Advisory Board 24 - 25

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Platinum Members

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Lindsay Bridenbaker is Sr. Director of R&D at PepsiCo, the Fortune 50 multi-national food and beverage company aiming to drive a positive impact on the planet and people. In her role, she leads the digital transformation for the global beverages packaging organization. Her team is transforming R&D processes and building new smart capabilities to move from physical development and testing to a virtual-first development process, using virtual design tools, first-principle based modeling & simulation, and advanced data analytics, machine learning and AI models.

She joined PepsiCo in 2011, bringing engineering and R&D experience from General Mills, Mondelez and Campbell’s. Lindsay earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and her MBA from the University of Connecticut School of Business, with a Management of Technology Concentration. She is based at PepsiCo’s global R&D center in Valhalla, NY and resides in Stamford, CT.

Joseph Radziewicz is an accomplished Senior Finance Executive and Board Member with more than 25 years of success in the manufacturing and technology industries. Leveraging extensive experience with taking companies public, change management, and crisis management, Joseph is a valuable asset for companies seeking guidance on any kind of transformation, expansion, and international operations. His areas of expertise include IPO, finance, governance, growth, turnarounds, new technology acumen, AI, robotics, developing outperforming teams, human capital development, strategic planning, competitive analysis, M&A, process & cost optimization, compliance, risk management, foreign exchange, treasury, and investor relations.

Throughout his executive career, Joseph has held leadership positions with Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE: SWK); Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. (NYSE: STRI), and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). In his current role at  Stanley Black & Decker as Vice President - Corporate Controller and Global Shared Services, he has been responsible for ensuring accurate financial accounting & reporting, maintenance of effective internal controls and implementing processes for order to cash, procure to pay and inventory management to drive free cash flow generation.

Prior to this role, he served as VP Finance – Chief Internal Audit Executive at Stanley, where he was responsible for ensuring that the highest controllership standards were maintained including those related to stewardship of assets and integrity of financial transactions. Previously, as VP & CFO at STR, Joseph teamed with an investment bank and Board of Directors to assess optimizing stockholder value, including assessing acquisitions, the sale of the Company and/or return of capital, resulting in $24M Dutch tender offer to repurchase 15 million (35%) common shares. During his prior tenure as Manager; Senior Associate; Associate – Audit & Business Advisory Services at PwC, key clients included United Technologies Corporation, Eastman Kodak, Barnes Group, Inc., and LEGO Group. Joseph has a proven history of supporting the success and growth of multi-national corporations ranging from $30 million to $30 billion in annual revenues. He has managed global financial operations, generating shareowner value while maintaining a strict adherence to ethics.

Joseph obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Accounting (summa cum laude) from Bryant University; he is a CPA, CMA, CFM, CGMA, and CSCA. He serves or has served as a Board Member for Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, Inc., Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Connecticut, Bristol Boys & Girls Club & actively involved in various Town of Somers youth sports with his three children.

Gold Members

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Fred is a successful entrepreneur who has built several technology-based businesses. He is the CEO and co-founder of Potoo, the premier data analytics firm that protects brands and offers online marketplace insights. He has 19 years of experience, including general management of mid to large-size organizations, product development, business operations, and strategy. Fred has held senior roles at Pepsi, Prudential, and Gartner. Fred holds an Engineering degree from Stony Brook University.

Nitya Joseph is a dynamic data and analytics leader with over 20 years of experience in Data Development Life Cycle Management. As AVP of Enterprise Analytics at American Eagle Financial Credit Union, Nitya is spearheading the creation of a strategic data framework grounded in DAMA standards and Agile practices. Her leadership is fostering a culture of collaboration and data literacy, driving the adoption of self-service analytics, while enhancing data centralization. Through scalable data governance models and cross-functional partnerships, Nitya is enabling actionable insights that power strategic and operational decision-making.

