2024 Graduate School Summit Speakers
Associate Director, Diversity Recruiting, MIT Sloan School of Management
Dr. Terrell Williams, Ed.D., is a distinguished education professional with over a decade of experience in higher education admissions. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, and a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Williams has built an impressive career spanning diverse academic institutions.
His expertise encompasses undergraduate and graduate admissions across a range of institutional types, including:
A historically Black college/university (HBCU)
A preeminent Research 1 institution
A selective graduate business school
Dr. Williams' unique background and extensive experience have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the higher education landscape and the challenges faced by students from various backgrounds.
As an advocate for educational access and equity, Dr. Williams leverages his personal journey as a first-generation college graduate to inform his approach to admissions and student success. His work is dedicated to creating pathways for diverse student populations and enhancing the overall admissions process in higher education.
Dr. Williams' educational credentials, culminating in his doctorate in education, underscore his commitment to lifelong learning and his expertise in the field of higher education administration.
Founder, A Beautiful Resistance | Deputy Managing Editor, Boston Globe
Jeneé Osterheldt is a culture columnist who covers identity and social justice through the lens of culture and the arts. Her work centers Black lives and the lives of people of color. She is also the creator of A Beautiful Resistance, a multimedia platform and docuseries for The Boston Globe that centers Black voices and celebrates Black Joy.
The work is both joy and justice. Sometimes this means writing about Beyoncé and Black womanhood or unpacking the importance of public art and representation. Sometimes this means taking systemic racism, sexism, and oppression to task. It always means Black lives matter.
Beyond writing and film, her work comes to life on stage and screen as she moderates conversations with thought leaders and culture makers like Ghetto Gastro, Taraji P. Henson, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
More recently, she's joined leadership at The Boston Globe. In 2023, she was named deputy managing editor of talent, culture, and development.
She joined the Globe in 2018. She is a 2024 New England Emmy Award Winner. She was the 2023 chair of the Pulitzer jury for criticism, 2023 ONA winner for Commentary, 2022 YW Boston Women Achiever, a 2022 Murrow Award winner, a 2021 News Leader Association winner, and a 2021 Most Influential Bostonian.
A native of Alexandria, VA. and a proud graduate of Norfolk State University, Osterheldt was a 2017 Nieman Fellow at Harvard, where her studies focused on the intersection of art and justice. She previously worked as a Kansas City Star culture columnist.
Professor/Director, University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education
Dr. Royel M. Johnson is one of the nation’s foremost voices on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. A tenured professor at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, he chairs the Rossier PhD program and directs the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates (NACCC) at the USC Race and Equity Center, a premier survey initiative evaluating racial climates on campuses nationwide.
Dr. Johnson has authored over 60 academic papers and book chapters, along with five books. His two latest works, The Big Lie About Race in America’s Schools and From Foster Care to College: Navigating Challenges and Creating Possibilities, were published this fall by Harvard Education Press and Teachers College Press, respectively.
His research has received $6.3 million in funding from notable organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education, Spencer Foundation, Walmart Foundation, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. He currently serves as Co-Editor of Educational Researcher, the flagship journal for the American Educational Research Association.
For his contributions to scholarship and practice, Dr. Johnson has received numerous accolades from professional associations, including his selection as a 2024 Diamond Honoree by the American College Personnel Association—their highest honor. Recently, The Los Angeles Times recognized him as a DEIA Visionary, underscoring his impact on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in Southern California and beyond.
Dr. Johnson holds a B.A. in Political Science and Ed.M. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs, with a cognate in Race and Social Policy, from The Ohio State University. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
JD Candidate, Northeastern University School of Law
LB Ambassador Alum
Marielis Rosa is a promising first-year law student at Northeastern University School of Law, where she actively engages in various student organizations. As a member of the Black Law Student Association, Latin American Law Students Association, and Business Law Society, Marielis demonstrates her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and professional development in the legal field.
A recent graduate of Boston University, Marielis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology in May 2023. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for understanding the intersections of law, society, and politics. Following her undergraduate studies, Marielis gained valuable industry experience working at BlackRock in the Aladdin Business for a year, further cultivating her interest in corporate and finance law.
As a second cohort LB Ambassador, Marielis exemplifies leadership and dedication to fostering connections within the academic community. Her passion for corporate and finance law drives her academic pursuits and shapes her career aspirations.
Beyond her academic and professional endeavors, Marielis is committed to community service, regularly volunteering at shelters. She nurtures her cultural interests through reading fiction by Caribbean authors and has a penchant for international travel, having explored ten countries to date. This blend of global perspective and local engagement enriches her approach to law and life.
MPA Candidate, Harvard Kennedy School
Justin Flynn is a 2nd year MPA candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School and is originally from Michigan. He is focused on economic development, technology, and foreign policy. Justin graduated from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in business, concentrating in finance and real estate, with a minor in political science. His first job was as an analyst with Wells Fargo. He also has a master's degree in global commerce from the University of Virginia and another in global strategic management from ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. In addition, Justin holds a certificate in international business from Lingnan College in Guangzhou, China.
Most recently, Justin worked on CHIPS Act implementation as a summer intern in the Office of the Secretary at the United States Department of Commerce. At HKS, he serves as an economic development research assistant and as an applied history course assistant.
Justin gained experience across a range of industries before HKS. He's served as a project manager at Next Street, a firm focused on accelerating a more just economy by democratizing access to resources for entrepreneurs. He also worked in strategy for ContractpodAI, a London-based AI startup.
Retired Judge - Served as and Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Geraldine Hines was born in Scott, Mississippi, and grew up in the Mississippi Delta. She graduated from Tougaloo College in 1968 and the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1971. Upon graduation she became a staff attorney at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, engaging in prisoner's rights litigation, and then, from 1973 to 1977 practiced criminal law with the Roxbury Defenders' Committee eventually becoming Director of the Committee.
After an MIT fellowship researching policy initiatives to address the issue of police misconduct in communities of color, she served as co-counsel in Commonwealth v. Willie Sanders. From 1979-1982 she litigated civil rights cases relating to discrimination in education and advised on special education law while a staff attorney at the Harvard University Center for Law and Education.
Justice Hines entered private practice in 1982, appearing in state and federal courts on criminal, administrative, labor and family law matters. She continued to litigate civil rights cases, including employment discrimination and police misconduct claims, as a founding partner in the first law firm of women of color in the New England region. Governor Paul Cellucci appointed Justice Hines as Associate Justice of the Superior Court in 2001. Governor Deval Patrick appointed her as an Associate Justice of the Appeals Court in 2013, and she was appointed to the MA Supreme Judicial Court a year later becoming the first African American woman to serve on the SJC.
Justice Hines has been active in a number of civic and community organizations, some of which include the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Lawyers Guild and the National Conference of Black Lawyers. She has also observed elections and investigated human rights abuses in Africa and the Middle East. She was appointed to serve on both the Judicial Nominating Council and the Judicial Nominating Commission. Justice Hines has been an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern University Law School since 1980, and has frequently presented educational programs for attorneys and judges, including MCLE, where she has presented and published materials in diverse subjects such as trial advocacy, federal civil litigation and municipal torts and civil rights claims.
Director, Employment and Litigation, Goulston & Storrs
Carla Reeves is an employment lawyer and litigator who advises employers of all sizes and varieties on legal matters arising out of the employment relationship. She provides day-to-day advice to corporate and nonprofit clients on recruitment and hiring, employment agreements, workplace policies, performance management, workplace accommodations, separations, and strategies for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. She also conducts trainings on strategies for interrupting bias, and preventing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace.
In her litigation practice, Carla represents clients before state and federal courts, and administrative agencies in employment and other business disputes. She also represents clients in arbitration, agency conciliation, and mediation proceedings.
As a trained investigator, Carla conducts internal and independent investigations of reports of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace misconduct. She also advises clients as they navigate investigations of highly sensitive workplace issues.
Carla also represents clients in connection with government investigations, inquiries, and enforcement actions. Her experience includes matters involving the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and State Attorney General offices.
