Chun Lai ’92 MBA was awarded CIO Leadership Recognition from the AlphaEdge Recognition Awards which recognizes leaders in the investment management industry for their thought leadership, innovation, and achievements in alpha generation across various asset classes. Lai is currently the chief investment officer of the Rockefeller Foundation, where he oversees the management of the Foundation’s $6 billion endowment.
All News & Notes
The News & Notes is a resource for alumni and current students of the University of Connecticut School of Business to stay up-to-date with their alumni network. We hope by providing information about our accomplished alumni, students and other alumni will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding about their industry and broaden their network.
David Steuber ’08 (CLAS), ’21 MSBAPM
David Steuber ’08 (CLAS), ’21 MSBAPM has been named to the Harford Business Journal’s 2025 40 Under Forty list. Steuber is the chief of staff and director of strategic initiatives at the State of Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development.
Vivian Pereda ’12
Vivian Pereda ’12 has been named to the Harford Business Journal’s 2025 40 Under Forty list. Pereda currently works as the director of CampusCare Operations at Hartford HealthCare and oversees student health, counseling and sports medicine services for seven college campuses in Connecticut.
Denish Shah ’08 Ph.D.
Denish Shah ’08 Ph.D. has been appointed director of the Department of Marketing at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Additionally, Shah will serve as the Kenneth L. Bernhardt Distinguished Department Chair while holding the Barbara and Elmer Sunday Professorship in Marketing.
Keith Wiemert ’83
After 28 years of leading Ellafi Federal Credit Union, Keith Wiemert ’83 is retiring as president and CEO. Wiemert has overseen and guided the credit union through the transition from a single-sponsor institution to a community-chartered cooperative as well as three mergers and expansion of offerings, including mortgage lending, credit and debit cards, and digital banking.
Alyssa Gorecki ’14
Alyssa Gorecki ’14 has been appointed chief financial officer of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA). In her role, she is responsible for financial planning, compliance, and reporting for the organization and its affiliates, as well as human resources, office administration, and information technology. Prior to this role, Gorecki worked in the biotech industry as the director of accounting for Relay Therapeutics.
Esperanza Teasdale ’99
Esperanza Teasdale ’99 has been inducted into the 2025 American Marketing Association of NY Marketing Hall of Fame for Marketing Excellence in DEI. Teasdale is currently the CEO and founder of Mariposa Zenith.
Lenie Urbina ’25
Lenie Urbina ’25 was accepted into the Quinnipiac University School of Law. A Sandy Hook survivor, Urbina plans or earning a law degree and to continue advocating for an end to gun violence. Urbina’s story can be heard on Connecticut Public Radio’s Fresh Air (July 17, 2025).
Joan Lynch ’87
Joan Lynch ’87 has been appointed chief financial officer and comptroller for the Town of Greenwich, CT, by the Board of Estimate and Taxation. Prior to this role, Lynch was the deputy comptroller for the past year and has held several key town finance roles.
Sharon Dhall ’03 MBA
Sharon Dhall ’03 MBA has been appointed chief information officer at Kroll, based in New York. Prior to this role, Dhall led Enterprise Technology for the human resources, legal, and compliance functions, as well as Enterprise Business Process Automation at TIAA before that.