Faculty Advisors
GARRETT BROWN, Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship
Garrett is a fourth-generation Trojan who began his career as a lawyer representing entrepreneurs. His first sales role was at Fastpoint Games, where he eventually ran all Sales & Business Development efforts until the company was acquired. He then helped launch & scale Bitium, an enterprise software company, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer until they were acquired by Google. Garrett joined Google & learned countless lessons about the inner workings of one of the most recognizable companies on the planet. He’s now an active startup investor & advisor, & a founder of Agency18, a firm that helps companies, build, scale, & inspire sales teams.
COLIN COGGINS, Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship
Colin is well known for his repeatable approach to scaling revenue, sales IQ, learner EQ and technology evangelism. He’s held senior leadership roles at emerging technology companies including SVP of Sales at Bitium (acquired by Google), Mobile Roadie (acquired by Intellectsoft), Phunware (NASDAQ: PHUNWARE), and Results.com. After Bitium was acquired by Google, Colin became the CRO at Chanje Energy, in addition to championing their DEI board. Colin also serves as a sales advisor and EIR at Techstars LA. He’s also dedicated to helping mission-centric companies transition to revenue-forward cultures while staying true to their purpose, as a founding partner of Agency18.
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.
NIKKI LIU, Vice President of Marketing
Nikki is a junior from Los Altos, California studying Business Administration and minoring in Product Design. She hopes to pursue a career in strategy consulting and is interested in product and user experience design. Nikki has a passion for problem solving and hopes to bring her creative perspective to each project she becomes a part of. In addition to RISE, Nikki is also involved in Sigma Eta Pi and SCOutfitters. Outside of school, she loves to go backpacking, explore cafes around LA with friends, and listen to house music.
RYAN CASCI, Vice President of Administration
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.
SERENA YANG, Vice President of Operations
Serena is a junior from Rowland Heights, California studying Applied and Computational Mathematics with minors in Dance and Business Finance. She intends to pursue a progressive Master's Degree in Communication Data Science to blend her analytical and financial skills with her passion for marketing and the beauty industry. Committed to making a social impact across various fields, Serena is actively involved in a technology ethics organization on campus and consistently volunteers for underserved and first-generation student communities in the Los Angeles area. Outside of class, Serena enjoys playing pickleball, going to the beach, and following football and Shohei Ohtani.
DANIEL KONG, Vice President of Engagements
Daniel is a junior from Fullerton, California majoring in Business Administration with a double minor in Social Entrepreneurship and Applied Analytics. Daniel partnered with U.S. Bank in high school to create an official financial literacy curriculum for K-12 students. Since then, he has found a passion for combining the intersection of business and innovation to create impactful change in his community. Interested in fintech, data, and AI, Daniel hopes to pursue a career in the tech industry through product management. In his free time, he likes running, playing golf, snowboarding, and exploring new restaurants and cafes in Los Angeles.
KEVIN LIN, Vice President of Engagements
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.
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.
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.
PRANAV APPALANENI, Vice President of Member Outreach
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.
Project Managers
LUCAS DAMASCO
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.
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 freshman 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.
Senior Advisors
ANJALI DULIPSINGH
Anjali is a senior from Boston, Massachusetts, and is currently studying Business Administration with a minor in Mathematical Finance. This summer, she worked as an intern for the U.S Commercial Service—an organization helping SMEs increase their international market presence. She hopes to pursue a career in strategy consulting and get an MBA in the future. In addition to RISE, she is in the Marshall Student Community and Beta Alpha Psi. In her free time, she loves to play the piano, explore coffee shops and work out.
ARYAA SAPKOTA
Aryaa is a senior from Cupertino, California, currently majoring in Political Economics. Last summer, she interned at the startup DispatchTrack, where she developed her love for entrepreneurship and marketing. In the future, she hopes to pursue a creative career in the entertainment and fashion industry. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to museums, and drinking coffee.
DAVID KENNEY
David is junior from Foxborough, Massachusetts majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Consumer Behavior. At age 12, David founded a sensory toy company dedicated to helping those with anxiety and sensory disorders serving customers across the world. He has continued his curiosity for the business world by pursuing internships in the marketing and finance fields - broadened his skillset and interests. He has a passion for creative problem solving and innovation - traits he will bring into his next venture. Outside of class, he enjoys exploring the food, art, and fashion of Los Angeles and engaging with the local community at USC.
SHREYA MANIVEL
Shreya is a junior from Santa Clara, California. She is majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Applied Analytics. Her love for animals sparked her interest in non-profit management and social entrepreneurship. She hopes to start a social enterprise of her own in the future to improve the world of animal welfare. In her free time, she likes to watch movies and spend time with her friends.
Business Analysts
MAHIKA KANODIA
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.
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.
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.
JACKSON LECK
Jackson is a sophomore from Santa Barbara, California studying Business Administration. He plans to pursue a career in investment banking and is specifically interested in technology M&A. In addition to RISE, Jackson is involved in Trojan Investing Society and the Surfrider Foundation Club. Outside of school he enjoys surfing, painting, skiing, and cooking.
CLAIRE YANG
Claire is a sophomore from Los Angeles, CA studying Computer Science and Business Administration with a minor in Mathematical Finance. This spring, Claire will be interning at a private equity firm as a financial analyst, which she hopes to explore her intersecting interests in finance and technology. In her free time, she likes to spend her days hanging out with friends, thrifting, and going out to eat.
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.
JOYCE ZHOU
Joyce is a sophomore from Potomac, Maryland, majoring in Computer Science Business Administration with a minor in Applications in Artificial Intelligence. This summer, she worked on a research project with AI and machine learning with the National Science Foundation as well as a news summarization engine project with Accenture. She plans to pursue consulting or investment banking after graduation. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys playing volleyball, pickleball, and skiing.
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.
CINDY NI
Cindy is a sophomore from New Jersey, studying Business Administration with a minor in Applied Analytics. This past summer, Cindy interned as a Social Impact Consultant for Emzingo where she got to experience how to conduct business and consulting in Lima, Peru. In the future, she hopes to continue a journey in social impact consulting and explore more of the tech industry. Additionally, in her free time, she enjoys watching movies, eating, and exploring cafes.
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.
ALEXIA FRANCO HIBNER
Alexia is a sophomore from São Paulo, Brazil and Geneva, Switzerland. She is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Behavioral Economics. Her interest in startups dates back to her founding of the first Save The Children Club in any school in Switzerland. She looks forward to working with startups at RISE and potentially starting her own social enterprise. Apart from RISE, Alexia also takes part in other clubs such as TAMID, Global Investment Society and BRASA. During her free time, she likes to ski, bake, and run - soon to participate in her first half marathon.
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.
NIKHIL MEHTA
Nikhil is a sophomore from Houston, Texas studying philosophy, politics, and economics and minoring in Artificial Intelligence Applications. He hopes to pursue a career in investment banking or private equity and is interested in data analytics and finance. Nikhil loves to think outside of the box and hopes to bring this unique perspective to each project in Rise. On campus, in addition to RISE, Nikhil is also involved with the Trojan Investment Society and SCIA. Outside of school, he loves to watch sports, explore LA, and listen to all types of music.
TRISTAN TSAI
Founders
JONATHAN LU, Founder
JOHN MCCUBBIN, Co-founder
CHLOE HSU, Co-founder
ZACH MOLLO, Co-founder