MBA

CEO/Founder - Sterlings and Vistage on Campus - Co-Chair

Kush Kapila is an entrepreneur with experience spanning healthcare, life sciences, medical devices, technology, and hospitality. He began his career in technical and management roles in both private and public companies before building ventures that bring together design, strategy, and customer engagement. Today, he is the Founder & CEO of STERLINGS Mobile, an experiential marketing company; Co-Founder & CEO of Brick & Mobile, which operates boba and hot chocolate shops and imports trailers internationally; owner of Studio Sud Ouest, a professional photography studio in Montreal; and owner of 501 W. Broadway Salon in Downtown San Diego.

Kush holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from McGill University, a Master’s in Bioinformatics from Concordia University, and an MBA from UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management. He serves on the Board of the Children’s Museum in San Diego, the Advisory Board of Endeavor Bank, and is Co-Chair of Vistage on Campus, a CEO mentorship group.

Vistage on Campus – Flex 10 and Co-Chair

Vice President, Global Biometrics FSP & Head of Global Programming - Veristat

Yun is a biometrics leader with 25 years of experience in all aspects of product development in a clinical study setting. Her experience is global, and she provides strategic leadership expertise from early through late-stage clinical development programs. Her current focus is on setting right culture and developing next generation of leaders within biotech industry and beyond.

Today, Yun manages a global team of statisticians and statistical programmers (APAC, India, US, UK) while overseeing global partnerships through FSP (Functional Service Partner) business model. She leads FSP initiatives in terms of innovation, workstream, leadership workshop, risk mitigation, crisis management, culture series, personal leadership program, and APAC strategy-Biometrics.

Yun also serves as a mentor for North America and Mexico Clinical Research Associates Leadership Programs.

Vistage on Campus – Flex 16 (Alumnus Member)

Director of Marketing & Technology Innovation - Continuing Life

Clint Marsh, who joined the Continuing Life team in 2016, offers invaluable operational support to both the marketing and information technology teams. In his capacity as the Director of Marketing & Technology Innovation, he exercises leadership, provides oversight, and adeptly manages a range of initiatives. Clint plays a pivotal role in guiding and shaping the marketing efforts for residential living across various Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). In addition, he is responsible for evaluating the ever-evolving technological requirements of the business and collaborates with management to devise and execute strategies to meet these dynamic needs.

Mr. Marsh is a graduate of the University of California in San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Cognitive Science. His educational journey also led him to New College, Oxford (United Kingdom), where he focused on International Politics, and he further enriched his academic experience by studying the Spanish language and Latin American politics at ITESO – Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara.

Vistage on Campus – Flex 25

Founder & CEO - White Space

Hashim is a seasoned entrepreneur recognized for his role in establishing impactful organizations. In 2015, Hashim founded White Space, a hospitality-based company that swiftly expanded to six locations in Saudi Arabia’s western region, serving as a leading office solutions provider for freelancers, startups, corporates, and SMEs. White Space currently employs more than 60 people, serves more than 10,000 clients, and operates in 10 locations. Additionally, he is a Board Member of Naseem, a company focused on providing a last-mile delivery solution for products that require a temperature-controlled environment, a niche that is underserved in the Saudi logistics market.

Hashim’s academic credentials include a master’s degree from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and an engineering degree from the University of New South Wales (UNSW-Sydney, Australia). He holds a certificate in entrepreneurship from Johnson’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute (Cornell University) and is an accredited SME consultant (ASMEC) since 2018.

Vistage on Campus – Flex 25

Sales Director - Cosmo Bio USA

With over 15 years of experience in a diverse array of academic and industry research and sales roles, Sabrina enjoys growing as an active contributor to scientific research and education. Her responsibilities currently comprise of international distribution management and specialized product management. She is a creative, positive, self-motivated communicator and volunteers her time at the EUSD Farm Lab as well as Girl Scouts San Diego.

Vistage on Campus – Flex 25

VP, Operations - Helix

Efren Sandoval is currently Vice President of Operations at Helix. He is an expert in running a high-complexity and high-throughput clinical sequencing lab. His colleagues are impressed by by his technical skills, out-of-the-box thinking, and his deep understanding of the lab processes. In 2021 and 2022, he contributed to two publications on SARS-CoV-2 in the United States.

