Alumni Podcast

SEASON 2, EPISODE 9

The Dos and Don'ts of Launching a Business: Alex Porter '18

Host David Droogleever is joined by Alex Porter '18, the managing owner of Southern Yankee Beer Company. He and David discuss what to do (and what not to do) when launching a business.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 8

From Philosopher to Financier: Brad Olsen '06

Brad Olsen '06 joins host Christine Dobbyn to talk about how his philosophy background makes him a great investor, how education translates into the real world and where he sees the energy transition fitting into his business.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 7

Recruiting During the Great Resignation: Sha Hornsby

Sha Hornsby joins host David Droogleever to discuss her work at Rice Business, how to recruit top job candidates and the impact the Great Resignation has had on the working world.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 6

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Sean Self '06

Sean Self (Rice BA '93, EMBA '06) joins host Christine Dobbyn to discuss pivoting from being an employee to an entrepreneur, how Rice Business helped him on that journey and advice for budding entrepreneurs.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 5

The Reciprocity Between Research and Real-World Experience: Dr. Alan Crane

Dr. Alan Crane, Associate Professor of Finance at Rice Business, joins host David Droogleever to discuss his teaching experience, how economics and finance go together and the importance of research in the commercial world.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 4

An Entrepreneur That's On the Right Track: Cameron Simoneau '05

Cameron Simoneau '05 and owner of Tri-State Running Company, speaks to host Christine Dobbyn about his transition from corporate life into entrepreneurship.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 3

The Alum Keeping Moms in the Workforce: Abbey Donnell '17

Abbey Donnell '17 joins host Christine Dobbyn to discuss how Rice Business empowered her to start her own company and the women entrepreneurship environment in Houston.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 2

The Importance of Creativity for a Career-Switcher: Charley Donaldson '09

Charley Donaldson '09 joins host David Droogleever to discuss how he used his MBA as a springboard into a new career, how important it is to be creative in a job, and how the pandemic has shaped the trajectory of CaringBand.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 1

The Leader in Education Who Never Stops Learning: Patra Brannon-Isaac '11

Patra Brannon-Isaac '11 talks about the process of being admitted to Rice Business, the impact her MBA has had on her career trajectory, and her involvement in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the school.

EPISODE 22

Talking Technology in the Energy Industry: Tamara Hughes '16

This episode is part of a set of short interviews which were recorded during Alumni Reunion Week 2021. Be sure to listen to the other two Alumni Reunion Week episodes. Tamara Hughes '16 joins host David Droogleever in the Owl's Nest.

EPISODE 21

This Energy Leader Knows Soft Skills Lead to Hard Results: Ian Hernandez '11

This episode is part of a set of short interviews which were recorded during Alumni Reunion Week 2021. Be sure to listen to the other two Alumni Reunion Week episodes. Ian Hernandez '11 joins host Christine Dobbyn in the Owl's Nest.

EPISODE 20

The Explorations of an Industry-Agnostic Alum: Matthew Marand '20

This episode is part of a set of short interviews which were recorded during Alumni Reunion Week 2021. Be sure to listen to the other two Alumni Reunion Week episodes. Matthew Marand '20 joins host David Droogleever in the Owl's Nest.

EPISODE 19

Choosing Mindfulness Over Milestones: Ritesh Sheth '04

Ritesh Sheth, class of 2004, joins host Christine Dobbyn to discuss his journey from management consulting to product management and financial analyst, and finally to becoming a yoga teacher and focusing on serving others.

EPISODE 18

A Clean Energy Exec Contributing to Corporate Innovation: Scott Gale '19

Scott Gale '19 joins host Christine Dobbyn to discuss how entrepreneurship is becoming a key part of a successful company and the future of Houston as the energy capital of the world.

EPISODE 17

Defying Limits in Leadership Development: Dr. Tom Kolditz

Dr. Tom Kolditz, founding director of the Ann and John Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, joins host David Droogleever to explain why institutions of higher education don't necessarily deliver on their leadership development promises and what the Doerr Institute is doing to change that.

EPISODE 16

An Alum's Search for a Reason to Stop Hitting the Snooze Button: Pranika Sinha '04

Pranika Sinha '04, managing director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Organizational Development at Greystone, joins host David Droogleever. She talks about what stops her from hitting the snooze button in the morning, how a sense of belonging factors into diversity and inclusion, and what unconscious bias is and how to recognize it.

