Fall 2025 Innovation Fellows
Yahia Abdelkarim
Economics
Originally from Egypt and raised in Johns Creek, GA, Yahia is an Economics student with a passion for venture capital, community building, and consulting. He is the Founding Executive Director of BuildATL, a statewide student startup incubator, and has led investment research as a Growth Equity Associate at University Growth Fund. Yahia brings experience in commercial real estate, M&A, and business development, and currently serves as President of the Tech Collaborative. He is driven by impact, creativity, and innovation, with a focus on creating positive change through business and technology. In his free time, Yahia enjoys soccer, running, and boxing.
Andre Akinyemi
Management Information Systems and Finance
Andre Akinyemi is a third year double major in Management Information Systems (Business Analytics emphasis) and Finance (Pricing & Valuation emphasis) with certificates in leadership, entrepreneurship, and legal studies. He serves as President of the Black Business Student Association, founder of The Keystone Fellowship, and head of recruitment for The Corsair Society, among other roles. Andre has interned at JPMorgan this past summer and will join William Blair next summer. In his free time, he enjoys running, basketball, pickleball, graphic design, exploring new cuisines, and spending time with family and friends.
Price Andersen
Public Relations
Price Andersen is a Public Relations major with an emphasis in New Media studies. As a journalist for the largest student-led, non-profit news organization in Georgia, The Red&Black, she has developed skills in communication, resonating with diverse audiences through the power of storytelling. She is also on the Member Relations Committee for PRSSA at UGA, where she focuses on enhancing member engagement and fostering a strong sense of community. She is interested in marketing and finding innovative ways to create deeper connections with people.
Grant Baumann
Mechanical Engineering and Business
Grant is a highly motivated interdisciplinary student at the University of Georgia. Grant has extensive experience working on aerospace and consulting projects with an emphasis on entrepreneurial ventures and small satellite design and development. He is always open to new opportunities and is always curious about other fields. Grant is a Foundation Fellow, Stamps Scholar, National Merit Scholar, Engineering Ambassador, and member of the Small Satellite Research Lab at UGA.
Sophia Beasley
Marketing
Sophia Beasley, from Athens, GA, is pursuing a Marketing major with certificates in Entrepreneurship, Informatics, and Legal Studies. A CURO Scholar, she researches real estate pricing algorithms and antitrust law, presenting at Harvard and the Academy of Legal Studies in Business. She leads UGA’s Professional Clothing Closet, supporting 1,000+ students with career attire, and serves as Director of Business Development at Talking Dog Agency, managing client acquisition. Sophia previously interned in Marketing at UPS Capital and will join EY in Summer 2025. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, carpool karaoke, and spending time with loved ones.
Hailey Brakke
Management Information Systems
Hailey Brakke, from Cumming, Georgia, is pursuing a BBA in Management Information Systems along with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship. She holds leadership roles in Women in Technology and the Society for Management Information Systems. She is also involved in the Apollo Society, Atlas Business Society, and is a member of the Morehead Honors College. Hailey is passionate about developing innovative solutions driven by data and creativity. In her free time, she enjoys watching Formula 1 races, trying new coffee recipes, and spending time with friends and family.
Sara Jane Clark
Advertising
From Dunwoody, Georgia, Sara Jane is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Advertising with a minor in Design and Media. She has completed her entrepreneurship certificate and is currently on a pathway to receive her Master’s in Journalism and Mass Communication. Outside of the classroom, she is heavily involved in Alpha Chi Omega and the Society of Entrepreneurs. Creative thinking and design are skills that Sara Jane values and continues to work on today. In the future, she hopes to use her creativity and leadership abilities to collaborate on projects to generate new, innovative ideas that leave a lasting impact.
Joe Eustace
Computer Science
Joe is a highly motivated computer science student interested in cyber security. He has extensive experience working in local government, the federal government, and nonprofit organizations. At UGA, Joe serves as President Pro-Tempore of the Student Government Association Senate, where he leads fellow students in campus improvement initiatives. He is open to new opportunities and values learning about other disciplines. Outside of school, Joe enjoys watching Major League Baseball and rooting for the New York Yankees.
Katie Field
Management Informational Systems
Katie Field, from Austin, Texas, is pursuing a BBA in Management Information Systems with plans to complete her Masters in Business Analytics in her fourth year. She is co-head of Corsair Management Consulting and Programming Chair for the Terry Women’s Initiative and is involved with UGA Panhellenic and the Office of Public Service and Outreach as a PSO Scholar. Outside of academics, Katie runs a portrait photography business and will intern with Boston Consulting Group in Summer 2025. She is passionate about data-driven business transformation and enjoys culinary experimentation, puzzles, and non-fiction books.
