Officers
Columbia Women in Business is 100% student-led. The Executive Board is elected by CWIB membership - the President and Vice Presidents (second year students) in the spring and Assistant Vice Presidents (first-years) in the fall.
This year's Executive Board of CWIB is as diverse as the school itself, with women of all academic and professional backgrounds who bring a wide range of experience and international insights to the organization.
Jamie Schermerhorn, President
Jamie Schermerhorn ’12 graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with an AB in Business Economics. Prior to attending Columbia, Jamie spent three years at Lehman Brothers. Subsequently, Jamie worked for R3 Capital and BlackRock analyzing credit and equity investments for the R3 hedge fund. At Columbia Business School, Jamie is pursuing her interests in corporate finance and strategy. In addition to serving as an officer of CWIB, Jamie is also VP of Technology for the Wine Society, and in her spare time, she enjoys running and yoga.
Simi Katragadda, VP Alumnae Outreach
Simi Katragadda, ’12 received her B.S. in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University. After graduating, Simi worked in product development with an early stage media start up. Immediately prior to attending Columbia Business School, she worked in equity research and financial services marketing. In addition to her position on the CWIB board, Simi is Co-Vp Events for the Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization and Co-Chair of Cluster F12. In her spare time, Simi enjoys designing handbags and practicing Pilates.
Amra Coralic, AVP Alumnae Outreach
Amra Coralic '13 will be serving as this year's AVP Alumnae Outreach.
Kristin Ivie, VP Communications and Technology
Kristin Ivie, ’12 received her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to attending business school, Kristin was the Social Innovation Program Manager at the Case Foundation, where she worked on projects including a public-private partnership to encourage economic development in the West Bank and initiatives to build capacity in nonprofits through the use of social media and new technology. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys southern cooking, tar heel basketball and her traveling book club.
Lauren Fischetti, AVP Communications and Technology
Lauren Fischetti ’13 graduated from Duke University in 2007 with a B.A. in English. Before coming to Columbia, she worked in consulting at the Corporate Executive Board in Washington, DC. Lauren is focusing her MBA on Strategy and Marketing. In her spare time, she enjoys running, triathlons, and exploring the city.
Shirley Wang, VP Community Service
Shirley Wang, ’12 graduated from New York University Stern with a B.S. in Marketing and Finance. Prior to attending Columbia, Shirley worked in Consumer Marketing at Hearst Magazines for 5 years conducting retention and billing marketing analysis for Good Housekeeping, The Oprah Magazine, and Harper’s Bazaar among others. Shirley is focusing her MBA on Marketing and Management, and is also actively involved in the Marketing Association. In her spare time, Shirley enjoys taking hip hop dance classes, singing karaoke and having brunch on the weekends.
Dawn Janukowicz, AVP Community Service
Dawn Janukowicz '13 graduated with a BBA from the University of Michigan. Prior to business school, Dawn worked in commercial real estate finance. Dawn is focusing her MBA on Marketing.
Pranati Bansal, VP Conference
Pranati Bansal ‘12 received a B.S. In Electrical Engineering Cum laude from University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Prior to attending Columbia, Pranati worked with Accenture consulting for a couple years. Following that she was working as a Project Manager for the last 3 years for a Real Estate development company in Agra, India. Pranati is focusing her MBA on Real Estate and Finance. In her spare time she likes to read books in cafes and travel.
Sonali Johri, VP Conference
Sonali Johri’12 graduated from New York University Stern with a B.S. in Marketing and International Business. Prior to attending Columbia, Sonali spent 4 years working at American Express on consumer-facing marketing programs with merchant partners. Sonali is focusing her MBA on Marketing and Management and in her spare time enjoys traveling, good food, and spending time with her lovable pit bull.
Margaret Ryan, AVP Conference - Logistics
Margaret Ryan, ’13 graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in Economics and English. Prior to attending Columbia, Margaret worked as a Program Manager at Forrester Research. Margaret is focusing her MBA on Marketing and Brand Management, and is also actively involved in the Marketing Association. In her spare time, Margaret enjoys Irish dancing, traveling, and exploring new restaurants.
Iris Xu, AVP Conference - Marketing
Iris Xu, ’13 received her B.A. in Psychology from Dartmouth College. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Iris worked as a senior financial analyst for L’Oreal USA in the Luxury Products Division, specifically on Armani and European Designer fragrances. In this role, Iris worked closely with the marketing teams to manage brand P&Ls and media spending budgets. Post-MBA, Iris is interested in a career in brand management. In her spare time, Iris enjoys comic books, traveling to exotic beaches, and cooking.
Christina Shim, VP Events
Christina Shim, ‘12 graduated with a B.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. After graduating, Christina spent a few years in Belize, China and Korea for community service and studying languages and international development before returning to NY to work as a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Immediately prior to attending Columbia Business School, she worked at the Central Intelligence Agency. Christina’s MBA focus is in the social enterprise/international development arena, and in her spare time she enjoys traveling, trying new wines and food, and attending musical events.
Karen Ma, AVP Events
Karen Ma, ’13 received her B.S. in Accounting from Rutgers University at New Brunswick. Prior to attending business school, Karen worked in both Hong Kong and New York as an auditor in the alternative investments industry with PwC. Karen is an extrovert and a food enthusiast! She loves dining out and discovering new restaurants. Karen enjoys playing tennis (actual and wii) and volunteering for the animals. She is a proud member of the ASPCA and WCS and adores visiting the zoos/aquariums all over the world.
