“These awards highlight the extraordinary commitment of our faculty and staff,” says Dean Gareth James. “Our faculty drive innovation in the classroom and through their groundbreaking research, while our staff provide the critical support that enables every member of the Goizueta community to thrive. Together, their dedication shapes the student experience and amplifies Goizueta’s impact on business and society at large.”

This year’s honorees represent the best of what Goizueta and Emory stand for: passionate educators and visionary leaders who make a meaningful difference every day. Join us in celebrating the 2025 recipients of our most prestigious faculty and staff awards. 

Keough Staff Award 

Associate Dean of Full-Time MBA Programs and Goizueta Global Strategy & Initiatives Brian Mitchell has been selected as our 2025 Keough Staff Award for Excellence recipient.  Brian is recognized for going above and beyond his formal responsibilities through servant leadership, deep student engagement, and tireless mentoring. He has established safe, supportive spaces for students, championed curriculum innovation, including inclusion-focused coursework, and played a pivotal role in integrating one-year and two-year MBA cohorts to foster unity and shared purpose. 

Brian’s long-term impact includes driving strategic enhancements to the MBA program and expanding Goizueta’s global partnerships.  He is known for his creative and innovative leadership, applying both corporate and academic expertise to reimagine curriculum design, experiential learning, and cross-disciplinary collaborations.  

The Keough Award is named after Don Keough, a legendary former President of The Coca-Cola Company, and a symbol of business excellence. This award honors a long-term contributor to the school who has made a significant impact and a sustainable contribution to Goizueta Business School. 

Emory Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award 

Assistant Professor in the Practice of Marketing Marina Cooley has been named our 2025 recipient of the Emory Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award which recognizes a faculty’s outstanding commitment to undergraduate teaching. 

A Goizueta 2012 MBA alumna and Assistant Professor in the Practice of Marketing, Marina is known for her innovative teaching, student engagement, and course development—including the highly popular Content Marketing elective. Her teaching emphasizes “sticky ideas,” storytelling, and the power of curiosity-driven innovation. 

Beyond the classroom, Marina is conducting research on work/life balance and helped launch the Life Design program as part of our BBA curriculum redesign. 

The Emory Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award is presented to faculty members from each of Emory’s four undergraduate schools during commencement every year. “The award celebrates the pinnacle of teaching excellence, honoring faculty who have profoundly impacted their students’ academic journeys,” says Wei Jiang, vice dean for faculty and research and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Finance. The award was established by Emory Williams, a 1932 Emory College alumnus and longtime trustee, to recognize a record of excellence in undergraduate teaching. 

Provost’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education 

Associate Professor in the Practice of Finance Kevin Crowley has been selected as Goizueta Business School’s 2025 recipient of the Provost’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education. 

Kevin, an associate professor in the Practice of Finance, is celebrating his 20th year at Goizueta. With a distinguished background in investment banking at Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan, he brings invaluable real-world expertise to his teaching. He has consistently received strong teaching evaluations, receiving high marks for his emphasis on applied theory, practical skills and real-world context.  Kevin brings theory to life by incorporating relevant transactional (deal-making) experience into the classroom.   

Students report that Kevin is always available outside of class to support their understanding of the course material.  In addition to his strong teaching capabilities, last year Kevin served on the MBA Curriculum Re-design Committee. 

The Provost’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education recognizes outstanding scholars who excel as teachers within formal and informal educational settings. “This award honors exceptional teaching and recognizes those who guide their students with passion and expertise,” says Alicia Sierra, director of human resources and diversity. 

One faculty member in each of Emory’s seven graduate and professional schools receives the award in recognition of the important role of exceptional teaching in graduate and professional education. 

2025 Roberto C. Goizueta Award for Leadership Recipients and their Honorees 

2025 Roberto C. Goizueta BBA Recipient

25BBA Saanvi Sood exemplifies inspirational leadership through her dedication to empowering others and making a tangible impact. She spearheaded a fundraising campaign in honor of EIIG’s 10-year anniversary, successfully raising over $150K to support microloans and consulting services for underserved entrepreneurs in Atlanta. Under her leadership, EIIG engaged over 240 analysts in the past fall semester, making it the largest student organization at Goizueta. Despite her significant contributions, Saanvi consistently redirects praise to others, ensuring that those around her feel valued and empowered.

 Saanvi repeatedly looks for ways to help students at all levels of educational success. For the highflyers, Saanvi organized a case competition trip to New Zealand. When her case competition team qualified to go to New Zealand, Saanvi was able to leverage her network to find a way to get enough supplemental funding to allow the team to travel to New Zealand. She looks for ways to turn no into yes. 

The strongest evidence of the excellence and integrity others see in Saanvi is demonstrated by her leadership roles at Goizueta. In addition to being elected president of EIIG, she led the Data Science Club, served in three TA positions and was selected as the head BBA CMC coach (over 24 other BBA seniors who are coaches).  She was also a Robson Program Fellow, as a Business and Society/Social Enterprise Fellow and was one of only two students on the QTM alumni Council Steering Committee.  She is viewed by all as exemplary across every aspect of leadership embraced by Mr. Goizueta.  

BBA Faculty Honoree: Jeff Rosensweig, Associate Professor of Finance  

Professor Jeffrey Rosensweig, or as his students lovingly call him, “Dr. J”, is dedicated to advancing the intersection of business and government, while keeping student mentorship at the heart of his work. Passionate about shaping the leaders of tomorrow, he is not only an invaluable guide, but also a lifelong advocate, role model, and friend. Whether it be major professional guidance or personal life advice, he is always just a phone call away. Despite his vast network of esteemed economic and political leaders, he will always make time for his students. 

“This past year, Dr. J supported a team of myself and three other Goizueta students to compete in the World Case Champion’s Trophy in New Zealand, giving us the opportunity to represent Goizueta on a global stage and create our most memorable college experience,” says Saanvi. “His support is a testament to his commitment to student advancement, as well as his confidence in the Goizueta curriculum and experience.”  

2025 Roberto C. Goizueta MBA Recipient

25MBA Sasha McNair has inspired her peers through her commitment to academic excellence and student leadership. As Co-President of the Goizueta Consulting Association, she has mentored and guided countless students, helping them navigate the competitive consulting recruitment process. She’s done it with a mind for development and community that the club was sorely lacking. She’s always put the students she serves first and leads with humility, empathy, and a strong vision, making a lasting impact on the Goizueta community. 

Under Sasha’s leadership, the Goizueta Consulting Association expanded its reach and resources, introducing new initiatives such as structured interview boot camps and alumni engagement programs. She also contributed fresh perspectives to the Black MBA Association and GWIB, encouraging cross-club collaborations that enhanced the student experience. 

Known for her authenticity and integrity, Sasha fosters an environment of trust within her teams. Her peers admire her for her open communication style, ensuring that all voices are heard in decision-making. She leads with honesty and accountability, strengthening the cohesion and credibility of the organizations she serves. 

MBA Faculty Honoree: Ama Ampadu-Fofie, Director of Culture, Inclusion & Belonging 

“Ama has been one of the most impactful staff members throughout my MBA journey,” shares Sasha. “Not only has she shown up for me at crucial moments in my Emory career, but she has also been a listening ear when I needed it most.”

“During our first interaction, I told Ama that I felt a tinge of imposter syndrome. She looked at me with surprise and said, Why? And now I know why she was so surprised. She helped me build back up my confidence and I’m leaving here a stronger professional, student, daughter, and friend. I can’t thank her enough for how she poured into me and continues to pour into many of the Black women and men in our program. Having her as a visible part of the school administration not only empowers us in spaces that could make us feel small but also provides a safe place to land when we need to talk to someone who just understands.”

This Roberto C. Goizueta Award for Leadership is the highest honor given to a graduating student in the BBA and MBA programs. It is presented to the graduating student who best exemplifies six criteria: a love of learning, inspirational leadership, creative thinking, courage and commitment, transparency and trust, and excellence and integrity. In addition, this award recognizes the key role Goizueta faculty and staff play in students’ development. The selection criteria reinforce the already existing BBA Creed and MBA Core Values practiced daily at Goizueta Business School.  In sum, the goal of the Award is to recognize the brightest minds who can solve the biggest problems with integrity, ingenuity, and grit. After being selected for the Award, each recipient will identify the faculty or staff member who has had the biggest impact on them during their time as a student at Goizueta.

Goizueta Program Faculty Teaching Awards 

Emory and Goizueta also award those exceptional faculty who exhibit academic excellence in each department. These awards go to individuals who represent their departments with outstanding education and lead the professionals of tomorrow. We would like to recognize them here. 

