Rhowen Raju ’24, ’27 MBA, had a vague idea of the entrepreneur he wanted to become, and he says that meeting Mickey McGuire changed everything.
“I was instantly inspired by the similarities in our stories. His presence in my life as a mentor has completely shaped my entrepreneurial endeavors—but more importantly, his presence as a friend is shaping me as a man,” said Raju.
Raju’s story was part of the May 21 Executive Fellow Installation dinner, which welcomed the three newly appointed Executive Fellows and honored the current academic year’s UCR Executive School of Business Fellows.
The 2025-2026 Executive Fellows are Jordana Katcher ’96, global vice president of men’s and women’s training apparel at Nike, and Mickey McGuire Jr. ’97, ’99 MBA, COO and executive vice president of HCN Bank in Riverside.
The 2026-2027 Executive Fellows are James Merino ’98 MBA, data scientist at Meta-WhatsApp; Damon Richardson ’94, vice president of Global Tax at Alphabet-Google; and Michael Xu, founder and CEO of Micron Wireless Inc.
Executive Fellow Reflect the Values of the School of Business
UCR’s Executive Fellows provide in-person student mentorship as they spend time on campus sharing their considerable professional experience and knowledge with School of Business undergraduates and A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management graduate students.
“Our Executive Fellows embody the schools core values of inclusion, collaboration, integrity, and innovation by not only sharing knowledge and insights but also by fostering an environment where diverse perspectives thrive,” said Dean Yunzeng Wang during the installation. “Fellows are not just advisors; they are inspirational role models, guiding the next generation as they navigate their careers, embrace innovation, and develop into ethical, forward-thinking business leaders.”
About 175 people attended the dinner, including special guests UCR Chancellor Jack Hu; UCR School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board Chair and 2013-2014 Executive Fellow Ching Liu, CEO and co-founder of the Inland Empire Renewable Energy Regional Center, a co-founder of SolarMax Technology; Amgen Executive Director and General Manager of U.S. Value and Access and Global Value and Access Anita Alamshaw ’91, who served as a 2022-2023 Executive Fellow and was the installation dinner’s emcee.
Many other fellows and members of the Dean’s Advisory Board along with UCR trustees also joined the celebration, as well as students, alumni, donors, local business leaders, and business school administration and staff.
Unequaled Support and Commitment from Incoming Executive Fellows
One of the evening’s highlights was the announcement by new Executive Fellow Richardson’s of an endowed scholarship he has established, which is designed to expand opportunities for students within the School of Business with a preference for student-athletes.
“My hope is that this scholarship will ease the burden for future generations of Highlanders, allowing them to focus on writing their own extraordinary stories without wondering if the door will stay open for them,” said Richardson, whose personal UCR experience as a student included balancing coursework while on the track team.
“It taught me discipline, resilience, and the sheer effort it takes to excel at both. … I am incredibly passionate about supporting students who balance that intense academic rigor with a deep athletic commitment.”
In May, Executive Fellow and UCR Foundation Trustee Merino gave a new gift to establish a lab for innovation and access. He previously created the Merino Endowed Teaching award for faculty and the Jaime J. Merino Endowed Business Scholarship for graduate students to honor his grandfather, who instilled in his family the values of education and hard work.
“Something I’ve always valued at the UCR School of Business is its strong connection to local businesses and the community. One of our school’s strengths has always been that it provides the future managers who study here a bridge from the classroom to the corporate office or shop floor,” said Merino.
“Given the rapid pace of the change of our economy—and it’s only getting faster—giving students the ability to meet with people who are in the thick of this change is invaluable. … I look forward to working with UCR Students to help them craft their career plans and take their early steps in business.”
Remembering his father who passed away six months previous, Executive Fellow Xu announced the establishment of a scholarship fund dedicated to supporting low-income students “who have the talent, the drive, and the potential to change the world but need a hand to help them get there,” he said.
“My father was a professor for his entire life. Teaching was not just his profession; it was his calling. He believed deeply in education as a force that shapes character, expands opportunity, and gives meaning to a life well lived. For him, knowledge was never about status or titles. It was about responsibility: to students, to society, and to the generations that would come after us. My father believed that financial hardship should never be the reason a brilliant mind goes undeveloped. Neither do I. This fellowship is for him.
This Year's Executive Fellow Looks Back
“I didn’t fully expect how much I would be changed in the process,” said 2025-2026 Executive Fellow Katcher of her time with students. “Part of what changed for me this year was gaining a deeper appreciation for the landscape students are navigating now. …Technology may help, but the processes are not necessarily easier.”
“The students also taught me what excellence looks like when it is rooted in community. Some of the strongest students I met were sharing resources and helping each other move forward. That kind of community-building is part of lasting impact. More than anything, this year absolutely reaffirmed my belief in the next generation.”
Undergraduate business student Shayla Michel ’26 qualified Katcher’s sentiments with her own experience interacting with the fellows over the last year. “What stood out most was not just the career advice. Our conversations went beyond titles and accomplishments, and Jordie showed me the importance of seeing the person behind the success. Through her, I realized I don’t need to have everything figured out right now. I just need to keep learning, growing, and building confidence along the way.”
Fellows Elevate the Educational Experience
“The Executive Fellows program in an integral part of achieving our goal to be nationally renowned, to strengthen our ties with the community, and to ensure our students’ success in their careers,” said Dean Wang. “Together, we are creating a thriving ecosystem that benefits out students and the broader community.”
Header Photo: From left to right, top to bottom: Damon Richardson’ 94, James Merino ’98 MBA, Chancellor S. Jack Hu, Michael Xu, Undergraduate student Shayla Michel, Undergraduate student Rhowen Raju, and Dean Yunzeng Wang.