DEAR ALUMNI, STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS,
We have so much to celebrate from 2024-25!
The 2024-25 academic year has been a landmark year for the Darla Moore School of Business. Both the school and our School of Accounting proudly earned six-year renewals of their Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditations. The peer review team commended our exceptional focus on student outcomes, consistent research excellence and meaningful engagement with external stakeholders — areas where we continue to outperform our peer institutions.
Among the many highlights of the year — detailed in our forthcoming annual report this fall — I’m especially proud to recognize:
• The Management Science department, which was awarded the prestigious 2024 UPS George D. Smith Prize by INFORMS and achieved a Top 5 national ranking for our supply chain programs. See page 10.
• The launch of a new Alumni Athlete Committee, which introduced a fund to support student-athletes’ continued success. See page 20.
• The achievements of our alumni, who are making their mark in C-suites and executive leadership roles across a wide range of industries.
FALL 2025
Rohit Verma — Dean
Bo Hart — Senior Director of Alumni Engagement
Adam Brown — Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
Editors: Adam Brown, Marjorie Riddle Duffie
Contributing writers: Marjorie Riddle Duffie, Madeline Murch, Christian Osborne
Photographers: Jeff Blake, Michelle Rashid, Sam Wolfe, USC Athletics, self-submitted
Designer: Hunter Sim
As we look ahead to 2025-26, the Darla Moore School of Business is well-positioned for continued momentum. That success will be driven by the unwavering support and contributions of our vibrant community — alumni, students, faculty, staff and corporate partners alike.
Together, we are shaping the future of business. As always, never hesitate to reach out to me at rohit.verma@moore.sc.edu.
Warm wishes,
Rohit Verma
Office of Alumni Engagement
Darla Moore School of Business University of South Carolina 1014 Greene St. Columbia, SC 29208 sc.edu/moore/alumni
On the cover: Jordan Broggi, ’04 economics and finance
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.
ALUMNI GATHERINGS
A SNAPSHOT OF SOME OF 2024-25’s BEST MOMENTS
The Moore School engaged with alumni in multiple cities for Engage Moore and Learn Moore events. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2025-26! Check out the 2025-26 alumni events.
A ‘TRANSFORMATIONAL’ FOUNDATION
Alumnus Marc Rivers, ’95 MIBS, thought his career was winding down when he got the call in 2024 to become the International Committee of the Red Cross’ first chief financial officer.
Before his tenure with the ICRC, Rivers, also a ’92 USC international studies and SC Honors College graduate, had spent close to 30 years working in pharmaceuticals in countries that include Japan, Switzerland, China, Australia and New Zealand.
The purpose and mission of pharmaceutical companies is “important; they’re saving lives and improving lives,” Rivers says.
He saw the ICRC CFO opportunity as a way for him to give back and bring the financial leadership experience he’d gained over three decades to the humanitarian organization. The ICRC was founded in the 19th century by a Geneva businessman to alleviate suffering and act as a neutral intermediary in high-conflict areas.
The ICRC had to reduce more than 20 percent of its workforce in 2023 because of budgetary constraints, so the organization’s leaders created the CFO position to ensure the crisis doesn’t recur, Rivers says.
The ICRC does not share the same mission as the American Red Cross. Instead, the ICRC works to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict. However, the ICRC closely coordinates with the American Red Cross and other national societies. For example, in his first year as CFO, Rivers traveled to Ukraine to see their ICRC staff on the ground (Pictured above: Rivers, center, in the Ukraine warzone).
Several months later, three of Rivers’ ICRC colleagues were killed near the same spot where he had been standing in Ukraine.
Alumnus credits skills gained from MIBS for successful international career
“For those willing to take that risk, we want to achieve our mission as effectively as possible — that is powerful, motivating and inspiring,” Rivers says.
Working all over the world, Rivers is a long way from his Greenville, South Carolina, home. His Army veteran father met his Swiss mother while he was working abroad in the textile industry. The family settled in Upstate South Carolina when Rivers was age 5.
A first-generation college student, Rivers chose to attend USC as a pragmatic decision thanks to a Palmetto Fellows scholarship; attending USC led him to the MIBS program, which he described as “transformational” for him.
“My classmates were a diverse group of people with international careers, and I was inspired by their different paths,” Rivers says. “Being overseas during the MIBS program was a fantastic experience and gave me an introduction to the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company and the overall industry.”
Jumpstarting his career, he spent close to 10 years with Eli Lilly after graduating from the MIBS program, which he says gave him an “extremely high return on investment.”
“The MIBS degree prepared me for a career of service in so many ways; it helped me do work that was meaningful, relevant and important,” he says.
Rivers said the MIBS program also gave him a solid alumni network and supportive faculty mentors.
39th Annual LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS
Distinguished Alumni Award
WENDY K. THOMAS
’98 International MBA
Wendy K. Thomas has most recently served as the CEO of Secureworks, a Sophos global cybersecurity company since 2021, securing customers globally with expert services and Taegis™, an AI-driven cybersecurity platform. Since joining the company in 2008, Thomas has played a leading role in Secureworks’ growth through multiple acquisitions, an initial public offering in 2015, and most recently shaping the company’s transformation from a pure-play security services organization to a leading global SaaS security company. Wendy’s experience in strategic and visionary leadership spans more than 25 years in public and private technology companies, in roles including CFO, CPO and president of consumer success.
Passionate about the collective endeavor to secure human progress, Thomas serves on the boards of IonQ, an industry leader in quantum computing, and the Technology Association of Georgia. She is also a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and a liaison for AFS, a 100+ year old global exchange student program.
Thomas earned an International MBA from USC and a double major in economics and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia. Thomas is a member of the Moore School Dean’s Advisory Council.
