Smith Profiles
Student Profile
Seizing Opportunity: Smith Student Leads While Learning
Darrell Lipscomb, MS Accounting ’25
Darrell Lipscomb, MS Accounting ’25, a former Army chaplain's assistant, leads with service and drive. Now Smith Master’s Student Association president, he’s building community, mentoring peers, and preparing for a finance career—with a KPMG internship and CPA goals ahead.
Faculty Profile
Name That Tune: Smith Professor Combines Academic Rigor, Entrepreneurial Application and Musical Innovation
Daniel McCarthy
Associate Professor Daniel McCarthy blends rigorous research with creative teaching tools—like music—to make marketing analytics memorable. His focus on customer-based valuation, real-world applications, and student engagement helps transform complex concepts into impactful, real-life learning experiences.
Alumni Profile
From PepsiCo to Ocean Spray: How Alumna Utilized Smith MBA to Pivot to Consumer Products
Monisha Dabek, MBA ’06
Monisha Dabek, MBA ’06, credits the Smith School for propelling her into consumer products, starting at PepsiCo and leading to her current role as COO at Ocean Spray. She values the Smith network, career pivots, and supporting women in business.
Alumni Profile
Supportive Smith Network Inspires Alumnus to “Uplift” Current Students
Renard Brumfield, MBA ’22
Renard Brumfield, MBA ’22, studied finance during his time at Smith and is currently a Finance Business Manager with JPMorgan Chase. Brumfield credits his Smith network for helping him get to where he is today and he pays it forward by engaging with the Smith community and mentoring current students.
Alumni Profile
Vet Ventures Into Finance
German Salazar, MBA ’25, and Charles Castelly, MBA ’26
Smith MBA students and military veterans German Salazar, MBA ’25, and Charles Castelly, MBA ’26, leveraged the University System of Maryland’s Venture Fellowship to gain hands-on VC experience. Their shared journey highlights Smith’s strong veteran community and career-building opportunities in venture capital.
Alumni Profile
Smith Education Provides Foundation for Alumnus to Pursue a Career in Investment Banking
Alan Grantham ’05
Alan Grantham ’05, managing director and group head of debt capital markets at Synovus Bank, shares his journey from Smith to investment banking. He credits Smith’s curriculum, networking, and career services for his success and encourages students to stay persistent.
Student Profile
Building a Legacy of Service
DBA Candidate Brendan Dunne’s Journey from the Army to Academia
After 20 years in the U.S. Army, Brendan Dunne, DBA ’26, is now co-founder of Lovelace AI and a member of the Smith School’s DBA program. Committed to service, he mentors future leaders while advancing national security innovation and supporting veterans’ causes.
Alumni Profile
Entrepreneurial Education From Smith Helps Alumnus Follow His Passion
Joe Kattan ’23
Joe Kattan ’23 leveraged his Smith finance degree to land a consulting role at Bain before pursuing his entrepreneurial passion. Now the owner of AppraiseItNow, he applies automation and AI to modernize appraisals, drawing on skills honed at Smith.
Alumni Profile
Smith Accounting Degree Gave Alumnus The “Edge” For Career In Investment Banking And Beyond
Ralph Dickerson ’92
Ralph Dickerson ’92 built a dynamic career in investment banking, corporate strategy, and entrepreneurship. Speaking to Smith MBA students, he emphasized evolving as a leader and leveraging Emotional Intelligence. Now Managing Partner at R2 Partners, he continues shaping high-impact financial and strategic solutions.
Alumni Profile
Alumna Credits Contacts at Smith, UMD for Help With App Development
Lauren Der ’19
Smith School alumna Lauren Der ’19 began her career in federal consulting before transitioning to the public sector as a Change Management Specialist for Montgomery County Government. She also developed Opsy, a health-tracking app inspired by her personal health journey.