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Alumni Spotlights

  • Christopher Fettes (MSPE 2019) is now working as an Economist at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, DC. He works in the Office of Economics and Analytics division.
  • After completing her MSPE Program in December 2017, Gloria went on to earn a Ph.D. degree in Economic Sciences, Financial Administration Concentration, at the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala in Fall 2021. Gloria is working at the Banco de Guatemala, as an International Economics Expert in the Department of Macroeconomic Analysis and Forecasting. She is in charge of international economic...
  • Christopher Gregory (MSPE 2022) is now working as an Economist for the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce, International Economics Directorate, Direction Investment Division, Operations System and Analysis Branch in Suitland, Maryland. His work entails collaborating with the International Economics Directorate (Direct Invesment Division's Operations Systems and Analysis Branch)...
  • It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of one our MSPE family, Sri Adiningsih. Sri’s epitaphic can be found at Prof. Sri Adiningsih, Ph.D., M.Sc., Passed Away (ugm.ac.id). Sri began her MSPE program in fall 1987 and she graduated in May 1989. Later, Sri earned her Ph.D. in Economics at...
  • Maria Rocha Godinho Barros (MSPE 2023) after graduating, Maria returned to work at the Central Bank of Brazil in Brasilia. She is now working as a central bank analyst in the Department of Competition and Finance Market Structure.  
  • Chenyu “Steven” Zhang (MSPE 2022) landed a job as a private equity analyst at China Merchants Capital Management in Beijing, China. This is one of the largest private equity firms based in China, which oversees more than $41 billion of private equity, infra and real estate assets under management, and ranks 27th on the PEI 300 List. Steven works in the private equity/investment (...
  • 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, and economic governance. During his tenure at UNECA he was a Visiting Scholar at the German...
  • 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 both development and commercial banking. He often travels on business in the southern African region...
  • 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 international promotion activities for Turkish universities. He is also an assistant professor...
  • 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 division’s P&L, revenue generation, performance management, and service satisfaction. Sean is...
  • 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, designs and develops executive leadership programs for more than 400 experienced and newly elected state...
  • 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 project manager. Ryan was also Treasurer of the Economics Club and recipient of the 2011 Susan Silver...
  • 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 programs, acts as a liaison with the Illinois Congressional delegation and federal agencies, and...
  • 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 of the laws that govern these regulated industries and relies on this knowledge to represent...
  • J.D. , Northwestern University School of Law B.A. Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Susan has served as the Executive Director of the Center for Disability & Elder Law. CDEL's mission is to provide quality legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities in Chicago and Cook County pro bono and to foster pro bono service throughout the...
  • B.A. Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Combining a degree in economics from the University of Illinois with a specialty in the Austrian school of economics, Mr. Casey advises clients on their investment portfolios to maximize their returns and minimize risk in today's world of significant government intervention. Mr. Casey has served as a trusted advisor to a...