COHORT-24
JACOB APPLEBAUM
Jacob, a recent graduate of Ithaca College, holds a degree in Emerging Media and boasts double minors in Entrepreneurship and Live Event Management.
Beyond academia, Jacob is the proud owner of two startup companies—Team New Age, an Esports and Entertainment organization, and 4114, a computer peripheral company. Jacob is not just a business owner; he actively contributes to his school’s Valorant team, engages with the tabletop club, and participates in a local indoor soccer league. On top of managing his startups, Jacob remotely collaborates with Paris Saint-Germain, offering valuable insights to their brand development department in the Esports industry. He’s also had the privilege of completing summer internships with industry giants like Live Nation and NVE.
As he pursues his MBA, Jacob envisions himself as a creative director for a media organization. Simultaneously, he aims to broaden his skill set to pave the way for scaling his startups into full-time ventures in the future.
ABBY BERGACS
Abby, a recent graduate of Ithaca College, holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Abby is actively involved with South Hill Cider, indulging in her love for hiking, and relishing the vibrant atmosphere of concerts. Her experience extends to working as a Stage Manager on various musicals, and she successfully completed an internship with Degy Entertainment last spring.
Embarking on her MBA journey, Abby aspires to contribute to the promotion of live events and collaborate with local venues.
AIDAN EGAZARIAN
Aiden, a recent graduate of Pace University, holds a B.A. in Finance and made a mark on the lacrosse field as a Division 2 player.
Beyond academics, Aiden’s diverse interests span hiking, geography, and coaching lacrosse. Notably, he takes pride in launching a profitable business, showcasing his entrepreneurial prowess.
Looking ahead, Aiden aspires to globetrot, immersing himself in diverse cultures worldwide. Armed with his skills and knowledge, he aims to forge a path to success along the way!
Cooper holmes
Cooper, a recent graduate from the University at Albany, holds a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Entrepreneurship, complemented by a minor in Communications.
Viewing his undergraduate years as a chance to cultivate a robust business acumen, Cooper also pursued creative outlets beyond the classroom. He’s a seasoned actor and singer, boasting extensive experience in live performances, short films, and commercials.
Now, pursuing his MBA, Cooper aims to carve a path towards a career in production. His dream is to immerse himself in various facets of the entertainment industry, focusing particularly on film production and acting.
Jimmy johnson
Jimmy, a recent graduate of Ithaca College, holds an Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management.
Beyond the confines of the classroom, Jimmy is an avid enthusiast of various activities. Whether it’s shooting hoops, hiking scenic trails, paddleboarding, hitting the weights, or participating in 5K runs, his active lifestyle extends beyond his professional endeavors. Within the campus community, Jimmy collaborates with staff and faculty to facilitate affordable housing solutions for the IC community. Additionally, he is actively involved in the process of establishing a local sports bar in Ithaca, aiming to provide quick, affordable meals coupled with a memorable experience.
As he embarks on his MBA journey, Jimmy aspires to play a pivotal role as a lead asset on an event management team. This team will be responsible for organizing sporting events, live music performances, and other creatively entertaining gatherings.
Chris Kiely
Chris, a recent graduate of Siena College, holds a B.S. in Marketing with a concentration in Finance. A four-year player in Division I Lacrosse, he earned NCAA All-MAAC Academic honors in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Beyond the academic arena, Chris has made notable contributions in Sports Operations and Marketing for both the Premier Lacrosse League and Siena Athletics. He has also served as a Data Analyst intern for a Private Equity firm and contributed as a content creation intern. Chris’s interests extend to golf, any competitive game, skiing, hiking, and lakeside relaxation.
In his future endeavors, Chris envisions a career in Advertisement Production or Sports Production. Additionally, he aspires to travel across different continents and acquire proficiency in a third language.
nick matacchieri
Nick, a recent graduate of Ithaca College, earned his degree in Cinema and Photography with a concentration in still photography and a minor in Business Administration.
Beyond the academic setting, Nick finds joy in playing rugby, hitting the gym, and embarking on hiking adventures. Currently, he holds a position at Ithaca Beer Co. Nick has also contributed to Blonde + Co. in New York City, captured moments for the band “Balu Brigada” under Atlantic Records, and enriched his skills during a study abroad program in Siena, Italy.
In pursuit of the MBA, Nick aspires to carve a niche as a travel and advertising photographer, seamlessly blending his passion for photography with his love for travel.
sam plvan
Sam, a recent graduate from Ithaca College, majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Sport Management.
Beyond the academic realm, Sam finds joy in spontaneous adventures with friends, playing basketball, and exploring the gorges of Ithaca. However, his true passion lies in acting, particularly in student films at Ithaca College. Alongside his brothers, Sam has co-owned a lawn care business in Orange County, NY for about nine years.
Over the past four years, Sam has demonstrated his versatility by working with Syracuse Athletics Marketing, selling “Cortaca Jug” tickets, performing and embodying characters at Legoland New York, contributing to Super Bowl LVI, and managing sales and game operations for the Hoop Group Basketball Organization.
As he embarks on his MBA journey, Sam aspires to carve a niche in talent relations, all while nurturing his love for acting.
max sobel
Max, a recent graduate of Ithaca College, holds a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, with minors in Communications Management and Design.
Beyond the confines of the classroom, Max finds joy in playing tennis, immersing in music, and indulging in sports spectacles. Presently, Max serves as a social media project manager for diverse musicians and bands across the United States. He has also contributed to local sports podcasts and volunteered for special events at professional tennis tournaments.
As Max ventures into the MBA program, his aspirations lie in working as a sports/talent agent, collaborating with athletes and entertainment professionals.
Mercedesz stumphf
Merci, a recent graduate of Ithaca College, holds a degree in Business Administration with concentrations in management and marketing.
Beyond the lecture halls, Merci finds delight in staying active, engaging in rugby, and exploring the scenic landscapes of Ithaca. Presently, Merci serves as an Operations Manager at Ithaca College’s campus center, overseeing event management. She has also held roles as a Social Media Coordinator for South Hill Forest Products and a Senior Associate at Genius Gems in Manhattan, where she handled event and staff management. Merci’s global perspective was enriched during her study abroad experience in Budapest, where she created social media content for CEA.
Upon completing the MBA, Merci aspires to delve into the realms of digital media and advertising, or event management and production. Her ambition is to seamlessly integrate these interests with her passion for travel in her professional journey.
Dylan Young
Dylan, a recent graduate of Ithaca College with a major in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing, also holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security from Cazenovia College.
Beyond academics, Dylan is an avid follower of sports, enjoys playing video games, reading books, comics, and manga, watching TV and movies, embarking on road trips, and collecting and listening to vinyl. Notably, he played a key role in organizing the first retro gaming mini-convention at Ithacon 2023, gained experience working in a city jail in Missouri for over a year, and contributed to the setup of the largest retro gaming convention in upstate NY, Retro Game Con.
Post-program, Dylan aspires to work for a record label or a video game company.
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