Alumni Spotlights

Sonal Patel, MS’24/ MBA’23

Sonal Patel, RDN, is a Public Health Specialist at Dallas County Health and Human Services. She completed her MBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management at the University of Texas at Dallas in 2024. As a dedicated health and wellness professional, Patel brings a wealth of experience from corporate wellness to clinical practice, consistently achieving high patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes. With extensive expertise in program development and implementation, she excels in communication and collaboration, making her a valuable asset in any health and wellness initiative.

Jason Mikhaiel, BS’22/ MS’23

Jason Mikhaiel is the Medicaid Eligibility Area Manager, following his role as a CSO Manager in Training at Parallon. With extensive experience in customer service and a passion for engaging with people, Mikhaiel is always eager to gain new experiences and embrace new opportunities. He recently earned his Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas at Dallas. Mikhaiel thrives on challenges that push and motivate him to innovate and find better ways to accomplish tasks. He believes in the endless pursuit of knowledge, regardless of one’s experience or tenure.

Steven Match, MS’24

Match is the Director of Procurement Solutions at Vizient, where he leads initiatives aimed at improving healthcare performance. With a focus on leveraging analytical insights and fostering client partnerships, Match drives project success through strategic thinking and outstanding communication. His dedication to maximizing the benefits of Vizient’s offerings across diverse client scenarios highlights his commitment to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare procurement. Match’s ability to build positive relationships and deliver strategic solutions underscores his expertise and enthusiasm in the field.

Rolando Perez, BS’20/ MS’23

Perez is a distinguished MS Healthcare Leadership and Management graduate from UT Dallas. During his time there, he also served as the president for the Elite Scholar and Leader Program. He is currently working as a Schedule Capacity Analyst II at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He also serves as the Vice-Chair for the ACHE NTX Student Council and as the Chair for the Member Engagement Committee for NALHE DFW. Driven by a commitment to innovation in healthcare, Perez aims to enhance healthcare quality and access while reducing costs, ensuring that everyone can afford high-quality care. Deeply rooted in Texas, he is dedicated to fostering collaboration and understanding within the healthcare community, believing that unity and mutual respect are key to achieving common goals.

Karun Joseph, BS’22/ MS’23

Karun Joseph is a Senior Sourcing Analyst at Health Care Service Corporation. She graduated from the MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management program in 2023. Joseph has successfully implemented sourcing strategies and processes, managed supplier relationships, and led cross-functional projects aimed at optimizing continuous improvement within the procurement organization. Her expertise in strategic sourcing and process improvement is instrumental in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement function.

Dr. Sai Lakhan Kyasa, MS’24

Kyasa is a dedicated physician from India. Upon graduating from the MS Healthcare Leadership and Management program, he secured a position as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. With a robust proficiency in Epic software, eClinicalWorks, and clinical monitoring, Kyasa brings a diverse skill set to healthcare operations. His expertise extends to research design development, marketing strategy, and the pharmaceutical industry. Kyasa is committed to advancing healthcare outcomes and is eager to connect and collaborate with others in the medical community on innovative healthcare solutions.

Blake Cedeno, BS’21, MS’23

Assistant Market Director – Patient Access, Parallon HCA Healthcare

Cedeno started his career with Parallon in January 2022 as part of Parallon’s Manager In Training program where he served at Medical City Dallas, Medical City Heart and Spine, and Medical City Arlington. Cedeno received a recent promotion to Assistant Market Director for Patient Access where he continues to drive exceptional operational performance and deliver team engagement. During his tenure with Parallon, Cedeno has been involved with many projects and has been instrumental in Medical City Dallas’s top tier performance. Cedeno graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management in 2021 and his Master’s degree in 2023 as part of the Healthcare Leadership and Management program.

Cristie Feldman Schlosser, ASID, RID, NKBA, NCIDQ , BS’84

Principal Interior Designer, Schlosser Design Group, LLC

The highlight of my current career has been recognition by my peers as an award-winning interior designer.

Joe Warren, BS’11

Software Engineer, USAA

Each day, I strive to use best practices, creating beautiful and accessible experiences for our internal and member-facing systems.

Robert Kientz, BS’04

Senior Security Analyst, Verizon Wireless

In his role with Verizon, Kientz performs risk assessment of information security vulnerabilities and system security policy compliance.

Mark Fuqua, BS’79

Exec Vice President And Manager, Energy Banking Comerica Bank

Fuqua completed his BS/Business Administration degree with a finance concentration at UT Dallas when undergrads had been on the UTD campus a mere four years.

Anjie Vichayanonda, BS’08

Founder And CEO, Leg Up Legal

I wanted to come back to Texas to be closer to family, so I joined the Dallas office of Haynes and Boone, LLP, in 2017.

Kyle Frederick, BS’04

Residential Realtor

Frederick, who earned a BS/Business Administration degree at Jindal School, with a concentration in management information systems, is a residential Realtor.

Tina T. Hoang, BS’09

Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual

Hoang, who graduated cum laude with a Business Administration degree, says her degree gave her the knowledge, resources and connections to help people with their financial planning needs. “It helped me build character, business acumen and find the passion for what I do now,” she says. She says she is proud her work will impact families and businesses now “and last … on into the following generations.” She was recently selected as one of 60 representatives nationwide to attend a special fast-track program for young advisers in Milwaukee. While there, she took part in the challenge course.

Aubrey Meyers, BS’05, MBA’06

SVP and Deputy General Counsel, Caliber Home Loans, Inc

After Meyers received her BSBA and MBA at UT Dallas, she went to University of Illinois College of Law, graduating in 2009 with a law degree. She returned to the North Texas area, working for a couple law firms before moving to Caliber Home Loans.