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
BRENDAN NAGLE
’15 economics and finance
Brendan Nagle is an executive director on the Biopharma Investment Banking team at Wells Fargo, where he advises clients on their financing, business development and mergers and acquisitions strategy. In 2024, Nagle led the origination and execution of $2.3 billion in equity capital raised across 10 equity offerings and $32 billion in debt capital. During his career at Wells Fargo, he has advised on more than $23 billion in equity capital markets offerings, $4 billion in completed mergers and acquisitions transactions, and $121 billion of debt capital markets offerings.
Nagle joined Wells Fargo directly after graduating summa cum laude from the Darla Moore School of Business and South Carolina Honors College in 2015 with a B.S. in finance and minor in economics. Nagle has been an active supporter of the Moore School, mentoring students through the Moore School Mentorship Program and serving on the Young Alumni Board from 2018 to 2021. Nagle lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Caroline, and his two children, Truman and Shay.
MORE.
We are excited to celebrate the 40th Leadership Awards in April 2026 MORE INFO COMING SOON!
Distinguished Service Award CLIFF BRUNE
’74 accounting and finance
Cliff Brune, a CPA before retiring, had more than 40 years’ experience in business operations centered on strategic initiatives in both public companies and private entities.
Formerly with now PwC, Brune directed all phases of client services, including for emerging-growth companies and multinational accounts. Brune also held a variety of senior executive and board positions, including CFO, Group President, and COO, in private and public companies.
Brune continued using his expertise in a consultancy role through his Strategic Business Initiatives, LLC practice.
Brune is a native South Carolinian from Greenville. Since retirement, he helped the Moore School develop the Center for Sales Success and the Carolina Sales Institute student organization. The Brune family has also supported scholarships for sales students. Brune assisted in the selection of Dean Rohit Verma.
An avid sports enthusiast, Brune supports Gamecock athletics as a Diamond Spur member and is also a proud member of the Garnet Society. He and his wife, Cathy Brune, also a 1974 business school graduate and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, reside in Florida.
Corporate Partner Award BANK OF AMERICA
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users.
Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. The company serves clients through operations across the U.S., its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America has been a longtime engaged corporate partner of the Moore School. The company supports students through career readiness initiatives, employer panels and Business EXPO Career Fairs while consistently hiring undergraduate and graduate students.
BUILDING AN EXECUTIVE CAREER
Moore School alumnus climbing the corporate ladder with The Home Depot
Jordan Broggi, ’04 economics and finance, has spent the past two decades honing the skills he began building at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.
Advancing from that foundation, Broggi has spent the past 12 years at The Home Depot, where he started as the director of strategic business development and now serves as the executive vice president of customer experience and online. He credits the Moore School with providing him the tools to thrive and lead at every level.
“The Moore School really taught me the basics, how to approach problems the right way, to learn how to learn, think, tackle problems and work through them,” Broggi says. “The Moore School was invaluable to me. The professors that I had, the classes I took, the business education absolutely prepared me for my career.”
Reflecting on his time at USC, Broggi emphasizes that the return on investment for his Moore School degree goes well beyond financial success.
“The return can be seen not as just opportunities in business and making a living, but the return is also the friends you made, professors that cared about you, the fun you had at games, USC’s Chicken Finger Wednesdays — there is a lot more to ROI than just jobs and salary, that financial component,” he says.
Broggi says the skills he learned at the Moore School have led to a myriad of opportunities at The Home Depot. Today, he’s playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the company.
As executive vice president for customer experience and online, he leads a team that is redefining how customers shop.
The Home Depot currently operates the fifth largest e-commerce website in the U.S. — overall and not just among home improvement retail outlets. The website also influences a large portion of store sales. Broggi says his team has to make sure the digital and physical come together the right way at the right time.
“Customer experience and online are very interconnected,” Broggi says. “It’s a multi-channel journey. Our core customers are contractors or homeowners working on a project where they research, check pricing, see the availability in store and gets how-tos. Their journeys involve both the website and the store.”
Broggi’s role is understanding the importance of those various aspects of using online and in-store services together. He spends time every day on homedepot.com, and every week goes inside Home Depot stores, talking to customers and associates about various experiences and what is working or not working. His commitment to understanding customer satisfaction has fueled his passion for building customer loyalty.
“We have to consider the value proposition on the website, the assortment, pricing, fulfillment speed, the
website experience, did we send proper communication, did the delivery happen on time, were the customer’s expectations met?” he says. “We are ultimately focused on making that experience great, so it builds loyalty.”
Broggi knows a thing or two about loyalty — while he’s dedicated to his company despite being orange and white, he still roots for the garnet and black at his alma mater.
Originally from Seabrook, South Carolina, Broggi initially chose to attend USC, in part, because of in-state tuition and scholarship opportunities. Looking back, he says he feels fortunate to have made that choice — and now he’s paying it forward.
In May 2025, he hosted the Atlanta Engage Moore alumni event at The Home Depot headquarters, bringing together Georgia-area graduates for networking and updates from the school.
In 2024, Broggi joined the inaugural Dean’s Advisory Council — a group of distinguished alumni and industry leaders assembled by Dean Rohit Verma to help shape the school’s future.
“The council plays a key role in providing valuable feedback and involvement to shape and execute the school’s strategic mission and objectives,” Verma says.
For Broggi, that includes shaping curriculum and financially investing to prepare students for the kinds of real-world business challenges he faces every day.
“My most memorable class as an undergraduate was the business case study class,” he recalls. “This Socratic class went through case studies of different businesses and was a corporate finance class for people who love to learn. It was really incredible to think through real-world situations and apply the knowledge we had gained.”
Before joining The Home Depot, Broggi’s career took him to prestigious companies like General Motors, where he honed his skills in finance. After earning his MBA from Harvard University in 2008, he returned to the corporate world with a drive for innovation, leading efforts at Bain & Company and LexisNexis.
