Alumni Podcast

Owl Have You Know

The Rice Business Podcast

Owl Have You Know is Rice Business’ podcast created to share the experiences of alumni, faculty, students and other members of our business community – real stories of belonging, failing, rebounding and, ultimately, succeeding. During meaningful conversations, we dive deep into how each guest has built success through troubles and triumphs before, during and after they set foot in McNair Hall.

Subscribe to Owl Have You Know on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Recipient of the 2023 Communicator Award of Excellence

We're proud to announce that our podcast received the 2023 Award of Excellence (Individual Episodes - Business) from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA). This honor is made possible by our dedicated hosts, Maya Pomroy '22 and Scott Gale '19, and the generous guests who tell their stories. We're grateful to AIVA and those who were critical to OHYK's early success: Rice Business external relations team, the alumni board, and past hosts Christine Dobbyn '20 and David Droogleever '12.

Check Out February's Live Recording

The Tools For Strong Leadership Are Right In Front of You feat. Ruth Oh Reitmeier and Brent Smith

On February 7, 2023, we hosted our second live podcast taping event at Rice Business. Watch host Scott Gale '19 sit down with Ruth Oh Reitmeier, director of coaching at Rice Business, and Brent Smith, senior associate dean for executive education and associate professor of management and psychology at Rice Business, to discuss their cutting-edge insights on the science of leader development, managing zillennials, and what we’ve learned post-pandemic.

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SEASON 3, EPISODE 17

When War Broke Out, This Alum Flew Straight to Ukraine feat. Radu Filip '08

Joining Maya Pomroy in this episode is Radu Filip '08. He is a board member of Elevate Ukraine, co-founded the Houston chapter of the Women's Masters Network, and is the Finance Director at SLB. Listen as they talk about his boots-on-the-ground efforts in Ukraine, the culture shock and challenges of being an international student, pivoting his career from IT to corporate finance, and his goals for the year ahead.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 16

A Former Fourth Grade Teacher Is Working To Ease Your Migraines feat. Jillian Levovitz Fink '17

Jillian is a healthcare entrepreneur, CEO of OcciGuide and chief strategy officer for FemHealth Insights. She and host Maya Pomroy ‘22 discuss her story of switching from elementary education to co-founding and leading a medical device startup. She talks about her unconventional path, advice to those considering a pivot in entrepreneurship, and how she invests her time in giving back to the community.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 15

The Tools For Strong Leadership Are Right In Front of You feat. Ruth Oh Reitmeier and Brent Smith

Join Ruth Oh Reitmeier, director of coaching at Rice Business, and Brent Smith, the senior associate dean for executive education and associate professor of management and psychology at Rice Business, as they sit down with host Scott Gale to discuss their cutting-edge insights on the science of leader development, managing zillennials, and what we’ve learned post-pandemic.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 14

Human Moments Are Not Always Pretty feat. Dan Purvis '05

Host Scott Gale '19 interviews Velentium CEO and founder Dan Purvis '05. Dan shares the risks he took early in his career to get him to the level of success he is at now, the importance of "work/life fit," and the incredible story of how Velentium became a major player in ventilator production in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 13

Taking DEI Into the Future feat. Amanda Stewart '08

Amanda is the vice president of retail operations for Constellation, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy. She sits down with host Scott Gale ‘19 to chat about the benefits of getting an MBA at a smaller school, what has kept her working with passion at Constellation for 15 years, and how her Japanese-American background and the internment camps of WWII are a central part of her family’s history and her commitment to DEI work.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 12

The Value of a Kind and Collaborative Community feat. Joanna Nathan '19

In this episode, Joanna, CEO of Prana Thoracic, shares her career journey, passion for healthcare, deep connection to Rice, and how the heartbreaking loss of her young son serves as her inspiration for finding groundbreaking medical technologies to help others.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 11