MD Candidate, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
LB Ambassador Alum
Sydni Britton is a Boston native and is currently a first year medical student at Boston University. She attended Fordham University for her undergraduate degree and Boston University for her M.S. in Medical Sciences degree prior to entering her MD program. She is passionate about equitable healthcare and is excited to learn more about surgical specialties and pediatric surgical care during her first year in medical school. For fun she likes to run, bike and try new restaurants with friends!
Owner, Marigold Dental Studio
Dr. Joke Alesh was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island and is an alumnus of Classical High school. At four years old she decided she wanted to become a dentist because of the positive impact of her pediatric dentist.
She went on to become a ”triple jumbo” at Tufts University. As an undergraduate student she triple majored in community Heath, child development, and biomedical engineering. As part of the early acceptance program she attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and earned her doctorate in medical dentistry. Dr. Alesh completed her education at Tufts by earning her masters in public health at Tufts Medical School.
In addition to clinical dentistry, Dr. Alesh also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Community College of RI Dental Health Program. As an entrepreneur she owns 3 businesses. Firstly, Marigold Dental Studio, a comprehensive general dental practice in Pawtucket, RI. Secondly, Eliqa headwear, an e-commerce site that offers satin lined scrub caps and bonnets for wellness professionals. And lastly, Primary Weddings & Events, an event management agency that focuses on day of coordination for large scale events. She truly believes in actualizing your potential by pursuing all the things that fulfill and enrich your life and the world.
Community Health Alignment Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Kervin Hilaire, MPH, is the Community Health Alignment Coordinator in the Workforce Innovations Center at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Kervin supports statewide public health activities and technical assistance efforts focused on vaccine equity and community health center capacity building. Kervin holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from American University in Washington, DC, and a Master of Public Health with a focus on community assessment, program design, implementation, and evaluation. He has many years of professional experience in local and state government, community health, global health, and preventive health.
Neurosurgeon, Mass General Hospital
Founder, The Chunilal Initiative
Dr. Hiren N. Patel is an attending neurosurgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. He serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Chunilal Initiative which is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that establishes and implements international neurosurgery mission trips. In addition he is the president of Ambila Therepeutics Inc., which is a research and development company in the CSF diversion and neuromodulation space.
Undergraduate Student & Researcher, MIT
LB Ambassador '23
Victory is a Leadership Brainery ambassador and senior at MIT who is passionate about research & development in molecular biology, computer science, and engineering.
During her time at MIT, she has gathered various experiences in STEM. Beyond two full time research roles at renowned labs on campus, she has worked at a Software Engineer Intern at Bloomberg, Research Intern at Google, and Scientist Intern at Illumina.
On campus she has previously served as the Undergrad President of the MIT Biotech Group, and is now the President of the African Students Association.
Among other things, she caress a lot about reform in Africa. Right now, specifically in education. Longer term, she hopes to both build and transform biotechnology research & innovation on the continent, for the good of human health.
Head of Corporate Development & Strategy, Marengo Therapeutics
Dr. Shiva Bolourchi is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with over 12 years of experience in drug development across diverse organizational settings, from private startups to large pharmaceutical companies. As the Head of Corporate Development and Strategy at Marengo Therapeutics, she leverages her unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to drive strategic initiatives.
Dr. Bolourchi holds a PhD in Oncology and Pharmacology from New York University Sackler Institute, where she focused on advancing therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. She also earned a dual BA/MA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology from Boston University. Currently, she is completing her MBA at Babson College, further enhancing her strategic insight and leadership capabilities.
Her career spans critical areas of the pharmaceutical industry, including business development, strategic alliances, and corporate strategy. Dr. Bolourchi's leadership roles have consistently demonstrated her ability to navigate complex drug development landscapes and foster innovative solutions.
With her multifaceted experience and ongoing pursuit of business education, Dr. Bolourchi is positioned as a thought leader at the intersection of scientific innovation and strategic business development in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Senior Embedded Controls Engineer, Locus Robotics
Dr. Akhil Kandhari is a robotics engineer with a PhD, specializing in dynamics and control. He earned his PhD in 2020 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. With a strong focus on autonomous systems and embedded systems, Akhil has contributed to the development of innovative technologies across both fields. His expertise has been instrumental in advancing projects related to autonomous mobile robots, marine vessels, and complex control systems.
