Our Team
Ready for Action.
Faculty Advisor
COURTNEY BRUNIOUS, Assistant Professor of Clinical Management and Organization
Courtney Brunious is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Management and Organization in the Department of Management and Organization. He teaches courses in strategy, sports business, and leadership, leveraging his experience in executive roles in the sports business industry to bring real world insights into the classroom. Previously, he served as COO of Altius Sports Partners and Associate Director of the USC Marshall Sports Business Institute, in addition to being a consultant on issues involving non-profit organizations, sports business, and real estate. He has continued to study the sports business industry for years and has provided insight into issues ranging from sports anchored real estate development to technology. He has also spoken on or moderated panels at the USC Body Computing Conference, NBPA Tech Summit, and USC Marshall Diversity conference. His media work has included appearances on the CBS evening news and KTLA as well as radio and print such as NPR, CNBC, ESPN, Variety, Fast Company, the Los Angeles Times, and the Los Angeles Business Journal. He is also admitted to the state bar of Illinois.
Executive Board
ERIC BRANDT, President
Eric is a senior from Cleveland, Ohio studying Business Administration with minors in Mathematics and Applied Analytics. This past summer, Eric interned at a boutique investment bank, which he hopes to pursue after graduation. Outside of RISE, he is involved in Trojan Investing Society, TAMID, and the American Marketing Association. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his friends, hiking, and going to the beach.
RYAN CASCI, Executive Vice President
Ryan is a junior from Alamo, California. He is majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Applied Analytics and Cinematic Arts. He is highly interested in consulting, technology, entrepreneurship, and the intersection of the three sectors. Outside of RISE, he is involved in the Impact Investing Group and Marshall Entertainment Association. In his free time, he likes listening to music, playing golf, watching sports, and exploring new restaurants and cafes in Los Angeles.
REVA CHAUDHRY, Vice President of Marketing
Reva is a junior from Phoenix Arizona studying Business Administration and minoring in Gerontology, AI Applications, and Blockchain. She is an entrepreneur at heart exploring business solutions across various industries, especially related to web3 and aging. In addition to RISE, Reva is also involved in Sigma Eta Pi and Effective Altruism. Outside of school, she loves to go hiking, play pickleball, travel, go to the beach, and craft.
VIOLET FORNEY, Vice President of Finance
Violet is a junior from Waltham, Massachusetts majoring in Business Administration. Her interest in the world of business and social entrepreneurship goes back to childhood and she has worked for 3 consecutive summers at a global consumer goods company that focuses on sustainability. She plans to pursue a career in strategy consulting with an emphasis on sustainability. Outside of classes, she loves to explore California by skiing, hiking, surfing and capturing it all through film photography.
LUCAS DAMASCO, Vice President of Projects
Lucas is a sophomore from Palos Verdes, CA studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). His professional interests are broad, including Corporate Law, Strategy Consulting, Finance, and Artificial Intelligence. Outside of RISE, Lucas serves as the Director of Finance for the Academic Culture Assembly within the Undergraduate Student Government and is a member of the Leadership Program for TroyPhi. In his free time, he likes to play golf, take photos with his retro digital camera, and explore the food scene with friends in LA.
KEVIN LIN, Vice President of Projects
Kevin is a junior from Rome, Italy majoring in Business Administration. In high school, he launched a venture specializing in the design and fabrication of custom mechanical keyboards, managing to successfully deliver over 300 units globally. Kevin's professional aspirations lie in the realm of finance and aspires to ultimately operate a series of hotels throughout Italy. In his free time, he enjoys to cook, listen to podcasts, and watch films.
PRANAV APPALANENI, Vice President of HR
Pranav is a junior from Bergen County, New Jersey majoring in Business Administration looking to pursue a minor in Statistics. He enjoys working with data-analytics, as he did heavily in his role as an economics research assistant at his previous institution, Wake Forest University. This past summer, he interned at a Search Fund where he explored the startup space from a personal lens. In the future, he plans to work in Investment Banking, where he hopes to combine his interests in finance, statistics, and technology. Outside of the classroom, Pranav is an avid basketball enthusiast, and enjoys playing and following the sport. His passion for athletics help him stay active beyond his professional endeavors.
LUCA YEGHNAZAR, Vice President of Events
Luca is a sophomore from Pasadena studying Business Administration at Marshall. He has an interest in and hopes to pursue a career in marketing or product management. Luca enjoys finding creative ways to tap into consumer minds and understand why people buy what they buy. He is also a part of MOVE, an organization breaching the gap between business and social good. Outside of academics Luca is on the USC rugby team, loves to cook for friends, and, likes to play geo-guesser.
