SAWMBA  
SAWMBA Board 2010-2011
 
Allison Chesnut, President
Allison is from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She attended Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate degree where she studied Interdisciplinary Modern American English and History and Spanish Literature. She was also on the equestrian team. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Allison worked in multiple roles for Old Mutual Capital, a mutual fund company in Denver, Colorado. She worked as an internal wholesaler and as a hedge fund specialist. She then became a proprietary equity trader for a year before attending Smith. Allison is focusing on Marketing and hopes to return to the Financial Services industry in a Marketing role. Her summer internship is at the Calvert Group in Bethesda, Maryland. Allison will be a graduate assistant for Dr. Russell in her second year at Smith. Allison enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, sailing, horseback riding and hiking. She loves Colorado, and hopes to return after graduation. Email Allison (allison.chesnut AT rhsmith.umd.edu).
Shari King, Executive Vice President
Shari is a 2011 MBA candidate from Columbia, Maryland. She attended Florida A & M University, graduating with a B.S in Marketing in 2005. After working a few years in a sales and marketing role within the automotive industry, Shari returned to Maryland to further her marketing career with a Smith MBA. She is the President of the Smith Black MBA Association and also works with the Smith School's Office of Marketing Communications as a Graduate Assistant. Her hobbies include outdoor activities with her two-year old daughter, Mia, and maintaining her blog Pretty Chicky- a blog dedicated to providing inspiration for weddings. Email Shari (shari.king AT rhsmith.umd.edu).
Rachel Oster, Vice President of Finance
Rachel is a second-year MBA student originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania. She attended Muhlenberg College where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Accounting. Prior to pursing her MBA at Smith she worked as a Public Accountant for Deloitte serving the commercial sector. While at the Smith School she is focusing on Finance. Her plans this summer are to intern at Raytheon within their Financial Executive Development Program.  When the weather is warm she enjoys outside activities including trips to the beach or a round of golf. Email Rachel (rachel.oster AT rhsmith.umd.edu).
Laura Lai, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Laura is a second-year MBA student at the Smith School of Business where she is an active member of SAWMBA and Net Impact. Prior to attending Smith, Laura worked as a business analyst at the global consulting firm CGI before transitioning to SPADAC where she specialized in the testing and release of a geospatial predictive analytics software product. Laura's academic and professional interests lie in marketing and entrepreneurship. Outside of school Laura enjoys exploring restaurants in the area and playing ultimate frisbee. Laura grew up in South Jersey and holds a bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Email Laura (laura.lai AT rhsmith.umd.edu)
Helen Culbertson, Vice President of External Relations
Helen, originally from Charlotte, NC, came to the Washington, DC area in 2007 to pursue a career in Non-Profit Fundraising. At Smith, she is focusing on Consulting, Finance, & General Management. Her summer internship is at the Government Accountability Office, on the Financial Markets & Community Investment Team. Email Helen (helen.culbertson AT rhsmith.umd.edu).
Teri-Jean Yang, Vice President of Programs and Events
Teri-Jean is an MBA student in the class of 2011, concentrating in business development and entrepreneurship.  She received a dual degree, B.A. in Business Spanish and B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park.  Prior to business school, she managed a multi-million dollar restaurant and then opened her own sushi restaurant in New Jersey three years ago.  Email Teri-Jean (terijean.yang AT rhsmith.umd.edu).