Agenda - June 12, 2025

Dana Abraham has been instrumental in Rightworks' transformation and growth. As CHRO, she has led the company through eight acquisitions and helped expand its workforce from 22 employees in one location to over 700 across 41 states and four countries.

A passionate advocate for talent development, Abraham launched Rightworks University and built thriving internship, mentorship and career pathing programs. She has also driven DEI efforts by partnering with organizations like Women in Tech to support inclusive hiring practices.

Abraham is known for cultivating strong organizational culture and attracting top-tier talent. With deep expertise in HR strategy and leadership, she has held multiple senior executive roles throughout her career. She is also an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Human Resources Leadership Forum. Her work reflects a commitment to empowering employees, building inclusive workplaces and scaling high-growth organizations with purpose and integrity.

Alkim Akyurtlu received her B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, in 1994, and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Penn State in 1996 and 2001, respectively. In 2002, she joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), where she is a full professor. She is also the director of the Printed Electronics Research Collaborative (PERC) and the director from UML of the Raytheon-UMass Lowell Research Institute (RURI). Her research interests are in additive manufacturing for advanced microelectronic packaging, printed electronics for RF and microwave applications, development of functional materials for printed electronics and design and application of metamaterials. Her funding resources include the Air Force, the National Science Foundation, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Office of Naval Research, Raytheon and NASA. Prior to coming to UML, Akyurtlu worked at MIT Lincoln Laboratory with the Systems and Analysis Group as a technical specialist conducting research on electromagnetic modeling and statistical analysis of radar systems.

Kim Andrade has built expertise in organizational culture and people over a 20-year career in human resources, first as a HR business partner in a decentralized, matrixed environment and then as a specialist in talent development. Most of her career has been in an international and culturally diverse environment, allowing her to coach, advise, design and execute on a variety of topics in a complex and constantly changing context.

In her industry experience, Andrade has crafted and delivered solutions across all functions of talent development, including organizational design, talent identification, succession planning, early career pipeline programs, workplace culture, diversity and inclusion, learning and leadership development, mentoring and coaching. Andrade's respect for the importance of the business strategy, context, and culture ensure that the right solution is delivered and the desired impact is achieved. Overall, she is a leader recognized for her passion and relentless commitment to developing talent, from senior leadership to early career professionals,

Andrade has Bachelor of Science degrees in psychology and sociology from the University California, Santa Barbara, as well as a Master of Science degree in psychology from San Diego State University.

Born in Pereira, Colombia, Lina Bilodeau earned an undergraduate degree in political philosophy from Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira with continuing education in documentation sciences at Universidad del Quindio before immigrating to the United States in 2001 in pursuit of new opportunities. She joined Pelham Plastics in 2007 as a temporary employee and quickly distinguished herself through dedication and initiative. Over the years, Bilodeau rose through the ranks, learning every manufacturing process. She now serves as a production supervisor, where she coordinates and advises on the manufacturing of both Pelham Plastics' assembly and molding departments. Bilodeau values the guidance she received throughout her career and remains deeply committed to continuous learning and growth in her work.

Stephanie Bourdage-Braun is executive vice president of Customer Success and Delivery at SS&C Intralinks. Leading a team of 265 customer success, support and technical operations professionals, she is responsible for the daily operations of the Intralinks products as well as the post-sale client experience, onboarding and supporting clients as well as ensuring the software services are secure, available and reliable. Originally from Quebec, she holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Universite de Sherbrooke and an MBA from Bentley University. Outside of work, Bourdage-Braun loves fashion and helping her friends find their style. She's also an avid baker and enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons and Labrador retriever.

Ariana Boyden is the general manager at Pelham Plastics Inc., a medical device manufacturing company. She began her career on the assembly floor over a decade ago, steadily working her way through every department and building a comprehensive understanding of operations from the ground up. Her curiosity, collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous learning—bolstered by leadership training and a Six Sigma Green Belt—have fueled her rise into senior leadership.

While earning her MBA in management, Boyden served as manufacturing manager, where she deepened her passion for guiding teams and improving systems. Today, she leads cross-functional teams and senior management in bringing innovative customer ideas to life. Boyden's leadership philosophy is grounded in thoughtful communication: asking the right questions, listening without assumptions and empowering others to do the same. She fosters a culture where every voice matters and believes trust, empathy and curiosity are at the core of resilient, high-performing teams.