Your Biggest Competitive Advantage is Your Authentic Self feat. Takeya Green ‘22

Takeya joined Citi as an investment banking associate in Houston, Texas for the clean energy sector. In today's episode with our host Scott Gale ‘19, she shares her incredible journey from the chemical engineering lecture halls of a top-ranked program to the control rooms of world-scale chemical manufacturing facilities, and her experience overcoming the challenges placed in front of her to being honored this year by the Texas Business Hall of Fame as a leader of distinction.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 10

A Scholar of Scandal feat. Professor Anastasiya Zavyalova

On October 24, we hosted our first live podcast taping event at Rice Business, with Owl Have You Know host Maya Pomroy ‘22 and associate professor of strategic management, Anastasiya Zavyalova. Listen as they dive into Anastasiya’s research on reputation management, how social media has changed the landscape of the field, how that relates to the Russia-Ukraine war, and her hopes for the future.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 9

Banking in the Bay Area feat. Danielle Conkling '09

Danielle is the director of corporate social responsibility and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and serves as the ESG program lead for Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Hear her talk with host Scott Gale ‘19 about her start in finance and banking, getting acclimated to Houston after moving from the East Coast for her MBA, the future of ESG, and her travels with her family.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 8

Taking Classes in 12 Different Cities feat. Mike Narvaez '20

Mike Narvaez describes himself as a “husband, father, manager, student and volunteer trying to make more right decisions than wrong.” Mike sits down with host Maya Pomroy ’22 to talk about how his son pushed him to get his MBA, maintaining connections with his cohort even though he did the online MBA program, and being a lifelong learner.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 7

Generations of Rice Grads feat. Chuck Yates '94

Chuck sits down with host Scott Gale '19 at the Digital Wildcatters Podcasting Studio right here in Houston to talk about his long-standing ties to Rice, his advice for those pursuing careers in investment banking, his connections to Nashville and the music industry, and his hopes for rebranding the energy industry.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 6

What Is My Purpose Here? feat. Mike Dey ‘20

Tune in as Mike Dey ‘20 talks with host Maya Pomroy '22 about building a cohort community in the online MBA program, how Rice Business inspired him to pivot from avionics engineering to business ownership and the importance of networking and connections.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 5

Hard Work and Flexibility Lead To Success feat. Natalie Smith ‘17

When Natalie Smith '17 first came to Rice as a full-time MBA student, she was under the impression that she would end up being an investment banker. But through her time in the program, and learning from different perspectives, she found a new calling in mergers & acquisitions.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 4

Transforming Tragedy Into Something Remarkable feat. Jackie Pham ‘21

Jackie Pham earned her MBA from Rice Business, graduating in 2021. But tragically, during her time in the program, she lost her three children and mother in a house fire during the Houston freeze in February of 2021. In this episode, Jackie dives deep with host Maya Pomroy ‘21 talking about her career path, carrying on the memory of her 3 children Colette, Edison and Olivia, and transforming the lowest points of her story into hope and action through the CEO Foundation, which supports initiatives that closely align with her core values of education, arts, health, wellness, and environmental and social impact for the children of Sugar Land, TX and beyond.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 3

Pushing Boundaries feat. Jeffrey Moseley '21

Jeffrey obtained his MBA from Rice Business in 2021 through the online MBA program, with a focus on corporate strategy, marketing and brand strategy. He is a Young Alumni Ambassador and is helping design a Global Field Experience (GFE) for Rice Business. He chats with host Scott Gale ‘19 about joining the Army, what he gained there that he couldn’t find from the traditional undergrad experience, being stationed in Russia and his passion for international work and travel.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 2

A Self-Proclaimed Sustainability Nerd feat. Lauren Miller '14

Lauren Miller talks with host Maya Pomroy about growing up in a family of entrepreneurs & Texas ranchers, being one of Forbes' 30 Under 30s in the energy category, how a Rice connection helped her land her current role, and some of the challenges she faced after starting a company.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 1

At the Forefront of Female Health feat. Caroline Goodner ’92

Caroline Goodner is truly the intersection of her parents. Growing up, her father was a geneticist and her mother was an entrepreneur. Now, Caroline is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and led multiple companies in the healthcare space.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 23