Akhil is a published author of several research papers, showcasing his deep understanding of the theory and application of dynamics and control. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to integrate advanced control techniques into real-world systems, making significant contributions to autonomous robotic systems.
Akhil remains committed to pushing the boundaries of robotics and control systems through continuous learning, innovation, and research in dynamics and control.
PhD Student in Civil & Envtl. Eng. | Masters in Applied Data Science | Mechanical & Aerospace Engineer | GEM Fellow | Energy Justice & STEM Education | Speaker | Creative
Ymbar I. Polanco Pino is a Civil and Environmental Engineering Ph.D. student, GEM Fellow, and Provost Leadership Fellow at Tufts University. He received his bachelor’s degree from the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at the University of Missouri. As an aerospace engineering researcher, Ymbar worked on zero-gravity microfluidics through NASA’s Space Grant with Dr. Chung-Lung (C.L.) Chen and Dr. Sheng Wang. He also did research on piezoelectric energy harvesters as a part of the Ronald E. McNair Program. Ymbar also joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s Aero/Astro department as a researcher in the Space Propulsion Laboratory working on electric-propulsion thrusters for spacecraft - specifically CubeSats - with Dr. Paulo Lozano and Dr. Oliver Jia-Richards. As a researcher in the postsecondary Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education space, Ymbar has focused on examining STEM culture's influence on racially and ethnically minoritized students with Dr. Terrell R. Morton and the Justice and Joy Research Team.
Currently, Ymbar is conducting research for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Department of Energy (DOE), alongside Andrew Parker and Dr. Greses Pérez, to enable equity considerations in commercial building energy efficiency programs through data analysis and community engagement. He hopes to continue doing research that supports and creatively engages historically excluded communities within the renewable energy transition. Ymbar is interested in community-oriented STEM education and using hip-hop based interventions as pedagogy/therapy in urban science education. Outside of school and work, Ymbar enjoys making music, staying active, visiting museums, and fellowshipping in his church’s small groups.
Ymbar is a research assistant for Dr. Greses Pérez - Tufts University Professor in Engineering Education, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering.
CEO/Founder, Social Entrepreneur, Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Dr. Pilar Tucker is a postdoctoral fellow at McLean's College Mental Health/DEIO Program, and she will be implementing the first year-long multicultural training group for McLean psychology interns beginning this fall. Dr. Tucker received her Bachelors from Spelman College, her Masters in Counseling from Boston University’s School of Medicine, and her Psy.D from William James College. Dr. Tucker is a clinician, educator, and entrepreneur. She has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses at William James College, Boston University School of Medicine, and Harvard University. Dr. Tucker is the founder of Empower Our Crown Foundation, Inc, a non-profit organization, where she has worked as a consultant building and facilitating mental health, DEI, and leadership development curricula, trainings, and programing for academic institutions, hospitals, and other organizations across the globe. Pilar and her team have successfully developed trauma-informed and strength-based curricula for marginalized youth and young adults to have access to culturally responsive mental health resources and professional development training opportunities. Dr. Tucker's scholarship examines the effects of complex and racial trauma on the leadership styles of Black women in leadership positions. Her dedication to building inclusive systems, commitment to education, and relentless pursuits to build diverse and psychologically competent leaders, has allowed Pilar to be a dynamic change agent.
Multimedia Journalist, Creative Consultant
Faith Imafidon is a proud Boston native and first-generation Nigerian. Having grown up in Dorchester and Hyde Park, Faith has insider knowledge on the best bakeries and steak and cheese sub spots in town. Faith received her BA in English and American Literature and Language and MFA in Acting from Harvard University where she wrote for The Harvard Crimson Arts section, served as an Editorial Assistant for Transition Magazine at the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute and led BlackCAST (Black Community and Student Theatre) as a producer, director, and Co-President. A lover and supporter of the arts, Faith’s career began with the former Wang Center for the Performing Arts in its education outreach program Suskind Young At Arts. Since then, she has worked with other media and art institutions such as WCVB-TV Channel 5, Second City Hollywood, Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles and STAR Education as a Theatre Arts Teacher for K-12 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Faith is the former News Director at Boston Neighborhood Network Media and a 2022 New England First Amendment Institute Journalism Fellow. She is currently completing her Masters in Journalism at Boston University.