Efren is a California State Certified-Clinical Genetics Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) and a National Certification-Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP).

Vistage on Campus – Flex 25

Product Manager - TriLink BioTechnologies

As a Product Manager at TriLink BioTechnologies, part of Maravai LifeSciences, Dani leverages her MSHS degree in Regulatory Affairs and expertise in biotechnology to develop and launch innovative products and solutions for the biopharma industry. With over nine years of work experience in various roles, she’s gained valuable skills in business development, strategic marketing, and strategy. She’s contributed to the growth and success of Phenomenex, Agela, and Endo Pharmaceuticals, by working with cross-functional teams, building strong customer relationships, and delivering high-quality results. Dani is passionate about advancing the field of biopharma and enhancing the lives of patients and consumers.

Vistage on Campus – Flex 25

Principal R&D Engineer - Edwards Lifesciences

Grant Gangeness is an experienced biomedical engineer with 8 years of new product development experience, specifically designing and developing aortic and mitral valve replacement technologies for the U.S. and European markets. As a Principal R&D Engineer at Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, CA), Grant is a proven innovator with 4 issued patents and 10+ patents pending. He is currently responsible for three product iterations of a mitral valve replacement system, where a patient’s diseased, native mitral valve is replaced with a bioprosthetic mitral valve. This procedure can be completed without the need for open heart surgery and is an important unmet need clinically, with a potential market opportunity of $10B+. In addition, Grant has commercial product launch experience, where he has supported product launches in hospitals across the U.S. and Europe, serving as a trusted partner for marketing and clinical functions.

Grant is a graduate of the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN), where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree. Today, Grant is pursuing his MBA at the UCSD Rady School of Management as a part of the weekend cohort, where he intends to graduate in May 2025. In his spare time, Grant enjoys downhill skiing with friends in the Sierras and Utah, running, cycling, hiking, visiting family in Minnesota, and camping in the Sierras with his wife, Alex and dog, Piper.

Vistage on Campus – Flex 25

Instructional Support Technician III - San Diego State University

Yvonne has a comprehensive background spanning education, product management, and commercial operations. She drives success through a combination of technical expertise, effective communication, and strategic leadership. Yvonne is currently an Instructional Support Technician III at San Diego State University contributing expertise in DNA, biology, and cell biology, as well as effective communication and laboratory skills.

Vistage on Campus – Flex 25

Chief Executive Officer - Stoic Technologies

Bernardo is a senior wealth advisor with over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. His core competencies include financial planning, investment management, portfolio analysis, risk assessment, and client relationship building. As a wealth manager, Bernardo champions his clients’ financial goals through a disciplined and pragmatic approach to wealth management and investment coaching. He also partners with an extensive network of professionals such as CPAs, attorneys, and trust officers to ensure that clients receive the best possible service and support for their complex and evolving needs.

Bernardo is a firm believer that “he profits most who serves best.”

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Financial Advisor - Northwestern Mutual

Glen Woods is a San Diego based Financial Advisor working with clients nationally to provide comprehensive financial planning tailored to their unique needs and goals. By combining data-driven analysis with a financial philosophy, Glen and his team develop customized plans that bridge gaps and create a clear path toward financial security no matter the tax-landscape or market volatility. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and holds Securities Licenses 7 and 63.

Glen followed in his father’s footsteps by attending the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and played varsity football for four years. After graduating, he served as a Naval Officer for five years honing his skills in strategic planning and contingency preparation. Drawing on his military background, Glen ensures his clients have robust plans in place for all possible outcomes. His commitment to discipline, preparation, and excellence shapes his approach to helping clients navigate their short-term and long-term financial journeys.

