This Northeastern Next bonus episode is the culmination of five women’s quest to change the way the world perceives their strength. During her co-op in Northeastern’s Advancement division, student athlete and aspiring journalist, Madison Neuner, AMD’24 examines ways in which women own their right to influence social change for themselves and others. From advocating in office spaces to cheering on the track, learn how these alumnae and students are paving the way to overcome disparities and...

While TV medical dramas have ruled entertainment for decades, Dr. Washington, AS’05, was putting in the real work. She received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and was the first Black woman to be admitted into the residency program. From a private practice in Texas to a prestigious surgery fellowship in Oregon, Dr. Washington is a lifelong learner, now specializing in liver and pancreatic procedures. In this episode, she speaks about her experience as...

Northeastern alumni can be found around the world—there over 275,000 people who are connected by one global university. Every day our alumni volunteers give their time and talent to make the Northeastern network even stronger.  In this episode, Ilana Gensler, assistant director of alumni engagement, will speak with a few of our volunteers from San Francisco to Thailand.  Volunteers:  Rachel Rappe, DMSB’15, Chicago Community Volunteer, Young Alumni Advisory Board Member, Women Who Empower...

“The Breakfast Club with murder” is how Karen McManus, MA’04, describes her first novel, "One of Us is Lying." Now with four books published and more on the way, this New York Times Bestselling author has made writing her full-time career. Karen started in PR and Marketing, but realized it was never too late to make a switch. In this episode she shares how a familiar '80s song inspired her writing and gives updates on the forthcoming TV adaptation of her first book. Visit karenmcmanus.com and...

Pandemic pivots became a priority for many entrepreneurs in early 2020, but a variety of factors can influence a product change. In this episode, you’ll hear from two business leaders: Yewande Masi, CJ’09, founder of Ornami skincare and Glen Giovanucci, DMSB’83, CEO at G-Form. This episode features a pre-recorded interview from our virtual entrepreneurship event in November. It’s moderated by Katie Hemphill, MS'19, Associate Director of the McCarthy(s) Venture Mentoring Network (VMN). This...

18 billion pounds of plastic enter our oceans each year, a harrowing fact that only accounts for a portion of our planet's pollution crisis. Northeastern innovators are tackling this problem to create sustainable solutions for cleaner oceans. Bureo, an emerging B-Corp, has created a program to recycle fishing nets into a NetPlus™ material, used in products by Patagonia and other partner companies.    Join the conversation to fight plastic pollution with Ben Kneppers, E'07, co-founder and COO...

Successful CEOs are not born overnight. Ryan Drexler, AS’93, grew up as the shy kid and lacked confidence in public speaking, but like every Northeastern student, he focused on finding his career path. Ryan majored in theatre, a unique choice at the time, but one that brought him outside his comfort zone to develop essential leadership skills. Fast forward to the present, Ryan is now CEO and president of MusclePharm, a publicly traded sports nutrition company, and shares his advice on leading...

Creativity. Diversity. Changemakers. What do these buzz words really mean? Vallabhi Singh, DMSB’17, has been chasing that answer and her own curiosity since she graduated. Unexpectedly, she left her promising career in New York City to return to her home country of India, but she brought with her a deep passion for entrepreneurship, collaboration, and connection. She focused her energy and founded Creatives Around The World (CATW), in the midst of the global pandemic, to bring diverse minds...

An American passport changed her life. Alexandra Tarzikhan was born in the United States to her American mom and Syrian dad. She grew up in the city of Aleppo, returning to Boston to attend Northeastern. But in 2011 at the start of the Syrian civil war, Alexandra could easily hop on a plane thanks to her passport. Her lived experience became drastically different than the refugees struggling for safety and asylum in Europe. Instead, she experienced the migrant crisis in Lesvos as a volunteer....

What do the Beanpot and Chicken Lou’s have in common? They are both beloved Northeastern traditions, and Men’s Hockey Head Coach Jim Madigan speaks fondly of both. Coach Madigan set foot on campus for the first time in 1981 as a first-year student. Graduating in 1986, he landed his first assistant coaching job at Northeastern, and 34 years later, hasn’t looked back. Coach Madigan is a six-time Beanpot champion and has held roles in athletics, facilities, and advancement, proudly serving the...

If sports journalism makes you think of box scores and game recaps, you are only scratching the surface. Kade Krichko, AMD'12, is a freelance writer, editor, and photojournalist who makes a living traveling the world and chasing stories. Covering skateboarding in Cuba, and the history of skiing in China, he writes with a unique lens at the intersection of sports and culture and is published in The New York Times, ESPN, Outside Online and more. Kade is also an editor for Northeastern’s Game...