EPISODE 15

Entrepreneurial Ambitions in Houston's Strong Startup Ecosystem: Kyle Judah and Sophie Randolph '22

Kyle Judah, Executive Director of the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) at Rice University, and Sophie Randolph '22, join host Christine Dobbyn. They discuss programming at Lilie during the pandemic, Houston's startup ecosystem and resources for alumni entrepreneurs.

EPISODE 14

The Purpose in Problem-Solving: Joan Dunlap '02

Joan Dunlap '02 joins host David Droogleever to discuss her experience as an engineer, the role of team chemistry in entrepreneurship and how problem solving plays a role in career satisfaction.

EPISODE 13

Insights from a Transportation Infrastructure Investment Banker: Mark Morehouse '01

Mark Morehouse '01 joins Christine Dobbyn to explain how a chemical engineer ends up in business school, the role that private-public partnerships play in public projects and the effect that COVID has had on the sales practice.

EPISODE 12

Finance Leader and Father of Seven on Investor Bias and Work-Life Balance: Jonathan McAdams '01

Jonathan McAdams '01 joins Christine Dobbyn to talk about his career journey and working in finance. Along the way, Jonathan describes his experience in high-net worth and hedge funds and comments on the stock market during the pandemic.

EPISODE 11

For This Infrastructure Investor, If You're Not Moving, You're Killing Grass: Will Robertson '05

Will Robertson '05, Managing Member of Quintana Infrastructure and Development LLC, talks about investments ranging from energy and natural resources to data and infrastructure industries. Along the way, Will talks about philanthropy and why “if you’re not moving, you’re killing grass.”

EPISODE 10

How Inspiration Led to Investment for a Two-Time Rice Alum: Scott Noel '04

Scott Noel, BS '02 and MBA/MEE '04, Director of Enterprise Solutions at One Acre Fund, talks about how a single donation to a Sudanese refugee inspired him to move to Nairobi. He also discusses his current work, supplying smallholder farmers with the financing and training they need to grow their way out of hunger and poverty.

EPISODE 9

Veteran and Senior VP at NRG Knows Successful Leaders Eat Last: Rob Gaudette '01

Rob Gaudette '01, senior vice president of Business Solutions with NRG Energy digs into what it was like transition to the corporate world from the military and what he’s learned about leadership. He ends with what he what he sees for Houston’s future as the energy capital of the world.

EPISODE 8

A Tech Innovator Ignites Children's Imaginations: Devina Bhojwani '06

Devina Bhojwani '06, president and co-owner of IDEA Lab Kids International, talks about her pivot from working at an international offshore drilling contractor to entrepreneurship within the education space.

EPISODE 7

A Culinary Creative in the Houston Community: Ope Amosu '14

Ope Amosu '14, talks to host Christine Dobbyn, about his passion for representing West African culinary cuisine and culture in Houston through his restaurant, ChopnBlok.

EPISODE 6

For a Visionary Nonprofit Leader, Business Is Personal: Runsi Sen '04

Runsi Sen '04 talks about her transition out of the corporate world and the life circumstances that led her to found an ovarian cancer non-profit foundation, Ovarcome.

EPISODE 5

Transforming a Top Business School in Asia: Sean Ferguson '01

Sean O. Ferguson '01, former associate dean of Rice Business, catches up with host David Droogleever. Sean covers his career path from electrical engineering to pursuing a doctorate in global education and his current work as the associate dean of the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur.

EPISODE 4

The Leap From Broadway to Business School: Julianne Katz '21

Julianne Katz '21 talks about her decision to switch from a career in fine arts in NYC to a graduate degree in business. She also discusses what it was like to have to shift from in-person classes to virtual learning during a global pandemic.

EPISODE 3

The Journey From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Karen Crofton '10

Karen Crofton '10 talks about her journey from engineering school to Rice Business to teaching entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado, as well as her role as an investor in data and financial technology startups.

EPISODE 2

Hungry for Innovation: Aaron Knape '08

Host Christine Dobbyn talks with Aaron Knape '08, cofounder of sEATz, an in-seat food delivery app for live sports and entertainment events. Aaron discusses the height of the pandemic in the U.S. when most sporting events were cancelled and fans were not allowed in stadiums, as well as developments with sEATz as venues reopen to the public.

EPISODE 1

How to Break Beyond the Bottom Line: Bethany Andell '01

Host David Droogleever speaks with Bethany Andell '01 president of Savage Brands and current president of the Rice Business Alumni Board about her passion for helping the corporate world get back to a place where people trust, respect and love business.