The participants of the 2014-2015 Professional

Leadership Program would like to extend a heartfelt

thank you for inspiring us to learn more, dream more,
and become more.
EXECUTIVE SUPPORTERS:
Judy Barnes Juan Becerra Peter Benoit Dave Forney Vinny Grosso Brendan Keegan David Klein
Kevin Krolik Damian Morabito Dr. Tom Morgan Donald Nigbor Ren Peters
Amanda Rogers Josh Seldin Armand Shapiro Paul Wilhelm Mike Webb Sodexo Catering Staff
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Catherine Persoon Kathleen Flynn Jerin Li Sandra Madigan Jonathan Go Kevin Chen
TRENT DEVERTER
Mechanical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Good communication opens up doors to all groups no
matter the size, age, or differences amongst the group.
Ambition Statement:
To leave an impact on everyone I meet.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Music
CARLOS J. FELIX VELEZ
Architecture
2017
Leadership Philosophy:
Listen to the people around you; their thoughts and ideas are valuable.
As a leader, I make sure everybody has the opportunity to contribute,
and I enjoy seeing other peoples enthusiasm, because that makes me
all the more motivated towards whichever goals we set as a team.
Ambition Statement:
Im passionate about innovations in materiality, science, and technology
that can be applicable to architecture, and I want to work in research
and development of technologies that can improve buildings, deal with
the energy crisis, and protect the environment.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Playing guitar and writing music.
ERIC DOMINGUEZ
Chemistry
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Work with the unique individual, get them involved,
and challenge them.
Ambition Statement:
Work in an industry that deals with advance
materials (polymers, plastics, etc.) or fuel cells
(polymer membrane).
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Reading, rugby, and leadership.
DIEGO J. CARRASQUILLO
Aeronautical & Mechanical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Trust and honesty.
Ambition Statement:
Become an engineer, become a professor for a college
in Puerto Rico, and make more than one million
dollars in one year. Complete a Master of Science,
Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of
Philosophy.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Learning and staying healthy by weight training.
PATRICK COLEMAN
Aeronautical & Mechanical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
I lead by setting measurable and achievable goals and
sticking to them. I also focus on leading by example.
Ambition Statement:
I put focus, hard work, and determination into
everything I do.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Flying. Im currently training to get my Private Pilots License.
NIYATI DESAI
Electrical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Nobody is too big or too small for a job. We are all
equal and capable.
Ambition Statement:
I wish to one day travel around the world to not only
learn about different cultures, but to also step beyond
boundaries and see how we can help each other and
develop together.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Playing guitar and piano.
SORAYA FOULADI
Electrical Engineering
Minor in Music
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Inclusiveness: Open minds, open doors, open
hearts. Never shut an idea down right away.
Show appreciation for those within your group/
organization.
Ambition Statement:
To accelerate positive change in this world.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Music Performance
OLIVIA FRYT
Cognitive Science
Science, Technology, and Society
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Leadership is about recognizing the greatness that exists in
each individual, providing an environment for growth, inspiring
others, and walking hand in hand with your colleagues as you
experience the challenge.
Ambition Statement:
I hope to go to graduate school for foreign affairs and eventually
work in the feld of government intelligence.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
I will be running my frst marathon in November of 2014.
KELLY GATSLICK
Nuclear & Mechanical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
I believe that an effective leader does not always need
to feel comfortable in the situation that they are in,
but need to be able to rise above their insecurity and
take charge as need be.
Ambition Statement:
I would one day love to be the Chief Nuclear Offcer at
a nuclear facility.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Any chance I get Im out on the ice playing hockey.
SHIVANI GINDE
Business Management
2015
Leadership Philosophy:
Humility and being able to give and receive feedback is a major
component of being a good leader. It takes confdence in ones
ability to take a step back and listen to what others have to say.
Ambition Statement:
I want to make a positive difference in the world - not only through
my work, but also through charity and volunteer work.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
I love to learn. I like to read books that make me think outside the
box or challenge me in some way.
SAMANTHA HOLTON
Biomedical & Materials Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Servant Leadership
Ambition Statement:
Far and away the best prize life has to offer
is to work hard at work worth doing.
~Teddy Roosevelt
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Outside of research in the lab I love exploring outdoors!
VIJAY JANI
Biology
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
A leader has a delusional commitment to an organizations cause
and remains confdent in the cause even after great setbacks. In
this way, a leader also leads by example and keeps individuals
around him or her motivated.
Ambition Statement:
My goal is to become a surgeon and give world class healthcare
to people around the world that do not have easy access to things
I take for granted, like medicine and state of the art hospitals.
I would love to work for an organization bent on effectively
serving and permanently increasing the standard of living for
impoverished populations around the world.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Playing basketball and playing the drums.
HUGH COLLIN KELLEIGH
Industrial and Management Engineering
2015
Leadership Philosophy:
Inspiring real and powerful motivation towards a
common goal.
Ambition Statement:
I will own at least one airplane by the time I reach
30, and it will be used to help others.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
FAA Certifed Commercial Pilot
ADAM KLICH
MS in Mechanical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Lead by example.
Ambition Statement:
I will launch a successful tech start-up within the next 3 years.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
I truly enjoy hiking. It gives me an opportunity to get my
thoughts in order while challenging myself physically and
enjoying beautiful scenery.
MICHAEL LESZCZYNSKI
Industrial and Management Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
The job of a great leader is never truly fnished. I believe in
advocating for constant improvement. True magic happens
when leaders and followers join together, operate under the
highest of performance standards, motivate one another to
achieve success, and refuse to stop once they get there.
Ambition Statement:
Initiate a commitment to bringing high-quality musical
instruments and recording equipment to less fortunate, but
equally deserving individuals.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Designer and builder of electric guitars.
