43 minute read
MOUNT MAKERS
Mount Makers Meet a New Generation of Mounties Making History.
By Nicole Patterson
Tell us how you're making history.
Email us at themagazine@msmary.edu
Featured in this section
HEATH TARBERT, C'98 Assistant Secretary of the Treasury U.S. Department of the Treasury
VRUNDA PATEL, C'16 Technical Business Integrity Associate Facebook
HUNTER OLD ELK, C'16 Curatorial Assistant Plains Indian Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
DIANE TOMB, C'86 Executive Director National Rental Home Council
JAY PHILLIPS, C'05, MT'08 Head Coach: Cross Country, Track & Field Mount St. Mary’s University
DEVEDA COLEY, C'93 Principal Spring Ridge Elementary School in Frederick, Maryland
RICHARD BOLTE JR., C'79 Chairman & CEO BDP International, Inc.
CHRIS MCKENNA, C'17 Intelligence Analyst KeyW Corporation
DEANNA DINI, C'12 Assistant Manager of Social Media Tarte Cosmetics
REBECCA BURKE, M.D., PH.D., FAAP, C'05 Clinical Post-Doctoral Fellow of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Molecular and Human Genetics Baylor College of Medicine
CHLOE CAIN, C'18 Creative Entrepreneur Chloe Cain Creative
PATRICK MASTRORILLI, C'18 Cybersecurity Operator MSA Security at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
KOKI ADASI, C'04 Senior Vice President Compass Real Estate
The Mount taught me that our lives are largely the product of our choices, which must be aligned with our faith and values in order for us to live lives of significance.
Heath TARBERT
CLASS OF 1998 Studied: Accounting, International Business & Economics
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Department of the Treasury What is a typical day like for you? What do you enjoy most about your work? I oversee a diverse portfolio of issues in the Treasury Department’s Office of International Affairs and therefore there’s no typical day! I really enjoy meeting with my counterparts from finance ministries and central banks around the world to discuss significant issues of mutual concern—including global growth, debt sustainability, investment levels, economic development and financial stability.
What’s your favorite spot on campus? My favorite spot is the Terrace—the oldest part of the Mount where nearly every graduate has lived at some point or another during the last 210 years. I was privileged to live there three out of my four years at the Mount and have many fond memories.
How were you involved at the Mount? I served as a resident assistant and was the president of several student organizations, including Delta Mu Delta, the national honor society for business administration. These positions enabled me to work with and lead a diverse group of students from a variety of backgrounds.
Who were some influential Mount professors or staff who made a lasting impression on you or your education? Charles Beitz Jr., DPA, then chair of the business school, taught me many great lessons of personal and professional leadership. The late President George R. Houston Jr. stressed the importance of thinking big and honing my financial acumen. Msgr. Thomas J. Mullelly, C'74, provided an example of mission-centered living while exhibiting a stellar sense of humor in good times and bad.
We thought you should know… As a student, Tarbert won the Bishop Edward P. Allen Memorial Prize for the highest scholastic average after four years. He was awarded the Edward T. Hogan Memorial Prize for Pre-Law Studies and the Msgr. Bernard J. Bradley Memorial Prizes for Accounting and Business Administration. Tarbert also won the Wall Street Journal Student Leadership Award. As an alumnus, he was recognized in 2010 with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award and in 2013 was inducted into the Academic Circle of Excellence Alumni Hall of Fame.
personality in the correct way—and I appreciated all his advice. I’m extremely grateful to Assistant Professor Dr. Josey Chacko for helping me get my job at Amazon. He was wonderful and taught me a lot about business, case studies and how to show and use data effectively.
Vrunda PATEL
CLASS OF 2016 Studied: Business & Economics and Spanish
Technical Business Integrity Associate at Facebook, Seattle
What is a typical day like for you? Before I was at Facebook, I was at Amazon for two years in corporate finance and program management. This is my first role at Facebook, and I’m absolutely loving it. I wake up around 7:30 a.m. to get ready and watch the news. It’s important to know what’s going to be talked about on our platform. When I get to work, I put my stuff down at my desk. Facebook has an open workspace; no one has offices—not even Mark Zuckerberg. I usually go to the sixth floor cafeteria and get breakfast. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and snacks are free. I spend a lot of time on data analysis to help our engineers and business and sales teams understand our business—so we make correct decisions to improve the user experience on Facebook.
What is a good user experience to you? The best user experience is defined by each individual, but I think it’s one where you get on Facebook and you get to (re) connect with someone and it puts a smile on your face. It’s anything that makes your day a little bit better—finding or seeing some form of information that you wouldn’t have known unless you saw it on Facebook. It’s a seamless experience that you don’t have to think about.
What does a technical business integrity associate do? My team works on background research to understand what proactive things Facebook can do to stop bad actors. We research what could be happening on our platform and find systematic ways to get rid of them so we can improve the overall user experience for everybody.