• BBA Distinguished Educator: Shankar Ramachandran, Associate Professor in the Practice of Finance 

• Evening MBA Distinguished Core Educator: Rod McCowan, Associate Professor in the Practice of Organization & Management  

• Evening MBA Distinguished Elective Educator: Klaas Baks, Professor in the Practice of Finance  

• Executive MBA Distinguished Educator (Core): Shehzad Mian, Associate Professor of Finance  

• Executive MBA Distinguished Educator (Elective): Kevin Crowley, Associate Professor in the Practice of Finance  

• Master of Finance (MF) Distinguished Educator: Kevin Crowley, Associate Professor in the Practice of Finance  

• Master of Finance (MF) Distinguished Educator: Nicholas Valerio, Professor in the Practice of Finance 

• Full-Time One-Year MBA Distinguished Accounting Educator Award: Usha Rackliffe, Associate Professor in the Practice of Accounting 

• Full-Time Two-Year MBA Distinguished Accounting Educator Award: Suhas Sridharan, Associate Professor of Accounting 

• Full-Time Two-Year MBA Distinguished Finance Educator Award: JB Kurish, Professor in the Practice of Finance 

• Full-Time One-Year MBA Distinguished Finance Educator Award: JB Kurish, Professor in the Practice of Finance 

• Full-Time MBA Distinguished Information Systems & Operations Management Educator Award: Steve Walton, Professor in the Practice of Information Systems & Operations Management 

• Full-Time MBA Distinguished Information Systems & Operations Management Educator Award: Wenjun Gu, Associate Professor in the Practice of Information Systems & Operations Management 

• Full-Time One-Year MBA Distinguished Marketing Educator Award: Marina Cooley, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Marketing 

• Full-Time Two-Year MBA Distinguished Marketing Educator Award: Ryan Hamilton, Associate Professor of Marketing 

• Full-Time Two-Year MBA Distinguished Organization & Management Educator Award: Rod McCowan, Associate Professor in the Practice of Organization & Management 

We are immensely proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our faculty. Through their transformational work, they push industries forward, prepare the next generation of business leaders, and solve today’s toughest business problems. 

The post Celebrating Goizueta Excellence in Teaching, Service, and Support  appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Emory alumna Sarah Arison, recently named board president at the Museum of Modern Art, stands as a powerful champion for emerging artists.

On a sunny afternoon in her native Miami, Sarah Arison 07BBA is directing movers carrying large paintings around her apartment. “I would say 90 to 95% of the work I own, I know the artists personally. I’ve worked with them — whether through YoungArts or MoMA. My collection almost ends up being biographical, which is really fun.”

Arison smiles as she remembers attending the Frieze Los Angeles art fair when she was seven months pregnant with her daughter. “I was putting together a nursery and had gotten to know an artist who made whimsical balloons that attach to the ceiling with a magnet,” she says. “I bought one to start my unborn child with a collection.”

Arison’s art collection embraces the abstract, but her motivation for supporting artists is direct and literal. She cites a public opinion survey showing overwhelming support for the idea of “the arts” but, at the same time, much less enthusiasm for direct patronage of artists.

It’s incredibly problematic to think of the arts as an industry without recognizing and supporting the artists behind the industry.

Sarah Arison 07BBA

At just 40 years old, Arison already ranks among the world’s most influential art patrons. This summer she was appointed president of the Board of Trustees at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

A recent feature in Town & Country magazine compared Arison to legendary arts philanthropist Agnes Gund, with whom she’s worked closely over the past several years. In fact, Arison has been part of MoMA since 2017, when she began serving as co-vice chair — with Gund — at MoMA PS1 based in Queens. She has served on the boards at the Brooklyn Museum, The Kitchen, American Ballet Theatre and many other arts organizations.

A PASSION ROOTED IN FAMILY TRADITION

Supporting artists is more than Arison’s life’s work. It’s a family tradition. She is the longtime chair of YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists, created in 1981 by her grandparents, Ted and Lin Arison, three years before she was born. YoungArts supports artists across all disciplines with grants, professional development and a prestigious competition whose roster of winners over the past 40-plus years includes several noteworthy names — Viola Davis, Timothée Chalamet, Amanda Gorman, Kerry Washington, and Billy Porter, among them.

“My grandparents were always exposing me to the arts. Growing up, we were going to the symphony, the ballet, museums. If we were traveling together, we’d explore the cultural institutions where we were traveling.”

Looking back, Arison says she didn’t know when she was younger how meaningful art would become to her as an adult. In school, Arison thought of herself as a math and science kid. She laughs at the thought now and suggests turning to math and science was probably a form of youthful rebellion in a family so focused on art.

Arison chose to go to college at Emory, where biology served as her initial major. She envisioned a career in genetics. However, art began to reassert its primacy in her life during her sophomore year, when she attended a YoungArts gala with her grandmother. “It wasn’t that I was particularly knowledgeable about or even interested in YoungArts at that point,” she explains. “It was just a way for me to spend time with my grandmother.”

At the gala, she remembers, the mother of a past YoungArts competition winner thanked her for the organization’s work.

“She told me she used to yell at her son when he’d come from school and sit on the floor and draw instead of doing his ‘real’ work. YoungArts had offered him creative support and mentorship, and he was being offered college scholarships for art. With tears in her eyes, she said she realized that art was his ‘real’ work. The next day, I said, ‘Grandma, I want to help with YoungArts.’”

Arison returned to campus and switched her major from biology to a business and French double major with a minor in art history. She also joined the YoungArts board.

“Emory has a phenomenal business program, and I figured the skills I’d learn would be applicable whichever direction I ended up going in.”

LIFE-CHANGING FELLOWSHIPS

In addition to her role at YoungArts, Arison has also served since 2013 as president of the Arison Arts Foundation, through which she has provided financial support to emerging artists across the globe, including at Emory.

For the past four years, Arison has provided funding to the Emory Arts Fellows program, which seeks to cultivate artistic talent in a setting that allows fellows, faculty members, and students to reimagine the influence art can have on the world around them. This year, the Arison Arts Foundation’s initial support for two fellowships annually was expanded to three.

Arison says working with Emory on the program is fulfilling because it’s not typical for universities to understand the importance of arts fellowships and residencies. “I was thinking a lot about how to support artists at critical junctures in their lives,” Arison says. “The concept of a residency is hugely important for artists and can be life-changing. To be able to do that with Emory is very exciting.”

A fellowship offers artists time, space, and resources to develop their artistry and build their portfolios. According to Kevin Karnes, divisional dean of arts in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, the benefits go both ways. He says undergraduate creatives welcome getting face time with and mentorship from early-career artists whose experiences in contemporary art marketplaces aren’t far from their own.

Along with helping artists develop, the program is also a gateway for them to enter the academy. Karnes notes that four of the six Emory Arts Fellows have gone on to careers in college and university teaching.

That the fellowship program catalyzes career development alongside artistic development is no accident. The program was designed to help them support their art careers as well as develop their body of creative work. The fellows have access to mentorship from Goizueta Business School, where they can develop skills to advance their business acumen.

ART TOUCHES EVERYTHING

“I love that Emory is thinking about trying to break through the silos of ‘business over here, art over there,’” Arison says.

She rejects the widespread belief that art and artists operate in a world distinct from business or commerce. Art shouldn’t be confined to rarefied spaces, or what she dubs “ivory towers” of museums, galleries, and Broadway.

Look at the world around you. Everything has been touched by an artist.

Sarah Arison 07BBA

Everyday business, Arison says, is driven by artists and their art. “The car you drive had designers. The clothes you wear, that’s a fashion designer. The shows you’re watching, those are actors, screenwriters, cinematographers, costume designers, set designers. Art affects everything in our world. I think that once you understand that, you understand the importance of supporting artists.”

She hopes that people and institutions interested in supporting the arts will think about individual artists and not just galleries and museums. She draws from her art history education to point out that the Italian Renaissance relied on the Medici family’s support for a culture of mentorship and apprenticeship among individual artists.

“That’s something that’s been lost,” Arison says.

Her advice to people who want to support artists and art but don’t know where to begin: See as much as you can. “Take advantage of all the opportunities you have to see art,” Arison says. “The better your eye gets, the better your understanding will be. And when you go out, you’ll meet interesting, exciting people.”

Her other advice: Ignore art trends. “Go buy a poster you like,” she says. “Buy something that makes you feel something and you want to see on your wall. Something that you want to live with.” 

