Goldey-Beacom College Celebrates Inductees into Distinguished Alumni Gallery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:   Janine G. Sorbello, Dir. of Ext. Affairs             DATE: October 21, 2024

CELL:            302-290-3224                              

EMAIL:         [email protected]

 

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Goldey-Beacom College Celebrates Inductees into Distinguished Alumni Gallery

Wilmington, DE – Goldey-Beacom College proudly recognized several of its outstanding alumni during the October 4-6 Homecoming Weekend, with a special induction ceremony into the Distinguished Alumni Gallery (DAG) on October 5, 2024. This year’s honorees exemplify excellence in their careers and significant contributions to their communities, showcasing the transformative impact of a Goldey-Beacom education.

The Distinguished Alumni Gallery brunch brought together an inspiring gathering of inductees, faculty, staff, fellow alumni and family members to celebrate these remarkable individuals. Each inductee has achieved great success in their respective fields, demonstrating the values of leadership, integrity and dedication that Goldey-Beacom instills in its students.

“We are proud to honor these distinguished alumni whose achievements not only enhance the reputation of our institution but also serve as a beacon of inspiration for current and future students,” said GBC President Colleen Perry Keith. “Their commitment to excellence and community service embodies the spirit of Goldey-Beacom College.”

Honorees:

 

President’s Award 2024                     Calvin St. Juste ‘02  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management

Distinguished Alumni 2024               Marwa Zakharia ‘06  Associate in Science with a concentration in Management

Rising Star 2024                                 Carla Lee ’19, ‘20  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management
Master in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Management

 

President’s Award 2024, Calvin St. Juste ‘02

His Excellency Calvin St. Juste is the honorary Special Envoy for investment, development and international business relations for St. Kitts and Nevis. As the former Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) and head of global strategy at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s Financial Wellness division, he oversaw and built a team of financial professionals. He also served as the COO for global fraud and cybersecurity where he led initiatives to protect the firm’s assets and clients from cyber threats and fraudulent activities.

St. Juste’s leadership in building high-performing teams earned him the Stevie® Awards for exceptional customer service and efficiency. Currently, he is the global audit head of technology enablement at T. Rowe Price, providing leadership in governance, risk management and the use of generative AI and data analytics. Beyond his corporate roles, St. Juste is a Lean Six Sigma practitioner. He currently serves on various boards including: board advisor for the Stevens Institute of Technology Business School; chairman of the Supervisory Board for a US based Credit Union; and a board member for the United Way of Central Maryland and their Executive Management Committee.

St. Juste says that attending Goldey-Beacom College was a transformative experience that shaped both his personal and professional life. The college’s commitment to career-focused education, combined with its supportive community, provided him with the skills and confidence needed to excel in his field. The small class sizes and dedicated faculty fostered a nurturing environment where he could thrive academically and personally. He agreed that the College’s emphasis on practical learning and real-world applications ensured that he was well-prepared for the challenges of the professional world.

 

Distinguished Alumni 2024, Marwa Zakharia ‘06

Zakharia is currently the CEO of AssetBook, a portfolio management and reporting technology provider who has served in various capacities for five years, first as a consultant, then heading up operations and the last two years as CEO.

Zakharia is a member of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management). Passionate about volunteering, especially for organizations that support underserved communities, she volunteers for Meals on Wheels and the Abandoned Pet Rescue in Florida. She previously served as on the board and was an executive leadership mentor for the Christina Cultural Arts Center.

Zakharia says that attending Goldey-Beacom provided her with the opportunity to develop both personally and professionally. It sharpened her critical thinking, broadened her perspective and provided her with a strong foundation in management. She emphasized the diverse experiences and networking opportunities that helped to shape her problem-solving abilities and leadership skills, all of which prepared her to succeed in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

 

Rising Star 2024, Carla Lee ’19, ‘20

Carla Lee is a Vice President at JPMorgan Chase leading the Affordable Lending Strategy for the Business Banking Lending Product team.

Although Lee began her career in retail banking while pursuing her undergraduate degree in finance, she joined JPMorgan Chase in 2017 as a part time intern in the Corporate & Investment Bank. She later rejoined the firm through the Chase Associate Program (CAP) after obtaining her MBA in International Marketing from GBC. CAP is a two-year rotational leadership development program for MBA graduates.

Lee is a culture carrier and serves as the Delaware Market Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion and co-lead for the Consumer Bank Marketing and Product Culture Council DEI Pillar. She led the launch and scaling of multiple diverse talent development programs in the Delaware Market designed to retain and advance top diverse talent.

Additionally, she serves as an Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) Ambassador and is a member of several business resource groups (BRGs) allowing her to expand her network and continue her passion of championing and elevating diverse voices. Externally, she has been recognized by the Mill Summit, Spur Impact and Executive Leadership Council organizations. She has also completed the McKinsey Black Management Accelerator Program. Prior to business school she gained extensive strategy, process improvement and project management experience within Finance and Operations at several financial institutions including Goldman Sachs and Citi Bank.

In 2023, Lee was the Convocation speaker for incoming GBC students and offered the following advice to the Class of 2027: give yourself grace; chase significance; be bold; achieve greater. Lee enjoys spending time with her family and traveling (specifically to Disney World). She currently lives in Wilmington, Delaware with her fiancé and fur babies Bucky and Teddy.

Founded in 1886, Goldey-Beacom College has approximately 1,300 students enrolled from 29 states and 65 nations. The College offers 48 degree options in its graduate and undergraduate programs with majors in psychology, economics, criminal justice, communication & media, human services, English, and all areas of business, including accounting, business administration, entrepreneurship and finance. Additionally, the College offers 21 certificate programs.

The College began accepting students into three new degree programs in fall 2023: Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing, and two concentrations in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program: Cybersecurity and Esports & Gaming Administration. Also offered in fall 2023 are stackable new macro and micro graduate certificate programs.

The College is committed to connecting its graduates with careers in their respective fields. For over a decade, the College has achieved a 90% placement rate for graduates. Goldey-Beacom College is located in Pike Creek Valley, a suburb of Wilmington, Delaware. The College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.