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.
Mary Martin, President
Mary Martin '10 earned a B.A. in Government Summa cum Laude with a focus in public policy and international relations from Patrick Henry College in Virginia. While pursuing her degree, she spent a semester at the White House in the Office of Presidential Speechwriting, providing research and writing support for the speechwriting team. Prior to joining the Columbia community, Mary worked at the J.C. Watts Companies, a corporate affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C., where she served as a manager with oversight of client communications and strategies. Her clients included Fortune 500 and start-up companies with a focus on business development and international business. Mary has been involved with CWIB since arriving at Columbia, serving as the AVP of Conference Marketing for the 16th Annual CWIB Conference in February 2009. In addition, she is active in the International Development Club and completed a consulting project for a new microfinance provider in Ghana during the fall of 2008. Mary plans to pursue a career in consulting after getting her MBA. Outside of academics, Mary enjoys traveling, fine dining, and classical piano.
Patty Vega, VP Alumnae Outreach
Patty Vega '10 received a B.A. in International Studies from California State University, Long Beach where she held leadership positions on academic teams, community focused student groups and student body government. She earned considerable leadership experience as a teacher in Argentina before undergrad. After graduation, her international experience expanded to roles in both for- and non-profit multinational organizations in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. Immediately prior to enrolling at Columbia Business School, Patty considered - and ruled out - a career in law while working in legal event management at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Patty is focusing her MBA on General Management and Strategic Organizational Change. In addition to her position as VP Alumnae Outreach for CWIB, Patty is a member of the CBS Events Committee and is VP of Membership for both the Technology Business Group and the Wine Society. In her free time, Patty's interests include adventure sports, cooking, and technology.
Diya Gullapalli, AVP Alumnae Outreach
Diya Gullapalli, '11, is a graduate from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce, where she majored in finance. Prior to business school, Diya worked in investment banking at Lehman Brothers and as a staff reporter at the Wall Street Journal, most recently where she covered investment management for the Money & Investing section during the financial and credit crisis. Diya is interested pursuing marketing after school, and hopes to learn squash and travel to Asia while at CBS.
Sanna Bengali, VP Communications and Technology
Sanna Bengali '10 received her B.S. in Computer Science from Northwestern University. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Sanna spent four years in software engineering at Continental Automotive Systems and Motorola working on embedded systems for engine control. In addition to serving as an officer in CWIB, Sanna is also VP of Education for the Harlem Tutorial Program and co-president of the Muslim Business Students Association. Sanna is focusing her MBA on marketing, and in her spare time, Sanna enjoys the cinema, baking and reading.
Samantha Diamond, AVP Communications and Technology
Samantha Diamond '11 received her BA in International Relations from Tufts University. After university, Samantha spent two years working in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the international development arena with organizations such as US Department of State, USAID, and Population Services International. Samantha then made a switch into the private sector joining the management development program at a supply chain company in the US. Immediately prior to attending Columbia Business School, Samantha helped start-up an economic development NGO in Tanzania and then worked in Baghdad for a US government contractor optimizing their international supply chain operations and developing a strategy for drawing down military operations in Iraq. In addition to serving as AVP of Technology and Communications for CWIB, Samantha is also an active member of the Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization and Technology Business Club. Samantha is focusing her MBA on Finance and Entrepreneurship.
Aryanne Ferranti, VP Community Service
Aryanne Ferranti '10 received her B.A. in International Relations and Economics cum laude from Wellesley College. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Aryanne spent 5 years in Investment Banking, most recently as an Associate at Barclays Capital, where she covered the Consumer & Retail Industries. In addition, Aryanne was a committee chairperson of the New York Junior League, an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities. Aryanne is focusing her MBA in Marketing, and in her spare time, enjoys traveling, going to concerts, dining out, and tennis.
Hadley Cotter, AVP Community Service
Hadley Cotter '11 graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to attending business school, Hadley spent five years working at TracyLocke - an integrated marketing agency within the Omnicom Group. While there, she was on the Account Service team providing traditional advertising, packaging and promotional marketing support across a range of PepsiCo brands domestically and internationally. Most recently, Hadley was the Senior Account Executive on the Brown-Forman Account, leading a team in the development of shopper marketing programs for Brown-Forman’s wines and spirits. Hadley is focusing her MBA on marketing and, when not on campus, she enjoys participating in NY Cares, watching the New York Giants and searching for the best burger in NYC.
Maya Rozenblat, VP Conference
Maya Rozenblat '10 graduated summa cum laude from The George Washington University with a dual B.A. in International Affairs and Russian. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Maya worked at a direct response agency specializing in strategic consulting to some of the largest non-profit organizations in the US. Maya is focusing her MBA on consulting and, in her spare time, she enjoys salsa dancing and traveling.
Jocelyn Young, VP Conference
Jocelyn Young '10 graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a dual B.A. in Business Economics and Judaic Studies. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Jocelyn worked in consumer marketing for TIME Magazine, managing the retention process for subscribers. Jocelyn is focusing her MBA in Marketing and, in her spare time, enjoys pilates, dining out, and traveling.
Karima Baimbetova, AVP Conference
Karima Baimbetova '11 graduated magna cum laude from Baruch College with a B.B.A in Finance. Prior to attending business school, Karima worked in nonprofit fundraising for an Off-Broadway theater, Classic Stage Company, as a development associate. Following that, Karima spent 3 years in the Finance division of Morgan Stanley, working on fair value challenges in the mortgage-backed securities space. Karima is focusing her MBA in finance, and in her spare time, she enjoys supporting performing arts organizations in NYC, reading, theater and learning French.
Katie Chapman, VP Conference
Katie Chapman '11 received a B.S. in Accounting and Finance magna cum laude from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. Prior to attending Columbia, Katie was a Vice President in Financial Reporting at Goldman Sachs, where she worked on the Company's SEC filings. In addition to serving as an officer in CWIB, Katie is also a member of the International Development Club and a member of the women's rugby team. Katie is focusing her MBA on Finance, and in her spare time, she enjoys running and biking.
Tsvetelina Spassova, VP Mothers in Business
Tsvetelina Spassova '10 earned a B.S. in Business Administration Summa cum Laude from the University of Richmond in Virginia. Prior to joining Columbia Business School, she worked in economic consulting, specializing in business and financial valuation. She is also a CFA charterholder. In addition to serving as an officer in CWIB, Tsvetelina is on the board of the Club of Emerging Europe and the Small Business Consulting Program. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her 1-year old son, dancing and traveling.
Avani Kothary, AVP Mothers in Business
Avani Kothary '11 received her BBA in Business Administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Prior to joining Columbia Business School, Avani was Assistant Controller of Irving Place Capital, a middle-market private equity firm. In addition to serving as an officer in CWIB, she is active in various student organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, reading and traveling.
Naomi Wender, VP Membership & Finance
Naomi Wender '10 graduated with a BA in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Harvard University in 2003. Prior to business school, Naomi worked in Merchandise and Financial Planning at Abercrombie and Fitch and J. Crew and served on Community Board 2 for Manhattan, working on educational and environmental concerns for lower Manhattan. At Columbia Business School, Naomi is focusing her MBA on finance and economics, and is spending her summer working in investment banking. She is the Vice President of Membership and Finance for CWIB and in her spare time, Naomi enjoys classical music, theatre, and traveling.
Ashley Larson, AVP Membership & Finance
Ashley Larson '11, received her BA in Economics and English from Wake Forest University. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Ashley was an Associate in the Corporate Development group at Red Ventures, an on-line marketing firm ranked #4 on the Inc. 500 list for "Fastest Growing Private Companies." While at Red Ventures Ashley launched three new businesses and managed the integration of two tuck-in acquisitions. Prior to Red Ventures Ashley was an analyst in the Investment Banking Division of Wachovia Securities, where she worked alongside senior management to provide financing and merger & acquisition advisory to middle market companies. Ashley is an elected member of Columbia Business School's Honor Council and is active in the Small Business Consulting Program, the Columbia Entrepreneur's Organization, and the International Development Club. Outside of academics, Ashley enjoys live music, ACC Football, and cooking for friends and family.