Read more from Emory Magazine.

Photography by Nick Garcia and Courtesy of Sarah Arison.

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Indeed, there was much to celebrate: as the next hour unfolded, students from Goizueta’s Philanthropy Lab course handed over checks totaling nearly $100k to 15 local nonprofit organizations addressing inequity in Atlanta. 

How to Give Better 

Emory’s Philanthropy Lab Course has been running for six years, with this year’s cohort being the largest yet at 48 students. The 2025 edition was co-led by Managing Director of Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute Brian Goebel, Executive Director, Black Wealth Data Center Tené Traylor, and Emory alumna, former Executive Director of Kendeda Fund, and adjunct professor Dena Kimball. Their broad cross section of experiences in and around philanthropy gave this dream team an edge in providing well-rounded perspectives to the course.   

Emory University is one of 32 schools that operate in partnership with The Philanthropy Lab program. The organization, based in Fort Worth, Texas, aims to expand student interest and participation in philanthropy. Since 2011, the Philanthropy Lab program has invested nearly $17 million in partner schools to facilitate experiential courses on philanthropy. Goizueta’s course is co-supported by several partner organizations, including the Center for Civic Innovation, the Shapiro Foundation, and United Way of Greater Atlanta (where both Goebel and Traylor started their careers). 

The goal of the course is an ambitious one; in 14 weeks, students are asked to form teams, which represent foundations, and craft a foundational philosophy and mission. The mini-foundations develop a rubric from their coursework to determine what makes a non-profit effective before reviewing several real Atlanta nonprofits and offering funds to one or two of them.  

This project-based format transforms the classroom into a live lab, where students grapple with real-world consequences and complexities of philanthropic decision-making. It also demands a deep dive into the many nuances of nonprofit work and the communities they serve. Given the evolving nature of nonprofit work, course instructors gather to revise the syllabus every summer, ensuring the course materials are timely and relevant. 

Guest lecturers and panelists are another powerful learning tool in the course’s arsenal, including the class’s engagement of Emory alumni working across the philanthropic sector like Alvin Glymph of United Way, Jon Goldman of the Robin Hood Foundation, Rohit Malhotra of Center for Civic Innovation, Danny Shoy of Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and Lara Wagner of Regions Bank. Additionally, the class welcomed experts from local organizations including Nathaniel Smith of Partnership for Southern Equity and Dr. Janelle Williams of Kindred Futures to help students understand both the longtime challenge of inequity in Atlanta along with the how philanthropy centered on equity can be delivered.  

“Professionals visiting class helps us to go beyond theory to practice. Speakers also provide students with valuable insights into the diverse, changemaking career and civic pathways that they can consider whatever they do next,” said Goebel. 

Mini-Foundations with a Big Mission 

The mini-foundations are initially formed based on a questionnaire which asks students to indicate their top three impact areas. The teams are then clustered by unique interests such as “The Green Givers” who focused on environmentally-related equity disparities, or “the Culture Catalysts” who homed in on amplifying youth through the lens of the arts. 

According to Grace Zhang 25BBA, a member of the Culture Catalysts, the common thread that brought her team together was their shared passion for arts and human expression, along with a deep belief in philanthropy as a vehicle for relief and societal improvement.  

“Beyond arts’ ability to educate and heal, our research revealed that investing in the arts is investing in economic empowerment,” says Zhang. “For example, according to Americans for the Arts, Atlanta’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generates $890 million in economic activity annually and supports 12,719 jobs. Ultimately, we were excited to support organizations like The Aster Project and ChopArt who were using creative approaches to provide healing and justice in Atlanta.” 

For Allison Silas 25BBA, her learning felt like a series of ‘ah-ha’ moments—the importance of the giving philosophy being a big one.  

“When my foundation team was first instructed to build our team giving philosophy, none of us took it that seriously,” Silas admits. “We chose some impact areas, found some statistics, and called it a day. As the grantmaking process continued, though, we realized that our original giving philosophy wasn’t working. It was broad, vague, and didn’t really reflect our values or guide our decision-making in a meaningful way. After some advice from our wonderful coach Dena, we engaged in an honest discussion about our values and priorities, and we were ultimately able to construct a concise and direct giving philosophy that served as a ‘north star’ in guiding our decisions. This experience taught me the importance of digging deep to figure out what truly matters—and backing that up with your actions.” 

The fact that philanthropy has a complex, and—at times—questionable history is not lost on any of the course’s stakeholders. When Silas addressed the event attendees to repeat a quote originally provided by Rohit Malhotra—“we don’t need more social impact businesses—we need to put problems out of business,”—her words were met with vociferous approval. The dynamics that create wealth inequality and permit a select group to determine to whom money will be doled out and what strings will be attached to it has caused harm, even when well-intended. 

We urge students to embrace the tensions inherent in philanthropy. Students learn to ask the big questions: If we alleviate suffering, are we shortchanging the momentum needed for bigger changes for justice? If we give in the direction of our personal interests, are we being self-indulgent? These tensions cannot be resolved; there is no single correct approach.

Dena Kimball

Ross Hegtvedt 25MBA explains that in the play on words in his team’s title—“Thee, Equalizers”—the comma is critical: it places the awardees as the subject of the sentence. 

“These issues aren’t going to be solved by funders from on high,” says Hegvedt. “The folks closest to the problems will always be the most powerful agents for change.” 

Another important takeaway from the course touches on the eternal koan of “knowing what you don’t know.” 

 “I’ve learned to acknowledge what I don’t know and then seek to fill that knowledge gap,” says Shruti Nemala 26BBA. “Through Philanthropy Lab, I was exposed to so many diverse causes that I care about, but unfortunately, I am not always well-versed in the specifics. However, I want to build on that moment of not knowing by better educating myself and seeing how I can better support these causes and organizations that are actively on the ground.” 

Real Money, Real People, and Real Change 

One by one, each student team took to the stage and welcomed their selected grantees to join them (accompanied—of course—by an empowering walk-up song by the student DJ). 

The teams introduced their foundation’s name and philosophy, before introducing the mission of each recipient organization. The causes these organizations support are diverse: Housing and educational access, resources for incarcerated mothers, mental health relief, environmental health. The student teams touched on what they admired most about each organization before handing over the sweepstakes-style giant check. They cited qualities like unwavering commitment in their chosen nonprofits, the manner in which the organizations embody their mission, their inclusive approach to feedback, and leaders who weren’t hesitant to get their hands messy by doing the tough work themselves. College AIM, for example, received praise for having former mentees come back as mentors—a sure sign they were doing something well, and building something sustainable. 

For many students, this experience was beyond academic. The enthusiasm in the room was authentic and robust, and the gratitude expressed between mentors and mentees, or granters and grantees, stirred hearts and a few tears. 

“Seeing our grantees in the room makes everything feel so much more real,” said Silas.  

“The way you inspired youth inspired us,” said Zhang to a representative of ChopArt as she handed over the award. 

This kind of emotional buy-in is exactly what the course facilitators hope for as they plot the syllabus.  

“We learn best by doing,” says Kimball. “We give the students as much agency as possible; we want them to feel both the thrill and the responsibility of taking charge and doing something real.”  

For Traylor, the emotional component is just as important as the academic one.  

When you’re doing this head and heart work, you marry the art and science of philanthropy, so you’re intentional in what you do, but also loving in what you do. These students are talking to people, not just “grantees,” and that attitude is clear.

Tené Traylor

The emotional impact was felt amongst other stakeholders in the room, too.  

“Receiving this grant from Emory’s Goizueta Business School was such an affirming experience,” says Campaign and Operations Manager of Women on the Rise GA Dominique Grant. Women on the Rise is a membership-based organization led by a diverse sisterhood of Black women impacted by the legal system. Through organizing and support services, it builds leadership to end mass incarceration and advance collective liberation, transforming both individuals and communities.  

“As a Black woman and organizer, it meant a lot to share space with students who genuinely wanted to understand how community-rooted work moves us closer to collective freedom. We were proud to share our story, reflect on what liberation really looks like, and be part of shaping future leaders who see justice as a shared responsibility. Programs like this show what’s possible when institutions truly connect with community.”  

Chief Community Impact Officer of United Way Alvin Glymph 94C was moved as well. 

“As an alum of Emory, I was catalyzed as a servant leader on that campus, and seeing current students embrace these values through the Philanthropy Lab literally gave me goosebumps,” says Glymph. “Their careers will be accelerated because at an early stage, they are learning how strategic and equitable philanthropic management ensures efforts are both impactful and sustainable.” 