In his spare time, Glen enjoys outdoor adventures, spending time with his two dogs, Diesel and Nixon, and competing in combat sports.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Sr. Manager, IT Business Partner (G&A, Commercial, and Medical IT) - Bristol Myers Squibb

Hannah is a seasoned professional with a robust background in marketing and communications. Throughout her career, Hannah has demonstrated expertise in brand strategy, digital marketing, and content development. She has held pivotal roles in various organizations, where she successfully led marketing campaigns that enhanced brand visibility and customer engagement. Hannah is passionate about leveraging innovative marketing solutions to drive business growth and is committed to continuous learning and professional development in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Vice President of Business Development - Excellos

As the Vice President of Business Development at Excellos, Jessica works closely with senior leadership and technical teams to ensure solutions align with the rapidly evolving needs of the sector. With a focus on business growth, strategic partnerships, and fostering strong client relationships, she drives initiatives to scale and commercializes groundbreaking therapies.

Jessica is driven by the challenge of creating scalable growth engines that deliver measurable impact—boosting revenue, optimizing sales cycles, and expanding market share. Her strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style have enabled her to foster growth, enhance customer satisfaction, and contribute to the transformative impact of advanced therapeutics on global healthcare.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Lead Associate | Program Management, Acquisitions, & Operations - Booz Allen Hamilton

John is a senior operational leader and program manager specializing in ITAR compliance and lean principles. His expertise lies in leading domestic and international manufacturing teams, delivering mission-critical components for projects ranging from $500M rockets and $3B satellites to commercial jets carrying over 200 million pounds of equipment.

John has built a career partnering with top military, defense, government, and business leaders to drive operational excellence and seamless communication across the value chain. His leadership style emphasizes team building and motivation, recognizing that people are at the heart of every successful process improvement.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Medical Doctor - UC San Diego Health

Joseph Diaz, MD, is an internal medicine physician who provides primary care for adults, including preventive care and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. Dr. Diaz enjoys teaching and working with residents and medical students at an academic medical center. He is dedicated to developing long-term relationships and getting to know his patients. Dr. Diaz completed his residency in internal medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from UT Health San Antonio’s Long School of Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Physicians and American Medical Association.

In his free time, Dr. Diaz enjoys soccer, long-distance running, hiking, meditation, surfing and reading.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Associate Director Engineering - Illumina

Mathangi makes use of more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry to provide strategic guidance for all technical initiatives, setting clear goals and overseeing restructuring to meet evolving business needs. She works collaboratively with more than 20 stakeholder groups across multiple business units, ensuring alignment between business and technology by proposing solutions that streamline processes, meet specifications, and facilitate smooth product transfers from R&D to manufacturing in San Diego and Singapore.

Mathangi enjoys long bike rides along San Diego’s scenic coastline and actively contributes to coral and ocean conservation efforts. She is also an advocate for global women in leadership and mentoring initiatives.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Business Transformation Consultant | Project Manager | AI & Cloud – IBM

Milad has over a decade of experience in project management and specializes in driving generative AI solutions in B2B environments. He excels in leading complex, multidisciplinary teams across multiple time zones, ensuring seamless collaboration and successful project delivery. Milad led the successful migration of an on-premises Java-based business application to AWS and Azure-based cloud solutions, enhancing scalability, performance, and cost-effectiveness. He delivers AI applications that drive business growth as well as operational efficiency.

Milad is committed to professional growth and network enrichment, so he actively engages with industry peers to explore opportunities in generative AI.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Business Operations Executive | Retired Military Veteran

Mike has a proven track record of driving growth, reducing costs, and optimizing customer experience through strategic operational management and leadership. He is an accomplished Business Operations Leader specializing in aligning initiatives with organizational objectives and leading high-performing teams in a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and engagement. Mike is passionate about fostering leadership development, coaching team members into advanced roles, and creating a high-performance culture focused on employee engagement and retention.

A key achievement was establishing and leading talent acquisition operations for the U.S. Space Force.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Scheduler - SOLV Energy

Mike Hanagan is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in business development, sales, and marketing. He has held leadership positions in various industries, including technology and healthcare. Michael earned his MBA from the University of California, San Diego’s Rady School of Management, where he focused on entrepreneurship and innovation. In his spare time, Mike enjoys mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and staying active in the local business community.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Nonclinical Pharmacology Consultant - Equillium, Inc.