His ability to lead major transformations at The Home Depot is a direct result of the foundation he built at USC. Whether leading strategic innovation at a Fortune 500 company or mentoring the next generation of business leaders, Broggi’s story is an inspiring example of what it means to be Built @ Darla Moore — a successful executive, supportive mentor and a visionary leader who is reshaping the world of business.
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Jordan Broggi is just one of the 60,000+ living alumni who are Built @ Darla Moore.
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the Moore School’s new branding campaign on page 26.
EARNING THE TOP PRIZE
Management Science department celebrates amazing accomplishments in 2025
The Moore School’s Management Science department was awarded in 2024 the industry-renowned UPS George D. Smith Prize from INFORMS, the largest professional association for the decision and data sciences.
The international industry-renowned award is given in the spirit of strengthening ties between industry and higher education in management science.
Management Science’s undergraduate operations and supply chain program also sustained in 2024 their No. 3 ranking in North America, according to global research firm Gartner. The operations and supply chain graduate program climbed one spot to No. 5 from the last biennial Gartner ranking in 2022. This marks the first Top 5 ranking for the graduate program.
“These rankings are a recognition of years and years of hard work and dedication by the department towards operations, supply chain and analytics education, research and overall industry impact,” Dean Rohit Verma said.
Management Science alumni, faculty, staff and corporate partners gathered at the Moore School with INFORMS representatives in December 2024 to celebrate the department’s banner year. Notable alumni also spoke at the event, including Nexar CEO Zach Greenberger, ’12 finance and operations and supply chain.
Greenberger noted the Gartner rankings when he spoke at the December event.
“It’s a big honor to stand here today as a proud graduate of the program that has not only shaped my career but
continues to elevate the careers of so many others,” he said. “While the rankings are noteworthy, it’s really a reflection of the exceptional foundation that the program has had from the very beginning and the focus on people.”
Greenberger said Management Science professor Sanjay Ahire helped guide him on which doors to knock on and how he should present himself.
“A very funny story that actually culminated in my first two weeks at a small indie company where I called Ahire and said, ‘Hey, I’ve been working with this guy who I think might work longer hours than you. And it’s super intense.’
And that little electric vehicle company went on to become known as Tesla, which of course is now the largest electric vehicle company in the world.”
Greenberger said the Management Science faculty members were critical advisors while he was at Tesla, later in his role as chief business officer at Lyft and now as CEO of Nexar.
Pictured above, from left: USC Provost Donna Arnett, Management Science faculty and INFORMS leadership
From left: Sanjay Ahire and Zach Greenberger, ’12 finance and operations and supply chain
EFFICIENCIES FOR NONPROFITS
Management Science department philanthropic pursuits save money for nonprofits
Each semester, Management Science faculty lead senior student groups that develop capstone consulting projects with notable Operations and Supply Chain Center partner organizations, including Boeing, Coca-Cola Bottling, Continental Tire, Michelin, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, Siemens, Sonoco and Trane. The students’ findings can help save corporations millions of dollars.
The student teams explore how the partners can optimize their supply chain networks, remove waste and procedural inefficiencies, and implement new process strategies, ultimately presenting their findings to company executives. Since the projects began in 2008, the student groups have yielded more than $330 million in collective recurring cost savings for partners across 360 projects.
While some student groups work for Fortune 500 companies, others find cost savings for nonprofits, making their limited resources go further. A longtime partner of the operations and supply chain program, Harvest Hope Food Bank annually serves more than 27 million meals to South Carolina residents in 20 counties.
Erinn Rowe, ’19 PMBA, was first introduced to the Management Science department through professor Sanjay Ahire during a Harvest Hope board meeting more than a decade ago. He gave a PowerPoint presentation about how to more efficiently raise money.
“He was just going to town on his PowerPoints saying, ‘if you raise money this way, it’s going to cost you this much money, and you’re not going to get any return. But if you do this and you do that...’ I was sitting there blown away, I was like, ‘this is magic.’”
The Management Science department’s undergraduate courses have been working with Harvest Hope since 2010.
“What drives me as the Harvest Hope CEO is it is unacceptable to me that we have hungry people in this country,” Rowe said. “Everything that Ahire puts into this program and the culture of the Management Science department is a testament to not only wanting to improve businesses but also improve students’ lives and change the world.”
Rowe said for one project, Management Science students came in, analyzed how Harvest Hope was driving their routes and analyzed the amount of food being picked up in more than 500 retail locations across 20 South Carolina counties.
“We were able to serve 11 million more meals because of that one project that semester. That truly changes people’s lives,” Rowe said.
Erinn Rowe, ’19 PMBA and CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank, attended and spoke at the two-day December 2024 Management Science department event.
CONNECTING ALUMNI Moore to
Learn
Alumni asked, and we listened! Moore to Learn is the Moore School’s lifelong learning initiative for alumni, designed to keep you connected, curious and continuously growing.
• Learn Moore: a timely topic series featuring expert faculty and accomplished alumni, designed to help alumni grow professionally and stay ahead in a changing business world.
• Mentor Program: connects students with alumni mentors in their fields of interest — helping students grow their networks and goals, while giving mentors a meaningful way to share their experience and make an impact.
• Book Club: explore impactful books on leadership, innovation and strategy. Hosted by Moore School staff and special alumni guests.
• Moore Connect: a free, online networking platform for graduates, students and friends of the Darla Moore School of Business. Members enjoy a direct connection to the more than 60,000 alumni.
• Moore Impact: the Darla Moore School of Business Podcast covers a range of topics on business, education and community engagement involving faculty, students and alumni of the Moore School.
COMING SOON: Learn Moore recorded videos
Stay updated on all of our alumni programs by visiting: bit.ly/alumnimoore.
Once a Gamecock, Always a Leader.
a nationwide network of driven professionals advancing their careers through USC Executive Education, powered by the Darla Moore School of Business expert faculty.
