Smith Profiles
Alumni Profile
Investing in the Future
Isa Farhat ’96
Isa Farhat ’96 switched from architecture to accounting during a recession, building a career as a Deloitte partner. A first-generation student, he overcame personal challenges and now gives back to Smith through mentorship and support for future accounting professionals.
Alumni Profile
Alumnus Dials in the Dollars in Senior Role at T-Mobile
Johannes Thorsteinsson, MS ENGR ’05, MBA ’07
Johannes Thorsteinsson, MS ENGR ’05, MBA ’07, leveraged engineering and finance training at UMD to rise to T-Mobile senior vice president and treasurer. He credits Smith for shaping his career and now mentors students, emphasizing curiosity, resilience and relationships.
Alumni Profile
Building Meaningful Relationships
John Bates, ECON ’83, Smith Finance Advisory Council Member
Wealth management advisor John Bates, ECON ’83, mentors Smith finance students through the Financial Advisory Council. With decades of industry experience, he emphasizes networking, real-world skills and collaboration with faculty to better align education with careers in financial services.
Alumni Profile
A Knockout Career
Jimmy Santa ’76
Former Terps linebacker Jimmy Santa ’76 built dual careers as a boxing referee and sales executive, officiating major title fights worldwide while working decades at Givaudan. Recently inducted into the Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame, he continues his professional career.
Student Profile
Undergrad Student on Doing the Dirty Work with Junk Removal Business
Matthew Allen ’26
Matthew Allen ’26 turned a hand-me-down pickup truck into Two Dudes Junk Removal, a growing Maryland business. The finance major balances classes at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business with expansion plans, aiming to take his company statewide after graduation.
Alumni Profile
Alumnus Helps Innovators Grow and Scale Products That Improve Personal Mobility
William Chernicoff, PhD, EMBA ’21
William Chernicoff, PhD, EMBA ’21, leads research at the Toyota Mobility Foundation, advancing active mobility and startup innovation through the Mobility Unlimited Hub. A Smith EMBA graduate, he integrates engineering, policy and business expertise to expand independence-focused technologies worldwide.
Alumni Profile
A Bright Spot on Wall Street
Dan Ives, MBA ’00
Dan Ives, MBA ’00, a prominent tech analyst known for his bold style and Wedbush leadership, credits his Maryland MBA for shaping his career. Despite media fame, he stays grounded and aims to mentor others entering the competitive tech and finance world.
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.