David Gad
Finance and Real Estate
David Gad is a third-year double major in Finance (Pricing & Valuation emphasis) and Real Estate, with a certificate in Personal and Organizational Leadership. He leads the Multicultural Business Student Association and is also involved with SMIF, the Corsair Society, and the Keystone Fellowship. David co-founded P.O.W.E.R. Outreach, which serves orphans and widows in Nigeria, and will join Citi’s Investment Banking division in New York this summer. In his free time, David enjoys cooking, weightlifting, and traveling, especially back to Argentina where he was born.
Katie Gentilotti
Accounting
Katie Gentilotti is a second-year student from Collegeville, Pennsylvania studying Accounting with a minor in Sports Management. Passionate about applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, Katie looks forward to collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic and innovative solutions to pressing problems. Outside of academics, Katie is actively involved in campus life through her leadership role in her Panhellenic sorority, along with the Atlas Business Society and the Apollo Society. Katie spends her free time following Philadelphia sports, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, and taking advantage of UGA’s Study Abroad programs.
Brooke Gillett
Finance with a Sociology Minor
Brooke is an active member at UGA’s Relay for Life, Delta Zeta, Dawgs for Paws, and several non-profit organizations. She is interested in consulting, business design and implementing innovative problem-solving strategies in the workplace. She enjoys the outdoors, traveling, the arts and spending time with friends and family.
Abigail Harris
Political Science and Sociology
Abigail Harris is a sophomore from Forsyth County, GA pursuing a BA in Political Science and Sociology with minors in Public Administration and Management. She has worked in the GA State House for two years and is excited to return this Spring under the Chief Minority Whip after working as the Director of Communications for a U.S. House of Representatives candidate. She serves as an Associate Justice on the Judicial Council of the Phi Kappa Literary Society and has published award winning research on capital punishment. Outside the classroom she enjoys ballroom dance, baking like she’s feeding a small army, and leading to serve the people in her life with that same vigor.
Kira Haviland
Social Entrepreneurship
I am a fourth-year student from Nashua, New Hampshire, majoring in Social Entrepreneurship with certificates in Sustainability and Environmental Ethics. I strive to be involved with sustainable initiatives on campus; while interning at the Student Success and Advising Center, I created educational and interactive environmental resources for Dawson Hall. I have also been involved with Terry’s Sustainable Business Society for three years and served as the President of External Affairs. I hope to live abroad after graduating and pursue a career in consulting for B-Corps. In my free time, I enjoy going to farmers’ markets, cooking with friends, and bartending!
Harshil Joshi
Regenerative Bioscience and Applied Biotechnology
Harshil is a rising second-year Foundation Fellow from Leesburg, GA. With majors in regenerative bioscience and applied biotechnology, he is incredibly interested in innovation within the medical field and hopes to become a physician. Outside of school, Harshil enjoys reading, working out, and enjoying the outdoors.
Hannah Kniker
Finance
Hannah Kniker is a third-year student from Boston, Massachusetts, pursuing her BBA in Finance with a Certificate in Legal Studies. On campus, Hannah enjoys immersing herself in leadership roles in Women in Finance, Terry Women’s Initiative, and her Panhellenic Sorority. Her other involvement includes organizations such as the Apollo Society, Atlas Business Society, and the Kennedy Program which have helped her strengthen her academic studies. This past summer, she was an intern at PTC, a tech company in Boston. In her free time, Hannah enjoys playing pickleball, trying new recipes, going on runs with friends, and traveling to Ireland to visit her family.
Jacob Kriete
Business Management
Born and raised in Lawrenceville Georgia, Jacob is studying Business at UGA. With life-long interests in the Entrepreneurship field, Jacob has enjoyed UGA programs such as iCorps, and plans to take the ENTR certificate as he learns and grows in the field. Outside the classroom, Jacob enjoys interests in IM sports, the gym, and spending time with friends and family.
Sarah Lewallyn
Biology, International Business, and Finance
Studying Biology, International Business (Spanish), and Finance Sarah Lewallyn brings a unique educational background to the team. At the core of her studies is a passion for interdisciplinary work, strategy, servant leadership, and creativity. The Atlanta native holds a diverse background of experiences including work in policy, mass media, STEM nonprofits, and education. Sarah currently works for the Georgia House of Representatives, runs her own media company, works in the modeling industry, and produces creative video for UGA athletic teams and sponsors. In her free time she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and scuba diving!