Richard is an accomplished biopharmaceutical leader with 10+ years of strategic and operational expertise in drug discovery, scientific partnership development, and planning across multiple therapeutic areas and drug modalities. He has a proven ability to conduct market analysis, evaluate strategic opportunities, and synthesize insights to support high-level business goals. Richard is passionate for fostering an inclusive team culture that values constructive feedback and talent development.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA26

Enterprise Customer Success Manager - Smartcat

Jacob is an Enterprise Customer Success Manager at Smartcat, where he drives enterprise adoption and expansion of AI powered language solutions by aligning customer objectives to measurable business outcomes. Previously, Jacob was a Consultant at Deloitte, supporting public sector clients including federal agencies and higher education institutions on large scale operational and strategic initiatives. Earlier in his career, he served as Operations Manager and Inside Sales Representative at Core 3 Technologies, where he improved internal processes and contributed to revenue growth through sales execution and operational leadership. Jacob brings a data driven, results oriented approach to scaling technology solutions and building long term client partnerships.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

Certified GCP Cloud Architect & IT Leader - SADA

Elena is a highly collaborative Certified GCP Professional Cloud Architect and Data Engineer with 13 years of demonstrated experience in architecting, implementing, and optimizing large-scale cloud solutions. Currently, she is excelling in a Senior Enterprise Account Manager role at Insight Enterprises —a top-tier Google Cloud partner—where she supports top-tier enterprise customers in their Google Cloud Platform journey.

Elena’s core strength lies in translating deep technical expertise into strategic business value. She is adept at building scalable, secure, and cost-effective AI infrastructure on the cloud and driving cloud usage optimization through active monitoring, forecasting, and commit deal tracking of features like VMs, vCPUs, and SKUs. She currently holds a Master’s Degree in International Business Economics and Management from KU Leuven University in Belgium. Having worked across Western Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands) and the USA (New York and currently LA), Elena possesses a well-rounded, global perspective, enabling her to align diverse cloud strategies with broader organizational goals. Key Expertise: Collaborative Leadership, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), SaaS, Cloud Architecture, Customer Success, Data Analytics, Strategic Account Management.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

Software Engineering Design, Architecture, and Leadership - Insulet

Hooman Maleknejad is a software engineer, entrepreneur, and technology leader with over 20 years of experience building products, scaling platforms, and leading high-performing engineering teams across startups and established organizations. Throughout his career, he has focused on using technology to create meaningful, human-centered solutions across diverse industries.

Hooman is currently the founder of Memolinx, an emerging social media platform designed to help people capture, organize, and explore life’s most meaningful moments. Memolinx reflects his passion for innovation, storytelling, and building digital experiences that strengthen human connection, bringing together his technical expertise and entrepreneurial mindset.

Outside of work, Hooman is a devoted father and a strong advocate for health and wellness. He enjoys cycling, skiing, and traveling, and has a deep interest in mental and physical well-being, artificial intelligence, and the future of digital experiences.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

VP of Finance - Cheer Home Care

Mike Zahorik is a business and capital raising aficionado and former banking Vice President working with BMO Capital Markets for over a decade across Chicago, New York, and globally. He has led execution and capital raising for M&A transactions with value in excess of $100 billion, partnering with numerous Tier-1 private equity firms, legal teams, and investment banks. Primary responsibilities included legal contract negotiation, business due diligence, risk modeling, financial forecasting, valuation, and primary relationship coverage within the healthcare services and fintech verticals.

Mike holds a business undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee studying Economics and Finance and is a current Executive MBA candidate with University of California-San Diego, Rady School of Management exploring venture design & innovation. He is a regular volunteer in the San Diego innovation community, partnering with and mentoring start-ups on go-to-market strategy, capital raising, and financial perspectives. In his free-time, you can find Mike mountain hiking or at the dog beach with his partner and two sheepdogs, Ziggy and Blue

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

Director of Product Management - Persyst Development Corporation

Marie is a relationship driven and demonstrated team leader in the field of EEG and neuroscience for both clinical and research applications. She has 20 years interdisciplinary experience specializing in product management, strategy and Voice of Customer, workflow consultation, education and research. Marie has exceptional ability to create vision through asking the right questions. She is a complex problem solver with a strong sense of loyalty to both customers and company working across international and multi-cultural environments.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

Director of AI Innovation and Development - FICO

Tanya an experienced analytic scientist responsible for designing, developing and delivering neural network/machine learning based cutting-edge AI technologies for card and electronic payment fraud detection for US and International financial institutions. She enjoys collaborating directly with corporate clients globally to design and build fraud detection analytics for them. She finds it great fun to be part of a team of creative scientists that knowledgeably apply predictive analytics that empower companies globally to make better decisions by delivering innovative machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions.