Who were some influential Mount professors or staff who made a lasting impression on you or your education? Clare Tauriello, the director of the Career Center, was my SGA advisor for the Class of 2016 and she was a mentor to me. Ken McVearry was good at pointing out how to use my strong How has the Mount inspired you to live significantly? The Mount taught me to think about others first. I learned to be selfless instead of selfish, and I’ve noticed that in all the roles I’ve had, and the companies I’ve worked for, I work on teams that are integrated and tailored to the customer. Amazon was about customer obsession and making sure the end-users were excited and happy about their experience. Both Amazon and Facebook have billions of users, so it’s exciting to make their experience better—but it’s hard. You can’t think about the decisions you make when you get on Facebook. You must think about billions of other people. The Mount’s emphasis on morality in making ethical business decisions was valuable. Every day I ask myself what’s right and wrong. It’s an awesome challenge and a heavy weight, but the Mount gave me a lot of tools to be able to discern the difference between good and bad—especially in a professional setting.
What activities or clubs did you participate in during your time at the Mount? I was a student-worker in the Sports Information Office and spent many weekends and spring breaks in the ARCC or on the fields working in the press boxes. The people I worked with were so much fun and have such positive energy—plus we got the best seats in the house. I cherish those moments because they reminded me not to take life so seriously. I was in SGA all four years and was class vice president in 2012 and class president from 2013-16. I was a freshman ambassador and senior year was a student representative for Mount Council. Finally, I led the class ring design in my junior year and was part of the mascot committee to create Emmit S. Burg.
Do you have any advice to share with current students? When you step out into the professional world, it doesn’t matter if you went to a school people may not have heard of before. You should be thankful that the Mount teaches you how to be a good person. The Facebooks of the world could use more Mount graduates. Put your best foot forward and don’t let anyone bring you down.
Hunter OLD ELK
CLASS OF 2016 Studied: History
Curatorial Assistant, Plains Indian Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming How has the Mount helped you live significantly? I reflect often on the four years I spent at the Mount as a time of both trial and triumph. It wouldn’t be fair to my mentors if I didn’t mention how much they lifted me up—far more than should have been asked of them. For that, I’ve made it my goal to mentor others in my personal and professional work.
Who were some influential Mount professors or staff who made a lasting impression on you or your education? That is difficult to answer because many were invested in my academic and personal growth: President Thomas Powell, Chianti Blackmon, Ken McVearry, Joseph Enste, Dr. Michelle Patterson, Dana Larkin Sauers and Robert Brennan, C'85.
How did your experiences at the Mount help you become the professional you are today? I was a member of the Third Century and Native American Scholars Program through the Center for Student Diversity and an AMP student leader through the Office of Campus Activities. Each of those programs took on an experiential leadership model to strengthen students in skills such as verbal and nonverbal communication, programming, financial literacy and peer accountability. I’ve used individual skills from both programs to serve tribal communities and work with Plains Indian Museum collections through programming and scholarship.
What is a typical day like for you? My job consists of the stewardship and research of Plains Indian museum objects. In my position, I am fortunate to work with pieces where I study and write about Indigenous collections for the use in exhibitions, publications, educational interpretations and social media.
What's your favorite part about your job? My favorite part of my job is being able to use platforms like social media and facilitating tribal visits to share collections with descendants of people who owned those objects. We house more than 10,000 collections from well over 150 tribes and bands who lived in the Great Plains region (Central Canada-Texas). I am from the Crow and Yakama Nations, and we have several historic collections from both tribes so there is also a personal connection to my work. I think for my communities, to indigenize scholarship will help reclaim our narratives and impact the future of cultural sustainability.
What's your favorite spot on campus? I was a Lower McGowan kid. Those in leadership programs like AMP, CRUX, CSD and OSJ know how much time you spend there. I studied abroad in the Czech Republic and that experience, as well as political science coursework, shaped my global view of the world. I seriously encourage academic travel.
Making Us Mount Proud... Old Elk uses museum engagement and social media to explore the complexities of historic and contemporary Indigenous culture. She is especially inspired by the lives of Native American women who lived and thrived on the Plains. Her life’s work is dedicated to their multifaceted legacies. She is the 2017 Western States Arts Federation: Emerging Leaders of Color Fellow and has done collaborations with NPR. Her work has been featured in the October 2018 issue of Cowboys and Indians Magazine for “Native Nations Now” exhibition and has upcoming projects with National Geographic Magazine and Filson Clothing Company. She is a collaborator, along with six Crow women, on a forthcoming Zine titled “Apsaalooke Radical” and plans to earn a master’s degree in the next three years.
CLASS OF 1986 | Studied: Political Science and History | Executive Director, National Rental Home Council
How were you involved at the Mount? I played soccer, was a member of the college Republicans and worked for a member of Parliament in London during my study abroad program junior year. Those experiences taught me skills I use today. As a student on work study, I worked in the bookstore, gym, snack bar and the Rathskeller. Those opportunities taught me the importance of being organized and how to balance and manage multiple tasks.