My experience supporting the Philanthropy Lab was remarkable,” he added. “The rigor and intentionality displayed by the students in their philanthropic activities was truly inspiring. They clearly understand the importance of their efforts and how they make critical, tangible contributions to local nonprofits.” 

For Nemala, the course fundamentally changed her understanding of her hometown.  

“Despite growing up in Atlanta for almost 20 years, I feel like I’ve never been able to go this deep on learning about all these amazing causes and nonprofits that exist to remedy these issues,” says Nemala. “It’s been very inspiring to see how many people there are out there looking to directly impact their neighborhoods, and it has honestly given me a lot of hope for positive change in Atlanta going forward.” 

“Do it Anyway” 

Toward the end of the ceremony, Goebel acknowledged to the crowd that when contemplating the many injustices and ailments in our communities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged. In those moments, Goebel encouraged them to remember a quote from Roberto C. Goizueta inscribed on the wall of the Goizueta Business School: “The cynics will tell you that the good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Just do it anyway.” 

“There are maybe more cynics than ever; they’re loud,” says Goebel. “I think of this quote and remember this sentiment. It gives me the courage to keep moving forward, and I trust it inspires our students to do the same. No good actions are truly lost.” 

As the DJ queued the next celebratory track and students posed with community partners holding oversized checks, it became clear that the real gift of the Philanthropy Lab wasn’t just financial—it was the lasting relationships, the sharpened perspectives, and the lived experience of learning to lead with both heart and mind. 

“As leaders, you lead from the seat that you’re in,” Traylor reminded her students at the event’s conclusion. “You don’t need a title, you don’t need a bunch of money. The future is yours to shape. You got next.”  

2025 class grantees include ChopArt Corporation, College AIM, disABILITY LINK, Dream Builders of Atlanta, Environmental Community Action (Eco-Action), Freedom University, Georgia Advancing Communities Together, Goodr Foundation, Motherhood Beyond Bars, Showcase Group x READI, Southern Women In Motion Foundation, Street Angels, The Aster Project, The Scholarship Academy, Women on the Rise GA.

Read more about how Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute is shaping business for the future.

The post Leading with Head and Heart: Emory Students Give $100K to Fight Atlanta Inequity appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

ATLANTA – May 21, 2025 – Emory University’s Goizueta Business School has awarded a full-tuition scholarship to its prestigious Evening MBA program to Penny Nyokabi, a standout alumna of Usher’s New Look (UNL). The scholarship celebrates the 25th anniversary of UNL and nearly 15 years of collaboration between Emory and UNL to transform lives through education, leadership, and opportunity.

The Usher’s New Look MBA Scholarship at Goizueta is awarded to a graduate of UNL’s Moguls in Training (MIT) program, a flagship college and career readiness initiative that provides mentorship, life skills, and leadership development to students navigating higher education. Nyokabi will begin the MBA program in Fall 2025.

“Education has always been at the core of Usher’s New Look,” shares Grammy Award-winning artist and UNL founder Usher Raymond IV. “This scholarship represents the next chapter in helping our students not only dream big but lead big. I’m proud to see our longtime partnership with Goizueta evolve into a transformational opportunity.”

Nyokabi, a first-generation college graduate who has worked in the tax field for PwC, The Home Depot, AT&T and currently QGEnda, holds both a BA in Business Administration and a Master of Taxation from Georgia State University. She now seeks to broaden her business acumen in areas such as global markets, strategy, and operations.

“Penny embodies the mission of Usher’s New Look—to help young people find their spark and create generational impact,” shares Cammie Rice, Chair of the Board for Usher’s New Look. “This scholarship is more than a gift; it’s a celebration of what’s possible when we invest in potential. We are incredibly proud of Penny and grateful to Goizueta Business School for believing in her journey.”

Goizueta’s Evening MBA program is consistently ranked among the best in the nation, known for its rigorous academics, industry connections, and emphasis on practical, real-world learning for working professionals.

“Our program is designed for driven professionals ready to take the next step in their leadership journey,” shares Jaclyn Conner, Associate Dean of Goizueta’s Evening and Executive MBA programs. “Penny’s passion for growth and her deep connection to the values of both UNL and Goizueta make her the perfect choice for this award. We are honored to welcome her into the Goizueta community.”

The MIT program spans the college years and equips students to thrive in school, career, and life. Participants engage in monthly sessions led by UNL alumni and industry leaders, exploring topics from financial literacy to graduate school prep. Graduates earn a Global Leadership Certificate validated by Emory University, with curriculum developed by Goizueta faculty.

Reflecting on the impact of UNL and the Moguls in Training program, Nyokabi shares “As a first-generation college student, the organization’s guidance and resources were instrumental in my success, offering scholarships and mentorship that allowed me to navigate higher education with confidence. More than just financial assistance, UNL fostered an environment where my academic, business, and social skills could develop and thrive.”

When asked about the impact of the scholarship, Nyokabi adds “This opportunity will be a crucial step in bridging the gap between technical expertise and strategic decision-making. I’m eager to apply what I learn to drive meaningful impact in my career and beyond.”

To learn more and get involved with Usher’s New Look, visit ushersnewlook.org.

To learn more about Goizueta’s MBA programs, visit goizueta.emory.edu.

About Emory University’s Goizueta Business School

Business education has been an integral part of Emory University’s identity since 1919. That kind of longevity and significance does not come without a culture built on success and service. Emory University’s Goizueta Business School offers a unique, community-oriented environment paired with the academic prestige and rigor of a major research institution. Goizueta develops business leaders of today and tomorrow with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Full-time MBA (Two-Year MBA & One-Year MBA), Evening MBA, Executive MBA, MS in Business Analytics, Master of Finance, Master in Management, Master in Business for Veterans, Doctoral degree, and a portfolio of non-degree Emory Executive Education courses. Together, the Goizueta community strives to solve the world’s most pressing business problems. The school is named for the late Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

About Usher’s New Look

Founded in 1999 by Usher Raymond IV and his mother Jonetta Patton, Usher’s New Look (UNL) is a 501(c)(3) organization that transforms the lives of under-resourced youth by developing passion-driven global leaders. UNL’s unique 10-year program begins in middle school and continues through college and career, equipping students with the tools to succeed academically and professionally. Its college-level Moguls in Training program prepares students for life’s marathon with mentorship, career development, and a leadership curriculum backed by Emory University. To date, UNL has impacted more than 50,000 youth around the world.

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Emory University student Erica Evans 25MBA recently earned top honors at Startup Runway Foundation, Inc.’s 30th Showcase, taking home the prestigious EmpowerHER Award and a $10,000 prize for her work with Blood Rheology Solutions, a groundbreaking startup transforming the treatment landscape for patients with red blood cell disorders. 

Blood Rheology Solutions was founded by an Emory team of faculty and students: Vivien Sheehan, Wilbur Lam, Evelyn Kendall Williams and Evans. They aimed to address a critical gap in sickle cell disease (SCD) drug development: the reliance on subjective clinical endpoints instead of quantitative, functional biomarkers. SCD is a complex disorder where multiple red blood cell abnormalities contribute to disease severity.  

The Blood Rheology Solutions team has developed advanced technologies to measure functional improvements in red blood cells, offering a clearer, data-driven understanding of how new therapies impact patients. By integrating these technologies into clinical trials, they empower pharmaceutical companies to: 

• – Identify the right patients for treatment 
• – Track treatment effects in real time 
• – Refine clinical trial endpoints 

This innovative approach not only accelerates drug approvals but also ensures that life-changing therapies reach patients faster. 

Shaping Success Through Techstars and Startup Runway 

Evans a fellow at The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) through Emory’s Goizueta Business School and a member of the 2025 Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Program with the center and The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation. Those experiences have meant Evans has been instrumental in driving the business execution and growth of Blood Rheology Solutions.  

“The Emory Techstars Founder Catalyst Program provided us with a valuable platform to shape our company’s journey, from refining our business model to strengthening product-market fit,” she says. “We’ve gained essential tools to build a strong foundation and, more importantly, learned to think beyond the science — focusing on how we can deliver maximum value to our customers.” 

Competing at the Startup Runway Showcase was another pivotal moment for Evans and her team. As her first pitch competition — and her first time delivering a pitch — the experience allowed Evans to introduce Blood Rheology Solutions to the Atlanta startup ecosystem and connect with a supportive community of entrepreneurs and investors.  