Project Managers
TAZKYAH KHAN
Tazkyah is a freshman from Portland, Oregon studying Business Administration and looking to pursue a minor in Economics. She previously interned with the Portland Government Office of Management & Finance, also working in business operations and financial analytics for property development groups. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue her intersecting interests in administration, economics, and social impact. In addition to RISE, Tazkyah is involved in USC’s Triathlon Team. Outside of school, she loves running, hiking, going to concerts, and exploring new restaurants.
AUDREY CHEW
Audrey is a sophomore from Irvine, California and spent the last 8 years in Johor, Malaysia. She is majoring in Biological Sciences with an emphasis on Biotechnology and minoring in Business Finance. Her interest in advancements in healthcare technology and business began her interest in the start-up consulting field and she hopes to make an impact on bettering the local healthcare system. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and cat, and binge-watching sitcoms.
SHRIHARI ASOKAN
Shrihari is a sophomore from Aurora, Colorado pursuing a double major in Political Economy and Data Science with a minor in Law and Technology. He hopes to land a career as a technology consultant and eventually go to law school to become a civil rights litigator. Outside of RISE, Shrihari is a competing member on USC's Model UN team, and he enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with friends in his free time.
NITYA PEUMANS
Nitya is a freshman from Sunnyvale, CA, currently in the Iovine and Young Academy studying Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation. She is interested in healthcare technology and startups. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and going on long drives with friends.
Senior Advisors
TED LE
Ted Lê is from the Inland Empire and a first-year student studying biomedical engineering with an electrical engineering emphasis. Interested in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, he is interested in consulting and venture capital roles. Researching medical devices, he is still curious and always learning about types of biotech from CGT to ADC. In his free time, Ted likes to go camping, play video games, and try new cuisines.
SOFIA URREA
REEYA SAWHNEY
Reeya is a sophomore from Cupertino, California studying Computer Science and Business Administration. She’s interested in user interface design, data analytics, biotechnology, and innovation and hopes to pursue a career in product management. Professionally, she aims to enter the health-tech industry where she hopes to work on making medical technologies more efficient and affordable to the general public. In her free time, Reeya enjoys reading, baking, exploring new cafes and restaurants, and going to the beach.
VISMAY AGARWAL
Business Analysts
MAHIKA KANODIA
Mahika is a freshman from Mumbai, India studying business administration and looking to add minors in applied analytics & sports media. She hopes to pursue a career in consulting, as she loves creative & analytical problem solving. She is also a part of SBA, and her passion for sports stems from competing nationally in track and field and the hope of improving women's sports. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys adrenaline sports, drawing, and spending time with friends and family.
ANDRE HSIEH
Andre is a sophomore from Taipei, currently studying computational neuroscience with a minor in AI applications and looking to add a minor in behavioral economics. His experience with scientific research and applying data analytics to healthcare sparked his interest in startup consulting, and he hopes to combine his skills in these fields to make healthcare more accessible to all. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, going to the gym, photography, and hanging out with friends.
PRAJNA WANKAWALLA
Prajna Wankawalla, a sophomore from Mumbai, India, is majoring in Cognitive Science at the University of Southern California. With a strong passion for entrepreneurship and human resources, she is currently exploring career opportunities in consulting, where she aims to merge strategic problem-solving with her interpersonal skills. During her recent internship at Siemens India, Prajna played a key role in transforming the workplace culture by implementing innovative policies that foster psychological safety for employees. Beyond academics, she thrives on adventure, immersing herself in travel, hiking, and her love for Odissi dance, while also actively engaging in volunteer work to make a meaningful impact.
BEN MELNICK
Ben is a freshman from Northbrook, Illinois studying Finance and Accounting. In high school, Ben competed in DECA and placed 10th at the International Career Development Conference. Additionally, he directed a mental health club which promotes mental health awareness, anti-substance abuse, and brings 60 students on a weekend retreat. Ben is also involved in TIS and Tamid at USC. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, golfing, hiking, playing poker, and hanging out with friends.
LUCY DAVIES
Lucy is a freshman from Chicago, Illinois studying Business Administration with a minor in Environmental Studies. Outside of RISE, she is involved in the Trojan Investing Society, and is interested in the intersect between sustainability and business. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, trying new restaurants, skiing, and going to the beach.