Tell us about the first job you had after you graduated. My first job out of college was at the White House in the Office of the Vice President for then Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush. I am convinced that having the experience of living abroad and being a Mount graduate greatly influenced why I was selected for the position.
What is a typical day like for you? Most days are varied. I could be on Capitol Hill or a state capitol meeting with elected officials and staff members regarding issues that affect our members. I could be recruiting new members, or I could be speaking or participating on a panel at an industry event.
What do you enjoy most about your work? I love how interesting and diverse my work is daily. I really enjoy that I am still learning every day. Also, I am a policy wonk, so I enjoy influencing public policy that benefits both my members and the communities they serve.
How has the Mount helped you live significantly? Personally, I value the friendships and relationships I developed while I was a student. Professionally, being surrounded by colleagues who had a strong faith and led values-based lives had a significant influence on me and the choices I made in my career. I also had the opportunity to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees at the Mount where I observed the commitment of other trustees and the significant impact their contributions made to the future of the Mount and the students it now serves.
Making us Mount Proud... An accomplished executive and entrepreneur who founded a D.C.-based public affairs firm in 2003, Tomb served as president and CEO of the National Association of Women Business Owners where she represented members on public policy issues before Congress and at the White House from 2011-13. Prior to that, she served as assistant secretary of public affairs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and in the White House in both the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations.
I really enjoyed the community that existed at the Mount. I always felt like I was a part of something larger.
Tomb has been an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, currently serving as a commissioner on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on Political Reform. She is also a member of the International Women’s Forum of Washington, D.C., serves on the board of directors of MakeRoom and the development committee at Holy Trinity Church in Washington, D.C.
Running THE RACE
AFTER JAY PHILLIPS, C'05, MT'08, dedicated seven years to studying at the Mount, culminating with a Master of Arts in theology, he courageously questioned how to live out his purpose—spending many nights on the track under starry skies looking inward and upward. He devoted early mornings in prayer at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception where he often prayed alongside, proposed to and married his wife, Dale Phillips, C'05. “By the time I had graduated, the Mount community put me into a particularly difficult dilemma,” he says. “The Mount had not only given me more than I deserved but also had given me more than I had the capacity to give back.” During his undergraduate days, Phillips majored in theology with an education emphasis and minored in philosophy and Latin. He single-mindedly pursued excellence as an athlete who ran track and field, a gifted student in the honors program and a compassionate resident assistant.
22 FEATURE STORY FALL 2018 He recalls that every interaction with his professors provided awareness and understanding. “They all liked what they did and they poured themselves into their students, athletes and colleagues,” Phillips recalls. Bill Collinge, Ph.D., taught him to love theology. “I still love it and I’m a better person, husband, father, friend and coach because of it.” Rev. Jim Donohue, Ph.D., guided him in how to use theology to love others more and better. David McCarthy, Ph.D., gave him the confidence that he could be successful academically and professionally. John Larrivee, Ph.D., instructed him on how to give life to his prayers. Indrani Mitra, Ph.D., taught him intellectual patience. “I still find that tremendously helpful personally and professionally,” he notes. Phillips’ coaching mentor, Jim Stevenson, C’95, showed him what it means to sacrifice for your team. “When someone invests that much in you, it changes you—causes you to grow, to love and to share that desire with others,” he explains.
Tasked with how to live significantly, he had finally received the answer: “I can give others a love greater than my own. I can strive to give others the love of God. I can try to love my student-athletes, my staff, my colleagues in the way that God loves them. So that’s what I try to do.” As head coach of the Mount’s cross country and track and field teams since 2015 and assistant coach from 2008 to 2014, he teaches students the life-changing rewards of focus, courage, resilience, teamwork and faith. The word Catholic means universal. “I love the challenge of bringing such a diverse group together to strive for common goals,” he says. With nearly 120 members, the track and field team is one of the most diverse groups on campus. Teammates are invited to live, love and work next to people who wouldn’t be in their natural social circles. “Every difference they may see in a teammate has the chance to be viewed from a common foundation, a humanizing
JUSTIN KIMBLE, C’20 School Record – 60m Dash 2x NEC Champion IC4A All-East 2017 NEC Outdoor Rookie of the Year 2018 NEC Indoor Sprinter of the Year
foundation. They laugh with each other, push each other and cry with each other—succeed and fail with each other; in short, they become real people to each other,” he says of his team members. “The growth from these encounters can’t be underestimated.” As a result of his time at the Mount, he teaches student-athletes to learn from everyone they spend time with—to pay attention, listen and keep taking steps toward their best selves. In 2018, the men’s outdoor track and field team won its first Northeast Conference (NEC) title in 21 years, and Phillips and his staff were voted by colleagues as NEC Coaching Staff of the Year. Throughout his career, as a runner and a coach, Phillips says the track is a meaningful place on campus where he goes to find solace, joy and motivation. “My fastest race was on that track, chasing down two teammates I knew I’d never catch. I’ve cried there, I’ve sweated there, I’ve collapsed there—it’s stained my clothes red.” The Bible mentions many verses about running a race: to build perseverance, to run and not grow weary, to receive an everlasting crown and to win the prize of a higher calling. “I’ve walked the lanes with athletes and friends in great and tough times. I’ve seen the track mold young men and women into excellent young men and women academically and athletically—it’s a training ground for more than just running fast, jumping high and throwing far.”