“The feedback from investors, founders and industry leaders has been invaluable in shaping our business strategy and growth trajectory,” she says. “It has been exciting to see years of research — both my own and the decades of work from my co-founders — come to life in a way that has the potential to transform patient care in sickle cell disease.” 

Brian Cayce, managing director of The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, praised Evans’ dedication and vision. 

“Erica’s ability to bridge the gap between science and business has been extraordinary,” he says. “Her work with Blood Rheology Solutions is a prime example of how Emory’s entrepreneurial ecosystem nurtures leaders who are driving meaningful change. Her success at Startup Runway is a testament to her strategic vision and commitment to improving patient outcomes.” 

Co-founder Lam, associate dean of innovation at Emory School of Medicine and vice provost of entrepreneurship at Emory University, highlighted the critical role Evans has played in advancing the company.

“Erica’s strategic insight and leadership have been essential in translating our scientific innovations into a scalable platform that has the potential to revolutionize patient care for sickle cell disease and beyond,” Lam says. “Her ability to communicate our mission effectively has been a driving force behind our progress.” 

Learn more about The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

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The 2025 Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Program, a collaboration between global accelerator Techstars, The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation and The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, officially launched earlier this year. The inaugural cohort, chosen from 56 applications, consists of 19 ventures led by Emory undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni, representing a wide range of disciplines and industries.

The program is facilitated by Christy Brown, CEO of Dr. Noze Best and a longtime Emory partner, with support from Techstars senior director, Oko Davaasuren. Throughout the 10-week pre-accelerator program, founders participate in weekly masterclasses on topics such as refining their pitch and building a board of advisors. Hands-on mentorship from more than 50 professional mentors across diverse industries is also included in the program.

“The talent, passion, and innovation coming out of this group are exceptional,” says Brown. “These ventures are not just solving problems — they’re creating meaningful impact across industries, and I’m excited to see where they go from here.”

The program will culminated with Demo Day on Wednesday, April 30, where founders showcased their companies to the Emory community and the Atlanta innovation ecosystem.

Meet the 2025 Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Ventures

The cohort includes members from across the Emory community. Participants include:

• – Three faculty members
• – Three alumni
• – Six graduate students
• – Seven undergraduate students
• – One staff member

Ventures span a range of growth stages:

• – 20% at the concept stage
• – 30% developing a prototype
• – 15% in an unpaid pilot phase
• – 10% have built a minimal viable product (MVP)
• – 20% are running paid pilots
• – 5% are already operationally profitable

Ventures address challenges across diverse sectors such as the sciences, health care, future of work, consumer goods, deep tech and educational tech.

“The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Program has been a game-changer for us,” says Erica Evans 25MBA, co-founder of Blood Rheology Solutions. “The program equipped us with the tools to refine our business model and strengthen our product-market fit. Most importantly, it taught us to think beyond the science and focus on delivering maximum value to our customers.”

Learn more about the ventures below.

Appetite Ventures: Joel Offin (Emory College senior, computer science and economics)

Appetite Ventures connects food and beverage founders with investors, addressing a major funding gap while fostering a community that highlights their stories and innovations.

Blood Rheology Solutions: Erica Evans 25MBA (Goizueta Business School)

Blood Rheology Solutions offers red cell function testing to optimize patient selection for clinical trials, ultimately accelerating drug approval and ensuring life-changing therapies for sickle cell disease patients.

ClariFi: Malia Wakesho-Ajwang (Emory College junior, computer science)

ClariFi is an ADHD-support app for college students, providing time management tools, study techniques and a supportive community to help students thrive academically and personally.

Commonology AI: Sam Liu 27BBA (Goizueta Business School)

Commonology AI is an adaptive learning platform using artificial intelligence to personalize coursework and address unique challenges in standardized education systems.

Connectogen: Joshua Brown (School of Medicine, radiology program resident)

Connectogen enhances collaboration in biomedical research by providing a centralized platform for researchers to post, manage and find collaborators for projects.

Corridor: Albert Dijikeng 26MBA (Goizueta Business School)

Corridor formalizes and facilitates seminar bookings for mixed martial arts gyms across the U.S., connecting gyms with high-level fighters.

Could Be Pretty Cool: Kacie Luaders (Emory College, Arts and Social Justice Program fellow)

Could Be Pretty Cool is an audio-first think tank empowering creative entrepreneurs with data-driven resources and media content.

Luksai: Telita Meira (Goizueta Business School, visiting scholar)

Luksai is a platform enabling mentors, coaches and content creators to scale globally by automating processes and bridging the gap between knowledge providers and those who need it.

Moji: Tyki Wada 25MBA (Goizueta Business School)

Moji is a project management tool using natural language processing to improve communication and clarity between product leads and development teams.

My Advisor AI: Hussain Punjani 22EvMBA (Goizueta Business School)

MyAdvisorAI is an AI-powered personal coach offering career advice, skill-building and productivity support for young professionals and college students.

On the Level: Sri Harsha Soma (Rollins School of Public Health, MPH program)

On the Level uses sensor-based technology to provide real-time feedback on form and alignment during barbell workouts, preventing gym injuries.

Papercuts: Mecko Gibson (Candler School of Theology, MDiv program)

Papercuts transforms research papers into short, animated videos that capture key insights, increasing engagement and accessibility.

Safe Squeeze Headgear: Anthony Vargas (Emory College junior, psychology and pre-med)

Safe Squeeze Headgear offers personalized head protection for youth flag football, addressing a growing need in this rapidly growing sport.

Seamlist: Dimi Deju 27BBA (Goizueta Business School)

Seamlist automates book marketing for indie authors, designing personalized workflows and providing chatbot support.

Sonaara: Dany Hernandez 23BBA (Goizueta Business School)

Sonaara enhances spontaneous, in-person connections by bridging the gap between meetup platforms and local venues.

SAMMS (Speech Amplifying Multi-Microphone System): Adam Klein (School of Medicine, Willard and Lillian Hackerman Professor in Voice)

SAMMS offers real-time voice feedback for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, improving communication and reducing social isolation.

Subscription Intern: Emilio Van Cotthem (Emory College senior, history)

Subscription Intern connects top university students with startups and investment firms, streamlining talent acquisition and management.

Uni-IP: Rishav Kumar 25BBA (Emory College and Goizueta Business School)

Uni-IP connects academics and investors through a marketplace for university patents, bringing innovations to market.

Workforce IQ: Omid Razmpour 26MBA/PhD (Goizueta Business School and School of Nursing, MBA and PhD programs)

WorkforceIQ uses data analytics to reduce nurse turnover and improve financial performance through real-time, actionable insights.

Looking ahead to Demo Day

As the program progresses, participants will refine their ideas, build relationships with mentors and prepare to present their startups at Demo Day, where they’ll have the opportunity to showcase their innovations to the Atlanta and Emory entrepreneurial ecosystems.

“Emory’s commitment to empowering future innovators is evident in this program,” says Brian Cayce, managing director of the Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “The diverse backgrounds and ideas represented in this cohort are a testament to the depth of talent within Emory’s community.”

Several ventures in this year’s Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst cohort are already earning recognition beyond the program. 

Dany Hernandez Gonzalez was featured in a recent Hypepotamus article for his startup Sonaara. Blood Rheology Solutions was awarded the $10,000 EmpowerHER Award at the Startup Runway Foundation Showcase, honoring its impact on precision medicine for sickle cell disease. Safe Squeeze Headgear took home wins at both the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards competition and The Hatchery Student Founders Showcase, spotlighting its commitment to youth sports safety. 

Meanwhile, Workforce IQ, led by Omid Razmpour, won the FY25 Emory Healthcare Innovation Challenge for its data-driven approach to tackling nurse turnover — demonstrating that these ventures are not only innovative but already making waves in their respective fields.

Overall, founders in the program have been awarded $197,500 in non-dilutive funding since the cohort began.

“What excites me most about this cohort is the incredible diversity — not just in backgrounds, but in the types of problems these founders are solving,” says Wilbur Lam, vice provost of entrepreneurship at Emory. 

“From precision diagnostics for sickle cell disease to AI tools for student success, and even platforms that support indie artists and athletes, these ventures reflect the full spectrum of innovation happening at Emory. It’s inspiring to see science and creativity working side by side to make real-world impact.”

Learn more about The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

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The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, with the support of the Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), has launched the latest evolution of a long-standing initiative designed to elevate student innovation and foster future-ready skills: the Innovation Consulting Fellows (ICF) Program.

With a strategic focus on empowering student entrepreneurs across all Emory schools, this program equips fellows with the knowledge, tools, and experience needed to thrive in innovation and entrepreneurship (I/E) consulting.