GROWING IN HR
First-generation alumna’s multiple Moore School degrees help her flourish at PepsiCo
Kiara Fleming, ’22 finance and management and ’23 Master of Human Resources, started her journey at the Moore School with a clear goal to grow, lead and open doors for those who would follow.
As a first-generation college student, she says she quickly realized that success would not always come from having the right answer but from how she approached every challenge.
“You won’t always get it right, but what you take from that moment is what will make you better,” she says. “Sometimes there isn’t one right way or answer. It’s a puzzle that you must do your best to put together.”
Throughout her undergraduate experience, Fleming found a strong support system in the Rising Scholars program. The initiative connects first-generation, low-income and South Carolina-resident Moore school students with scholarships, peer and faculty mentors and a community focused on shared success.
“I saw that the Rising Scholars program would bring a diverse group of people together and create a space where we could help each other navigate through college,” she says. “Being a first-generation student, I knew I had to be a part of that.”
Fleming says the program not only helped her adjust to college but also gave her access to lifelong friendships and meaningful professional connections.
“The program has helped me by rewarding my hard work through scholarships, providing networking resources and connecting me with some people I’m closest with today,” she says.
After completing her MHR degree, Fleming began a fulltime role at PepsiCo in January 2024. As a senior human resources representative, she supports the company’s production and maintenance teams, works on employee engagement and recognition, and helps guide workplace culture and accommodations.
She continues to carry the values of Rising Scholars with her as a professional. In her current role, she actively seeks out learning opportunities and supports efforts to grow leadership among others.
KIARA FLEMING
’22 finance and management and ’23 Master of Human Resources
“I connect with other members of human resources and different functions within the business that have more experience than me,” she says. “I ask them what they wish they knew earlier in their career and get general advice on how to be a better human resources professional.”
Fleming’s long-term goal is to become a senior human resources director or vice president of human resources.
For students beginning their own HR journey, she encourages self-awareness, courage and celebration.
“First, breathe,” she says. “You won’t have every answer, which is normal. Give yourself grace. Second, ask questions. Being in an uncomfortable environment is where you will experience the most growth. Third, celebrate all the wins you have, document them and see where you can go from there.”
MOORE SCHOOL DEGREES LEAD TO PROMINENT ACADEMIC CAREER
Moore School alumna promoted to vice dean at Wharton business school
Cait Lamberton, ’06 MBA and ’08 Ph.D. in marketing, has been named vice dean and director of the undergraduate division at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Her recent promotion places her in a top leadership role at the nation’s first and currently highest-ranked undergraduate business program, where she oversees more than 2,500 students along with faculty, staff and a wide portfolio of academic initiatives.
Lamberton began her academic journey with a degree in English literature, but she says her advanced degrees from the Moore School transformed the way she thought about business.
“My expectation was that business school would be tactical and practical,” she says. “But I realized through classes like management professor Audrey Korsgaard’s organizational behavior course that business is where many of the complex, intricate stories of human life unfold.”
She credits the Moore School with building her confidence as a researcher and analytical thinker.
“Winning a game you never wanted to play isn’t winning,” she says. “Defining, and playing your own, is a much better option.”
Lamberton’s research spans a wide range of consumer behavior topics, including strategic service denial, decisionmaking in dyads, binge-watching and marketplace dignity.
“For the past few years, I’ve researched topics that my doctoral students have found inspiring,” she says. “The single thread through all of this work is fantastic collaborators. That’s the real joy in the job.”
CAIT LAMBERTON
’06 MBA and ’08 Ph.D.
“I also gained a much stronger analytic toolbox than I’d had when I arrived,” she says.
Faculty encouraged her to embrace both the technical and philosophical sides of business. She points to advice from mentors like former marketing assistant professor Kristin Diehl, who taught her the importance of grit and personal values.
Outside Wharton, Lamberton recently completed a term as editor of the Journal of Marketing and currently holds leadership roles with the American Heart Association’s Health Care by Food Behavioral Science Task Force and Penn’s Center for Health Information and Behavioral Economics. She is also a co-founder of the academic collaborative Center for Empirical Philosophy and Behavioral Insights.
Considering her many accomplishments, Lamberton says her time at the Moore School left a lasting mark.
“The Moore School led me to see business school education as something profoundly important — from a human perspective,” she says. “But I do have one regret: though I lived in South Carolina for eight years, I never learned how to dance the shag. Maybe someday.”
APPLYING BUSINESS TO SPACE
More than a dozen Moore School alumni work for space companies, including Blue Origin, NASA and SpaceX Their majors range from operations and supply chain and management to human resources and accounting. Here are a few alumni who have applied their Moore School skills to advance aerospace initiatives.
STEVEN JOHNSON ’24 PMBA
While in the PMBA program, Johnson helped build the Space Force Headquarters; he is currently Deputy Branch Chief for the Headquarters United States Space Force (USSF) Operations Directorate
“I got to be a part of history working in the Pentagon to build a new military service headquarters, which hadn’t been done since the creation of the Air Force 73 years ago.
“The PMBA and business analytics certificate have prepared me for my role as an administrator by giving me additional tools, insight and perspective to lead my organization. Through obtaining further business acumen and analytical insight, I have been able to develop presentations and analytical reports and work with organizational peers in productive ways, achieving our collective mission.”
LAWANA BRYANT
’88 management science
After earning her law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, Bryant is now a senior attorney at NASA; been in her position with NASA since 2013
“Having a business background with strong interpersonal and analytical skills facilitates my understanding of my clients’ operations and helps me to develop meaningful relationships and provide the best legal advice.
“The planning, research and holistic approach to problem-solving skills that I learned at the Moore School has enabled me to function across different practice areas and be a more effective attorney. My work supports unique and impactful projects from NASA’s moon to Mars initiatives, earth science research and preservation of our artifacts.”
HAYLEE PARHAM
’16 finance and operations and supply chain
Senior material planner for Blue Origin; been with the company since 2023
“I’ve always had a fascination with aerospace and the cutting-edge design and manufacturing techniques used to build planes and rockets.
“Throughout my years at the Moore School and in my career, I’ve been able to hone my supply chain, forecasting and scheduling skills, allowing me to be prepared for the challenges that come with working in the space industry.
“From basic skills like mathematics, finance and public speaking to advanced concepts like Material Requirements Planning, inventory management and APICS training programs and certifications, the well-rounded curriculum gave me a thorough understanding of supply chain and operations, giving me a competitive edge in the industry.”
TACKLING QUANTUM COMPUTING
Moore School students and faculty help position USC and South Carolina at the forefront of emerging quantum technology
The Moore School is playing a significant role in South Carolina’s growing footprint in quantum computing — an area of innovation that promises to reshape industries from finance to health care. Quantum computers process complex data sets by examining how variables interact at immense scale, producing levels of insight far beyond traditional computing. In 2023, the state of South Carolina committed $15 million to invest in quantum infrastructure, training and research, laying the groundwork for long-term technological leadership.
Former State Sen. Dick Harpootlian with the four students who won the MIT iQuHack Hackathon in 2024.
HIGH MARKS IN QUANTUM COMPUTING MIT COMPETITION
Building on the state’s momentum and fueled by partnerships with SC Quantum, students from the Moore School and USC earned national recognition in 2024 by placing third in MIT’s prestigious iQuHack Hackathon. The competition, focused on real-world quantum applications, drew teams from around the world, including graduate-level and industry-affiliated participants.
The undergraduate USC team included:
• Jordan Fowler, ’24 finance and computer science
• Carter Burns, ’24 finance
• Ryan Henry, ’25 finance
• Jack Oberman, ’24 mathematics and computer science
Guided by faculty advisor Brandon Mendez, assistant professor of finance, the team’s finish was particularly notable given it was their first exposure to quantum computing.
QUANTUM COMPUTING EXPOSURE CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR FINANCE STUDENTS
What emerged from the MIT hackathon wasn’t just a competition win — it sparked something bigger, says Beth Renninger, director of the Moore School’s Center for Sales Success and a marketing lecturer.
The four students who participated in the MIT competition went on to co-found Shaw Circle, a hedge fund built on quantum computing principles. Their work demonstrates the real-world innovation possible when academic exploration meets entrepreneurial vision, Renninger says. Initially, they founded their company in Columbia, South Carolina, and launched their first office in partnership with USC’s Boyd Innovation Center.
MOORE SCHOOL LAUNCHES QUANTATHON COMPETITION
Seeing the value in students demonstrating their quantum computing skills, USC and the Moore School also hosted in fall 2024 and will host again in fall 2025 the Quantathon. A 48-hour quantum problem-solving competition, the Quantathon
includes student teams from colleges and universities across the Southeast and allows students from all backgrounds to collaborate, innovate and create solutions using quantum computing.
SALES PROGRAM AND CENTER CONTRIBUTE TO QUANTUM COMPUTING EFFORTS
Beyond the competitions, the Moore School’s Center for Sales Success has also been contributing to the quantum talent ecosystem by developing selling skills in students, who delivered 18 prospecting playbooks tailored to high-tech and quantum-related sales strategies and opportunities.
“These resources were created in partnership with SC Quantum to demonstrate that business students with non-technical backgrounds can become effective contributors and value creators in technical sales environments,” Renninger says.
One standout example is Logan Cory, a May 2025 marketing graduate and two-term president of the Moore School’s Carolina Sales Institute. During his internship with SC Quantum, Cory:
• Designed a go-to-market strategy for a quantum literacy initiative
• Researched industry-specific use cases for quantum applications
• Explored generative AI to improve operational efficiency
“Quantum will change the way we interact with the world,” Cory says. “Gaining a working understanding of that future now will shape the way I think for the rest of my career.”
The Moore School and SC Quantum continue to explore opportunities for student involvement, cross-disciplinary collaboration and statewide innovation. As quantum technology matures, preparing South Carolina’s workforce to engage with it is critical.
“Equipping students with quantum literacy and applied skills ensures that South Carolina remains competitive as this technology transforms industries,” says Joe Queenan from SC Quantum.
ADD TO YOUR MOORE SCHOOL DEGREE COLLECTION
Considering an MBA or a master’s program? The Moore School has a program for that. Already have one? Tell your colleagues about the amazing opportunities awaiting them at the Moore School.
In case you hadn’t heard, the Moore School has the nation’s top-ranked International MBA. But, did you also know the Moore School has master’s degrees that provide specialized knowledge in accountancy, business analytics, economics or human resources? Moore School MBA programs also offer functional specializations in finance, operations and supply
MBA PROGRAMS
Professional MBA
NICHOLAS FERNANDEZ, ’19 PMBA
Senior vice president, institutional client group for U.S. Bank in their Charlotte, North Carolina, office
“The format of the Professional MBA program requires student engagement via team projects and in-class interactions, which allowed me to leverage other students’ experiences and build professional relationships. Networking is vital in building connectivity within the corporate banking market, along with building my personal brand within the region. I continue to leverage the USC international and domestic alumni channels to accomplish this.”
chain, marketing and strategic management. Whatever industry you’re interested in, the Moore School can help you gain those skills.
Already have one of the Moore School’s amazing MBAs or master’s degrees? Tell your friends and fellow USC alumni about your experience. You can also share these alumni’s thoughts about their program.
One-Year MBA KAUSIK GHOSH, ’17 MBA
Senior program manager for Google’s Atlanta office
“The One-Year MBA program was 11 months of a high-octane, highadrenaline program. I completed two major capstone consulting projects in year one, led a team for MBA case competitions, finished the Business Analytics Graduate Certificate and completed the Lean-Six-Sigma Green Belt industry certification. I feel the Moore School’s One-Year MBA program is a unique amalgamation of diverse, cross-functional and collaborative teamwork combined with strategic leadership principles.”