KAYLA BARNES, C’21
23FALL 2018 FEATURE STORY School Record – 200m Dash 3x NEC Champion ECAC All-East 2018 Indoor and Outdoor NEC Rookie of the Year 2018 USATF Junior National Qualifier
CLASS OF 1993 | Studied: Elementary Education | Principal, Spring Ridge Elementary School in Frederick, Maryland
What do you enjoy most about your work? I am blessed to have the opportunity to be an elementary school principal. I never take my role lightly. I do not see this as a job, but rather my career and God-inspired mission. I have had the great fortune to lead at North Frederick Elementary School for the past eight years. I got to be the principal of some of the best children and to have led, and hopefully inspired, some of the most dedicated, knowledgeable staff as well as worked alongside a supportive community. I love that every day is different and challenging and that my decisions and actions make a difference in the lives of children.
What are you looking forward to next? I look forward to my new assignment at Spring Ridge Elementary School and heard that I will again have a supportive community, talented staff and great students. My goal is to be a transformational leader who makes all decisions in the best interest of the children. School administrators make hundreds of daily decisions including personnel matters, appropriate use of budgets, student instruction and discipline, school safety, community outreach, professional development, and the list goes on. No one day for a principal is ever the same—which makes this career so exciting!
How has the Mount helped you live significantly? Mount St. Mary’s had an exceptional education program. I was very prepared to be a teacher in Frederick County Public Schools. I was offered an open contract in December of my senior year because of the great instruction I received. The liberal arts classes opened my mind and helped me develop interests, including art, that I would never have explored otherwise.
FEATURE STORY FALL 2018 Who was one influential Mount professor who made a positive impact on you? I am blessed to have had such a wonderful support system of people who saw my potential and helped me believe I could truly be and do whatever I wanted. Dr. Judy R. Johnstone saw the potential in me and worked with me to finally, after changing my major four times, decide that elementary education was the path for me. In her office during my junior year, I told her I wanted to be a principal. She made sure I had an exceptional student mentor, Becky Kerr, and strategically put me at a school with an influential principal named Steve Martin who ended up being one of my strongest advocates. He supported me during the beginning of my career as a teacher and principal. Johnstone shared her passion for literature and made sure we understood how much educators impact students’ lives; she believed in me from the start.
What’s your favorite spot on campus? I used to love going to the RATT. For those who graduated after 1993, this was in the bottom of the student activity center and was our mini night club. We would have a DJ and sometimes invite outside acts to play. Derrick Claiborne, C’93, brought great entertainment—including an emerging comedian named Steve Harvey.
What other memories stand out to you when you look back? I met my best friend, Angel (Wrublik) Ranero, C’94, from playing softball. I participated in an awesome fashion show produced by my talented friend Derrick Claiborne, C'93. From joking around and enjoying being a student with my "Mount Crew" that included Tonya Jackson, C’93, Neil Becker, C’93, Sue McNamara, C’93, Dave Zehner, C’93, and Dr. Terri Bell, C’94, to learning to play piano and playing Chops on the same piano with the talented pianist and crew member Samuel Stone, C’93, I have so many great memories of the Mount. I also remember going to my first concert with other African-American Mount students (OSHA) and seeing Salt-N-Pepa and Kid ‘N Play.
How else were you involved at the Mount? I played field hockey, which was replaced with lacrosse. I also played softball. Being a student-athlete requires commitment, time management, dedication and discipline. I use every one of these traits in my daily life.
We thought you should know… In 2010, Coley was named a “Woman of Excellence”’ by the Frederick AKAs and made the “Top 40 Phenomenal Women” in Frederick. In 2015 she was inducted into the Mount’s Academic Circle of Excellence Alumni Hall of Fame. She’s currently an adjunct professor at the Mount. She's also in her third year of the inaugural doctoral cohort at Hood College.
CLASS OF 1979 | Studied: Business & Finance and Spanish | Chairman & CEO, BDP International, Inc.
In a world that sorely needs ethical leaders, we think the Mount will play an important role in filling that void.
What do you enjoy most about your work? It provides a great outlet for my creativity. I like building things and BDP has been a lifelong project. Additionally, getting to make so many friends around the world has been particularly enjoyable.
What is a typical day like for you? As the leader of the organization, my day involves making sure people enjoy interacting with our organization. I engage with a wide variety of constituencies, BDP teammates, customers, key partners and suppliers (banks, ocean carriers, truckers and so on) and potentially government agencies that might impact our business.
