Smith Profiles
Alumni Profile
Rare Triple Smith Terp Gives Back To The School She is “Proud Of”
Cristina M. Giannantonio ’80, MBA ’82, PhD ’88
Cristina M. Giannantonio ’80, MBA ’82, PhD ’88, inspired by Professor Steve Carroll, pursued academia after her undergraduate studies at the Smith School. Now a Chapman University vice provost, she recently endowed fellowships honoring her parents and her enduring Smith connection.
Faculty Profile
Pioneering Digital Marketing and Strategic Initiatives at Smith
P.K. Kannan
P.K. Kannan, Dean’s Chair in Marketing Science at the Smith School, revolutionized digital marketing research and education. His award-winning work bridges technology and marketing, solving real business problems and shaping innovative programs like the Interdisciplinary Business Honors and Smith Business Leadership Fellows.
Alumni Profile
From Smith to Sparks: Alumnus Kicks Career Into Gear at Tesla
Prabuddh Gupta, MS in Supply Chain Management ’24
Prabuddh Gupta, MS in Supply Chain Management ’24, leveraged four years of production planning experience and Smith’s global focus to land a Production Planner role at Tesla. Hands-on projects, mentorship and adaptability fueled his growth and future leadership goals.
Alumni Profile
The View from the Top: Smith Alumnus Takes On CFO Role At Iconic Seattle Landmark
Jeff Wallace, MBA ’98
Jeff Wallace, MBA ’98, is CFO of the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. His Smith MBA, leadership lessons, and diverse roles at Boeing, Starbucks, and LexisNexis shaped his career, leadership style, and passion for continuous learning.
Student Profile
For Students, By Students: Smith Student Looks to Reshape Campus Engagement
Aiden Polinsky ’27
Aiden Polinsky ’27, a Smith School accounting and finance major, co-founded CampusAI and leads at Connyct, leveraging Smith’s entrepreneurial resources, faculty mentorship, and peer collaboration to build impactful, student-driven platforms before graduation.
Alumni Profile
Alumnus Provides Mentorship and Monthly Commentary As Executive in Residence
William “Bill” Longbrake, DBA ’76
William “Bill” Longbrake, DBA ’76, has served as Executive in Residence at Smith since 2009, sharing expertise in finance, risk, housing, and policy while mentoring students, supporting research, and leading numerous national economic and nonprofit efforts.
Alumni Profile
For the Love of the Game
Amiel Sawdaye ’99
Amiel Sawdaye ’99 turned a childhood love of baseball into a World Series–winning career. Now SVP and assistant GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks, he credits Smith with sparking his passion for sports analytics.
Alumni Profile
Smith MBA Alumnus on Learning at Industry Speed
Marc Russo, MBA ’96
Marc Russo, MBA ’96, is CEO of Careforth, a company supporting family caregivers. He credits his Smith MBA with shaping his leadership path across top healthcare firms and says team-based learning at Smith prepared him for long-term success.
Alumni Profile
A Legacy of Love
Deborah Ahalt ’68, MA ’75; Daniel Ahalt ’73
Deborah ’68, MA ’75, and Daniel Ahalt ’73, inspired by their UMD experiences and modest upbringings, have given over $200,000 to support Smith students and athletes. Their lifelong Terp pride continues through philanthropy, mentorship and cherished university memories.
Alumni Profile
Terp Siblings Share Smith and Paris Olympics Experience
Brooke DeBerdine ’21 and Emma DeBerdine ’23, MiM ’25
Sisters Brooke ’21 and Emma DeBerdine ’23, MiM ’25, played for Maryland and Team USA Field Hockey, competing in the 2024 Olympics. Both earned All-American honors, Big Ten Medals of Honor, and Smith degrees that shaped their paths.