An Outstanding Future

Bauer Graduate & Professional Programs
Recognize Outstanding Spring 2024 Graduates

Each semester, the Office of Graduate and Professional Programs at the C. T. Bauer College of Business selects graduates from each program to recognize as outstanding students.

The Spring 2024 list includes recognition for students in the Master of Science in Business Analytics, MS in Management Information Systems, MS in Supply Chain Management, MS in Entrepreneurship, MS in Finance, MS in Management & Leadership, MS in Marketing, MS in Accountancy, MS in Global Energy Leadership, MS in Sales Leadership and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs.

CHRIS SMITH
Outstanding Executive MBA Student

Chris Smith is currently the Senior Director of Product Development and Sourcing at Academy Sports and Outdoors, a leading sporting goods retailer headquartered in Katy, Texas. With a strong background in leadership and product management, Smith has made significant contributions to the company’s growth. 

Smith began his career working for U.S. Congressman John Boozman, who is now the Senior United States Senator for Arkansas. He spent 15 years in various leadership roles at Walmart Stores, Inc., gaining valuable insights into retail operations and strategy. In 2017, he joined Academy as the Director of Sourcing for Apparel and Footwear. Currently, he oversees Raw Materials/Color, Sourcing, Product Development, and Technical Design.

Under his leadership, the company has successfully launched several new brands, positioning his division as the largest and fastest-growing private brand division.

Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. 

PENIAMINA (BEN) LESA
Outstanding Executive MBA Student

Peniamina Lesa is currently an Office Contract Manager and Project Manager for HNTB Houston, an infrastructure solutions firm.

Lesa received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University in 2015. He worked as a Professional Engineer for WSP Salt Lake City, Utah for five years before assuming his current position in 2020.

JULIE FRANCIS
Outstanding MBA Student

Julie Francis joined the Professional MBA Program to broaden her business skills, concentrating in finance.  She participated as an analyst in the Cougar Investment Fund, and completed the Corporate Finance and Global Management certificates.

While at UH, she served as an officer in the Bauer MBA Society and Bauer Graduate Women’s Network. Francis plays ultimate frisbee competitively and helped to coach the UH women’s ultimate club team.

Francis has over 20 years of experience as a geologist and consultant in the Oil & Gas industry.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University and Master's of Science from University of Southern California, both in geology.

She plans to build on her energy background and MBA education as a management strategy consultant.

DUY LE
Outstanding MS in Business Analytics Student

Duy Le is a dynamic Supply Chain Analyst who is passionate about leveraging data-driven technology to optimize operations. With a detail-oriented and strong data analytical mindset and over two years of experience in the logistics industry, Le thrives on uncovering insights that drive strategic decision-making in the supply chain domain.

His time in logistics has provided him with a solid foundation in understanding the flow of goods and materials, from procurement to distribution with the aid of data-centric techniques. Le’s journey in this field has been guided by the expertise gained through the MS in Business Analytics program.

DUYEN DO
Outstanding MS in Business Analytics Student

Duyen Do began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, graduating from Bauer in 2021.

During Do’s undergraduate career, they initially worked as a proctor at CASA Testing Center before being promoted to the position of team lead. Being dedicated to studying, she also earned multiple Dean's List awards during the years 2019 and 2020.

After graduating with her BBA, Do pursued further education and will complete the MS in Business Analytics.

AMRUTHA SREYA GORTHI
Outstanding MS in Accountancy Student

Amrutha Gorthi is a driven and accomplished graduate of University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business. She graduated magna cum laude in Spring 2023 with a BBA in Accounting and Finance. During her undergraduate years, Gorthi gained invaluable experience through internships at KPMG and will be starting work as an associate in their tax practice in Houston in July.

After graduating, she began pursuing her MS in Accountancy immediately in Summer 2023. She also decided to expand her expertise by pursuing certificates in Assurance and Financial Reporting as well as Applied Data Analytics.

Throughout her college career, Gorthi was an active contributor to the Bauer community. She acted as the Chair of the Student Fees Advisory Committee, dedicated to embodying the voice of the student body in financial decisions for the university, and also served as an officer for the Business Consulting Organization with the hopes of providing opportunities and mentorship for her fellow members. During her post graduate year, she held a position as a teaching assistant for the Professional Accounting Communications and Financial Statement Analysis classes, functioning as a valuable resource for her peers and professors.

Grateful for the opportunities given to her by Bauer, she is committed to paying it forward through mentorship and guidance to accounting majors, ensuring they too can achieve success in their academic and professional journeys.

LINDSAY NORTON
Outstanding MS in Finance Student

Lindsay Norton is currently a part-time student and Senior Finance Associate at EDP Renewables where she works in the structured finance department on tax equity transactions. 