Debby Briggs is a global chief information security officer (CISO), executive leadership team member and board advisor/member with more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of technology, information security, cyber, risk and strategic governance. She has contributed to the doubling of business growth while safeguarding the global public software business NetScout Systems—protecting corporate assets, consumer/stakeholder information and the company's reputation.

As NetScout Systems' CISO, Briggs provides corporate governance, risk mitigation and compliance oversight for the company's business, with $820M-plus in revenue and 2,300 global employees. She leads global enterprise information security/cyber and data strategy and operations, IT risk management, compliance, incident response, threat and vulnerability management. Briggs oversees teams in leading regular audits and risk assessments to identify and prioritize security risks/gaps and leads the execution and monitoring of security controls and measures to mitigate risk and comply with regulatory requirements, globally.

Julie Chen became the fourth chancellor of UMass Lowell in July 2022.

Under her leadership, the university has focused on strategic priorities including boosting student enrollment and success, fostering research excellence and building partnerships with the community.

As a result of these efforts, university was designated a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Foundation for Teaching and the American Council on Education in February 2025, affirming UMass Lowell's place among the top research universities in the country.

As chancellor, Chen oversaw the launch of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor, a public-private development that is set to transform the city of Lowell's economic future and usher in new opportunities for faculty and students.

Prior to her appointment as chancellor, Chen spent more than two decades at UMass Lowell as a faculty member and as chief research officer.

An accomplished mechanical engineer, Chen is an expert in materials processing and nano-manufacturing, having led programs in those areas at the National Science Foundation.

She earned three degrees from M.I.T.

Lynn Coutts was appointed director of athletics at UMass Lowell in July 2024, bringing more than 20 years of experience as a collegiate coach and administrator.

Before joining UMass Lowell, Coutts served as associate vice chancellor, deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator at the University of Denver. In that role, she oversaw women's volleyball, women's basketball, women's lacrosse and men's hockey—a program that captured national championships in 2022 and 2024. She served on the leadership team and policymaking groups while overseeing gender equity, compliance and the equipment room and acted as liaison to Equal Opportunity and Title IX.

Prior to her tenure at Denver, Coutts was the head softball coach at her alma mater, the University of Maine, from 2011 to 2015. During her time there, she mentored numerous scholar-athletes and all-conference performers. After transitioning into an administrative and assistant coaching role, she played a key part in Maine's America East Conference Championship win in 2016. As a student-athlete, Coutts was a standout pitcher for the Maine softball team, serving as a four-year starter and two-time captain and earning Northeast All-American honors.

Outside of collegiate athletics, Coutts co-owned and operated a sports training business with her husband for nearly 14 years, cultivating strong ties throughout the Northeast. She is an active member of the National Association of Directors of Collegiate Athletics' Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute Workshop and Women Leaders in College Sports. Coutts has been inducted into three Halls of Fame.

Elisa Farri is a vice president at Capgemini Invent, the strategy and transformation arm of Capgemini Group. Included in the list of management thinkers to watch by Thinkers50, Farri is an expert on management at the intersection of academia and business. At Capgemini Invent, she leads the Management Lab, which bridges the latest management frameworks into practice through exploratory research, thought leadership and academic collaborations. A frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, Farri has extensive experience developing and delivering executive training at leading organizations globally. Previously, she was a researcher at the Harvard Business School Research Center in Paris, France.

Sarah Gerekos is a seasoned leader in the employee wellness space, currently serving as the global wellness manager at UKG. With 15 years of experience in health and benefits, she excels in guiding global wellness programs that support emotional, physical, environmental and financial well-being. Gerekos' leadership is marked by her ability to inspire and empower employees to live their healthiest lives. She is skilled at implementing global programs in an equitable and effective manner, ensuring all employees have access to the resources they need to thrive. Gerekos holds a bachelor's degree in nutritional science and a master's degree in public health from the University of New Hampshire.

Kellye Houdagba is a product owner at Fidelity Investments, where she focuses on providing insightful, purposeful and relevant data for clients and the stock plans provided to their employees. She enjoys collaborating with her peers to make client-focused initiatives a reality through innovation, strategy and implementation. Alongside her corporate career, Houdagba has a passion for real estate investment. She truly enjoys taking learnings from diverse friends, family and peers and applying them to real-life scenarios to make a better life for her and others around her.

