Executives Dive into Discovery
Bauer Welcomes Third Executive DBA Cohort, Celebrates First Cohort Dissertation Milestone
The Bauer College Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program welcomed a third cohort this fall and is celebrating the inaugural cohort, who began dissertation work earlier this year.
When the Executive DBA program was launched in Fall 2023, it was developed to foster innovative thinking among business leaders who have the power to impact their industries, their organizations and their communities, said Executive DBA Academic Director Amy Horner.
“This program is an opportunity for curious executives to learn a new skill set through a very intentional curriculum,” she added. “It transforms the way they look at the challenges and opportunities that they have become accustomed to throughout their career.”
Students in the Bauer Executive DBA program are senior executives, business owners or entrepreneurs with at least 10 to 15 years of industry experience. The research that they conduct while at Bauer for their dissertation comes directly from their lived experiences, Horner said.
She said she expects great things from the Fall 2025 cohort and that they will continue the legacy of innovative thinking and research set by the previous two cohorts.
Executive DBA Program Director Kristy Hennessey said that a commonality among their students is that they have all described themselves as lifelong learners, and for many of them, their larger mission is to give back to their community.
“I’m hoping to see their growth and transformation and to see their research come to life,” she added.
Introducing the Executive DBA Fall 2025 Cohort...
Musanna Al-Muntasir
CEO/President, ItsMoose.com
“My greatest accomplishment will always be being able to pursue my passion: helping businesses find their brand and help them grow.”
John Amador
Senior Manager of Cybersecurity, Crane Worldwide Logistics
“My greatest accomplishment is being present in my children's lives and creating a path that allows them to proudly say they are second-generation college students.”
Dana Blegen
Global Head, Advanced Services PMO, Wiz
“My greatest accomplishment was joining the military at the age of 20. That decision changed the course of my life and laid the foundation for both my professional and personal success.”
Gerren Bazier
Project Engineer, Technip Energies
“My greatest accomplishment is serving in the United States military and learning to fly helicopters. These experiences have demonstrated my dedication, discipline and commitment to excellence, and have significantly shaped my leadership and problem-solving skills.”
Jack Burhan Altinbilek
Owner/CEO, Goldenwrist Capital
“My greatest accomplishment is building a successful real estate investment business that transforms neglected properties into safe, clean and quiet neighborhoods.”
Shawn Faciane
Audit Consultant/Contractor, Self Employed/Retired Chief Internal Auditor/Chief Financial Officer
“I think my greatest achievement was obtaining my MBA... Obtaining my MBA along with my professional audit certifications led to my first C-Suite executive position.”
Ebony Furr
Vice President, Growth Merit America
“One of my greatest accomplishments has been navigating a successful transition from 14 years of military service into a civilian career with little support, starting as an associate and working my way up to Vice President while earning my MBA.”
James Gilford
Portfolio Projects Manager, Turner and Townsend (Exxon Mobil)
“My greatest accomplishment is serving 20 years in the United States Military.”
Elizabeth Hair-Estrella
Supply Chain Operations Leader, Manufactuing, Warehouse, and Transportation, H-E-B
“My daughter will always be my greatest accomplishment. Watching her grow into the amazing young woman she is has been my greatest joy.”
Shawn Hamilton
Head of Strategy & Business Development, Maintainer Corp
“My family will always be my greatest accomplishment.”
Lina Herrmann
Director, Space Systems and Mission Systems, Collins Aerospace | An RTX Business
“I have two wonderful sons that I enjoy spending my free time with. We enjoy traveling and going to sports events together. They are my greatest accomplishments.”
Till Hollmann
Senior Director Project Management, Crane Co.
“My family is my greatest accomplishment.”
Darian Jones
Founder, Tribal Tech Innovations
“My greatest accomplishment was building my first startup, St. Cloud Food Runner, after investing my last $2K with no safety net... What it proved is I can build under pressure, lead through chaos and create real value from zero. That foundation fuels everything I do now.”
Justin Katusak
Lecturer, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
“My greatest accomplishment is my family. I am fortunate to be married to my high school sweetheart, and together we are raising our five-year-old son. They are my constant source of motivation and perspective, inspiring me to pursue personal and professional growth with purpose.”
Ernest Lewis
Vice President, Community Impact & Vitality, BakerRipley
“I have been very fortunate to have created a track record of helping organizations and communities move from aspiration to impact.”
Yali Liu
Senior Vice President, Data Center and Investor Relations, GT Titan
“I’ve found success in expanding Verizon’s global network infrastructure, including submarine cables, data network nodes across five continents and forging strategic global partnerships.”
Narasimman Madhavarao
Chief Product & Transformation Officer, Sierra Digital Inc
“One of my recent accomplishments was leading a large-scale digital transformation program that achieved over $10+ million in cost savings through a focused, business-driven approach.”
Taiwo Odutola
Manager of Corporate Compliance, Harris Health
“My greatest accomplishments are the sum total of my work experiences, the professional relationships and connections cultivated.”
Andrea Orzehoski
Director of Brand, Content & Digital Communications, LyondellBasell
“I'm most proud of the teams that I have built, grown and scaled through challenging times... I'm equally proud of my role in my beautiful and blended family.”
Christopher Pena
Safety Program Development Manager, Quanta Infrastructure Group
“Though I would consider many, the one that truly sticks out is when I successfully navigated a river under hazardous conditions when our Chief Officer was unfit for duty... I denied the fear of failing and relied on my courage, leadership under pressure and earning trust the hard way.”
Che Reinosa Torres
Senior Director of Business Management, Comcast
“Though I would consider many, the one that truly sticks out is when I successfully navigated a river under hazardous conditions when our Chief Officer was unfit for duty... I denied the fear of failing and relied on my courage, leadership under pressure and earning trust the hard way.”
Patrick Rumph
Clinical Operations Director, Legacy Community Health
“My greatest accomplishment is navigating life with my wife for over a decade and experiencing unimaginable joy through the lives of my young daughters.”
RA Session II
Co-Founder and CEO, Signify Bio, Inc.
“My greatest accomplishment is leading a company I founded to the fastest seed round to IPO in biotech history, totaling 6 months in time.”
Soledad Tanner
Founder and CEO, STC Consulting
“My greatest accomplishment is being the first female college graduate in my family, and the first to graduate overseas with a master's degree.”
Eder Valencia
Inventory Management, Puffer-Sweiven
“One of my greatest accomplishments, which has opened many doors and opportunities for me, is serving in the United States Marine Corps.”
Nicole Williams
Vice President of Employer Health Strategy, Marathon Health
“My bravest accomplishment was surviving cancer while continuing to lead and care for others but even more so, choosing to rebuild my life afterward with clarity and courage.”
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