What’s your favorite spot on campus and do you have a story or a memory you’d like to share? For most of my time at the Mount I lived in or near the Terrace— so that would get my vote. Happy hours spent relaxing and listening to music from one room or another is probably my favorite memory. There are many stories I can’t tell! I did participate in an all-night charity softball game and, of course, it rained all night. I think our time slot was somewhere around 2 a.m. or so, and we had a blast sloshing around a muddy field. Lots of laughs!
How else were you involved at the Mount? During my time at the Mount, I played just about every club sport offered. Back then there was not as much to do, and team sports were a good way of building bonds with your friends. Our team, Lightning Company, participated in just about everything at the time. How did those experiences help you become the professional you are today? The power of the Mount community and the strength of its culture are evident to all who spend time there. Understanding how that culture is hugely important and can provide the foundation and strength for any organization is probably the greatest learning. My brothers and I put that to good use and believe that today, our culture at BDP is a competitive strength and creates a uniqueness that separates us from others. The Mount’s culture is the same: It separates us from the rest. There’s only one Mount.
How has the Mount helped you live significantly? The Mount has helped me and my family in many ways. All six of my siblings went to the Mount as well (John, C'82, Tim, C'84, Frank, C'87, Mike, C'91, Bill, C'89, and Rob, C'92) and now some of our children have graduated as well. My son, Richard Bolte III, C'08, is a proud graduate. The Mount is part of the fabric of our family. In my case, the Mount helped me come out of my shell. I was quite shy and a bit introverted when I arrived. Learning how to interact with others and the strength of the Mount community taught me the importance of culture and team building. These were important lessons that my brothers and I put to good use during our journey building BDP International, Inc.
Is there anything else the Mount community should know? I served two terms on the Board of Trustees and during my tenure I had the opportunity to lead the Academic Affairs Committee. Our family is most proud that the Bolte School of Business, at the Mount, carries our father’s name. He loved the Mount and after his passing we thought this would be an appropriate way to celebrate his life. We are most proud that this contributes to a whole new generation of Mount graduates.
The Mount taught me how to look at real world issues from all sides and think critically.
Chris MCKENNA
CLASS OF 2017 | Studied: Criminal Justice and Sociology | Intelligence Analyst, KeyW Corporation
How has the Mount helped you live significantly? The Mount gave me the opportunity to conduct research on a topic that has plagued the fire service nationwide: mental health stigma. If I had not been required to do a major research project for my degree, I never would have done the project and I never would have discovered some truly horrifying statistics. Because of the Mount, I was able to make a true difference in my local department as well as on a national level (I believe) as my project pushed NBC to conduct a nationwide study which was released earlier this year.
How did your professors prepare you for your current job? Dr. Layton Field pushed me to do better and have high expectations for myself. During my senior research project, I would go into his office to talk about the project for hours. I told him at the beginning of the project that I wanted to do something bigger and better than any student in the program had ever done, because I needed a challenge and I needed a purpose to push myself. Dr. Field made my time at the Mount easy because he was not just an advisor to me, he was a friend. Professor Joe Vince and I only got to know and work with each other toward the end of my time at the Mount. His “Intro to Intelligence Analysis” course was one of the most beneficial classes I’ve ever taken. He taught you what intelligence analysis was, he built your foundation from the ground up and gave examples of poor intelligence products—and showed us how to create proper and complete products. That skill, being able to write a complete product, has given me a huge advantage in my career. Professor Vince, without knowing it, guided me on the path to a wonderful career.
FEATURE STORY FALL 2018 What aspects of your education challenged you the most? My favorite part of my education at the Mount was truly the senior project. As challenging as it was at times, completing a project from start to finish and then having to defend my research gave me a huge advantage in my field. The SPARC Festival was probably one of the most nerve-wracking, but exciting, times of my life. I was so excited to share my research with people—but I was also nervous as to how it would be received by the public. The challenging questions I got from people during presentations truly helped prepare me for my career.
What's your favorite spot on campus? My favorite place on campus is the fire pits area outside the apartments on a nice spring or fall evening cooking dinner with friends.
What’s a good memory you’d like to share? It was the day before graduation and I needed to get a haircut before commencement practice. I went to the local barber in Emmitsburg. I walk in and who do I see sitting in the barber chair getting his hair cut? President Trainor. We smile, say hello, and talk briefly before he leaves. The next day at commencement as I walked across the stage to shake President Trainor’s hand, what do you think we say to each other? We talk about how great each other’s haircuts looked!
Just a little more… McKenna was the 2016 President’s Medal recipient and is a proud Eagle Scout. Unfortunately, he is unable to comment on his work as an intelligence analyst—but you can find him volunteering on the weekends at the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg.