Ilana Wolfe, VP Mentoring
Ilana Wolfe '10 received her B.A. in Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PP&E) summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to business school, Ilana was as an Associate at Goldman Sachs where she worked alongside senior management in the Financing Group of the Investment Banking Division on internal strategy. In addition to her position as VP of Mentoring for CWIB, Ilana serves as VP of Membership for the Columbia Wealth Management Club, VP of Special Events for the Hermes Society and Co-VP of Alumni Relations for the Jewish Business Students Association.
Laura Schubert, AVP Mentoring
Laura Schubert '11 graduated magna cum laude with an A.B. in History and Literature from Harvard University in 2005. Prior to business school, Laura worked at L.E.K. Consulting in Boston and in Paris. She was also involved in local nonprofit consulting. Prior to L.E.K., she worked at Goldman, Sachs and Co. in the Investment Management Division. At Columbia Business School, Laura is focusing her MBA on General Management. In her spare time, she enjoys sailing, cooking and travelling.
Emily Emmett, VP Professional Development
Emily Emmett '10 received a B.A. in English magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Rice University. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Emily worked in management consulting for Bain & Company in New York and London. At Columbia, Emily is the VP of Professional Development for CWIB. Emily's current interests include cooking, art, and exploring New York with her dog.
Derby Anderson, AVP Professional Development
Derby Anderson '11 earned her BA from Georgetown University where she was a captain of the multi-time national champion sailing team. In her senior year at Georgetown, Derby interned at National Geographic in Sponsorship and Marketing, and was named an All-American skipper. After Georgetown, Derby combined her two passions: media and sailboat racing. Derby managed PR for the US Olympic Sailing Team in China and has two years' marketing experience at the leading global sail manufacturer. While traversing this niche career path, Derby also managed Versus TV's live studio covering the America's Cup in Valencia, Spain and wrote for Sailing World Magazine, to which she still contributes. At CBS, Derby is learning about the business side of media and is also focusing on consulting and general management. Derby is still an avid sailboat racer. Over the summer, she and her team won the 2009 Farr 40 World Championship in Sardinia.
Allie Reilly, AVP Professional Development
Allie Reilly, '11 received her B.A. in Art History magna cum laude from The George Washington University. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Allie spent three eventful years in Citigroup's Public Relations department, supporting Citi Cards, Citibank, and most recently Smith Barney. Allie is focusing her MBA in Marketing, and in her spare time enjoys cooking for friends, California wine, and yoga.
Johanna Bowman, VP Events
Johanna Bowman '10 received her B.A. in English magna cum laude from Amherst College. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Johanna worked in book publishing as an editor at McGraw-Hill and Random House. In addition to serving as VP of Events for CWIB, Johanna is a peer advisor and a co-captain of the women's rugby team. Johanna's focus at Columbia is management and marketing, and she is spending her summer working in marketing at American Express. In her spare time, Johanna loves reading, traveling, and pretending to know how to cook.
Molly Kennedy, AVP Events
Molly Kennedy '11 graduated with a B.S. in Biology & Society from Cornell University. After graduation, Molly spent three years in marketing analytics for a boutique consulting firm. Immediately prior to attending Columbia Business School, she worked in advertising research for Nielsen IAG. In addition to serving as the AVP of Events for CWIB, Molly is on the board of the Wine Society. Molly's MBA focus is marketing, and in her spare time she enjoys running, cooking with locally sourced ingredients, and exploring new restaurants.
Julie Thaler, VP J-Term/Professional Development
Julie Thaler '10 received her BA in Economics and Psychology magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to attending Columbia Business School, Julie spent five years at Bear Stearns where she was a Vice President in the Strategic Financial Products group and worked on more than 30 transactions. During the fall of 2008, Julie interned at Brevet Capital, a hedge fund that invests in asset based and specialty finance companies. Julie is focusing her MBA on Finance and in her spare time, she enjoys traveling, watching the Red Sox and trying new restaurants in NYC. At Columbia, Julie is the TA for the Credit Crisis course in Summer 2009 and she is currently the VP of J-Term/Professional Development for CWIB.