We got back late last night from a truly spectacular event - the 2026 Leaders of Impact event hosted by the Isenberg School of Management.
The event took place at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and this year's honorees were Earl Stafford Jr., CEO of Aperio Global, and Dr. Stavros Siokos, the Co-Founder and Partner of Astarte Capital Partners. Stavros was my former PhD student and co-author with me of the Financial Networks book as well as other publications.
The event, emceed by Isenberg Dean Anne P. Massey, celebrated the 2026 honorees and brought alums, special guests, family members, top administrators, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, faculty, staff, and students together in the stunning venue to recognize these amazing Leaders of Impact and role models.
Below I have posted several photos from the event.
It was wonderful that three of my present PhD students: Samira Samadi, Dana Hassani, and Ismael Pour could attend as well as many undergraduates from the Isenberg School.
The food was delicious and the conversations very inspiring and enjoyable. It was great to also have colleagues from my Operations and Information Management Department there - my Department Chair - Professor Senay Solak and Dr. Michele Burch, Associate Chair, and Dr. Oscar Lopez.
It was terrific to have Senior Associate Dean Lisa Masteralexis with us and our PhD Director, Professor Fousseni Chabi-Yo, and our Undergraduate Dean, Dr. Nicole Melton, plus the Chair of the Marketing Department - Professor Liz Miller, and many others!
Even several Isenberg Professor Emeriti came - Professors Tom Schneeweis, Hossein Kazemi, and Tony Butterfield.
Grateful to these Leaders of Impact, who, through their creativity, incredible work ethic, energy, thoughtfulness, knowledge and resilience, continue to have a great positive impact on our world.
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