Kellsie Howard is a product owner at Locus Robotics, where she works on the robots and software that help warehouses run more smoothly and efficiently. She loves turning big ideas into practical strategies that drive growth. As an undergraduate, she founded Joy Tong Women in Business at UMass Lowell in 2017, where her passion for helping students build their careers and leadership skills began. Outside of her work at Locus, she enjoys mentoring students and early-career professionals, offering advice on navigating the tech industry. Howard's goal is to empower others to find their path and succeed in their careers.

Jess Kang Palmer brings over 15 years of experience leading people strategy at technology companies, bringing a modern, people-first leadership style, and has built a career driving meaningful, courageous change in rapidly evolving business environments. Her approach is grounded in aligning people strategy with real business needs — designing teams, systems, and cultures that are responsive, resilient and deeply human-centered.

Palmer has held senior leadership roles at high-growth startups like BERA and Dockwa and led strategic People Business Partner teams at industry giants Salesforce, Klaviyo and Sophos. Across all environments, whether scaling a startup or supporting global enterprise transformation, she has architected talent strategies that unlock performance, cultivate belonging and deliver business impact.

A passionate advocate for inclusion and workplace culture, Palmer also serves as a board advisor to the Groton Hill Music Center, where she guides the Board of Directors and executive leadership on DEI, belonging and the operating culture necessary to support a vibrant and diverse creative community.

Jessica Kaplan is ClearRock's vice president and practice lead for leadership development and executive coaching. As a coach, Kaplan holds space for leaders to challenge old assumptions and maximize their effectiveness and influence. As a facilitator, she creates impactful learning experiences. And as a practice lead, she provides thought leadership around where the field of coaching and leadership development is heading. Prior to ClearRock, Kaplan was the HR business partner to the COO at Tufts Medical Center, vice president of talent for Benchmark Senior Living and senior director of talent & leadership strategy for Bright Horizons Family Solutions. A grateful mother to a wonderful twin boy and girl, she enjoys spending time with them and her husband, dancing in the kitchen and speaking Spanish whenever possible.

Kerry Kendall is a program manager at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Prior to joining Draper in March 2024, she held program manager roles at Raytheon and Idemia. Kendall has 10 years of experience in program management, including leading and executing proposals, leading cross-functional engineering teams in research and development programs and earned value management. She is Project Management Professional (PMP)-certified. In her early career, Kendall served in the U.S. Army from 2009-2015, attaining the rank of captain. The highlight of her military service was her deployment in 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as a cultural support team leader. She was one of 218 women ever selected by U.S. Army Special Operations to train and deploy with Special Operations units prior to the Department of Defense lifting the ban on women in combat units in 2014. Kendall holds an undergraduate degree in history from the College of the Holy Cross, a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in leadership and administration from Boston College.

Lauren Knausenberger is executive vice president and chief innovation officer of SAIC, a premier Fortune 500 technology integrator driving our nation's technology transformation, with annual revenues of $7.4 billion and approximately 24,000 employees.

SAIC provides engineering, digital, artificial intelligence and mission solutions across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets. In her dual-responsibility role, Knausenberger leads innovation strategy across the company's solutions and services portfolio and ensures that SAIC's transformation capabilities are mission-relevant, agile and aligned with the needs of customers.

Prior to joining SAIC in October 2023, Knausenberger was the chief information officer of the U.S. Department of the Air Force, where she was responsible for three directorates for enterprise information technology, data and artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, supporting 20,000 cyber operations and support personnel around the globe. Knausenberger provided oversight of the Air Force's IT investment strategy, from networks to cloud computing, enterprise policies, data management, digital transformation, information resources management, innovation initiatives, information assurance and related matters.

Prior to joining the Air Force, Knausenberger was an entrepreneur and investor helping to grow companies involved with U.S. national security. Before that, she held positions of increasing responsibility at American Management Systems and CACI.

Knausenberger earned her Bachelor of Science in decision and information sciences from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Elise Kulak is a senior facilitator specializing in leadership, sales and communication training. With a background in sales, event management and leadership, she brings a dynamic blend of strategy and execution to her work. As an executive coach and certified Strengthscope® and Emotional and Social Competence Inventory (ESCI® 360) practitioner, Kulak helps professionals in both group and individual settings unlock their strengths to drive performance and growth. A seasoned public speaker, she has hosted national sales summits, given keynote addresses and led a wide range of workshops and events. Kulak holds a B.A. in communications from Emerson College and a marketing strategy certification from Cornell University.