Before transitioning to financial services, Nitya spent 16 years in healthcare data management, leading complex data initiatives that enhanced clinical and operational outcomes. Nitya is widely recognized for her ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on leadership, consistently delivering innovative solutions that drive business impact. Nitya’s ability to align strategic vision with scalable data frameworks, has earned her recognition for operational excellence and innovation. Passionate about empowering the next generation of data leaders, Nitya mentors teams and partners closely with executives to ensure data strategies align with organizational goals. Nitya holds a Master’s in Computer Information Technology from Central Connecticut State University and a Bachelor’s in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Mahatma Gandhi University. As a member of the UConn Digital Frontiers Initiative (DFI) Advisory Board, Nitya contributes her expertise to advance innovation and data driven strategies.

Ashley Kalinauskas is the founder and CEO of Torigen, a biotechnology company helping our furry best friends live longer, healthier lives. Their initial product, VetiVax, is a personalized cancer vaccine that was originally developed to move forward for human clinical studies, but was repositioned to help the millions of dogs, cats and horses after a cancer diagnosis. Ashley has grown the company from an idea on the scientific benchtop, to a company of over 30 employees poised to help grow the animal health industry.

Christina Mrachek is a dynamic leader driving impactful change within Otis Elevator Company's Digital Technology organization. With a focus on developing data-rich, interconnected products and services for the digital age, she is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders through the DT Rising Leaders program.  This initiative is designed to provide leadership, business, and hands-on learning experiences through challenging assignments, aligning with Otis's innovative vision and strategy, all while building strategic relationships for inspiring personal and professional growth.

Bringing over two decades of technology experience in the manufacturing, aerospace and utilities industries, Christina has held diverse roles across digital technology, including software development, infrastructure operations and project management in addition to serving as chief of staff for the global CIO and CDAO. Her expertise spans communications, organizational effectiveness programs, and agile transformation, reflecting her commitment to driving strategic impact.  She is also the founding chairperson for the Otis Women in Technology ERG.

Christina holds a master’s degree in Business Analytics and Project Management from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She is a certified SAFe 6 Lean Portfolio Manager (LPM), SAFe 6 Agilist (SA), SAFe 6 Practitioner (SP), and Project Management Professional (PMP). Teena is an influential force shaping the future of digital technology leadership and innovation at Otis.

Dennis Nash is president of Control Station, Inc. In 2004 Dennis successfully transitioned the company from a hobby business residing on the campus of the University of Connecticut to what is today a multi-million-dollar enterprise that is widely recognized as the leader in industrial process analytics and optimization.

Under Dennis’ leadership, Control Station licenses software-based solutions to over half of the manufacturers listed in the Fortune 500 and supports facilities located in over 70 countries. In recognition of its global growth, Control Station was recognized in 2018 as the SBA Exporter of the Year for the State of Connecticut and in 2022 the company received the President’s “E” Award for excellence in exporting. Dennis was recognized by the SBA as the 2023 Businessperson of the Year for the State of Connecticut, and in 2024 he was appointed by the US Secretary of Commerce to serve a three-year appointment on the board of the Connecticut District Export Council. Prior to joining Control Station, Dennis held business development roles with venture-funded companies, including American Mobile Satellite, DIGEX, and USinternetworking.

Dennis earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. As a graduate student, Dennis held the position of President of the Graduate Business Association. Upon graduation from UConn, Dennis served three years as an officer of the School of Business Administration’s alumni organization.

Dan brings over 15 years of experience coaching organizations on Agile and Lean practices to achieve business objectives through mission-critical applications. A passionate servant leader, Dan specializes in strategic planning, change management, and program-level Agile coaching, driving large-scale organizational transformations with a focus on people, processes, and products.

Dan holds an Executive MBA from the University of Connecticut, which further enhances their ability to integrate business strategy with technology solutions. They have a proven track record of enabling businesses to adopt software development methodologies and technologies, improving the quality and predictability of IT solutions. With expertise in product development, metrics, and process adoption, Dan empowers organizations to proactively manage software projects, ensuring value delivery aligned with business goals.