A New Direction for the Innovation Consulting Fellows Program

The origins of the Innovation Consulting Fellows program reflect its iterative nature and responsiveness to the needs of Emory’s innovative ecosystem.

What began in 2020 to help student clubs navigate the challenges of remote operations during the pandemic has now transformed into a high-touch consultancy model serving ventures across diverse fields. Last year’s fellows developed and supported Hatchery programs like STEM Sync and Wonderful Wednesdays.

This year’s fellows are working directly with ventures in The Hatchery’s Incubator program, applying their expertise in areas like designing customer discovery interviews, assisting with prototype development, and providing code review — which are vital steps for helping ventures move forward effectively.

“This year’s program is a testament to The Incubator’s evolution and growth,” says Ben Garrett, director of The Hatchery. “The addition of the program directly supporting our student founders is just one of the ways we’re continuously refining and expanding our programming to ensure we’re meeting the needs of every innovator at Emory. This model not only benefits our student founders but also develops a pipeline of entrepreneurial talent and leaders for the future.”

Supporting Ventures, Empowering Fellows

The Innovation Consulting Fellows Program is rooted in practical, hands-on learning. Under the mentorship of The Hatchery staff and guided by I/E principles, the five innovation consulting fellows began collaborating last semester with members of The Hatchery’s Incubator cohort for the 2024-25 academic year. Their mission is to help student entrepreneurs navigate challenges, refine strategies, and create actionable roadmaps for success.

Each fellow brings expertise in the core areas of finance, technology, and business management. Together, they serve as a dedicated consultancy team, meeting monthly with ventures, conducting due diligence, and delivering tailored recommendations to advance venture goals.

The program is managed by Rizky Etika, innovation program coordinator at The Hatchery with support from Michael Nkwocha 25MBA, an MBA candidate at Goizueta and fellow at The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Recognizing the dual benefits of the program, Etika emphasizes that “the Innovation Consulting Fellows Program is designed to serve both student founders and the fellows themselves. Founders receive critical support and expert guidance tailored to their ventures, while fellows gain hands-on consulting experience and skills that are transferable to any industry.”

Muhammad Jaiteh 25BBA, finance innovation consulting fellow, has been a part of the program since 2023 and has seen great personal growth.

“The program has been more than just an experience; it’s been a journey of discovery and purpose,” says Jaiteh. “It’s shown me that leadership isn’t just about guiding others; it’s about inspiring them to believe in the power of their ideas and their potential to make a difference. I’m deeply grateful to The Hatchery team for their unwavering support and investment in me over the past years. Their mentorship and belief in my potential have been instrumental in shaping my confidence and ability to make a meaningful impact.”

Meet the 2024-25 Innovation Consulting Fellows

Finance innovation consulting fellow

Muhammad Jaiteh, a fourth-year student studying business administration specializing in finance and organization and management. Jaiteh brings expertise in financial analysis and strategic planning.

Business management innovation consulting fellows

Ryan Lin, a fourth-year student majoring in computer science and math. Lin merges technical and management acumen.

Nick Salyers 25MBA, a full-time MBA candidate at Goizueta Business School. Salyers leverages professional business insights to support venture growth.

Tech innovation consulting fellows

Alex Bryant, a fourth-year student double majoring in computer science and English. Bryant combines technical expertise with creativity.

Malia Wakesho-Ajwang, a third-year student studying computer science and psychology. Wakesho-Ajwang provides interdisciplinary solutions to technical challenges.

Learn more about The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

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Alumnus Josh Luber’s lifelong passions for sneakers, sports cards, and toys — plus his love of data — led him to co-found successful businesses StockX, Fanatics Collectibles and ghostwrite while placing him at the forefront of the “hype economy.”

At the same time that a young Kobe Bryant was hooping it up for Lower Merion High School in the mid-1990s, Josh Luber 99BBA 06MBA 06L ran point guard for Harriton High — located just down the road in the Main Line suburbs west of Philadelphia. “All the really good athletes got recruited to play for Lower Merion,” Luber says. “I was 5’9” and slow, but skilled enough that I had the chance to start at Harriton. Lower Merion won a state championship. We won something like three games in two years. I never fooled myself into thinking I was going to be a star like Kobe.”

Still, Luber absolutely loved everything about basketball. “I wanted to play 24/7,” he says. He relished joining the streetball-style pickup games at Narberth Playground, marveled at Michael Jordan’s dominance in the NBA, and fully embraced the sport’s culture — especially the music and fashion. Like so many kids of that era he obsessed over basketball sneakers and desperately wanted to own a pair of Air Jordans. “But there was no way my mom was ever going to pay $100 or more for shoes back then,” he says. 

Now, some 30 years later, Luber boasts a closet full of some of the rarest and most expensive sneakers in the world (including a $310,000 pair of Air Jordans). He refers to this collection as his “sneaker portfolio,” because he firmly believes these shoes are no different than other valuable commodities — like sports cars and rare art or even stocks and gold — that are in high demand and can easily be bought, sold, or traded.

Sneakers became part of the new “hype economy” that formed over the past couple of decades. As Luber describes it, the hype economy is where culturally relevant goods have gained real value based on scarcity and buzz, often selling for much higher than original retail prices. In this market, limited-edition drops, celebrity endorsements, and social media hype can send shoe prices skyrocketing, turning everyday consumers into investors and serious collectors into market speculators.  

Luber recognized this trend early on and helped build not just one, but three successful businesses that capitalize on this dynamic. He’s become a leading force in the industry by proving that sneakers — and collectibles like sports cards and toys — aren’t just symbols of wealth or fashion statements, but legitimate financial assets.

CREATING A NEW KIND OF MARKETPLACE

This realization led Luber in 2016 to launch StockX, the stock market of things — mainly sneakers, streetwear, and collectibles — with business mogul Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and co-founder of Rocket Mortgage.  

“I was working at IBM but was doing a side project looking to create a buying guide for sneakers,” Luber says. “This startup was originally called Campless, and I spent months and months pulling shoe auction sales prices from eBay and cleaning massive amounts of Excel data.” 

The culture-savvy Gilbert heard about Luber’s work and met with him to see if together they could take this idea of a sneaker price guide to another level.

How? By building an online platform for not only selling basketball shoes, but also other high-demand, limited-edition products. 

Luber remembers a pivotal meeting in the early days of setting up StockX when he and Gilbert met with several industry leaders, including the founder of Under Armour, Kevin Plank. He felt nervous to have a literal seat at this exclusive table, but Luber was confident in his data.

Under Armour had recently released their first limited-market sneaker, the UA Curry 1 MVP — the signature shoe of basketball star Stephen Curry— which retailed in stores for $120 but in less than two months was reselling for more than $500 a pair on eBay. “It was Under Armour’s first cool shoe,” Luber says. “When I showed him this data, Plank was upset. He said that he knew they should have made more of the shoe.” 

But that’s when Luber gathered up the guts to tell Plank he was absolutely incorrect. “If you make too many, then the shoe won’t be cool anymore,” he explained to Plank. 

History proved Luber right. In subsequent iterations of the Curry MVP shoes, the company produced so many that they lost their luster with sneakerheads and wound up on clearance racks at discount stores across the country, he says. 

“Everything is priced wrong” is something of a mantra Luber frequently uses to explain his approach to business.

He believes too many goods and services come with fixed retail prices and that, instead, their real cost should be based on supply and demand. “Think Uber surge pricing or the way airlines charge for plane tickets,” he says. “These are efficient markets, and the same concept could be applied to virtually any hype economy good or service, like sneakers.”  

The goal for StockX was to set up a marketplace for collectible sneakers and other goods at the heart of the hype economy — streetwear, designer bags, watches, trading cards, and toys — that was both transparent and efficient, using a live bid/ask system that emulates a stock exchange. Buyers place bids (the highest price they’re willing to pay) and sellers set asks (the lowest price they’ll accept). When a bid and an ask match, the transaction happens automatically, ensuring fair, real-time pricing based on supply and demand. 

In fairly short order, Luber’s business philosophy was validated. The StockX buying and platform took off, reaching a peak market valuation of $8 billion in just five years — an achievement that brought him both industry recognition and personal financial success.

EMBRACING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

A serial entrepreneur and self-proclaimed hustler nearly all his life, Luber first got caught up in the thrill of making deals when he was a young kid. “I collected sports cards and was always on the hustle with my friends, negotiating and trading for the cards I really wanted,” he says. “I also used to sell candy at school. I hopped the fence behind my house to go to the store to buy Blow Pops and Bubbalicious and then sell them for a profit to my classmates. Trading cards and candy were the only two hustles available to a 10-year-old back in 1988, before the internet.” 