Elissa Magnant is an associate teaching professor of management in the Manning School of Business at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she is also the faculty director of the Donahue Center for Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility. An attorney since 1995 and former entrepreneur, Magnant enjoys teaching Business Ethics and Negotiations, as well as seminars on emotional intelligence in leadership. She was the founding faculty advisor to an award-winning student organization, Joy Tong Women in Business. Residing in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with her husband Keith, their three children and multiple pets, Magnant also enjoys swimming and reading historical fiction.

Heather Makrez Allen is senior associate vice president of strategic initiatives at the UMass Foundation. Prior to this, she served as the executive director of alumni & donor relations and an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education at UMass Lowell. Makrez Allen is an experienced higher education leader with a demonstrated passion for student access, alumni engagement, stewardship and community partnerships. She has published articles on topics ranging from social media to fundraising. Earlier in her career, she ran the International Programs Office at UMass Dartmouth and held a position in academic affairs at the UMass System president's office. Makrez Allen is a CASE member and serves on nonprofit boards within the community. She received her Ph.D. in leadership from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Lauren Mantuo is a leader on the Social Equity, Opportunity, and Impact team at UKG, where she leads transformative initiatives that bridge technology, education, and opportunity. With over two decades of experience spanning government, corporate, and private sectors, Lauren has built a career on driving impact through storytelling, strategic partnerships, and inclusive innovation. A proud Florida Gator, military brat, and mom of two boys, she blends heart and hustle to bring meaningful change to traditionally overlooked communities. Lauren's background includes roles in strategic communications at the Department of Defense, marketing and brand leadership at a technology startup, and program innovation at UKG. An avid reader, world traveler, and lifelong learner, she is passionate about uplifting people and opening doors — today and for generations to come.

Ava Marconi is a social impact specialist at UKG, where she has been working full time for over a year after completing an internship on the Social Impact team. Marconi focuses on employee engagement, volunteerism and managing local corporate nonprofit partners and programs in Lowell. With expertise in corporate volunteerism and engagement, she brings unique insights to this panel on the importance of mentor/mentee relationships.

Danielle Marmer is the first general manager of the Boston Fleet in the PWHL. In the league's inaugural season, she led the team to the Walter Cup Final, playing a pivotal role in building the roster and shaping the organization. As the league expands, she is focused on the team's long-term success through scouting, player development and strategic planning.

Before joining the PWHL, Marmer was a player development and scouting assistant with the NHL's Boston Bruins, where she became the first woman in an on-ice role. She worked closely with prospects through scouting, video analysis and skill development. Marmer played collegiate hockey at Quinnipiac University, where she was part of the winningest class in program history. She holds a bachelor's degree in legal studies and a master's degree in strategic communication.

Stephanie V. Mello is a partner at the Mello Law Offices in Lowell, where she is known for her straightforward, commonsense approach to advocacy and community leadership. Born and raised in Lowell, Mello has deep roots in the city and is a 2012 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She currently serves on the board of the Lowell Portuguese Language School and the Dia de Portugal Planning Committee and has previously served on the boards of the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers and the Boston Portuguese Festival. As the proud daughter of immigrants, Mello is passionate about preserving culture, uplifting underserved voices and building strong community connections. She believes that negotiation is not just a tool for success—it's a skill rooted in preparation, clarity, and confidence.

Hannah Monbleau is the associate director of Student Life & Well-being at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Since she joined the university in this role in 2022, she has supported student well-being by combining her background in student affairs with certifications as an RYT-200 yoga instructor and barre above instructor. Hannah earned her B.S. in psychology from Endicott College in 2019 and her M.Ed. in higher education administration from UMass Lowell in 2021. Passionate about holistic well-being and inclusivity, Monbleau is also writing a children's book focused on disability inclusion, aiming to promote understanding and representation from an early age. Her work reflects a commitment to empowering her community through empathy, support and education.

Karen Noel is a senior director of engineering in Red Hat's Core Platforms department, which is responsible for the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Fedora operating systems. Her teams of developers and quality engineers contribute to a wide variety of technologies in Linux, including networking, hardware enablement, kernel and security. She formerly oversaw the virtualization, storage, file systems and high availability development teams within Core Platforms.

As a software engineer for Digital Equipment Corp. and Hewlett-Packard, Noel worked on operating system kernels and the Integrity VM hypervisor. She joined Red Hat as an engineering manager in 2011. Noel holds a B.S. in computer science from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire.