Managing Director, Team Lead - Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity, State Street Corporation
Dr. Constanza Cabello* (Connie/ she/ her) currently serves as the Managing Director of the Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (GIDE) team at State Street Corporation. She is a driving force behind State Street’s efforts to generate more equitable outcomes for their employees, clients, and communities. Connie leads the GIDE team in partnering across Human Resources to advance diversity goals, and center equity in workplace culture. She supports the business development of equity advancing products and services and works with external groups to establish civil rights partnerships.
Prior to joining State Street, Connie was a senior diversity officer in higher education. She continues to serve as a faculty member for the Equity Institutes Program at the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center. She was instrumental in the creation of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s “New Undergraduate Experience” initiative, which serves as a guiding framework to reimagine Massachusetts’ public higher education system through the lens of racial equity. She remains passionate about advancing educational equity through her volunteerism.
Much of her service is focused on advancing conditions for People of Color and women. She has held leadership roles with the Boston Chapter of ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America) and the Boston Women’s Dinner Group. Her passion for educational equity is demonstrated by her ongoing board membership with the Randolph Dream Project and Boston Education Fund. Most recently she was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Urban College of Boston.
Connie has been recognized by local and national organizations. In 2023 she received the Champion of Freedom Award by the Freedom House and was chosen by Amplify Latinx as an ALX100 honoree. She represented the City of Boston at the 2023 Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School. In 2022, Connie was selected by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and City Awake as a Ten Outstanding Young Leader, and named to the Latinas to Watch List by ALPFA.
She holds a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership Studies from Northeastern University, a Master of Science in Counseling from Central Connecticut State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies: Social Policy and Planning from the University of Connecticut.
Connie is a proud Latina and immigrant. She was born in Viña del Mar, Chile and grew up in the Greater Boston area. She currently resides in South Shore, Massachusetts. Connie enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her shih tzu, Luna. Her hobbies include traveling, watching documentaries, attending concerts, and lounging at a beach or pool.
Assistant Professor, in the Department of Religion at Boston University
Dr. James Howard Hill, Jr, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Boston University. He holds a B.A. from Criswell College, an M.T.S. from Southern Methodist University, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. He teaches courses and conducts research in black study, religion and the politics of popular culture in the United States, political theory, black political thought, modernity, ecology, and coloniality, and conceptual methodologies informing the study of religion. Hill, Jr is the author of two forthcoming books under contract: The Haunting King: Religion, Michael Jackson, and the Politics of Black Popular Culture (under contract with The University of Chicago Press Class 200: New Studies in Religion series) and Haunting Joy: Essays on Religion, Black Popular Culture, and Overcoming Childhood Adversity (under contract with Fortress Press). He is a 2024 inductee into the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College. His scholarship has received recognition and support from The Crossroads Project, The Heidelberg Center for American Studies (Heidelberg, Germany), The Henry Luce Foundation, the Forum for Theological Exploration, The Louisville Institute, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, Social Science Research Council (SSRC), and the Mellon Cluster Research Fellowship in Comparative Race and Diaspora studies.
Co-Founder and Executive Director, The Upward Project
Mindy Wright, Co-founder and Executive Director, launched The Upward Project in January 2018 after nearly two decades working in education, college access, and persistence. Most recently, she served as the Founding Director of the Persistence Project at Boston Prep, and as a member of Boston Prep’s senior leadership team. Previously, Mindy was Boston Prep’s Director of Graduate Support and led the school’s history department. Her first job in education was as a middle school social studies teacher at the Epiphany School in Dorchester, MA. Mindy holds a master’s degree in education from Boston College and is a graduate of Colby College.