Prior to joining FICO, Tanya was a Junior Research Fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (amazing sunsets!) modeling large-scale neuronal population dynamics using statistical methods. As a post-doctoral lecturer at the University of Chicago, she developed and taught Mathematical Methods for the Biological Sciences and co-authored MATLAB® for Neuroscientists. Tanya received her Doctorate and Masters in Physics from the University of Chicago after having received Bachelors of Science in Physics and Applied Mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

Senior Global Compensation Partner - Liftoff Mobile

Elyse is a strategy-minded, analytically driven professional with a passion for turning complex systems into clear, scalable solutions. Her career has centered on connecting people, process, and data to drive better business outcomes. She brings a unique combination of strategic insight, operational rigor, and empathy — allowing her to simplify complexity, optimize workflows, and align execution with organizational goals.

Over the past decade, she has led compensation design, job architecture, and process automation projects that improved accuracy, efficiency, and transparency across multiple organizations. In doing so, Elyse discovered what energizes her most — solving cross-functional problems that influence business strategy and operational performance.

Now, as an MBA candidate at UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management, She is expanding her impact beyond HR and analytics to focus on Strategy & Operations. Elyse is building on her foundation in data, governance, and communication to take on challenges in business operations, strategic planning roles.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

Commercialization & Business Development Leader | Life Sciences

Sean is a commercialization and business development leader with experience translating complex science into scalable business strategies across biotech, pharma, and diagnostics. He has led growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, licensing, and capital strategy, working closely with boards and investors.

With a strong foundation as a multidisciplinary scientist, Sean advises early- and growth-stage companies on fundraising, product development, and go-to-market planning and execution. His work bridges advanced biology and commercial execution to accelerate adoption and build durable businesses.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

Sr. Manager Operations - Abbott

Francesca is an innovative and detail-oriented Operations and Supply Chain Manager with 10+ years of experience guiding supply chain, logistics and manufacturing efforts for global industry leaders.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

Senior Solutions Consultant - AI & Automation - Sentient Labs

Nihal is a technology professional with deep experience in software engineering and product development. He works across full-stack development and emerging technologies, bringing a practical, business-oriented approach to building and scaling digital solutions. Nihal combines technical rigor with curiosity and clear thinking, and he enjoys solving complex problems that sit at the intersection of technology, people, and impact.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

US Navy Veteran

Sandra is an experienced logistics and financial management professional with 10+ years of combined military and civilian service supporting SEAL Teams, NSW ranges, and NAVWAR programs. She is an expert in property accountability (DPAS/APSR, FIAR-compliant), budget formulation and execution, contract support, and high-visibility resource management for no-fail missions. Sandra has a proven record managing up to $74M in accountable property and up to $17M OPTAR and program budgets. She is experienced in leading joint logistics teams supporting deployed special operations forces and trusted by NSW leadership for integrity, discretion, and execution in time-sensitive, complex environments.

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27

C41 Enclave Manager - CaVU Consulting

Chuck is U.S. Navy Veteran with an active Top Secret SCI Clearance and 15+ years of proven experience leading teams of up to 200 employees in dynamic, fast-paced environments. He Possesses a comprehensive background in overseeing processes, planning, and coordination of IT services, projects, and operations, derived from conducting domestic and global operations. Chuck is an adept communicator with real-world experience leading multiple, high-dollar projects while collaborating with stakeholders across numerous departments. He leverages extensive knowledge in Network Security Training, IT Lifecycle Management, and Network Infrastructure. He is equipped with a proven track record of success supported by a B.S., a PMP, and numerous IT Certifications.
CISSP | PMP | CASP+ | SEC+ | TS/SCI | RBLP-T | MTS

Vistage on Campus – EMBA27