Kemi Olugemo is chief medical officer at Korro Bio, where she leads cross-functional teams in developing therapies for rare and prevalent diseases using the company's proprietary RNA-editing platform.

Prior to joining Korro, Olugemo was vice president of global clinical development at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical and held positions of increasing responsibility at Parexel, Ionis Pharmaceuticals and Laronde. She led clinical development for multiple programs across an array of therapeutic areas, resulting in approvals in global markets.

Olugemo is the recipient of the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Alumni Award from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the Leadership in Action Award from Women of Color in Pharma and the 2023 Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare in Massachusetts Award from the Women's Edge. She is founder and president of the Zebulon Foundation and holds leadership positions at the International Society for CNS Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM) and CNS Summit.

Olugemo completed her medical training and neurology residency at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and an additional Fellowship in Neuroimmunology & Multiple Sclerosis at the Maryland Center for MS. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

Karyn Puleo has over 20 years of experience overseeing various fiscal, personnel, administrative and procurement services that support businesses in achieving superior performance and customer service. Puleo is currently the executive director of business operations for facilities management at UMass Lowell and also serves as adjunct faculty, teaching Negotiation Strategy & Process.

She has served in a variety of elected and volunteer opportunities, including as a member of the Tyngsborough Select Board, the Tyngsborough School Committee, the Salvation Army Advisory Board (current) and the board of trustees of Lowell Catholic High School (current).

Alison Quandt Westgate has been a member of the athletic leadership team at UMass Lowell since 2017. She oversees academics and student services, demonstrating a passion for working with student-athletes to achieve their full potential as students, athletes and citizens of the greater community. Quandt Westgate spearheaded the River Hawk Degree Completion Program and works extensively to support first-generation students through the River Hawk Scholars Academy and the International Students and Scholars Office. She was selected for the 2021-2022 cohort of the prestigious NCAA Pathway Program, designed to elevate senior-level athletics administrators to the next step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.

Prior to UMass Lowell, Quandt Westgate was at Impact Performance Group LLC, where she designed and facilitated sales, leadership and coaching development programs for organizations across a range of industries. Previously, she spent eight years as the director and then assistant athletic director of student-athlete development at Boston College.

Quandt Westgate has a B.A. and an MBA from Boston College, where she was a member of the women's hockey team, setting many records. In 2015, she was inducted into the Beanpot Hall of Fame.

Wendy Rue Williams, MSW, is a distinguished Global Wellbeing Leader at Manulife John Hancock. With a robust background in health management and social work, Williams has dedicated her career to advancing holistic well-being through innovative strategies that emphasize equity, access and inclusivity. Her expertise includes developing the first health equity infrastructure for a large health care company, developing a global DEI strategy for a global organization and creating and launching the infrastructure for a national health management practice. Williams's professional journey includes significant leadership roles, such as executive director for the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and national population health leader at Marsh McLennan. She has a proven track record in creating and implementing health and well-being strategies, managing diverse teams and driving strategic initiatives that improve health outcomes and foster inclusive cultures. Williams holds a Master of Social Work from Simmons University and is a certified urban leadership and transformational DEI professional.

Jen Santos is Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Draper. She was appointed to her current role in 2023

With more than 28 years of national leadership experience, Santos has served as a tri-sector leader across the executive branch, legislative branch and industry. In those areas, she demonstrated a keen understanding of the policy, finance, regulatory, technology and business aspects of military department acquisition, research and engineering organizations.

Santos's current responsibilities include developing market and technology strategies in support of Draper's Corporate Strategy, leading the corporate investment strategies for internal research and development, company campuses and capital expenditure, and leading all high-level customer outreach across the national security ecosystem.

Santos joined Draper in 2021 as principal director for strategic initiatives in the National Security and Space Program Office. Before that, she served as a naval research and development investment executive for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, and as deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy.

Previously, Santos was vice president for the Air Force and Department of Defense innovation at Cypress International, a consulting firm. She also was a professional staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee for Defense and held finance and acquisitions roles in the Department of the Air Force. She also served as a commissioner on the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Commission and an adjunct professor at Defense Acquisition University.

Santos holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a B.S. in mathematics from Wheeling Jesuit University.

As chief revenue officer at NESN and SportsNet Pittsburgh, Cosmina Schulman leads all advertising revenue initiatives and monetization strategies across two of the most dynamic regional sports networks in the country.