It’s no surprise that when Luber chose to go to college at Emory — he saw it as a top school and he had family living in the Atlanta area — he decided to study business. He did well in his classes, enjoyed collegiate life, and made tons of friends. After earning his undergraduate BBA degree from Goizueta Business School in 1999, he progressed through a number of jobs. “The first was working for my uncle’s furniture store business, literally selling couches and working on commission,” he says. “I worked my way up from sales to being a buyer and learned a lot about retail.” 

Unfortunately, his uncle’s business went into bankruptcy after a couple years and Luber was left collecting unemployment checks for six months. But it proved to be the perfect timing. He joined forces with a friend from Emory and in 2002 they launched an IT service, called Tech Experts. “It was like Best Buy’s Geek Squad before Geek Squad existed,” he says. “We’d go to people’s homes and fix their computers. We built it up, hired some employees, and ran the entire thing from our shared apartment. It was a small business but it paid the rent and gave me my first taste of being a real entrepreneur.” 

At the same time, however, Luber was considering going to graduate school and wound up selling his share of the business for $18,000. He returned to Emory in 2003 to pursue a joint JD/MBA degree from Emory Law School and Goizueta and thrived in the challenging environment. “I loved law school and soaked up a lot from faculty and classmates,” he says. “I thought my destiny was to be an attorney.”

After graduating, he landed a role as an associate at Alston & Bird, a prestigious Atlanta law firm. “I made good money and enjoyed it, but realized after eight months that I actually didn’t want to be a lawyer,” he says.  

Luber simply could not shake the call of entrepreneurship. 

He left and co-founded a restaurant staff-scheduling app called Servinity in 2007. “We found some investors and raised some money, but the economic crash of 2008 ultimately sealed our fate,” Luber says. “It was historically bad timing. But another one of my friends from business school reached out and recruited me to work as a management consultant at IBM in New York City. So I moved away from Atlanta after having lived there for 15 years and entered a new phase of my career, the one where everything finally clicked together.”

TAKING ON TRADING CARDS AND TOYS 

After Luber’s incredible success at StockX, he started to look for the next opportunity, the next challenge, the next hustle. As fate would have it, that opportunity came through another of his childhood passions — sports cards. 

In 2021, Luber joined another industry mover and shaker, Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin, to start up a sports trading card and memorabilia business called Fanatics Collectibles. Serving as co-founder and chief vision officer, Luber helped negotiate exclusive-rights licensing deals with major sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB and oversaw the acquisition of legendary trading card company Topps.

“Trading cards, while they are cardboard and plastic, can be better protected over time than sneakers and can hold their value long term,” Luber says. For example, he notes that a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card can be worth millions of dollars, depending on its condition. “It’s mainly because people didn’t protect them back then and they are rare in that state,” he says. “Today, modern cards are much better taken care of by collectors.” 

And while they are mass produced at greater numbers than ever, Luber notes, the companies have built in limited-edition variations, as well as cards that contain autographs or pieces of game-used memorabilia that make them more unique and valuable. “In addition, they can be graded and put in protective slabs that are tamperproof and element-proof,” he adds. 

In the span of a year, Fanatics Collectibles became the industry market leader and was worth $10 billion. 

However, Luber realized he wanted a different experience. He wanted to build up his own company from scratch. So he left Fanatics in 2022 and founded ghostwrite, a toy company that makes collectible figures called “ghosts” — think Funko Pops but far more exclusive. Each limited-edition ghost has the same shape, a kind of “blank canvas” that can be customized with different skins. These skins range from the iconic anime character Astro Boy to the WNBA’s revolutionary star Caitlin Clark, who was featured in the company’s first collaboration with the league in December 2024.

What’s different — and perhaps most satisfying — at ghostwrite is that Luber designed the product himself. It took the company several months to design the toy and come up with a shape that was appealing. “And then, before we officially launched, we tried a number of different skins and customizations,” says Luber, who serves as the company’s CEO. “We made dozens of ghosts, including ones for Tiffany, for Adidas, for the NBA and MLB.” 

In addition to producing the toy figures, ghostwrite operates its own selling platform that uses a blind Dutch auction system. It’s a market-driven pricing model where buyers submit blind bids, indicating the highest amount they’re willing to pay for a limited-edition product. Once bidding closes, the platform ranks all bids from highest to lowest and determines the clearing price — the lowest successful bid that sells out the available supply, Luber explains. 

“All winning buyers pay this same final price, even if they originally bid higher, ensuring fairness and preventing overpayment while allowing true market demand to dictate value,” he says. 

For Luber, ghostwrite isn’t just another business venture — it’s a sort of homecoming, a chance to build something special with the people who’ve shaped his entrepreneurial journey. 

“When I left StockX, there were over 1,400 people working there,” Luber says. “Here it’s just 10 of us, most of them people like my brother whom I have worked with across different stages of my career. These are people I love and trust — these are people I want to work with, and they are all superstars. To have a company where we can do this together is really a dream come true. I couldn’t do it without them.”

Ready to lead the next revolution? Explore Goizueta’s innovative business programs and start shaping the future today.

Josh Luber recently joined Emory President Greg L. Fenves on the One Big Question podcast to share his journey from sneakerhead to startup visionary. Hear more of his story — along with conversations with other remarkable alumni, faculty, staff and special guests — at the One Big Question website — read more on Emory News Center.

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Curveballs and Comebacks: The Making of Emory Scholar-Athlete Blake Dinçman

Undergraduate student Blake Dinçman’s 25BBA path shows the power of grit, growth, and giving back. With a job offer in impact-driven finance, he’s just getting started.

Meet Blake Dinçman

Data-Driven Healing: The Journey of Tommy Pan  

Meet Tommy Pan 25MSBA, a graduating MS in Business Analytics student whose journey has been shaped by curiosity, purpose, and a passion for healthcare innovation. In this Q&A, he shares how his background in business, chemistry, and data science is helping him make a meaningful impact in the world of health tech. 

Meet Tommy Pan

Finding Motivation in a Mission-Driven MBA 

Molly McDonald 25EvMBA joined Goizueta Evening MBA program with a passion for purpose-driven leadership and social impact. In this Q&A, she shares her experiences, insights, and what’s next after graduation. 

Meet Molly McDonald

Amber O’Donoghue Finds Her Voice and Vision at Goizueta 

Meet Amber O’Donoghue 25MBA, a graduating Full-Time MBA student whose journey has been shaped by leadership, creativity, and a deep commitment to community. In this Q&A, she shares how her experiences—from Spelman to Accenture to Goizueta—are fueling her next chapter in marketing and strategy. 

Meet Amber O’Donogue

Qazi Haq Proves Community Is the Most Powerful Classroom

Meet Qazi Haq 25MBA, a graduating Full-Time MBA student whose Goizueta journey has been defined by leadership, mentorship, and a drive to build community. In this Q&A, he reflects on his experiences, his passion for finance and strategy, and what comes next.  

Meet Qazi Haq

Hurl Taylor Proves It’s Never Too Late to Learn or Lead 

Meet Hurl Taylor 25MBV, a graduating Master in Business for Veterans student whose journey is a testament to lifelong learning, service, and resilience. In this Q&A, the 86-year-old Army veteran and four-time Emory graduate shares how he continues to use his experience and education to uplift others. 

Meet Hurl Taylor

Hailey Hunt Brings a Literary Lens to Leadership and Management 

Meet Hailey Hunt 25MiM, a graduating Master in Management student whose journey reflects a passion for leadership, collaboration, and purposeful work. In this Q&A, she shares how her experiences at Goizueta have prepared her to lead with intention and drive results through strong teamwork. 

Meet Hailey Hunt

Business with a Pulse: Georgia Forrest Redefines Leadership in Medicine and Beyond

Meet Dr. Georgia Forrest 25EMBA, a graduating Executive MBA student whose journey is defined by visionary leadership and a deep commitment to transforming healthcare. In this Q&A, she shares how her time at Goizueta is helping her drive change—from hospitals to policy—while empowering others along the way.  

Meet Georgia Forrest

Crunching the Numbers That Move Markets: Emilio Cristofoli’s Future in Finance Takes Shape

Meet Emilio Cristofoli 25MF, a graduating Master of Finance student whose journey is fueled by a passion for quantitative analysis and a drive to excel in capital markets. In this Q&A, he shares how his time at Goizueta has prepared him for a future in investment banking or asset management—and why he plans to stay closely connected to the Emory community.  