International MBA RONI SIMS JANSEN, ’16 IMBA
Vice president of sales operations & strategy for Walmart & eCommerce in their Charlotte, North Carolina, office
“Through the International MBA curriculum, you’re able to understand your place in the broader organization of a company. I also learned about agility and adaptability; that’s just the realities of living abroad and being exposed to different cultures. Data analytics were not my forte coming into the IMBA program. I had studied languages and international relations, but dedicating a significant portion of my time to data analytics was an exhilarating challenge.”
SPECIALTY MASTER’S PROGRAMS
Master of Accountancy
ETHAN GOODMAN, ’23 ACCOUNTING, ’24 MACC
Tax associate in PwC’s New York City office
“I think the return on investment for my MACC degree cannot be ascribed a number. The MACC program helped me secure my job, navigate the process of becoming a CPA, figure out how I want my career path to unfold, and become an overall better and more knowledgeable person in my desired field of tax accounting.”
Master of Science in Business Analytics
TAYLOR JETER, ’22 MSBA
Data analyst for Stanley Black & Decker
“I decided to go into the Master of Science in Business Analytics program because I felt that it was a good blend of technology and business, and it really fit my niche: data science and data analytics. Not only is the Moore School’s program good for learning and to better yourself for your future
career, but you also get a lot of different opportunities as far as networking and meeting with other professionals.”
Master of Arts in Economics MELISSA GENTRY, ’18 MAECON
Enrolled in the Texas A&M University Ph.D. economics program; previously a research assistant with Federal Reserve Bank in their Boston office
“The MAEcon program gave me a solid theoretical background that I can use every day as I research public policy. Pursuing the thesis track gave me an incredible opportunity to hone my research skills and learn more about a topic in economics I’m passionate about.”
Master of International Business
CAROLINE CROWDER, ’16 MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING, ’21 MIB
Executive director for the Boyd Innovation Center, powered by GrowCo in their Columbia, South Carolina, office; she’s also an adjunct professor for the Moore School
“I chose the Master of International Business because of the Moore School’s reputation and because of Darla Moore. It was important that I had that female executive to look up to and aspire to be. Secondly, the reputation of the international business programs at the Moore School is unmatched in the country. The connections you make here and the professors — their talent and research — is unparalleled.”
Master of Human Resources KELTON HALL, ’14 MHR
International human resources project manager for Boeing
“The return on investment for the MHR has paid tremendous dividends in the past five-plus years. The Moore School placed me in a business-like environment with the ability to try and fail and learn without my job being on the line. It shaped my professionalism and how to carry myself. Boeing is a really hard company to get into, and being on the inside now, I see it even more. The Moore School opened that door for me.”
Learn more about the MBA programs: bit.ly/mbaprograms
Learn more about the specialty masters: bit.ly/specialtymasters
LAUNCHING ALUMNI ATHLETES
Former Moore School student-athletes form alumni group to support current and future student-athletes
In spring 2025, the Darla Moore School of Business Alumni Athlete Committee was founded by former Moore School student-athletes. Many members of the committee played professionally after graduating from USC.
The Moore School held a spring kickoff event to announce the committee and its mission. An energetic group of former Moore School studentathletes, their family and friends and Moore School faculty, staff and students gathered for networking and a discussion panel with six of the athletes. They discussed how the Moore School helped them learn time management, professionalism and business skills they would utilize in their professional athletic careers and in life after sports.
Here’s a peek at the panel’s comments about the Moore School’s impact on their careers and lives:
LISA BURGESS, BASKETBALL, ’99 MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING, ’01 MBA
“The Moore School and athletics helped me learn how to deal with change management, changing leadership. Athletes bring that resilience to the table
in their careers. I also enjoyed the celebration of Darla Moore (in 1998) and her influence on what women can do in business.”
PATRICK DIMARCO, FOOTBALL, ’11 MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING
“My business education at the Moore School was very personal, and I appreciate the versatility and prestige a Moore School education brings in the business world.” DiMarco will serve as the chair of the Alumni Athlete Committee.
GRAYSON GREINER, BASEBALL, ’15 ACCOUNTING
“I learned diversity at the Moore School, which was especially helpful when I was in professional baseball. Many of my pro teammates spoke Spanish, so I was able to use that skill interacting with them. I learned relational skills during my undergrad time that I’ve used throughout my career on and off
From left: Tommy Suggs, Patrick DiMarco, Lisa Burgess, Bri Reckling, Grayson Greiner and Michael Roth
BRI RECKLING, TRACK AND FIELD, ’22 MARKETING
“Athletics and the Moore School taught me how to embrace my plan B. I was a student during COVID-19, and I battled injuries that made track in the Olympics look less likely. As a Moore School student, I was able to realize the opportunities outside of athletics. I was part of the Black Business Student Association and Student Government. As a student, I was able to capitalize on resources and opportunities and see what life looked like if I wasn’t an athlete. I came to realize how important networking is. Learning sales and marketing, I can apply those to any industry.”
Reckling will serve as vice chair of the Alumni Athlete Committee.
MICHAEL ROTH, BASEBALL, ’12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND MARKETING
“Moore School staff, professors and the Office of Career Management exposed opportunities that existed outside of baseball. I was able to explore opportunities and focus on getting a good job — beyond the classroom and on the field. Playing professional baseball, I knew I didn’t want to be in my 30s or older going back to school. I wanted my degree in my back pocket to get a job after baseball.”
TOMMY SUGGS, GAMECOCK AND FOOTBALL LEGEND ’71 BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
“The Moore School gave us (student athletes) all discipline, learning how to adapt to change, taking
advantage of resources, improving communications and practicing networking.”
THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE IS TO
mentor current Moore School student-athletes; facilitate internship and job placement for student-athletes; host an annual alumni athlete networking event; provide career advancement resources and support for alumni athletes; assist Moore School faculty with sports-related classes and initiatives.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Moore School partners with the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management to offer two combination degrees for individuals who want to earn a Master of Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM) and One-Year MBA in two years or a MSEM and Master of Science in Business Analytics in two years.
From left: Suggs, DiMarco, Burgess, Greiner, Reckling and Roth.
GIVING BACK
Moore School alumni, friends and community members supporting future business leaders
GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
MARCIA AVEDON, Ph.D., executive director for the Moore School Center for Executive Succession
Dr. Marcia J. Avedon Master of Human Resources Endowed Fellowship
A generous $250,000 endowment created to provide fellowships for Master of Human Resources students.
“I have had a terrific career in human resources and want to provide opportunities for the next generation of future leaders in the profession. I wanted to provide opportunities to support all qualified students to pursue the MHR, particularly those who might not be able to pursue an advanced degree without support.”
PARKER JONES, ’24 MHR
Avedon Fellowship
Now HR business partner for Synchrony Financial
FELLOWSHIP AWARDEE
“The Avedon Fellowship gave me the opportunity to really immerse myself within the MHR program. Without the fellowship, I would not have had the opportunity to attend the business school and not only get a higher education but also make connections with professors, business professionals and now, some of my closest friends.”
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
JEFFERY S. “JEFF” LEDFORD, ’95 accounting, partner for Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young Accounting Scholars Endowment
A new $100,000 investment to enhance the existing Ernst & Young Accounting Scholars Endowment created to attract top students to pursue an accounting degree.
“Public accounting is an amazing profession that exposes you to so many aspects of business. Our scholarship program helps students with the curiosity and skill set to pursue a degree in accounting and ensures we continue to attract talented individuals into the profession. Scholarships were key to my ability to afford college, and I want others to have the same support. I have been fortunate to have an amazing career working with such talented and dedicated individuals. This opportunity would not have been an option without the incredible professors I had to support me in obtaining my degree from South Carolina.”
SOUTH CAROLINA CAPTIVE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION (SCCIA)
South Carolina Captive Insurance Endowed Fund
A new $100,000 endowment to support undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships for Moore School students pursuing a career in captive insurance in the state of South Carolina.
“We were inspired to partner with the Moore School on this endowment to expose talented students to the captive insurance industry and assist them financially as they decide to pursue a related career. The SCCIA hopes this endowment serves as a stepping stone to development, diversity and innovation in the industry.”
- ANNIE WILSON, SCCIA executive director
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
LLOYD EMERSON JOHNSON,
’80 accounting and ’81 MACC, retired; former financier and risk management executive
Johnson and his wife, Juanita, chose to give to three Moore School funds:
• $250,000 to support the endowment of the Black Alumni Alliance Scholarship.
• $250,000 to support Master of Accountancy students in honor/memory of Jim Edwards, a longtime accounting faculty member.
• $500,000 to support the programs of the Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement.
“The programs we are supporting help with early student outreach; they also aid in identifying, recruiting and financially assisting aspiring Moore School students. For me, support to my alma mater not only includes financial but also proactive engagement in positive activities that make our university better by supporting the administration, faculty and students.”
Read more about Johnson’s gifts: bit.ly/LloydJohnson
FOREVER MOORE
CREATING LASTING IMPACT
Forever Moore
Supporting the Darla Moore School of Business in a meaningful way has never been easier. Forever Moore donors support the Moore School with a set-it-and-forget-it gift per month to the fund, program or initiative that they’re most passionate about. With your help, alumni and friends can positively impact the lives of current and future Moore School students by enrolling in Forever Moore today.
MOORE NEWS
While celebrating the banner year with the Management Science department, the Moore School had a full slate of programs and initiatives.
See a sampling in this spread and read more recent news and announcements by visiting bit.ly/moorenews25
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Taking the gold in Switzerland
Four Moore School students won the GOLD prize for Best Sustainable Solution at the 2024 Global Sustainability Supply Chain Case Competition. Traveling to Geneva in March 2025 to accept the prize, the student team included:
QUINTAN BOYLE, ’27 finance, international business, and operations and supply chain,
JAMES CELLI, ’26 international business and operations and supply chain,
ALLIE PLACE, ’25 international business and operations and supply chain,
KORT WISE, ’25 operations and supply chain
The four students were recognized as global winners from more than 80 teams from 18 countries.
Learn more: bit.ly/mooregeneva
ALUMNI BOOK
CLUB
The Moore School Book Club explores impactful books on leadership, innovation and strategy. Hosted by Moore School staff and special alumni guests. Learn more: bit.ly/moorelearn
Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement updates
The Moore School’s Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement led another full calendar of impactful programs for South Carolina students. Learn more about their amazing year with updates from:
Power Forward: bit.ly/powerforward24; bit.ly/pftruist
Rising Scholars — profiles of recent graduates Taylor Gilliam and Avona Le: bit.ly/MooreGraduates25
Pozen Scholars: bit.ly/moorealcena
All Girls Matter EmpowHERment Conference: bit.ly/EmpowHERmentconf
HBCUs partnership: bit.ly/HBCUinititative
CLASS NOTES
You’ve likely noticed that we have trimmed some pages from our printed annual Moore magazine. We’ve done this to be mindful of state resources and make a smaller imprint on the environment. We will be publishing class notes online. We still want to celebrate and acknowledge your major life events, promotions and other accomplishments, so please visit our class notes webpage at bit.ly/mooreclassnotes
EVENTS AND HONORS
LEADERSHIP LEGACY AWARD RECOGNIZES EATON CEO AND CHAIRMAN
The Moore School presented the Center for Executive Succession’s 2024 Leadership Legacy Award to Craig Arnold, chairman and CEO of Eaton, a global intelligence power management company. Learn more: bit.ly/AwardCraigArnold
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS HONORED WITH GLOBAL VISION AWARD
The Sonoco International Business Department was recognized by the Columbia World Affairs Council for the renowned IB program’s 50-year anniversary with the 2024 Global Vision Award. Learn more: bit.ly/ibaward.