While at Bauer, she studied quantitative finance and will graduate with the quantitative finance certificate. 

Before her time in Finance, Norton attended Texas A&M University where she got a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture and built a solar powered house on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. with fellow architecture classmates, the highlight of her academic career. 

She has worked as a Professional Landscape Architect since 2007, with the University of Houston being one of her main clients during that time, including helping the campus recovery from Hurricane Ike and helping design Calhoun Lofts, the Classroom and Business Building, Michael J. Cemo Hall and Melcher Plaza.  In 2012, she went to graduate school and in 2014 she graduated with her Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston – Victoria. 

Over the last decade, Norton has freelance designed for commercial developers throughout Texas. 

COLLIN MARTELLA
Outstanding MS in Global Energy Leadership Student

Collin Martella earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas A&M University in 2014. While he was there, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, where he served on Active Duty from 2015-2019.

In 2019, Martella began his career at the Love's Family of Companies, starting in retail as an Operations Manager and then a General Manager of the Waller, TX store. In 2021, he transferred to Musket Corporation (another Love's-owned company). He began his career with Musket as a Supply Coordinator, responsible for fuel procurement and price negotiations for various fuel products based on New York Mercantile Exchange indices. He then was promoted in 2022 to the role of Terminal Scheduler, where he is responsible for all inbound fuel-product operational deliveries and inventories for several Musket-owned fuel terminals across the southeastern United States.

He hopes to continue his professional development and aspires to utilize his experience with Musket Corporation, and his master's education from Bauer College, to advance his career in the Commercial sector of the energy industry. Martella is also active with Musket Corporation's mentorship and intern development programs.

DANIEL AIYEDOGBON
Outstanding MS in Marketing Student


Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, Daniel Aiyedogbon has distinguished himself as a thought leader in the marketing and consulting sphere.

Graduating summa cum laude and at the top of his class in his undergraduate program, he swiftly generated over $1 million in revenue within just eight months of industry experience.

Founding Wellspool Consulting and The Spirit & Life conglomerate, he has left a significant impact on millions of individuals globally. His motto: "It's not enough to say it, show it," propels him.

SHEEN LING YEO
Outstanding MS in Management Information Systems Student

Sheen Ling Yeo, born and raised in Malaysia, earned her BBA in Marketing and minor in Finance (Risk Management and Insurance) with summa cum laude honors from the University of Houston in May 2021.

After graduation, she worked at a local Allstate insurance agency as a Marketing Consultant and Sales Associate. Realizing how technology is rapidly reshaping the business landscape, Yeo decided to pursue a master’s degree in MIS at Bauer in August 2022. Throughout her tenure at Bauer, she has gained skills in various areas of information systems and digital marketing which will help make data-driven decisions in businesses. 

Looking ahead, Yeo is excited to start the next chapter of her career in the insurance industry. Her career goal and passion are to apply her knowledge of digital marketing trends and innovations in the insurance field. 

JACK MARTIN
Outstanding MS in Management & Leadership Student

Jack Martin is from Dothan, Al and is currently finishing his last year of eligibility for the University of Houston’s Football team as Kicker.

He started his college football career at Troy University where he played two seasons as the Punter and Kickoff specialist, ranking No. 1 in the country for Net Punt Average, which presented the opportunity to play for The University of Alabama for two seasons.

During his time at Alabama, Martin received an undergraduate degree in Finance with a concentration in Banking.

ISAIAS CASTANEDA
Outstanding MS in Management & Leadership Student

Isaias Castaneda obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Houston-Downtown and will receive his MS in Management & Leadership this May.

He currently serves as a Manufacturing Supervisor at Vallourec, and is passionate about learning and applying all management and leadership principles to enhance his role and drive organizational success.

JEHOIARIB UMOREN
Outstanding MS in Supply Chain Management Student

Jehoiarib Umoren is currently interning at Houston Methodist as a Supply Chain Intern, where he applies his expertise in procurement processes and project coordination. With six years of experience at an Oil & Gas consulting firm, he transitioned from a Procurement Officer to a Program Coordinator, leading successful projects and optimizing procurement strategies. He also served as a Financial Analyst and Accountant for two years before pursuing his master’s program.

Passionate about Supply Chain Finance, Umoren is committed to managing operations and cash flow to ensure business continuity and liquidity. He possesses a comprehensive skill set encompassing financial management and supply chain operations.

Umoren is driven by a desire to leverage his expertise in supply chain management and finance to drive efficiency and innovation in the industry. He is dedicated to making meaningful contributions to the field through his internship at Houston Methodist and beyond.