What's "African fashion?" Audrey Lang, DMSB’15, finds it almost impossible to define for the most culturally diverse continent in the world. Born in France to two Cameroonian immigrants, she has lived in the US since she was three with the goal to work in Africa after her Northeastern experience. Having built a career in retail and e-commerce, Audrey landed an opportunity in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire at the largest marketplace for African-inspired goods. The market is complex, and faces unique...

What is the “heart” of your ideal workplace? Who are the people, the values, and the shared goals? The answers to these questions help define an "employer brand"—the look, feel, and voice of a company. Employer branding and recruitment marketing are growing fields in the modern work landscape, where talent acquisition is competitive and employees are expecting more. Rian Finnegan, AMD'11 is a champion for the employee experience and followed a passion for creating engaging and inclusive...

Simply making it to Shark Tank might be the ultimate dream for an entrepreneur. But, last year, Jamie Ratner, MS’01, founder and CEO of CertifiKID, closed a deal with Mr. Wonderful himself, for her discount website for family-friendly activities. Before starting CertifiKID, Jamie worked in security for almost a decade after receiving her master’s in criminal justice at Northeastern. But, as a parent and self-proclaimed deal-finder, Jamie and her husband saw a gap in the market for...

There are five times as many books about trucks than there are about any children of color. When Sailaja Joshi, DMSB’06 was searching for authentic and appropriate stories of Indian culture for her own children, she found a huge diversity gap in children’s literature. So, she decided to solve the problem, and launched Mango and Marigold Press, an award winning independent publishing house focusing on the South Asian experience. Serving as the CEO and founder, today the press has over a dozen...

We might love the sun, but it is also very harmful to our largest organ—the skin. Lauren Rampello, DMSB’11 is the founder of Pure Glow—a company dedicated to bringing an organic and sunless tanning solution to Boston. Lauren built her business on knowledge and transparency, focusing on natural ingredients, while prioritizing health and the unique client experience. And, Lauren has leveraged Northeastern resources to give her a boost. Northeastern has a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and...

Students who like biology often go the pre-med route, but what if being a doctor isn’t the right fit for you? Navigating the medical career landscape can be daunting, but Katie Lemons, MS’19 found a way to combine her passions and carve a unique path. Recently earning her Physician's Assistant degree and license from Northeastern, she also has a master’s degree in nutrition and manages a popular blog called, “Twist of Lemons” with over 118,000 followers on Instagram. Katie is a lover of all...

If you've been in Boston, you might recognize the classic pedicab—the three-wheeled bicycle pedaled by local college students who shuttle tourists and fans to Fenway Park. Ben Morris, DMSB’05, knew that a pedal-powered vehicle could go even farther. What started as a Boston-based fleet of five, today has grown into the largest pedicab company in the country, called Coaster Cycles. And Ben—now CEO and founder of Coaster Cycles—has no plans to stop. He's brought in Brian Schatz, DMSB’10, as VP...

Sweat. Inspire. Transform. Raise the Bar. You’ll find these words on the walls of The Handle Bar Indoor Cycling Studio, founded by Jess Fracalossi, AS'10, in 2013, with a mission far beyond the bike. Six years later, she has four award-winning locations in Boston, loyal riders, and a brand centered around passion, community, and wellness. From angel investors and the brick and mortar real estate game, to hiring a strong team to support the business, Jess is an ambitious fitness entrepreneur....

In a world of Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and Under Armour, is it possible to break through and create a new and competitive sportswear brand? Jason Yau, DMSB’17, founder of Zyphr apparel, thinks so. Athletes in Hong Kong rely on foreign brands, and Jason saw a gap in the market for his homegrown premium sportswear company. With global fast fashion trends and low barriers to entry, Jason is setting his brand apart by focusing on the quality, and creating a perfect match between performance fabrics...

Crime thriller novels and TV shows have always been popular, but author Brian Shea, CJ’97 has literally been at the scene of the crime. After serving in the US Navy, Brian spent over 10 years in law enforcement as a detective, and now writes what he knows. What do a terrorist, human trafficker, and serial killer have in common? They’ve all been hunted by his leading character, FBI agent, Nick Lawrence. Brian has mastered the art of creating the suspenseful “page turner” and at Northeastern,...

Sophia Moon, MBA’13, is an artist, entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and community builder who has always followed passion in her career. Instead of a side hustle, she designed a life she loves with many major hustles, giving each her full attention. She now owns Essem Art Studio in Charlestown, MA, leading art and music labs for children. She is also the Boston Chapter host of Creative Mornings, a monthly lecture series and global movement of 206 chapters in 65 countries. With only 24...

When he was 11, Jonathan Ulman dreamed of playing drums with Pearl Jam. Fast forward to today, he is a three-time winner of the Boston Music Award's Session Musician of the Year, a teacher at the Berklee College of Music, and has over 20 years of experience playing in live concerts and on hundreds of records. Jonathan understands the hustle involved in making a music career a reality, but more importantly how to market yourself—a skill relevant in every industry. How do you become ready for...