CLASS OF 2012 | Studied: Communication and Business | Assistant Manager of Social Media at Tarte Cosmetics
The World of Fashion and Beauty Deanna Dini, C’12, has an audience of more than 10.5 million people. A typical workday doesn’t exist in the super social, hyper mobile world of Tarte Cosmetics where she produces content, videos, tutorials and analytics for high gloss, 24/7 social media consumption. Navigating the ever-changing landscape of the industry is what keeps her excited to come to work each day as she sculpts and contours the global beauty brand recognized for its cruelty-free and vegan products—values that differentiated the company ahead of competitors and generated a loyal following. She acknowledges studying communication and business at the Mount gave her a lasting foundation for the flexibility and adaptability she applies to her work. “I work with influencers and social media stars and build relationships with them to secure brand-elevating coverage,” she says—and many have become friends outside of work. The relationships she formed and nourished as an undergraduate were paramount to her success at Tarte.
Tarte Cosmetics Wins In 2018 Tarte's team was named an honoree, alongside other big-name brands such as Adidas, in the 22nd Annual Webby Awards. On any given day, she will find herself handling nonstop product launches, celebrity collections, a never-ending stream of trends, YouTube stars and beauty bloggers driving consumer purchasing. Dini's responsibilities also include forming brand partnerships where she works to create social giveaways and collaborations. “One of the most influential things I’ve learned through all my years of playing sports is teamwork and that you’re only as strong as your weakest link.” As a student-athlete and a member of the soccer team, she says her experience being part of a team has absolutely helped her become the professional she is today. She remembers team practices and mandated early morning workouts on the hills of the National Shrine Grotto. “Looking back,” she says, "those painful workouts taught us perseverance
and the importance of teamwork. And the beauty of the Grotto is incomparable to any other spot on campus; the gold statue of Our Lady is breathtaking.”
Natural Beauty Dini says she’s most thankful the Mount brought her to her husband and the love of her life, Mark Burns, C’12, MBA’13. The pair were married by the Mount’s lacrosse chaplain, Rev. Thomas Haan, and recently celebrated the birth of their first child in September. "Aside from my husband, I’ve made incredible lifelong friends at the Mount and these friends have really shaped me into the person I am today.” She also credits favorite professors Byron Stay, Ph.D., and Carl Glover, Ph.D. “They kept learning fun and interactive and reminded us to never take life too seriously. Once I began my professional career, that translated into everyday life, and I try to find reasons to laugh in the office every day—even if it’s laughing at myself.” How does she do it? With the Pack Your Bags Undereye Patches in one hand and the Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in another, she Makes the Magic Happen (the name of an eyeshadow palette in nine pigmented mattes and metallics promising sparkle and shine). “Social media never sleeps! While people might think it’s all fun and glamorous, it’s important to remember that it can take a lot of your personal time and you can easily be consumed with it,” she notes. “Don’t forget to take a breather! Recharge. Put down the phone. And soak in your surroundings.” What could be more refreshing?!
What is a typical day like for you? My typical day varies depending on my practice setting. I could be making rounds on inpatients, on call in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or seeing new patient consults in the outpatient medical genetics clinic.
Rebecca GILBRIDE BURKE, M.D., PH.D., F.A.A.P.
CLASS OF 2005 Studied: Biology and Chemistry
Clinical Post-Doctoral Fellow in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine
28 FEATURE STORY FALL 2018 What do you love most about your job? What I love most about my job is providing my patients with a diagnosis, many of whom have been searching for an explanation for their medical problems for many years, and helping patients and their families understand complex medical conditions.
How has the Mount helped you live significantly? I believe that the well-rounded liberal arts education I received at the Mount has enhanced my ability to understand and appreciate the needs and viewpoints of my patients. I recall the structure of the program was to teach students where we came from, who we are and ultimately how our thinking may be different from others. This stepwise education process was grounding, and yet incited an interest in me to continue to learn to appreciate how others with a different experience than mine may perceive their circumstances. This has made me a far more compassionate person and certainly a more empathic physician.
Who were some influential Mount professors or staff who made a lasting impression on you or your education? Dr. Sue Goliber was my Freshman Seminar professor and she was very influential on my success at the Mount. I admired her accomplishments as a professional and a master educator, of course, but also her ability to find a balance between work and life. The 9/11 attacks happened during my first month of college, and I will never forget how shocked and almost paralyzed we all felt. Dr. Goliber called each of us individually to ensure we knew that Freshman Seminar would still be held that day despite the uncertainty of the moment. She brought us together as a class and that was one of the first times I realized the Mount was more than a university experience but a community and a family.
What’s your favorite spot on campus? My favorite spot on campus is the National Shrine Grotto. It is such a peaceful and beautiful place. I loved spending quiet time there, particularly if I had an important decision to make. The setting allowed time for introspection, and I always left with a clear mind and a renewed spirit.
How else were you involved at the Mount? I participated with the dance team, was the president of the Science Club and worked for the Mount Annual Fund office. I lived in the “women in science” dorm housing all four years and loved the camaraderie of the supportive environment we created. Living with other women studying science and mathematics was incredibly motivating and inspiring.
Making us Mount Proud... She was chosen as one of the Mount’s "40 Women in 40 Years." She and her husband, Patrick Burke, C’05, celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary this summer. They cherish their memories and love reminiscing on the times they shared together at the Mount.