Creating Resources for Resiliency feat. Pierre Aristide ‘22

Fresh off of graduation, Pierre joins host Christine Dobbyn to discuss resiliency, his path before Rice including almost 30 years as a U.S. Air Force Reserve officer, coping with PTSD and making improvements to mental health treatment centers.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 22

Seizing the Opportunity feat. Brandy Hays Morrison '05

Brandy sits down with host Christine Dobbyn to chat about her years at Rice, learning to advocate for herself, starting the Black Business Student Association at Rice Business, and the importance of being knowledgeable in global customs.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 21

Doing Business in 70+ Countries feat. Robert Lesnick '00

Robert joins host Christine to look at the state of energy and oil today, his career path from philosophy to the energy sector, roaming the globe working in international business development, and how Rice prepared him for it all.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 20

Whatever You're Doing, Do It For The Right Reasons feat. Ruy Lozano '20

Ruy joins host Christine to look back at their time in the MBA program together, the diversity of their class, the business element of public service and some of the toughest times Ruy experienced during his work with the Houston Fire Department.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 19

The Erin Brockovich of Food feat. Robyn O'Brien '98

Robyn sits down with Christine to talk about her relationship with the real Erin Brockovich, the loneliness of this kind of pioneering work, marrying intuition and analytics, and the importance of women mentoring women.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 18

A Dope Platform for Everyday Women feat. Raisha Smith '22

Raisha joins host David Droogleever to talk about life in the corporate space, how she shifted her career path, starting and building EveryDopeGirl, and why it's so important to cultivate support and mentorship between women in business.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 17

Family, Commitment and Fosters feat. Casey Sherrod '21

Casey and David talk about what drew her to serve in the military, her impressive career with the Army, the parallels between business school and the Army, and how she got into the world of TikTok.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 16

Attentive, Responsive and Kind feat. Dean Peter Rodriguez

In this episode, Dean Peter Rodriguez sits down with host Christine Dobbyn to reflect on the last few tumultuous years. He talks about the future of the business school, who his mentors are, and a new appointment that will give him a front row seat to what's happening in the economy.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 15

Behind the Mic With Host Christine Dobbyn '20

In this special episode, get to know Christine Dobbyn’s story. She talks with guest host and Rice Business alum Scott Gale '19 about her passion for storytelling, how most of her work today is from the Rice Business network and her advice for prospective students.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 14

Behind the Mic With Host David Droogleever '12

In this special episode, get to know David Droogleever's story and why hosting a podcast is an act of building self-trust. Rice Business alum and guest host Scott Gale '19 finds out why joining the Navy was everything David expected and more, and why he starts every day by asking an important question: “Which frog do I eat first?” Check out the episode to find out what that means.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 13

The Entrepreneur Whose Intelligence Is Anything But Artificial feat. Aruna Viswanathan '01

Aruna Viswanathan '01 joins host David Droogleever to discuss her pivot from engineering to tech investing and entrepreneurship, provide essential tips for beginner investors and talk about AlphaX Decision Sciences, the energy AI software company she co-founded.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 12

Why Startup Founders Should Be a Bit Crazy feat. Lynn Lednicky '91

Lynn Lednicky graduated from Rice twice, getting an undergraduate degree in chemistry and then an MBA. He tells host Christine Dobbyn about the breadth of his career and how transferrable job skills can take you to places you might not expect. He also shares advice for startup founders and growth-stage companies.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 11

Building a Medical School From Scratch feat. Dr. Omar Matuk-Villazon '18

Omar Matuk-Villazon, M.D. '18 joins host David Droogleever to discuss the direct primary care model, innovation in healthcare and what it looks like to build a medical school from scratch.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 10

How Trauma Led to Triumph feat. Jen Paquette '19

Host Christine Dobbyn is joined by Jen Paquette '19, who discusses how trauma in her life has influenced her career path, her work with nonprofits and the military, and how it's helped prepare her to work with new business owners.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 9

The Dos and Don'ts of Launching a Business feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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.