As a seasoned program leader, Dan excels at fostering executive sponsorship for change initiatives and building high-performing teams. With a focus on mentoring, collaboration, and delivering complex projects under tight timelines, Dan inspires confidence and loyalty while addressing critical business challenges. Their commitment to leveraging Agile and Lean frameworks has consistently driven growth, efficiency, and innovation across enterprise organizations.

Student Members

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Jim Bellas is a Junior majoring in Analytics and Information Management concentrating in business intelligence. He is a lifelong Huskies fan born and raised in Wethersfield, CT. Jim has developed a strong foundation in data analytics, business intelligence, and information systems through the courses and professional opportunities that UConn’s OPIM department has offered. These include case competitions, career events and much more. Jim has interned as a Data Analyst for UnitedHealth Group, which has furthered his interest in pursuing a career in business intelligence analytics. In addition to academics, he works as an IT Analyst in the SAIT department at UConn and was previously a member of the Undergraduate Student Government as a Senator for the School of Business. Jim plans on continuing his education through pursuing a master’s degree with UConn’s School of Business in Business Analytics and Project Management (BAPM). With this he aims to expand his technical knowledge of data science and analysis. Jim is excited to contribute to DFI’s mission to empower individuals within the tech world.

Abhishek Dharmashekar is a skilled analytics and data science professional, currently pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics and Project Management at the University of Connecticut School of Business. He excels in programming languages such as C, Python, and SQL, and is proficient in tools like Tableau, Qlik Sense, Power BI, and Alteryx.

Abhishek's professional experience includes roles at Genentech, Novartis, and ZS Associates. He has successfully developed generative AI capabilities, optimized data pipelines, and created impactful dashboards, leading to significant improvements in processing efficiency, sales effectiveness, and project turnaround times.

Recognized for his achievements in case studies and analytics competitions, Abhishek has represented the UConn School of Business with distinction. He earned a top 20 ranking out of over 2,000 teams in the Adobe Analytics Challenge 2024, demonstrating exceptional skills in analytics tools and a deep understanding of customer journeys. He also led his team in the Humana-Mays Healthcare Analytics Case Competition 2023, addressing healthcare challenges and proposing data-driven solutions. Additionally, he showcased his analytical prowess in the Alteryx SparkED Datathon.

As part of UConn’s Global Experiential Learning Program, Abhishek visited London to explore the insurance and analytics domain at corporate companies, gaining valuable insights into global business practices.

Abhishek is eager to bring his expertise to the Digital Frontiers Initiative Advisory Board. He looks forward to contributing to DFI's mission of empowering individuals and organizations through comprehensive training in IT, business analytics, and emerging technologies, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Ananya Shrivastava is a dynamic and dedicated student at the University of Connecticut, pursuing her Master of Science in Business Analytics and Project Management. Her academic journey is characterized by a deep passion for data and a commitment to driving impactful business decisions.

Ananya has honed her skills by developing data driven strategies and marketing plans for startups in Asian and Middle Eastern markets. She thrives in collaborative environments, always eager to work with peers and professionals to tackle complex challenges. Her technical expertise includes Python, R, SQL, and Tableau, which she uses to transform data into actionable insights.

Beyond the classroom, you can find her participating in conferences and workshops, interacting with new people, constantly seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and stay ahead of industry trends. She is passionate about creating an inclusive environment in the tech industry and actively engages in initiatives that empower women in STEM.

In her free time, Ananya enjoys reading new books, exploring different cultures through travel, and staying curious about the world around her. She believes in the power of continuous learning and is always excited to connect with others who share her enthusiasm for innovation and growth.

Ananya Shrivastava is not just a student; she is a dedicated learner, a collaborative team player, and a future leader in the field of business analytics. She looks forward to making meaningful contributions and connecting with like-minded individuals in the professional community.