EIGHTH ANNUAL CMO SUMMIT INSPIRES MARKETING STUDENTS
The Center for Marketing Solutions held its eighth annual Chief Marketing Officer Summit in fall 2024. Companies who presented at the summit include: Amazon, Angel Studios, SRAM cycling, Kenvue, Milliken, Mulesoft/Salesforce, PepsiCo, Conceal, Gartner, Smith + Nephew and Coca-Cola/Coca-Cola Consolidated. Learn more: bit.ly/8thcmosummit.
44TH ANNUAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE PREVIEWED 2025 ECONOMIC FORECAST
During the December 2024 EOC, South Carolina and national economists predicted 2025 would likely be tumultuous with the president’s second term and lingering inflation costs. Learn more: sc.edu/moore/eoc.
THE PROVING GROUND BOOSTS NEW ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES
The winners for the Faber Entrepreneurship Center ‘s 2025 The Proving Ground competition include:
Overall Winner: Thomas Lentine, UpAhead High Tech Winner: Shrihan Ganesh Babu, CuffMate Fan Favorite: Ethan Ferraro, Melt Cookies
Learn more: bit.ly/faberpg
FACULTY NEWS
Faculty headlining international academic conferences
Known for their thought leadership and expertise, our faculty are also leading the charge to manage and host international conferences featuring global scholars who share their research.
A sampling of 2024-25 Moore School faculty-led conferences:
AUGUST 2024
Omrane Guedhami, international business
The Seventh International Conference on Corporate Finance, Kunitachi, Japan
More than 50 scholars from more than 15 countries focused on the theme: Sustainable Banking: The Roles of Governance, Regulations, and Innovation.
OCTOBER 2024
Allen Berger and Hugh Kim, finance
Fixed Income and Financial Institutions Conference, the Moore School
More than 100 scholars and students representing five countries discussed fixed income and financial institutions.
FEBRUARY 2025
Sean Handley, management science
Journal of Operations Management mini conference, the Moore School
More than 100 internationally renowned operations management scholars and students from more than three countries assessed the past year of journal activity and planned for 2025.
MAY 2025
Mark Ferguson, management science
Evaluation of the Economic Impact from Short-Term Vacation Rentals, Charleston, South Carolina
Thirty attendees from three countries discussed possible regulations to impose on short-term vacation rentals, a hot topic in the hospitality and tourism industry with little academic research.
MAY 2025
Satish Jayachandran, marketing
2025 American Marketing Association Marketing Strategy Consortium, the Moore School
More than 120 doctoral students, junior researchers and senior faculty from eight countries examined contemporary marketing strategy research.
JUNE 2025
Rohit Verma, dean
19th International Research Symposium on Service Excellence in Management, Rome, Italy
More than 300 scholars from more than 20 countries focused on the theme: “Service Research and Education: A Path to Digital and Sustainable Transformation.”
A new storytelling campaign
In 2023, the Moore School established a new strategic plan to build upon our legacy of delivering excellence across our degree programs, academic centers and departments and empowering extraordinary students, alumni and staff. Since then, the school has continued an impressive array of top rankings, awards and recognitions.
A critical goal was to harness decades of distinction into a single, engaging brand story to powerfully communicate our formidable legacy and define our bold future aspirations — one that unites, elevates and illuminates every aspect of the school’s story.
“Partnering with the USC’s Brand Collaborative has been instrumental in shaping a brand identity for the Darla Moore School of Business that is both distinct and deeply aligned with the broader USC brand,” says Dean Rohit Verma.
Enter Dotglue — a lauded New York agency behind campaigns for brands such as BMW, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, American Express, Target and Bloomberg.
The comprehensive discovery process brought more than 100 hours of in-depth conversations with faculty who’ve shaped industries, with students rewriting the rules, with alumni leading Fortune 500 companies and launching game-changing startups, and with board members with unparalleled insight. Every voice counted.
Meanwhile, the university itself has completed research and development of a master brand platform that will scale to each unit.
Our result: a story entirely unique and authentic to the Darla Moore School of Business, its students and community thought leaders, and one that affirms the university brand.
“The collaborative brand work between the Moore School and USC at large will be a powerful force in the marketplace,” says Dan Dillon, USC vice president for marketing. “We are well aligned to elevate the university and the Darla Moore School of Business through messaging that complements one another to serve our missions.”
The Moore School brand story revolves around core truths. We don’t just educate — we forge flexible, accessible and adaptable pathways. Our students don’t just learn business, they live it, and they are recognized as the ones rolling up their sleeves, seeing around corners and making things happen.
From boardrooms of global corporations to the heart of local communities, graduates of our immersive approach combine global sophistication with unshakable grit.
In today’s economy, that combination isn’t just valuable — it’s everything.
The power behind the new Moore School identity:
IT IS MAKING A BOLD DECLARATION:
We’re not whispering our value — we’re demonstrating it. This is a confident, progressive statement that demands attention and inspires action.
IT ENCOMPASSES OUR UNIQUE POINT OF VIEW:
This isn’t borrowed equities. This is our space, earned through decades of innovation and rooted in who we truly are and where we are going.
IT CREATES A CALL TO ARMS:
More than messaging — this is our battle cry; a dynamic force that unites our community and propels us toward a future without boundaries.
Provided are some early concepts that show how we can bring our story to life.
While their spirit is spot on, they are just the beginning as Dotglue takes this work to the finish line. Stay tuned and get ready for what’s next.
