AggieSpeak
About
AggieSpeak is a public speaking club operated through the Sacramento Part-Time MBA program at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM).
We provide a safe and supportive environment to practice and excel at public speaking. Students have the opportunity to develop their skills through prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, and constructive feedback. We believe that practicing public speaking and presentation skills will not only help with confidence and persuasiveness, but it is a tool that leaders can utilize to excel in their professional careers.
Mission
The mission of AggieSpeak is to provide the students of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management Sacramento Part-Time MBA program the opportunity to improve and gain confidence in their public speaking skills and to provide opportunities to network with fellow students.
Meet Our Board
Sierra Feldman
President
Sierra Feldman is a 2023 MBA candidate focused on strategy, organizational behavior, and business analytics. She is a double Aggie having earned a B.A. in political science at UC Davis. She has over 10 years of experience in the private and public sectors focusing on policy analysis, process improvement and research. She currently works in the insurance industry with a focus on regulatory activity, risk and compliance. She also leads the Women’s Professional Development Committee for her company, where she is launching a mentoring program.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Marie Putnam
Vice President and Co-Founder
Marie Putnam is a 2022 MBA candidate, focusing her studies on business analytics and strategy. Putnam received her B.A. at a small college in Pennsylvania, where she majored in Russian and international relations. After moving back to California, she started working for the California Department of Water Resources in the Division of Engineering as a program control analyst. Her work in this department began by focusing on division financials and quickly grew to encompass the State Water Project’s Property Management Program. Now she works closely with stakeholders in and outside the department to plan and manage multi-million-dollar budgets essential to the State Water Project, especially in relation to the California Aqueduct Subsidence Program.
Outside of work, she is also the vice president of student affairs and alumni relations for GSMSA-Sacramento, and the director of programming for UC Davis GSM Sacramento Women in Leadership.
In her free time, she is an avid hiker with a passion for travel; this combination resulted in her goal of visiting all U.S. National Parks, of which she has hiked 29 of the 63. Additionally, she enjoys reading daily, and staying active.
Secretary
Namarata Kahlon
Namarata Kahlon is a 2023 MBA candidate focused on strategy and management. She earned a B.S. from California State University Stanislaus in business administration. During the last seven years, Namarata has been working in office administration in the agricultural industry. She went on to co-found Kahlon Farming Management Company, a private investment company offering real estate farm management services.
In her free time, Namarata enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking and hanging out with friends and family.
Anyssa Ramirez
Education Chair
Anyssa Ramirez is a 2023 MBA candidate, focusing her studies on strategy and finance. She received her B.S. from Saint Mary’s College of California in business administration with a concentration in finance. As an undergrad, she began her career with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the San Francisco Regional Office. In 2021, she obtained her commission as a Financial Institution Examiner in the Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection (DCP).
Ramirez contributes to the promotion of public confidence in the nation’s financial system through examining insured financial institutions. With a passion for public service, Anyssa wholeheartedly believes in the mission of DCP: to promote economic inclusion and to ensure financial institutions treat consumers and depositors fairly, with an emphasis on federal consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and community reinvestment laws. Anyssa has experience evaluating financial intuitions ranging from $40M - $15B in assets.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, hiking with her two huskies, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She also enjoys traveling for work and for pleasure.
Jocelyn Guzman
Marketing Chair
Jocelyn Guzman is a 2023 MBA candidate, focusing her studies on marketing strategy and technology Management. Guzman received her B.A. in psychology and Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2015. From 2014-2021 she was the staff graduate advisor for the Materials Department at UCSB. Her work involved admissions, recruitment, enrollment and program management. However, at the beginning of the pandemic she discovered her passion for digital marketing and in 2021 she moved back to Northern California to pursue her MBA where she could also be closer to her family.
In her free time, she likes to weight lift to stay active, hang out with friends and family, loves a great happy hour, and is currently enjoying exploring the Sacramento area.