SHREYA RAJARAMAN
Shreya is a freshman from Seattle, Washington studying Business Administration with a minor in International Policy & Management. With great interest in learning the intersection between International Relations and Finance, she hopes to pursue a career in global financial markets. Over the past summer, Shreya was an intern for Clifton, Larson, Allen Firm where she explored the sectors of assurance, tax, wealth management and cybersecurity. Dedicated to creating a positive social impact, Shreya has involved herself with numerous non-profit organizations based nationally as well as in the Greater Seattle area. In her free time, Shreya enjoys going to the beach, watching soccer, going on long walks and trying new restaurants.
ROY SALOT
Roy is a freshman from Ahmedabad, India studying Economics with a minor in Music Industry. Professionally, he is interested in finance, media, and entertainment and aspires to work in a field that combines these interests. Besides RISE, he is currently employed at Trojan Event Services and also involved with Modern Minority Theatre Company and Trojan Venture Partners on campus. Outside of school, he is passionate about music production and enjoys exploring 3D animation and video editing. In his free time, he likes to watch films, try new restaurants, play pickleball, and go hiking.
PIA ATAL
Pia is a Freshman from Los Angeles, CA studying AI for Business. After starting a nonprofit to teach free programming lessons to low-income communities, Pia became interested in the blend of business and technology. In her career, she hopes to develop AI solutions for social good and help companies improve their technologies, while maybe even founding her own startup. Outside of class, Pia loves going to the beach, hiking, exploring new food spots, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
NOLLAN XU
Nollan is a freshman from Sunnyvale, California, and is currently studying Economics with a minor in Consumer Behavior. He is interested in pursuing a career as a consultant or investment banker post graduation. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, playing basketball, and shopping for clothes online.
GIRDHAR CHANDOK
Girdhar is a freshman from New Delhi, India, studying Economics. He hopes to harness his passion for problem-solving and building connections to pursue a career in consulting and sales, where he can blend strategy with creativity. Outside of RISE, he is involved with AIM Consulting and the American Marketing Association. In his free time he likes traveling, cooking, finding the best gelato spot in the city, and spending quality time with family and friends.
LILAH KEATING
Lilah Keating is a Freshman from Bronxville, New York studying Business Administration and minoring in Neuroscience. She hopes to pursue strategy consulting or marketing, with interests in AI and the healthcare industry. She has contributed to published scientific research involving both Altzimers and Trigeminal Neuralgia, and now hopes to contribute to the field from a business angle. This summer looks forward to being a strategy intern for the advertising agency StrawberryFrog. In addition to RISE, Lilah is a writer for the Daily Trojan Magazine and is involved in Beta Alpha Psi and BCC. Outside of school, she loves playing intramural sports like pickleball and volleyball, hiking, making art, and exploring LA.
CHARLIE AUSTIN
Charlie is a Freshman from Western Springs, Illinois, majoring in Accounting through Leventhal. He is exploring different career paths and is considering careers in consulting, tax, or audit. In addition to RISE, he is a member of VITA, the Global Investment Society, and the Marshall Energy Business Club. In his free time, Charlie enjoys spending time with friends, exploring different cultures, listening to various genres of music, and playing sports such as soccer and golf.
JACK BULLOCK
Jack is a freshman from Birmingham, Alabama majoring in Economics with a double minor in Spanish and Business Finance. Jack previously partnered with Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in high school to make affordable housing protests more accessible through social media. In the future, Jack aims to become a management consultant and optimize business strategies in mass media, renewable energy, and international transactions. Along with RISE, Jack is involved in USC's Corporate Law & Financial Regulation Association as well as Annenberg TV News. Outside of school, he enjoys driving around LA, going to the beach, surfing, and playing guitar.
SHLOKA SRIRAM
Shloka is a sophomore from Singapore studying Economics. She’s interested in data analytics, strategy building, marketing , and innovation and hopes to pursue a career in management or strategy consulting. She is also extremely interested in learning more about start ups and understanding the back end operations within them. In her free time Shloka enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, doing pilates with friends and hiking! On campus, in addition to RISE, Shloka is also involved with the Global Investment Society and SCIA.
ARYAN NEHRU
Aryan is a freshman from Edison, NJ, studying Economics and Mathematics with plans to pursue a minor in AI applications. He is interested in data analytics, financial modeling, market research, business strategy, and quantitative analysis. This past summer, he interned at a healthcare startup and a search fund, gaining experience in finance and business operations. Aryan is particularly interested in strategy consulting and investment banking, where he hopes to integrate his knowledge of finance and technology. Outside the classroom, he enjoys playing and watching basketball, working out, listening to music, and spending time with friends.
TRISTAN TSAI
Founders
JONATHAN LU, Founder
JOHN MCCUBBIN, Co-founder
CHLOE HSU, Co-founder
ZACH MOLLO, Co-founder