Marina Pytlak-Ansingh, VP J-Term/Corporate Relations
Marina Pytlak-Ansingh, '12 will be serving as this year's VP J-Term/Corporate Relations.
Sarah Qian, VP J-Term/Corporate Relations
Sarah Qian, ’12 received her B.S. in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to attending CBS, she spent 3 years in management consulting, advising global retailers on strategy and non-profits on economic development projects. Sarah is focusing her MBA on management and international business. In addition to working with CWIB, she is also serving as Co-VP of Events for the Retail & Luxury Goods Club and in her spare time enjoys food exploration, building houses and avidly cheering on the Tarheels.
Berit Schneeweiss, VP Membership & Finance
Berit Schneeweiss, ’12 received her B.A. in mathematical economics from Colgate University. After graduation, Berit worked as a research associate at Economists Incorporated, an economic consulting firm, and then returned to school to receive her M.A. in behavioral biology from the University of Chicago. Most recently, Berit was a financial analyst at American Eagle Outfitters. At Columbia Business School, Berit is focusing on retail and consumer goods strategy, and in her spare time, she enjoys running, exploring NYC with friends, and traveling.
Laura Hawkins, AVP Membership & Finance
Laura Hawkins, ’13 graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in American Studies and a minor in International Relations. Prior to business school, Laura worked in the fund of hedge funds group of Lehman Brothers and Neuberger Berman as an investment analyst. In addition to her studies, Laura enjoys street photography, New York’s culinary scene and international travel.
Elizabeth Wise, VP Mentoring
Elizabeth Wise, ’12 graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in Economics and Anthropology. Prior to business school, Elizabeth worked in management consulting for Oliver Wyman in their Boston office. At Columbia, Elizabeth is focusing on Strategy and General Management. In her spare time, she enjoys running, traveling, and exploring NYC’s culinary scene.
Jamie Swango, AVP Mentoring
Jamie Swango '13 graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in Psychology and Human & Organizational Development. Prior to attending Columbia, Jamie spent four years in management consulting, specializing in Retail and Consumer Products. Jamie has also held positions with Apple Inc., The Hennessey Group, Inc., and BaubleBar Inc. where she focused on marketing, brand development, and strategy. Jamie is passionate about consumer psychology and also serves on the Innovation + Creativity in Business Society Think Tank at Columbia. In her spare time, Jamie enjoys yoga, traveling, and hosting social events.
Ning Jain, VP Mothers in Business
Ning Jain, ’12 graduated from the Law School of Peking University in 2001. After graduation, she worked in the real estate department of Baker&Mckenzie’s Hong Kong office. After that, she returned back to mainland China to practice law. Before she went to Columbia Business School, Ning was a partner and head of corporate law department of Alpha&Leader, a leading Chinese law firm. Ning is interested to pursue a career in buy side investing and in her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking and traveling.
Laura Cheung, AVP Mothers in Business
Laura Cheung ’13 is at Columbia Business School pursuing an MBA with a focus in design strategy and marketing. She holds a BA in Architecture from Yale University and worked for four years as an architectural designer in New York City prior to starting at CBS. Though she is not a mother, Laura is passionate about creating open dialogues on parenthood, work/life balance and the impact these factors have on all men and women in the workplace. In addition to serving as AVP Mothers-in-Business, Laura is Academic Representative for Cluster A’13 and AVP Communications for Innovation+Creativity in Business Society. She loves everything related to food (cooking, eating, drinking, food politics and business), popular science and design.
Liz Harrison, VP Professional Development
Liz Harrison, '12 received her BA from Stanford University in 2006. After graduation, she moved to Sydney, Australia where she worked as the Research Manager for Nielsen Online and as an Associate for a boutique management consulting firm. This summer Liz will be working at NMIncite, a newly formed joint venture between McKinsey & Nielsen, which is focused on social media strategy consulting. At CBS, Liz is also the Chair of the Peer Advising Program, VP of Events for the Women’s Rugby Team and is actively involved in the Media Management & Management Consulting Clubs. In her spare time she enjoys running, watching reality tv and exploring the NY restaurant scene.
Ashley Brady, AVP Professional Development
Ashley Brady ’13 received her B.A. in International Relations from Agnes Scott College. Ashley went on to receive her M.A. in International Affairs, with a Certificate in International Development, from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Upon graduation, Ashley joined the U.S. Foreign Service, where she served for two years as a United States Diplomat to China, and subsequently, 1 ½ years as a U.S. Diplomat to Canada working primarily on energy policy in both countries. Ashley is pursuing a career in investment banking, with a special interest in the oil and gas sectors. In addition to her role on the CWIB Board, Ashley also serves as Assistant Vice President of Corporate Relations for the Black Business Students Association (BBSA) and Assistant Vice President of Symposium for the Energy Club. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys international travel and volunteering.
Alfia Sadekova, AVP Professional Development
Alfia Sadekova ’13 graduated cum laude from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a BSFS in Culture & Politics and International Business Diplomacy. Prior to attending Columbia, Alfia spent three years at the Royal Bank of Scotland. Subsequently, Alfia worked for Five Boroughs Foundation of Photography, a 501©3 nonprofit organization that provides photography mentorship programming to underserved youth in New York City. Alfia is focusing her MBA on finance and social entrepreneurship. In addition to serving on the Board of CWIB, Alfia is a member of Hermes Society, working closely with Columbia’s Admissions office, and in her spare time she enjoys bikram yoga, running and travelling to exotic locations.