Brett Philips, BS’05, MS’09

Founding Partner, Shifflett & Philips

Philips, and his friend Nick Shifflett, started Shifflett & Philips accounting firm in 2014 in Frisco. Philips, a CPA, had worked at other accountancies for more than nine years before going out on his own. His practice now primarily focuses on the performance of federal and state tax compliance and consulting with individuals, estates, partnerships and closely held corporations. Philips holds two Jindal School degrees – a bachelor’s in Business Administration, which he completed in 2005, and an MS/Accounting which he completed in 2009.

Jenny Rush, BS’85

Founder, Lymethriving

I came to UT Dallas in the early ‘80s when the campus was young. I loved the flexibility of night classes as I was working full-time at an advertising agency.

Vik Thapar, BS’00

Principal, Cypress Growth Capital

Thapar, a Dallas resident, was born and grew up just a few miles from the UT Dallas campus in Richardson.

Doug Hermann, BS’14

Broker Associate, The Weitzman Group

Hermann double-majored while at Jindal School, graduating with a degree in Finance and a degree in Business Administration.

Mindy Tiu, BS’14

GE, Commercial Leadership Program

Mindy Tiu, now living in Stamford, Conn, fully embraced her time at UT Dallas by taking part in a broad range of campus activities.

Heidi Rasmussen, BS’92

Co-Founder and COO, Freshbenies

Heidi Rasmussen, a former retail executive, and her husband, Reid Rasmussen, a former health insurance company manager, knew health benefits were complicated for employers and their workers.

The Lanes

Giulia Ippolito Lane and Robert Lane

When Rob entered UT Dallas, he already held an undergraduate degree from University of Southern California. He eventually earned four additional degrees at UT Dallas.

Dustin Gadberry, BS’07

Chief Executive Officer, Gadberry Construction Company, Inc.

Gadberry is in his second decade in the construction business, having launched his company in 2000. He grew the business while completing his degree at The University of Texas at Dallas.

Brad Perkinson, BS’08, MS’09

Founder,CEO and Brewer, Firewheel Brewing Co., LLC

This Naveen Jindal School of Management grad took the opportunity of getting laid off to pursue a dream of starting what is now known as FireWheel Brewery in Rowlett.

The Perdue Family

Connie, Caitlin and Brad Perdue

For the Perdue family, attending the Jindal School is a family tradition that stands out among many others. Parents Brad and Connie met while graduate students in the 1980s, and many years later, daughter Caitlin received her undergraduate degree as well.

Farhad Rizvi, BS’11

Founder, Shamak Associate, Gerson Lehrman Group

Farhad Rizvi had a vision of combining commerce and philanthropy into one business strategy. Along with his older brother, Hammad, he created Shamak Sandals, a company that sells leather sandals handcrafted in the Middle East. But Shamak Sandals reaches beyond shoe sales.

Gary Tillett, BS’82

U.S. Financial Services Partner, New York Metro Deals Leaderpricewaterhousecoopers

Gary Tillett’s notable career spans three decades and includes roles in several divisions within the same “big four” accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers. Tillett currently serves as the New York Metro Deals Leader and is a partner in the U.S. Financial Services sector at PwC. In this dual role, he leads a practice of more than 400 deals professionals and serves some of PwC’s largest corporate and private-equity clients with investments in the financial services sector. Tillett attributes his success to his commitment to the delivery of quality client service and his desire to maintain a comprehensive lifestyle, which has included active community service within his career and personal life since an early stage.

Saadia Sheikh, BS’09

Vice President, Commercial Divisionwingert Real Estate Company

Saadia Sheikh is passionate about real estate. Just a few years after graduating from the Jindal School, her passion for the industry translated into a thriving career. She serves as vice president at a large real estate brokerage firm in Dallas. While a student, Sheikh sought advice from her professors regarding her professional development and her interest in real estate. Today she continues to seek their feedback, as her Jindal School education remains relevant in her real estate career and the business world.

Scott Birnbaum, BS’84

Founder And President, Reclaimed Textiles Co.

Scott Birnbaum, a former CPA, founded a business that recycles items otherwise destined for the garbage heap. He established Reclaimed Textiles Co. (RTCM), which repurposes discarded textiles for new use. As president, he is active in all aspects of the company and constantly relies on skills learned while a student at the Jindal School. In addition to his 18 years in textile recycling, he has experience in defense manufacturing, transportation and publishing. Scott established RTCM based on his values regarding quality, innovation and customer focus, and he is committed to developing new means to repurpose used goods in the U.S. and in developing countries.

Phil Neighorn, BA’95, MBA’01

Managing Director, Central Zone Surety Practice, Leadermarsh USA

Phil Neighorn has more than 16 years of experience as an insurance professional and balances his time between working for Marsh USA, a global leader in insurance broking and risk management, and mentoring Jindal School students. He is committed to helping both audiences develop business strategies to successfully reach goals. Whether he is assisting an international client or providing advice to a promising student, he regularly shares his extensive industry knowledge. He also routinely uses the skills he developed while earning his undergraduate degree and an MBA from the Jindal School.

Randy Black, CFP, CDFA, BS’06

Financial Planner, Spectrum Financial Group

Black, a certified financial planner, is certain that a successful leader will go above and beyond what is expected when helping others. This value is evident in his work helping numerous clients reach their financial goals. Since his May 2006 graduation from the Jindal School, Black has exceeded several industry standards even though he has not yet reached his 10-year mark in the professional world.