DONNA LI
Civil Engineering
December 2015
Leadership Philosophy:
Communicating effectively is the key to success.
Ambition Statement:
My dream is to be able to build one big house and live
with my whole family.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Playing Airsoft
BRENT MEIXELL
Mechanical Engineering
December 2015
Leadership Philosophy:
Servant Leadership.
Ambition Statement:
To go on a long canoe expedition.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Everything outdoors.
JOSHUA MILLER
Aerospace Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
A strong leader is the backbone of a successful group or
organization. It takes great communication skills, strategic
forward thinking, and the courage to do whatever is necessary to
make the ultimate goal a success.
Ambition Statement:
As a passionate competitor and ambitious triathlete, my
ultimate goal is to compete and complete the Ironman World
Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Triathlon is my defning hobby. I spend most of my free time
committed to training my mind and my body to being able to
endure my grueling races.
NICOLE MOWDER
Mechanical Engineering
Minor in Professional Writing
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
The ultimate leader is a servant leader.
Ambition Statement:
My goal is to work on a team to solve engineering problems,
either in a missions work setting or a setting that allows me to
reach and impact a large number of people.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
I play on the Varsity Womens Soccer Team and am on the
Leadership Team for RPI Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
JOSEPH MOOTZ
Electrical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Being aware of your teams strengths and
weaknesses and have the ability to leverage those
for the good of the group.
Ambition Statement:
I would like to have my own consulting career.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Ultimate Frisbee
LUCY NASLAS
Aeronautical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Be confdent, but still humble in your opinions.
Ambition Statement:
I want to go heli-skiing in Alaska.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Ballet
CHRISTOPHER PARADIS
Information Technology and Web Science
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Truly listening is the key to leading.
Ambition Statement:
I want to start a successful technology venture.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Playing just about any sport under the sun on a daily
basis.
BENJAMIN PEACOCK
Mechanical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Lead by example.
Ambition Statement:
My goal is to put my kids through college.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Formula Hybrid Engineering Design Team. I like
to build racecars.
EMILY PEARSON
Mechanical Engineering
Design, Innovation, and Society
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
A leader must take an active role in the projects they are in
charge of and engage their followers by setting a great example
of responsibility and creativity.
Ambition Statement:
I want to help create interesting, user friendly products which
make a positive difference in the world.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Im a founding offcer of Design for America Club at Rensselaer.
ASHISH RAO
Biomedical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
A leader must strive to better his or herself every
day, grasp the present moment, and treat each and
every individual equally.
Ambition Statement:
To eventually create a small business and live a
humble lifestyle in which I can explore the world
and donate a signifcant amount to charity.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Playing baseball and going on hikes.
ZACKARY REED
Mechanical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Lead by effective communication and activeness.
Ambition Statement:
To become an engineer for Disney or Universal
Studios theme parks on the rides.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Music, especially playing drums.
ELI HENRY SAKOV
Economics
2015
Leadership Philosophy:
Empowering, laissez-faire leadership.
Ambition Statement:
To bravely make a difference solving important
problems.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Programming and economics
MORGAN SCHWEITZER
Mechanical Engineering
2o16
Leadership Philosophy:
Leadership is the ability to bring people together to accomplish
something extraordinary that the individual could not. Its about
faith in people, passion at work, and inspiration for others. Its
about putting frst things frst and never letting up no matter the
obstacle.
Ambition Statement:
To create and foster a quality life and meaningful relationships
while contributing to worldwide improvement.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Traveling and Photography
MATTHEW ROSE
Chemical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Strong leaders must be adaptable to changes in
circumstances.
Ambition Statement:
To apply creative insight from my own life to
ameliorate the lives of others.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Water Polo
SEAN RUDOWSKY
Chemical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Lead by example.
Ambition Statement:
To experience building a cabin from the ground up.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
The Outdoors
MARSHAL SHEMTOB
Economics
Minors in Finance and Accounting
2015
Leadership Philosophy:
If you dont know, do not get scared, but learn.
Ambition Statement:
Learn from the masses and then teach them.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Financial markets and regulation, politics, and
impressionism.
JESSIE SODOLO
Information Technology & Web Science
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.
~Aristotle
Ambition Statement:
Get into the fnancial industry to learn how money
changes; then start my own company, and a long way down
the line become an adjunct professor and a
motivational speaker.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Writing poems.
WILLIAM STEINBERGER
Nuclear Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
Lead from the front, by example, and as a team.
Ambition Statement:
History will be kind to me; for I intend to write
it. ~Winston Churchill
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Research and Development
MORGAN TENEYCK
Business Management
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
To effectively lead we must focus on the unique needs and
abilities of people at both a group and individual level.
Ambition Statement:
My goal is to use my management background as well as
my strong analytical and problem solving skills to become
an effective project manager and team member within an
organization.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
RPI Varsity Softball
CHRIS WARMANN
Chemical Engineering
2015
Leadership Philosophy:
Empower everyone youre working with to reach
their full potential and be the best they can be.
Ambition Statement:
I want to help bring clean water and electricity to
least developed countries.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Traveling
WILLIAM WEST
Mechanical Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
I believe in leading by example, truthfulness, and in listening
to everyone.
Ambition Statement:
My passion is in energy and the development of electrical
generation systems. My career goal is to be part of the
engineering process to design systems that produce cleaner,
cheaper, and more accessible electricity.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
I am very interested in leadership, planning programs, soccer
and chess.
SHAMUS WHEELER
Industrial and Management Engineering
2016
Leadership Philosophy:
I am a leader that believes in self-awareness and a
strengths-based philosophy.
Ambition Statement:
I hope to one day start a successful start up.
Defning Interest or Hobby:
Whitewater rafting and dog-sledding.