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing and Finance, from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Rutgers University, with concentrations in International Business and Marketing.
Pat Chilson
faculty and staff who contributed to making the day a huge success!
A special thank you to all the faculty and staff who contributed to making the day a huge success!
Powering Opportunity
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DelawareState University: DEEPDay Competition thank
Powering Opportunity
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DelawareState University: DEEPDay Competition
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