Meet Emilio Cristofoli

Want to see Goizueta Business School from a student’s perspective? Discover firsthand accounts of campus life and leadership experiences at Goizueta by exploring the Voice of Goizueta webpage, where students share their unique experiences and insights.

The post Meet the Class of 2025 appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

When he was a child, Anthony Vargas 24Ox 26C suffered headaches so severe he would scream into his pillow. At 14 he lost movement in his left hand. Something was very wrong. Doctors identified an arachnoid cyst the size of a small lemon and performed emergency brain surgery. Post-recovery, Vargas, an athlete and New Jersey sports fan, had to play basketball wearing a rugby helmet. Opposing players mocked him. He thought there had to be a better solution, but he couldn’t find an alternative. So he created one.

Vargas built a prototype with his girlfriend’s volleyball knee pads. He called it the Chrome Dome, and it still sits on a shelf at home next to the rugby helmet. He enrolled and played basketball at Emory University’s Oxford College, where his interest in entrepreneurship soared. After transferring to Emory College of Arts and Sciences, the pre-med psychology major has continued to refine his rudimentary Chrome Dome design. His new device, Safe Squeeze Headgear, is a more stylish option targeted specifically to youth athletes. “I want to make safety fun,” he says, “not just make fun safe.”

With support from Emory’s entrepreneurially-focused Hatchery: Center for Innovation and Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Vargas now works with and learns from mentors and peer entrepreneurs. He has pitched his idea more than 100 times, is seeking an engineer to refine the design, and conducts customer validation with youth coaches and leagues in Florida, New Jersey and Georgia.

Many Emory students have solid startup ideas but lack a business background to develop them. They want to improve the lives of others, channel their creativity, drive, entrepreneurial spirit — and sometimes their personal experience — into a business they can launch, grow and sustain. But, like Vargas in the early days of the Chrome Dome, they don’t always know where to turn or what steps to take.

Thanks in large part to the generosity of longtime supporters Stuart Rose 76B and Mimi Rose, Emory is clearing new pathways to student entrepreneurship. The Stuart and Mimi Rose Program for Student Startups, launching in the 2025-26 academic year, will offer a series of courses, programming and mentoring opportunities open to students interested in founding their own ventures.  

Administered through Goizueta Business School and housed in The Hatchery, the Rose Program will offer all Emory undergraduates an opportunity to transform their bold, creative ideas into real-world solutions for real-world problems — much as a newly designed head piece might make sports easier, safer and more comfortable for a kid recovering from a head injury.

“Entrepreneurship really embodies Emory’s mission — it’s about figuring out how to apply knowledge and discovery to benefit society and expand impact,” says Wilbur Lam, vice provost for entrepreneurship, who is partnering with colleagues across the university to expand Emory’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. “We’re eager to set more student innovators on that pathway by helping them develop the skills to turn ideas into impactful products and services. We are tremendously grateful to Stuart and Mimi Rose for supporting the next generation of Emory entrepreneurs.”

An Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The Rose Program recognizes that great entrepreneurs are everywhere. Some come from the sciences, some from the humanities, others from the arts, business and beyond. Open to students regardless of major, the program is designed to equip them with the tools and resources they need to build, launch, promote and sustain a successful business.

That level of accessibility, according to Stuart Rose, is exactly what excites the Roses about this new initiative.

“Mimi and I believe great ideas can come from anyone, anytime, anywhere — no matter their background or academic major,” Stuart Rose says. “And we want every Emory student to feel like they have a chance to bring their ideas to life. Funding this program is our way to help make that happen. Mimi and I are thrilled and privileged to know this program will both educate and challenge future leaders, problem-solvers and changemakers to dream big, take risks and make a real difference in their communities and the world.”

Barbara Krauthamer, dean of Emory College of Arts and Sciences, regularly meets and hears from students who express ideas for making an impact in the world. Some of those concepts materialize into a dream to start and run a business.

“The Rose Program is a wonderful addition to the rich array of academic and co-curricular programs in Emory College,” says Krauthamer. “I am excited by the opportunities students will have to pursue innovative and entrepreneurial activities through this initiative.”

The Rose Program engages students from the start, with a week-long Ignite pre-orientation course focused on innovation for incoming first-year Oxford College and Emory College students. It continues with a three-course academic sequence focused on experiential learning, innovation and mentorship:

1. Foundations of Entrepreneurship: Introduces fundamental principles, tailored for non-business students.
2. Applied Entrepreneurship (Startup Lab): Students explore real-world business scenarios and test startup concepts.
3. Business Development (Startup Launchpad): Students develop their business ideas and write a business plan.

The first course will be offered in spring 2026, followed by additional coursework in the 2026–27 academic year. After completing the Foundations of Entrepreneurship course (or, for BBA students, the Entrepreneurship course), Emory College, nursing and business undergraduates may apply for the opportunity to become Rose Program Fellows, who are eligible to take the Startup Lab and Launchpad courses to further develop their ventures. Fellows can also apply to participate in a 10-week Summer Accelerator program at The Hatchery, Emory’s 15,000-square-foot creative, collaborative space, where they can benefit from further learning, testing, mentorship and even startup funding.

A Unique Approach to Entrepreneurship

Many universities have entrepreneurship programs, but Emory’s Rose Program is distinguished by its integration with Emory’s unique strengths, according to Brian Cayce, managing director for The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and a key figure in planning and developing the Rose Program.

Emory is a leader in health care research, an area ripe for innovation. It is also at the forefront of artificial intelligence, climate science and health care technology — fields increasingly intertwined with entrepreneurship.

“We’re creating an ecosystem that leverages Emory’s strengths,” Cayce says. “This isn’t just about building tech startups. It’s about empowering students across disciplines to become entrepreneurs in their own fields.

“They already have the raw materials — the curiosity, the knowledge, the drive,” Cayce adds. “Our role is to guide them, to help them shape their ideas into something tangible, something impactful. We don’t just want to tell them what they need to know; we want to give them the tools and the confidence to take action.”

The Hatchery: Where Ideas Take Flight

A startup needs more than a great idea, and student entrepreneurs need more than classroom instruction. They need physical space to grow their ventures.

That’s where The Hatchery comes in.

Serving as both the physical and symbolic home of the Rose Program, The Hatchery provides students with a collaborative workspace, mentorship and access to key resources, says director Ben Garrett.

“Entrepreneurs thrive within a supportive ecosystem. This is why, in addition to best-in-class instruction offered via the Goizueta Business School, The Hatchery will provide Rose Program participants with the ideal environment for student founders to succeed,” Garrett says, pointing to the center’s long track record of supporting student innovation. “Rose Program students will engage in real-world entrepreneurial challenges, from customer discovery to competitive landscape analysis to financial planning. Just as important, they will be surrounded by a community of like-minded innovators, learning from one another’s successes and setbacks.

“The Hatchery is a launchpad,” Garrett adds. “These students won’t just learn theories about entrepreneurship — they’ll be actively building their businesses in an environment that supports them every step of the way.”

Not Just Another Business Program

While the Rose Program works with students while they are enrolled, its reach extends beyond the university itself.

Young people are growing up in a world where innovation is at their fingertips. It’s practically in their DNA. Many students who don’t plan to launch a venture immediately after graduation are already envisioning ways in which they might create solutions to real-world problems. This experience will give them foundations to do so in the future.

At its core, it’s about more than just startups, says Cayce. “The program equips students with a mindset. Even if they don’t launch a business immediately, they will walk away with the skills and confidence to do so when the time is right.

“We don’t expect every student to leave here and start the next Nvidia,” Cayce says. “They don’t even have to bring a fully baked idea with them when they enroll in the program. What we want is for them to leave here knowing that they can start something if they want to. That they have the knowledge, the skills, and the support to make it happen.”

The bottom line is clear: The Rose Program is for everyone. It doesn’t matter what students are studying or whether they’ve thought about business before, says Gareth James, John H. Harland Dean of Goizueta Business School. What matters is their desire to solve real problems and make an impact.

“The Rose Program is a game-changer for Emory,” he says. “It ensures that students from all backgrounds have access to the education, mentorship and resources they need to bring their ideas to life. By fostering an inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to entrepreneurship, we are creating opportunities for innovation across the entire university.”

The post Stuart and Mimi Rose Student Startup Program will Help Emory Undergrads Bring Ideas to Life appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.