CLASS OF 2018 Studied: Communication Graduate Assistant for the Dean of the School of Natural Science & Mathematics at Mount St. Mary's University & Creative Entrepreneur at Chloe Cain Creative
What do you enjoy most about your work? I enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life and learning their personal stories. I love using my energy to bring out the best in others and ultimately myself.
What is a typical work day like for you? As a former Division I soccer player, the athletic mentality is part of my DNA and it works through me every day. First thing I do in the morning is brush the crust off my pearly whites and head to the gym to work off the chicken from the night before. Then I hit the floor to pray and meditate. From there I rush out the door only to smell the possibilities in the air. I always listen to the morning jams in the car before driving two minutes across Route 15 to work. Once in the office, you can catch me spreading positivity to students and having deep conversations with staff members. These amazing interactions help me create wonderful stories for social media and video. At the end of the day, I walk away feeling truly fulfilled knowing I made someone smile, but my work isn’t over. From 5-9 p.m. I’m usually creating or editing content for my own creative business: Chloe Cain Creative. I also started pursuing my MBA this fall at the Mount’s Frederick campus.
How has the Mount helped you live significantly? The Mount has helped me become more fully aware of my authentic power. I have gained the courage to express myself unapologetically in all areas of my life.
Who were some influential Mount professors or staff who made a lasting impression on you or your education? I can name about 30 Mount staff who have been a vessel in my personal story here at the Mount. To make a long list short, here are some who have resonated deeply in my progression: Bob Brennan, C'85, Tirrany Thurmond, Karlie Herbert, Dr. Paula Whetsel-Ribeau, Jamie Brown, Ken McVearry, and Dr. Brian Gilchrist.
How else were you involved at the Mount? I was captain of the Mount women's soccer team, a resident assistant and the public relations coordinator for the newfound organization The Voice. I also hosted my own radio show for WTMB and interned in the Office of Marketing and Communications and the Office of Alumni Engagement.
What’s your favorite spot on campus? My favorite spot on campus is the Palmieri Center for Entrepreneurship. It’s the place where I discovered my true love for turning my passion into profit!
Follow Chloe on Instagram @justchloecain.
Patrick MASTRORILLI
CLASS OF 2018 | Studied: Computer Science and Cybersecurity Cybersecurity Operator working for MSA Security at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
What is a typical day like for you? My typical day involves monitoring and documenting possible cyberattacks against the Port Authority’s systems—as well as stopping cyberattacks from doing damage to the Port Authority’s systems should they gain access.
What ways were you involved in the Mount community? During my four years at the Mount, I worked for the campus cable company, Privatel. I provided tech support to help students set up their televisions and resolve various technical issues. This experience helped me build valuable customer service skills that I use every day.
Who were some influential Mount professors or staff who made a lasting impression on you or your education? My most influential professors at the Mount were Dr. Brian Heinold and Scott Weiss. Both professors taught me everything I know about computer science during my time at the Mount. I truly appreciate all the guidance they provided.
KOKI is the Key
“HE HAD THE TOUCH,” SAID MOUNT MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH JIM PHELAN. Koki Adasi, C’04, played better than any other scholarship athlete on the team that Saturday afternoon. On January 26, 2002, the nationally televised basketball game against Fairleigh Dickinson captured the Mount’s 6’3”, 190-pound sophomore shooting guard scoring 23 points against the Knights. Adasi played the best game of his Division I career in front of an audience of millions. It didn’t matter who was watching, though, because he’d made a different kind of history: a personal triumph. That afternoon, after initially launching an airball, Adasi aced his shots, swished his three-pointers and sank one basket after the next. His moment in the spotlight was preceded by many tiny efforts few had witnessed. Adasi wasn’t a scholarship player when he arrived at the Mount. In fact, after tryouts his freshman year, he was cut from the team. “It was one of the biggest obstacles I faced in my life,” he shares. Recruited by Assistant Coach Don Anderson, Adasi was raised in Rockville, Maryland, and graduated from Magruder High School. After his acceptance to the Mount, he worked out with the team from August until October and attended tryouts. “Coach Phelan said: ‘Hey Koki, look, I think you’re a great guard, but we have tons of guards already—so it’s more of a numbers game. Right now, there’s no space for you on the team,’” Adasi recounts. Crushed, the 18-year old never knew what it felt like to be cut from a team, much less not be a starter. His lifelong goal to play Division I basketball had been denied. “I’ll never forget the walk back across campus to Bruté. I just sat in my room and I cried. I put in all this effort the last few months and was confident it would happen,” he says. That humbling experience gave rise to the strength within. In that moment, he considered his options: He could cry about it; he could give up playing basketball or he could call Coach Phelan and refuse to take no for an answer. “I need to be a part of the team,” he told the coaching legend, and promised to do whatever it took. The coaches agreed and Adasi was made team manager. “It was a great experience,” Adasi beams. “I had no care in the world because I was part of something that was much larger.” His freshman year he did the team’s laundry and packed their bags; he practiced alongside them every day but never suited up for games. His