Schulman is passionate about building future-ready media businesses that thrive at the intersection of content, technology and brand strategy. From pioneering new revenue streams to negotiating multimillion-dollar sponsorships, she thrives on transforming opportunities into growth and aligning business development with long-term strategic vision. Beyond the boardroom, she's deeply committed to championing women in sports and leadership and serves as vice president of the Boston chapter of Women in Sports and Events.

Schulman's motto, "Crush Monday," is more than a mindset — it's how she leads, grows and inspires. Her industry honors include CableFax's Most Powerful Women (2024), NYC TV Week's 40 Under 40 (2023), Cynopsis Media Industry Leader (2023) and WICT New England's Women to Watch finalist.

Jacqueline Schuman was named director of athletics and recreation at UMass Boston in the summer of 2021 and vice chancellor for athletics and recreation in August 2022. Prior to joining UMass Boston, Schuman served as an athletic administrator at Colby College; the University of Delaware; Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City; Catholic University of America; the University of Tennessee; and Florida Atlantic University. She began her career in college athletics at Vanderbilt University as a cross-country and track and field student-athlete, graduating cum laude. She then earned her master's degree in sports administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her doctorate in leadership and learning in organizations at Vanderbilt in August 2021.

Kathleen Teehan is senior vice president of talent consulting at ClearRock, where she helps organizations align business and people strategies to drive results. Known for her curiosity and thoughtful listening, she partners with leaders on talent selection, development, and transitions. A certified talent optimization consultant, she's an expert in Predictive Index, EQ-i 2.0, and sales coaching, having led hundreds of workshops on leadership, team building and sales. Prior to ClearRock, Teehan spent 12 years at The Predictive Index and helped grow two startups as a sales leader. She is very active in the HR community and on the membership committee of the Human Resource Leadership Forum. Outside of work, she volunteers with AFS, cooks with her husband, gardens and enjoys being outdoors with her family and sweet dog.

Allyson Toppi is a robot product engineer at Brooks Automation, where she leads the development of cutting-edge robotic systems from initial concept through global customer delivery for semiconductor manufacturing applications. With expertise in mechanical design, systems integration and cross-functional leadership, she drives innovation at the intersection of engineering and manufacturing.

Since joining Brooks in 2019, Toppi has held roles across supply chain strategy, atmospheric systems engineering and robotics new product introduction through the company's selective Rotational Engineering Program. Her multidisciplinary experience enables her to deliver high-impact solutions that are both technically rigorous and operationally sound.

Toppi earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, specializing in mechanics, materials and advanced manufacturing. A committed mentor and STEM advocate, she plays an active role in developing future engineering talent through Brooks' mentorship initiatives and UMass Lowell's RAMP Program.

Amy Ward is a seasoned marketing leader with a passion for driving growth through strategic storytelling and customer insight. A proud double River Hawk, she earned both a bachelor's degree (2018) and a master's degree (2021) in marketing from UMass Lowell. Since graduating, she's led product marketing at organizations of all sizes, from the enterprise scale of Progress to the fast-paced world of startup MURAL and now at nCino, a leading cloud banking company. With a proven track record of building go-to-market strategies, launching products and elevating product positioning, Ward brings a dynamic blend of creativity, analytics, and leadership. She's excited to return to UMass Lowell to share real-world lessons and inspire the next generation of marketers.

Amy Waryas leads the overall people strategy for the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Management. She is also a key member of the organization's social justice, equity, and inclusion advisory committee, helping to lead this strategic priority alongside other cross-functional leaders.

Waryas has worked in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, publishing, and software. She has worked with companies of varying sizes, from Fortune 10 to a start-up.

Prior to joining the Red Sox, Waryas served as director of human resources for The Boston Beer Company, Inc., where she led the human resources department and was a key member of the executive management team. Waryas, who serves on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island, holds a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and a master's degree in industrial/organizational psychology from UNC-Charlotte. She and her husband, Keith, reside in Holliston, Massachusetts, with their two children.

Kerry Willard Bray joined the UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center leadership team in 2017. She oversees career advising and student employment. Career advising staff support students and alumni through one-on-one advising, class presentations, credit-bearing career courses and larger-scale programs. Student employment staff strive to ensure that student employees have opportunities to develop career readiness through on-campus work. Willard Bray’s team describes her as a person-centered leader. She previously worked with the university’s professional co-op program.

Prior to UMass Lowell, Willard Bray worked in student affairs roles at small private colleges including two schools for women: the College of St. Elizabeth and Moore College of Art & Design. She holds a master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology from Moravian College.