Deborah Madden
Environmental Engineering
Deborah Madden is a fourth-year Foundation Fellow, majoring in environmental engineering. She is originally from Kingston, Jamaica. Deborah has interests in sustainability and circularity that led her to do research related to plastics at MIT and UGA. Deborah has previous internship experience as a Business Analyst with McKinsey & Company and as an Engineering Project Management Intern at 2KB Energy Services. She actively contributes to campus life as the president of the National Society of Black Engineers and through membership in the Tate Honor Society, Caribbean Association, Pamoja Dance Company, and Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity.
Ciara Mitchell
Biological Engineering
Originally from Snellville, Georgia, Ciara Mitchell is a fourth-year Foundation Fellow, majoring in biological engineering. Ciara has interests in biotechnology, organizational development, and venture capital. She actively contributes to campus life through her involvement with the Student Alumni Council, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Black Business Student Association, and the Corsair Society. Ciara has previous internship experience as a Business Analyst with McKinsey & Company and as a Strategy and Management Analyst at Bank of America. Ciara is committed to driving meaningful change and fostering a culture of innovation in her community.
Charlotte Moore
Management Information Systems
Charlotte is a Classic Scholar from Lake Wylie, South Carolina majoring in Management Information Systems with an area of emphasis in Business Analytics. On campus, Charlotte is the head Teaching Assistant for the introductory Excel course, MIST 2090. Last summer, she studied abroad at the London School of Economics and learned about the leadership structure of business organizations and econometrics in public policy. She also consulted with a small company specializing in providing affordable housing and restructured their internal pricing workbooks to create a dynamic valuation system. Outside of school, she is actively involved in intramural flag football and basketball.
Sarvesh Prabhu
Finance and Data Science
Sarvesh is a rising sophomore majoring in Finance & Data Science, passionate about the intersection of financial engineering and entrepreneurship for the benefit of the sustainability investments market. Outside of running his two startups, AstraCell and Melodi AI, Sarvesh is currently a member of Terry’s Kennedy Program, and has joined LexisNexis Risk Solutions as a Technology M&A Analyst Intern. Outside of his professional and UGA involvement, you’ll find him listening to his vinyl record collection and spending time outside with friends.
Aashna Raj
Finance
Aashna, a student born and raised in Johns Creek, Georgia, is passionate about management, healthcare, and the nonprofit sector. Driven by a commitment to empathy and servant leadership, she aspires to create meaningful impact in everything she does. On campus, she currently serves as the Director of Finance for UGA HEROs, supporting children impacted by HIV/AIDS, and as an associate on Kickstart, UGA’s student-managed venture capital fund. She also enjoys puzzles, discovering new music, and exploring different cultures in her free time.
Kaleigh Reaves
Mechanical Engineering
Kaleigh Reaves is a rising senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She serves as co-president of the Engineering Ambassador Program, where she helps promote engineering to prospective students. Kaleigh is a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society and the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She also participates in the CURO research program, where she has conducted research on brain diffusion models to better understand Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of academics, Kaleigh is passionate about music and performs with a local Athens band!
Brooke Richards
Mechanical Engineering
Brooke is from Woodstock, Georgia and is studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Design & Media. She is passionate about the intersection of innovative technology and immersive experiences, driven by curiosity and a desire to inspire others. Brooke combines technical problem-solving with creativity and is an avid learner, always in pursuit of knowledge. Outside of school, she is a photographer for The Red & Black, an equestrian competitor on the UGA Eventing Team, and works as a freelance graphic designer. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and playing instruments.
Anish Sambrani
Finance and Accounting
Anish Sambrani is a rising sophomore from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a double major in
Finance and Accounting. With an interest in financial markets and business development, Anish
has worked as an intern at a buy-side firm focusing on the software and business services sectors.
At UGA, he is currently part of the Morehead Honors Program, MBSA, and other clubs. Beyond
academics, he is a videographer and editor for music/media productions and enjoys watching
soccer.
Olivia Willett
Marketing and International Business
Olivia is a people person at heart, and she takes that mentality into everything she does. Currently a resident assistant at Brumby Hall, Olivia is also a part of Morehead Honors College and plans to continue her involvement at UGA. Outside the classroom, her interests lie in nature, communication, culture, and cooking. She dreams of working internationally and aims to be fluent in 5 extra languages. A life-long learner and constantly curious, Olivia’s goal is to fuse creativity with excellence in business, school, and life.
