Alumni Spotlights

Alumnus Steve Thayer of Handler Thayer, LLp, shares his advice on starting a business. Steve is an alumnus of the University of Illinois Department of Economics.

José Cantero Sienra (MSPE '00), Economist, has been appointed as a Full Member of the Board of the Central Bank of Paraguay on July 28, 2017, for a period of five years.

Mzwanele Mfunwa (MSPE '93), is currently employed as Chief of the Sub-Regional Initiatives Unit in the Southern Africa Office (Lusaka, Zambia) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). His research focuses on macroeconomic policy, private sector promotion, trade...

Danara Tileubergen (MSPE '15), is currently working as a senior researcher at the Economic Research Institute in Kazakhstan.

Jose Sanchez Segura (MSPE '05), after completing the MSPE Program, Jose was awarded a degree in public polices at Escuela de Gobierno in Guatemala. He has been working for the Superintendencia de Bancos in Guatemala since 2008.

Zakhele Lukhele (MSPE '90), was awarded a post graduate diploma in advanced banking law from the University of Johannesburg in 2006. Zakhele is a managing director (CEO) at the Swaziland Development and Savings Bank (SwaziBank). His work involves all aspects of banking, combining...

Aziz Hatipagaoglu (MSPE '05), was awarded a Ph.D. in economics from Gazi University in 2014. Aziz is the founder and general manager of the HG Group Education and Consultancy LLC in Istanbul, Turkey. This organization does international marketing and branding consultancy as well as...

B.A. Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Sean is Vice President of International Compensation Services for Cartus, responsible for continuing development of the International Assignment Compensation Services practice at Cartus. Responsibilities include managing the...

J.D. , DePaul University College of Law B.A. Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Former senator Richard J. Winkel, Jr. is the director of Office of Public Leadership at the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs. Winkel manages,...

B.A. Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Ryan grew up in Crete, Illinois and attended Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois. At the University of Illinois he was involved in the Illinois Business Consulting organization as both as a consultant and a...

B.A. Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Adam Nielsen is the Director of National Legislation and Policy Development in the Governmental Affairs and Commodities Division of the Illinois Farm Bureau. Nielsen plans and executes the organization's national legislative...

J.D. , John Marshall Law School B.A. Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Hank Kelly is the managing partner of Kelly Drye & Warren LLP, Chicago office. He concentrates in communications, energy, and public utility law and regulation.  He has deep knowledge...