sophomore year he trained all summer, attended tryouts and made the team. He ended up starting several games that season—and the rest is history. Today the 36-year-old Realtor is senior vice president at Compass Real Estate in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and wears a uniform of a different kind—a tailored navy suit jacket he’s dubbed his favorite. Instead of Under Armour sneakers, he sports Italian leather Santoni slip-ons. The street outside his office is lined with stores like Louis Vuitton, Saks Fifth Avenue and Cartier. Inside the gorgeous beaux arts building you’ll find his teammates—the well-dressed professionals of Team Koki. Conference rooms and offices are framed with floor-to-ceiling glass that invites a cool metaphorical transparency. No matter who’s watching, he’s taught them to continue to work hard, practice the fundamentals and love the hustle. Adasi’s transition to the residential real estate game wasn’t without difficulty. After his dreams to play professional basketball overseas didn’t come to fruition, he got a job with Clarke Construction Group, LLC, in Bethesda, Maryland, where he used his business degree working in the accounting department. Adasi studied and got his real estate license but continued working at the construction company. A few months later, he showed up at the office to find his computer locked. One breakfast at La’Madeleine later and he was fired. “We know you want to get into real estate full time and we feel that right now is the best time,” the words of his boss echoed in his ears. With less than $100 in his bank account, he stood up from the table, walked back to the office, got his keys and left. He cashed out his 401K of a whopping $800. “I had nothing,” he says. “My first year in real estate, in 2006, I made $7,000.” Adasi had faith it wouldn’t be long before pursuing his passion would start to pay off. Everyone told him if he kept practicing the fundamentals, he would eventually succeed.
Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.
Jim Rohn, American Entrepreneur
Today he walks up to his charcoal Tesla Model X in the parking garage. The electric luxury midsize SUV has a feature-filled interior which complements the falcon wing doors that showcase an impressive wingspan. They also accommodate family-friendly seating for his wife and their two children.
Adasi was born in Minnesota and lived there for two years before moving to Rockville. Born to Nigerian parents, he is the middle child of five. His mother is Muslim, and his father is Catholic. “Every day from pre-K through ninth grade, I got up at 4:30 a.m. to assist my father with delivering the newspapers—which taught me a lot about hard work, discipline and leadership. Seeing my parents work incredibly hard has been a huge driving force in the success I’ve seen throughout my career,” he admits with gratitude. Now, sitting on the couch with his arm around his son, Akil, he tells the story of how he met his wife, Jess (Miller) Adasi. In August the couple celebrated seven years of marriage. She’s Jewish; he’s Catholic. At their wedding they hired a string quartet of high school kids to play music for the ceremony and blended Jewish and Nigerian traditions. Inside their house, in a quiet neighborhood, Adasi shares his struggles and triumphs with her—his very best teammate. Together the pair renovated their home, creating happy memories amid photo albums, a toy Iron Man (without the Audi R8!) and an overwhelming sense that they are both exactly where they belong. As he gives his son a kiss on the forehead, he says: “I want my kids to become happy, positive and fun-loving adults. I want them to be successful and do what they love and what they’re passionate about.” Adasi believes in empowering youth and giving back to the community. The former Mount guard most recently mentored a new Mount basketball player, Collin Nnamene, C’22, a 6’8”, 210-pound freshman forward from St. Albans School. In 2011, Adasi earned the YMCA’s “Philanthropist of the Year” award and served on its board of directors for eight years—becoming a guiding force for the mentoring program. “It’s our responsibility to give back to the community but it’s also a very small thing we can do. If we all chip in and give a small amount, we can make huge strides to give back to people.” Team Koki supports a variety of Washington, D.C. nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering children and youth to graduate from high school and find success in college, career, sports and life. You may have heard Adasi as a guest commentator on NBC Sports where he loves talking about basketball and the Wizards— proving he’s a passionate player and a very passionate fan. In 2019, Adasi will be president of the local real estate association, which is the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®. With nearly 11,000 members the association is competitively ranked in the top 20 for size in the country. “I plan to be an advocate for the industry, representing Realtors and real estate affiliates, staying informed of what’s happening in the D.C. real estate market, and ensuring that our association has a strong voice.” And he’s been preparing for it mentally and physically. Every Wednesday and Friday morning at 6 a.m. he plays basketball at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. He also has a home gym where he works out a few times a week. “I’m fortunate to have a home gym and I work out here at the house—so I can chase these kids around,” he says with laughter. Just as he finishes the sentence, Jess walks through the door with Suraya. “Hey, Dada!” she yells. “You’re home,” he calls back to her. He smiles at Jess and gets up to give Suraya a hug as she comes bolting into the living room. He walks by the patio door that overlooks the basketball court in his backyard. It’s easy to imagine him rising before dawn or staying outside past dusk to practice the fundamentals. He’s still got the touch—and the home court advantage—and everything is illuminated in the light of the past.
Learn more! Visit www.kokiisthekey.com to explore more about Koki's story.