Mindy is a leading expert in the college access and success field, often sought out by local and national organizations for speaking engagements and consulting services. She has primarily served first-generation college students from low-income communities. Mindy was a low-income and first-generation college graduate herself so is well aware of the challenges and barriers that this particular demographic faces. As a social entrepreneur, her personal and professional experiences have played a significant role in shaping The Upward Project as a career development program, where the primary goal is to disrupt the wealth gap in Boston through intentional and strategic programming for high achieving FGLI students.
Product Administrator, International Rescue Committee
GSS Alum
Pranit Chand is currently a Product Admin with the International Rescue Committee (rescue.org). His career spans a diverse range of industries, including technology, climate, international development, and humanitarian aid. Pranit has previously worked with organizations such as UNDP and is a two-time alum of MIT Bootcamps. An aspiring entrepreneur, he has co-founded two ventures and actively mentors startups.
CEO, Boston Impact Initiative
Betty Francisco is a business executive, impact investor and community leader. She is known as a powerful convener and changemaker, unapologetic about creating visibility for Latino and POC leaders. Boston Magazine named her as one of the 150 Most Influential Bostonians in 2024, and the Boston Business Journal named Betty as one of the Power 50 – Movement Makers in 2022.
Betty is currently the CEO of Boston Impact Initiative, an impact investment fund that invests to close the racial wealth divide in Massachusetts. She is the co-founder of Amplify Latinx, a social venture that is building Latinx economic and political power through Latino leadership representation and economic opportunity in Massachusetts. She also co-founded The Women’s Dinner Group with Anna Foster, in 2020 to mirror the focus of the Boston Men’s Dinner Group, with a specific focus on empowering and connecting women of color. She is also a founding member of the Coalition for an Equitable Economy which is building an equitable small business ecosystem for entrepreneurs of color in Massachusetts.
She was the General Counsel at Compass Working Capital where she oversaw the organization’s legal affairs, compliance, and risk management. Before that, she served as EVP, General Counsel for Sports Club/LA and Reebok Sports Club/NY, a fitness brand acquired by Equinox Fitness. Betty began her legal career as a Senior Business Law Associate at Edwards Wildman (now Locke Lord) representing start-ups, corporations and investors. She serves on the Boards of Directors of The Boston Foundation, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and Roxbury Community College. Betty obtained her J.D. and M.B.A. from Northeastern University and her B.A. in History from Bard College.
Principal, Investor Relations
As a Principal in Investor Relations, Emeka focuses on fundraising and investor relations activities for the firm through outreach to existing and prospective limited partners (LPs) within LATAM, the U.S., eastern Canada and Australia.
Before joining the THL team, Emeka worked at SV Health Investors as a Director in Investor Relations and at Partners Group USA, Inc., as a Vice President in Investment Solutions. In his free time, Emeka enjoys snowboarding and traveling the world with his wife.
Private Equity Analyst, Brown Advisory
Louise Nankiinga is a Private Equity Analyst at Brown Advisory, where she specializes in impact investing for individuals, families, endowments, and foundations seeking to create measurable social and environmental change through their wealth management strategies. Her expertise lies in aligning financial goals with sustainable and socially responsible investment opportunities.
Prior to her current role, Louise served as a Sustainable Investing Equity Research Analyst at Brown Advisory, focusing on the Industrials, Materials, Energy, and Financials sectors for the firm's Institutional Equities business. This position built upon her previous experience as an ESG analyst in the Sustainability Group at Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge, where she played a crucial role in integrating key ESG factors into the group's investment process.
Louise began her career at Goldman Sachs on the GS SUSTAIN equity research team, gaining valuable insights into sustainable finance practices. She then transitioned to Unilever, where she contributed to the management and growth of the Dove Hair business, further honing her skills in corporate strategy and brand development.
Committed to community service, Louise serves on the board of Samuel Ready, an organization that provides scholarships to inner-city girls for top private secondary institutions. She also holds a board position with Shared Interest, which offers loan guarantees to disadvantaged entrepreneurs in Southern Africa, demonstrating her dedication to economic empowerment and social justice.