2008-2009 Officers

Net Impact Executive Committee Members 2008-09

Glen Burnett
Part-time Liaison

Glen Burnett presently works in business development for CARANA Corporation, a consulting firm focused on promoting economic growth in developing countries. Before coming to CARANA, Glen worked for Agora Partnerships, a start-up not-for-profit micro-venture capital fund that brought together MBAs and Nicaraguan entrepreneurs to address issues connected to the mezzanine finance gap. Glen's varied career has included working in Enterprise Rent-A-Car's management development program, two years as a small business development Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, work as an assistant to a former U.S. Trade Representative, and as support staff to the Red Cross' Weapons of Mass Destruction response unit. He is passionate about the positive social returns that can come from doing business in non-traditional emerging markets. Glen is a part-time MBA candidate (June 2010) in Smith's weekend program at the Washington, DC campus. In the little spare time Glen has, he enjoys painting, cycling, and going to Latin rock concerts.

Emily Chan
Co-President
echan2009@rhsmith.umd.edu

Emily received her B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of California, Berkeley where she studied forestry and land use policy. She has professional experience at several conservation non-profits in California and Washington D.C. and most recently served as Program Manager at the American Forest Foundation where she managed advocacy and business development for a program of over 90,000 family forest owners. At the Robert H. Smith School of Business, Emily is concentrating in management consulting and is broadly interested in corporate social responsibility and the nexus between businesses and non-profit organizations. She currently serves as a consultant for the Social Ventures program at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship.

Jennifer Deng Pickett
Part-Time Board Fellows Coordinator
jdengpickett2010@rhsmith.umd.edu

Jennifer is the Director of the DC Language Access Coalition. Jennifer's professional experience includes being the Maryland Program Manager at Asian American LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment and Development), Events and Communications Manager for the Leadership for a Changing World program at the Advocacy Institute, Spanish Teacher at Bladensburg High School and Paralegal at Vinson & Elkins, LLP as well as a consultant to the Institute for Sustainable Communities. She has experience in grassroots fundraising, coalition building, education and training, personal and organizational sustainability, executive transitions, communications and media, event planning and policy advocacy.

Jennifer received her undergraduate degrees in Spanish and International Studies from Austin College, and her master's degree in Peace and Development Studies from the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland. She is currently pursuing her MBA from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

Jorge Diaz Schneider
Vice President of Finance
jdiaz2009@rhsmith.umd.edu

Originally from Guatemala, Jorge is an Electronics Engineer who worked for five years in project management and R&D for the largest sugar cane manufacturer in Central America. He was intensely involved with the company’s CSR efforts, leading the volunteers education committee and working with underserved communities in rural areas of the country. At the Smith School, he organized a spring break trip to Guatemala to give MBA’s a chance to experience CSR and visit what he calls is “the Land of Eternal Spring”. Jorge is focusing his MBA on Strategy and Business Development and has also served as a social venture consultant for the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship.

Zach Girod
Co-President
zgirod2009@rhsmith.umd.edu

Zach received his B.S in Computer Science from Tulane University with minors in Mathematics and Business.  Since graduating in 2003 he has been working as a software developer for a wealth management firm; writing software that reconciled and reported on over $8 billion.  At the Robert H. Smith School of Business, Zach is trying to figure out where he wants to focus however whatever he focuses on he intends to make this world a better place.  For Net Impact he is currently working towards curriculum change at Smith.  

Alon Gotesman
1st Year Board Member
bio coming soon!

Brian Gottlieb
Vice President of Marketing
bgottlieb2009@rhsmith.umd.edu

Brian is a Washington D.C. native who recently returned to the area after twelve years away. Brian obtained a B.A. in Chinese Literature from Reed College in Portland, Oregon in 2001. Before coming to Smith, Brian worked in Beijing, China from 2001-2006. For the years before returning to the states, he worked in the Beijing office of the global consulting firm, APCO Worldwide. Brian plans to work in business process reengineering after completing his degree at Smith.

Gregory Kim
1st Year Board Member
gregory.kim@rhsmith.umd.edu

Gregory received his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Maryland – Baltimore County and his M.S. in Finance from the Loyola College in Maryland. Having worked as an Economist for the Maryland Public Service Commission Gregory managed Maryland’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Program. Gregory has experience with financial mechanisms utilized to fund alternative energy projects, has provided staff recommendations to the Maryland Public Service Commission and has completed analysis associated with the energy and renewable energy sectors. Gregory is a full-time MBA candidate who enjoys boating and traveling.

Donna Lin
Vice President of External Relations
dlin2009@rhsmith.umd.edu

A Maryland native, Donna received her bachelor's degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin. Before coming to Smith, she worked at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston in the public affairs office. Donna is particularly interested in issues of ethics, financially responsible sustainability, and community relations. She is interested in marketing and marketing communications and hopes to join a socially responsible for-profit company. Donna is a member of the University of Maryland women's club volleyball team and often covers Net Impact-related events for the Office of Marketing Communications.

Kathleen Lucas
bio coming soon!

Matt Minchew
1st Year Board Member
Matt received his BA in Journalism / Public Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following graduation, he worked for PAM Fastening Technology first as a sales representative and then regional manager. During his five years with PAM Fastening, Matt was responsible for growing and managing the company's distribution channels in 14 states, eastern Canada, and parts of Mexico.

Matt believes that companies can "do well through doing good," and joined Smith to further develop his general management and overall business skills. He sees a strong opportunity for companies to grow their businesses while serving as leaders in issues like sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Paul Rodriguez
bio coming soon!

Rebecca Sawyer
Vice President of Web Development
rsawyer2009@rhsmith.umd.edu

Rebecca is currently a joint MBA/MPP (Master of Public Policy) student specializing in international development. She received her B.A. in Religious Studies and English Literature from the University of Virginia. Prior to graduate school, she served as the senior communications associate for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, where she managed key communications programs including strategy development, media relations, outreach initiatives and the organizational website.

Scott Zakheim
1st Year Board Member
Scott received his B.A. in American History from Columbia University. Before matriculating at Smith, Scott spent three years working as a stakeholder and media specialist. Scott worked as a communications consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, Virginia, and as a public relations coordinator for Howrey LLP in Washington DC. Besides his work in external relations, Scott has experience in organizing and leading various community-service and non-profit initiatives in the Washington DC area. In 2006, Scott led a group of Washington Redskins fans on a mission to New Orleans to gut, repair and re-build homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Over the last two years, Scott has led a team of local fundraisers in raising awareness and funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation – a national foundation dedicated to combating pediatric cancer. Over the two-year span, Scott’s team has raised over $60,000 for the foundation. In 2008, Scott became the event coordinator for St. Baldrick’s annual head-shaving party at Fado’s Irish Pub in Washington DC. As a student at Smith, Scott has a keen interest in Non-Profit Management, Corporate Strategy, and Corporate Social Responsibility.