Smith Profiles

Alumni Profile

Building a Relationship of Equals

Vandana “Vandy” Gyandhar , MBA '01

For Amazon Web Services (AWS) global program manager, Vandy Gyandhar, a global mindset is more than traveling around the world or working for an international company. It is about being able to build relationships of understanding and respect no matter where you are in the world.

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Alumni Profile

Masking Up and Making a Difference in Maryland

To be in a position to help others is a privilege, says Ali von Paris ’12, and it’s something she doesn’t take for granted.

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Alumni Profile

Going To Bat for Diversity in Baseball

Tyrone Brooks, ’96

Tyrone Brooks ’96 is stepping up to the plate for Major League Baseball in a big way – to bring more diversity and inclusivity to America’s pastime.

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Alumni Profile

Inspired to Shine: An Entrepreneurial Journey

Laura Benkowski, Undergraduate ’11, MBA ’14

Over the years, Laura Benkowski’s entrepreneurial spirit has taken her all over the world, even to the site of a closed gem mine in Arizona.

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Alumni Profile

Advocating for Others from a Global Perspective

Ansa Edim, MBA '16

Intercultural empathy is the ability to perceive the world as it is perceived by a culture different from your own. For Ansa Edim, MBA '16, vice president and staff board chair at Change.org, a global mindset is just that.

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Alumni Profile

Changing Perceptions in the Global Economy

Ja’Nel Edens, MBA '18

Perception is how we view, understand, and interpret the things around us. For international trade specialist, Ja’Nel Edens, a global mindset starts with changing your perception and thinking of yourself not just as a citizen of your nation, but as a global citizen.

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Alumni Profile

Developing a Cultural Consciousness is Not a Choice

Zeynep Kantur Ozenci, MS Finance

Business is now more global than ever, challenging us to expand our understanding of other cultures and develop deeper cultural knowledge.

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Alumni Profile

Connecting Across Continents and Finding Solutions

Ed Novak divides much of his time between Boston and the Washington, D.C., area, but his professional reach is global.

As managing director and partner at Vistra, an international business services provider, he’s in constant contact with clients and colleagues worldwide.

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Alumni Profile

A Global Journey That Opens Doors

Iris Lan, MBA ’20

Sometimes, it’s a journey halfway around the world that opens doors all the way back home.

Iris Lan, MBA ’20, says that’s what happened for her when she left China to pursue an MBA at Maryland Smith.

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Alumni Profile

Leading with Self-Awareness and An Open Mind

Chris Steadley, MBA ’12

Chris Steadley, MBA ’12, has consistently used his global mindset in his eight-plus years at advisory and research services firm Gartner. His current role as a senior partner in consulting includes managing business in the Midwest region of the U.S.

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