Alumni

Over the EDGE: Reinventing Myself by Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
New MBA student Esther Muriithi on her first day of grad school
Blog

Over the EDGE: Reinventing Myself by Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

Lessons learned in networking as an extroverted introvert and UC Davis MBA student

Esther Muriithi shares her experience juggling being a Sacramento MBA student, nurse and parent, and how she’s spreading her wings to become a better networking professional.

MPAc Alumna Brianna Dean-Sysum Readies to Join EY
2022 MPAc graduate Brianna Dean-Sysum in front of Gallagher Hall
Blog

MPAc Alumna Brianna Dean-Sysum Readies to Join EY

2022 Master of Professional Accountancy grad shares her path to Big 4 firm

Recent MPAc alumna Brianna Dean-Sysum shares the value of UC Davis’ accounting program and her tips and advice for prospective students.

Unlocking the Value of Our Alumni Community
Christopher Marshall headshot
Blog

Unlocking the Value of Our Alumni Community

Our new Director of Alumni Relations and Network Strategy Christopher Marshall details his journey to the School, exciting new opportunities for alumni and more. 

How I Joined the MPAc Program as an International Student
Ziyan Xu MPAc 22 in the classroom
Blog

How I Joined the MPAc Program as an International Student

“A tremendous launch pad” toward a rewarding accounting career

International student and 2022 Master of Professional Accountancy graduate Ziyan Xu shares tips for pursuing a graduate accounting degree.

Bootcamp Basics: Getting Up to Speed in the MSBA Program
New Student Laksh Suryanarayanan MSBA 23 with staff
Blog

Bootcamp Basics: Getting Up to Speed in the MSBA Program

From Amazon to PayPal to UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics

After working globally for Amazon and PayPal for seven years, Laksh Suryanarayanan’s path led to the UC Davis MSBA program.

Oakland Bottle Shop Co-founded by MBA Alum Featured in Bon Appetit
Akili Rye beverages
News

Oakland Bottle Shop Co-founded by MBA Alum Featured in Bon Appetit

Alkali Rye, co-founded by Kori Saika Chen MBA 19 and Jessica Moncada Konte, introduces spirits made by underrepresented BIPOC distillers, brewers, and winemakers, and is featured in Bon Appetit's "Oakland Is America’s New Queer Food Capital."

A Deloitte Dream: How the MPAc program “Changed My Life”
Kyle Gillingwater MPAc 21 takes a photo on one of the UC Davis Eggheads
Blog

A Deloitte Dream: How the MPAc program “Changed My Life”

My journey to UC Davis helped me find belonging, support and a career

Struggling to find his fit in college, Kyle Gillingwater discovered the UC Davis MPAc program, pivoted and found the program changed his life.

Pursuing Your MBA: 5 Must-Know Tips to Become an Expert Marketer
Marketing lecturer Vanessa Errecarte
Blog

Pursuing Your MBA: 5 Must-Know Tips to Become an Expert Marketer

Amplify word-of-mouth marketing with five surprising strategies

Sharing from her marketing courses, Lecturer and Online MBA Teacher of the Year Vanessa Errecarte details how to best combine high-converting content with the right tools and tech.

Alumni Spotlight: Larry Yee MPAc 13
Larry Yee MPAc 13 alumni spotlight
Blog

Alumni Spotlight: Larry Yee MPAc 13

Director of Finance, Mayfield Fund | Former Sr. Manager, PwC

"A lot of what I do today was grounded in the things I learned, and all of it started here," says Larry Yee, now a Director of Finance for the Mayfield Fund and a graduate of the inaugural MPAc Class of 2013.

Kyle Gillingwater MPAc 21
Profile

Kyle Gillingwater MPAc 21

"The faculty at UC Davis went above and beyond in helping educate, advocate, and empathize with students. Their care for our success extended well beyond the completion of our courses."

Professional Experience

  • Three years of corporate accounting experience at Build.com
  • Intern at Reiss, Jackson and Co.
  • Summer audit internship at Deloitte

Education

  • B.S. in accounting, Chico State

Student Leadership and Experience

  • Teaching assistant at UC Davis
  • Student accounting society member at Chico State
  • Beta Alpha Psi member at Chico State

Fun Facts

  • I like to design houses when I'm
What’s Next for You, Class of 2022?
What's Next? Class of 2023 video thumbnail
Blog

What’s Next for You, Class of 2022?

Our largest class ever is ready to change the world

Hear from our newest alumni from the Class of 2022 as they share where they are heading next in their careers and future pursuits.

Q&A with MBA Alumna Smita Madam, Tableau Product Manager
Smita Madam MBA 18
Blog

Q&A with MBA Alumna Smita Madam, Tableau Product Manager

Learning about the technical and non-technical sides of product management

From data deep-dives to interview tips, MSBA student Tushar Kotangale shares seven top questions from our recent Q&A with alumna Smita Madam.

From MSBA to Meta: Alumna Luga Lu’s Journey
Luga Lu MSBA Alumna
Blog

From MSBA to Meta: Alumna Luga Lu’s Journey

“Never be frustrated and always be positive.”

Current MSBA student Ethan Meng asked 2021 alumna Luga Lu a handful of questions about the MSBA program, life after graduation and her new career at Meta. 

Gary Lew MBA 98 Honored with Outstanding Service Award
gary lew mba 98
News

Gary Lew MBA 98 Honored with Outstanding Service Award

Alumni Association acknowledges peer and lecturer for service to community

Gary Lew, a consultant in the aviation finance industry who also serves as lecturer for UC Davis Graduate School of Management, has been recognized with the 2021-22 Outstanding Service Award.

Alumna Jennifer Vogt Honored with Distinguished Achievement Award
Jennifer Vogt MBA 03
News

Alumna Jennifer Vogt Honored with Distinguished Achievement Award

Award-winning media executive recognized for her international leadership and impact

Emmy and Tony-award winning senior media executive and GSM alumna, Jennifer Vogt MBA 03, is the recipient of the 2021-22 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Graduate School of Management’s Alumni Association.

Startup of the Month: INN>CHRG
InnChg
News

Startup of the Month: INN>CHRG

Online MBA alumnus and Big Bang Business Competition winner featured

Online MBA alumnus Angel Melchor's new venture INN>CHG recently won our Big Bang! Business Competition as the Yolo County-based startup builds an Airbnb-like service to eliminate range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers.