AGSM Ambassadors 2023

Graduate Student Ambassadors

AGSM Graduate Student Ambassadors

AGSM Graduate Student Ambassadors are a select group of business student leaders dedicated to serving and representing the graduate business programs at UCR. Ambassadors assist the school as hosts for official events, work with school staff and faculty on projects and recruiting, and act as guides for prospective students.

Being a Student Ambassador gives you greater exposure to professional networks, puts you in front of leaders in the community and builds your leadership portfolio.

Get first-hand knowledge of student life and academics by contacting a graduate student ambassador.

Graduate Ambassador Leadership Team

Alan Cortez

Alan Cortez

Co-Chief

MBA 2025 | Mexico
acort160@ucr.edu

Alan Cortez Gurrola is pursuing an MBA with a concentration in business analytics, and as an AGSM student ambassador, he looks forward to making connections across industries. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing from La Sierra University, where he worked as assistant director of Career Services focusing on employer relations and internships. He currently serves on AGSM’s Student Association Marketing Committee and assists with marketing projects for a startup. Ultimately, he is interested in consultant roles in business analysis and development applying his skills in analyzing key metrics and strategic advising.

Sandy Reyes

Sandy Reyes

Co-Chief

MBA 2025 | U.S.
sreye085@ucr.edu

Currently the AGSM student ambassador director of outreach, Sandy Reyes-Moran advocated for the underprivileged, both within the UC system and the Riverside Community, while earning a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in management at UCR. During that time, Sandy conducted research within the Honors Program and supported other honors students, CollegeCorps fellows, and K-12 students in the Riverside Unified School District. She was recognized as an outstanding leader for her service as a University Honors ambassador and the inaugural ambassador to the California Volunteers’ CollegeCorps. As director of outreach, she will continue to support student success and will be a voice for AB 540 Dreamers like herself.

Jack Clarke

Jack Clarke

Vice Chief

MBA 2025 | U.S.
jclar040@ucr.edu

After finishing his undergraduate education at UC Santa Cruz with two bachelor’s degrees in political science and legal studies, Jack Clarke worked in operations management at the university. This experience piqued his interest in pursuing an MBA with a concentration in information systems, and he plans to work in project management within the tech industry.

Aleksandr Smolin

Aleksandr Smolin

Vice Chief

MBA 2025 | Russia
asmol001@ucr.edu

Aleksandr Smolin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2022 and was a computer science instructor. He decided to pivot to business so that he can more effectively impact the outcomes of the projects he’s working on. As an AGSM student, he aims to learn more about the different aspects of business and management while concentrating in finance.

Hau Luu

Hau Luu

Director of Marketing

MBA 2025 | Vietnam
hluu029@ucr.edu

Hau Luu earned his undergraduate degree at Cal State San Bernardino in business administration with a concentration in finance and international business, and he continues his studies at UCR in the Professional MBA program with a concentration in finance. Hau is most interested in financial banking, and he’s planning a career as a private banker or consultant. As an AGSM student ambassador, he is active in the campus community and helps others establish meaningful connections.

Elena Li

Elena Li

Director of Mentorship

MPAc 2025 | China
hli421@ucr.edu

After completing the Master of Business Preparation Program at UC Riverside, Elena (Hanfang) Li embarked on a new journey by joining AGSM’s Master of Professional Accountancy program. She previously worked as an accountant with a biotech company in China, where she gained valuable hands-on experience and deepened her understanding of the accounting field. Elena enjoys connecting with different people, listening and talking to them.

Graduate Ambassadors

MBA & Professional MBA Ambassadors

Vanessa Alamillo-Torres

Vanessa Alamillo-Torres

MBA 2025 | U.S.
valam003@ucr.edu

Vanessa Alamillo-Torres is continuing her education at UCR—she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in psychology—and is pursuing a Professional MBA with a concentration in information systems to further her knowledge of working with data and databases. She is planning a career in data analytics within the tech industry or government. As an AGSM student ambassador, she helps other students and is enhancing her professional experience and connections.

Connor Donald

Connor Donald

MBA 2025 | U.S.
cdona005@ucr.edu

After completing a bachelor’s degree in finance at UCR, Connor Donald returned to his alma mater to pursue an MBA. He sees this course of study as a gateway to a career managing corporate finance decisions. As an AGSM student ambassador, Connor makes all students feel welcome and included and ensures everyone has the chance to hear about the varied opportunities at UCR.

Yingchao (Vero) Fu

MBA 2025 | China
yfu088@ucr.edu

Yingchao (Vero) Fu worked for more than 10 years in automotive research and development and vehicle program management in China followed by a position as senior manager of a 17-member team at NIO smart electric car company. During her career, she was drawn to the idea of creating an environmentally friendly and convenient product. She decided that an MBA degree was the best first step toward this goal—she also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Tongji University in China. Yingchao is a member of the AGSM Student Association and serves as a graduate student ambassador, which allows her to help other students.

Cesar Gonsalez-Madrigal

Cesar Gonzalez-Madrigal

PMBA 2025 | U.S.
cgonz067@ucr.edu

Cesar Gonzalez-Madrigal is a first-generation college graduate, having earned his degree in psychology at UCR. During a two-year tenure in the nonprofit sector, he assisted in database management and donor research and developed a newfound interest in data-driven decision-making, which led him to pursue an MBA with a focus on business analytics. His diverse background and commitment to leveraging data for business success makes him a dedicated AGSM student ambassador eager to share his business experience while inspiring others to pursue their unique paths to success in higher education and beyond.

Ayush Mahesh Holani

Ayush Holani

MBA 2025 | India
ahola003@ucr.edu

Ayush Holani is a Professional MBA student specializing in finance, and he earned an undergraduate degree in business administration. As an international student, Ayush shares both his background and experience from two internships in marketing and financial analysis at startup company. He makes it a point to build connections with other students and foster cross-cultural understanding as an AGSM student ambassador. Ayush is planning a career as a financial analyst, and he’s enthusiastic about the prospect of making finance relatable and impactful.

Sohaib Khan

Sohaib Khan

MBA 2025 | U.S.
skhan147@ucr.edu

Having held positions in all aspects of business—including management, sales, and data analytics—Sohaib Khan looks toward a career as an analyst in the tech industry and is building upon his management and leadership skills. Currently a Professional MBA student, he also earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from UCR.

Pete Navarro

Pete Navarro

MBA 2025 | U.S.
pnava007@ucr.edu

Having earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management at UCR, Pete Navarro is now earning an MBA and exploring the field of product management. He strives to bring transformational leadership to the student body, faculty, and community by encouraging innovation and growth while building upon UCR’s principles of diversity and inclusion.

Tini Nguyen

Tini Nguyen

MBA 2025 | Vietnam
vnguy431@ucr.edu

As an international student, Tini Anh Nguyen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from San Diego State University and then returned to her home country, Vietnam, to work as a financial consultant. This experience sparked her interest in management, a field she had always been interested in but hadn’t had the chance to explore. Now working towards an MBA degree and serving as vice chief ambassador, Tini’s goals include building connections with fellow students, offering support as a reliable friend, and actively seeking professional opportunities to become a project manager.

Nia Pascual

Nia Pascual

MBA 2025 | U.S.
npasc004@ucr.edu

With plans to work in the music industry, MBA student Nia Pascual is continuing her master’s education with a focus on marketing at UCR. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management at the School of Business along with a minor in psychology. As an AGSM student ambassador, Nia is part of the supportive community at UCR, where she has made long-lasting connections on campus and beyond.

Melanie Pineda

Melanie Pineda

MBA 2025 | U.S.
mpine017@ucr.edu

Passionate about financial literacy and business, Melanie Pineda is preparing for a career as a financial analyst. She is pursuing an MBA at UCR, where she earned a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in finance. As an AGSM student ambassador, Melanie is making genuine connections with others and “giving back.”

Shanmugasundaram Ramasubramanian

Shan Ramasubramanian

MBA 2025 | India
srama043@ucr.edu

Shan Ramasubramanian boasts four years of professional experience in AI and ML. He began his career at Amazon and then was founding ML engineer at Zocket specializing in advertising technology. Currently pursuing his MBA, Shan is working toward a career as an AI product manager. He previously served as the city fundraising manager at Making A Difference Foundation. As an AGSM student ambassador, he’s looking forward to bridging the realms of academia and industry.

Emil Shirokikh

Emil Shirokikh

MBA 2025 | Germany
eshir010@ucr.edu

After earning his mathematics degree at the University of Stuttgart, Emil Shirokikh began his professional career as a project manager at a well-known life insurance company in Germany. Later, he made a strategic shift to Capgemini, where he thrived in roles as a business analyst and eventually as an IT consultant. He is earning an MBA to support his goal to establish his own company, Belto.

Ishita Singhal

Ishita Singhal

MBA 2025 | India
ising036@ucr.edu

After establishing an academic foundation in branding and marketing with her bachelor’s in mass communication, Ishita Singhal acquired experience at organizations like Deloitte, the World Wildlife Fund, and Teach for India. She plans to make social responsibility a part of an organization’s DNA to drive societal and environmental change. Pursuing an MBA will accelerate her career and help her harness the trifecta of brand reach, marketing, and social responsibility to grow the good in businesses. As an AGSM student ambassador, she hopes to gain global perspectives while connecting with her diverse cohort at UCR.

Master of Finance Ambassadors

Shivani Narayanan

Shivani Narayanan

MFIN 2025 | India
snara057@ucr.edu

Shivani Narayanan is a finance professional with five years of experience in the fields of finance, accounting, auditing, and tax across India and Australia. Having honed her skills in two diverse markets, she is now planning to broaden her horizons in the U.S. financial market by pursuing her master’s in finance. As an AGSM student ambassador, she is dedicated to sharing her wealth of experience with incoming students to help them make a smooth transition into the university.

Master of Professional Accountancy Ambassadors

Cierra Daniels

Cierra Daniels

MPAc | U.S.
cdani022@ucr.edu

First-generation student Cierra Daniels earned a bachelor’s degree in management and business economics at UC Merced, and continues her education at UCR in the Master of Professional Accountancy program with plans for a career as an auditor. As an undergraduate, she served in the first California College Corps cohort, which sparked her interest in working with nonprofit organizations and underserved individuals. Once completing her master’s, she’ll sit for the CPA exam and will be the first in her family to earn a CPA license.

Master of Science in Business Analytics Ambassadors

Ankit Malhotra

Ankit Malhotra

MSBA 2025 | India
amalh017@ucr.edu

After earning his bachelor’s degree in electronics, Ankit Malhotra discovered his interest in data science and analytics while working as a data analyst for Uber and Financepeer and decided to expand his career with a Master of Science in business analytics. Ankit is fond of teaching and is a consultant mentor with Newton School. He aims to be a pioneer in the analytics industry making use of math and technology to grow businesses.