Fellow Bios
Fellow Bios
RCB Fellow Bios
Scholarship Funding | Leadership Development | Empowering Change Agents
Current MBA/MSF Fellows
Franck J. Gérard, MBA 2026
MBA Fellow
Outside-the-box Thinker | Leader | Problem-solver
Franck J. Gérard is the recipient of an MBA Fellowship for 2024–2025.
Franck presently serves as Director of IT Project Management at NFI Industries. With nearly 30 years of specialized expertise in organizational project management, Franck is a seasoned practitioner and instructor. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record, Franck hopes to bring his distinctive blend of leadership, dedication to community impact, and project management expertise to his Fellowship at Rowan University.
Under his leadership, NFI implemented a peer-nominated award-winning Project Management Office (PMO). In that role, Franck served as a catalyst for promoting Project Portfolio Management (PPM) development and maturity.
Franck's responsibilities at NFI include garnering support from key stakeholders to enhance the PMO. He also participates in NFI's Diversity & Inclusion Council and contributes to two task forces—Strategic Vision and Learning & Development. Beyond technical proficiency, Franck exhibits outstanding leadership by inspiring, motivating, and guiding team members. He cultivates commitment, team-spirit, and trust, elevating the consistency, predictability, and efficiency of project delivery.
Franck is committed to community service. His most recent initiative—an all-day volunteer event—is poised to benefit nearly 350 families. This challenging yet gratifying experience has sparked his interest in a potential career transition into academia. For Franck, in the words of Pulitzer-Prize-winning biographer and political scientist James MacGregor Burns, Leadership is “one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth.”
Aarushi Gupta, MBA 2024
MBA Fellow
Sustainability Communication | Community Development | Responsible Leadership
Aarushi Gupta is the recipient of an MBA Fellowship for 2023–2024.
With her background in environmental studies, her passion for sustainability communication and community engagement, and the business skills she’s developing in the MBA program and as a Fellow, she hopes to help people become responsible leaders of their individual communities.
In her work with the Rowan Community Garden and Rowan Environmental Action League (REAL), Aarushi discovered the power that strong, connected communities can have on their surroundings. Aarushi wants to be a part of the effort to lead the higher education industry towards environmental and social sustainability. Universities are unique microcosms of society that touch the lives of so many people who go out into the world to create change. They are the perfect location to expose citizens to how sustainability can be incorporated into their daily lives and careers.
Aarushi completed her bachelor’s degree from Rowan University, majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. As part of her MBA, she is pursuing a Concentration in Sustainable Business, blending her forward-thinking business mindset with her passion for positive social change.
Ronald Ngwashi, MSF 2026
MSF Fellow
Risk Management | Optimization of Resources | Nonprofit Co-founder
Ronald Ngwashi is the recipient of an MSF Fellowship for 2024–2025.
As a dedicated advocate for positive change at the community level, Ronald is committed to impactful initiatives and sustainable development. With a Master of Science in Engineering from the African University of Science and Technology, generously funded by the African Development Bank and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, his career has been devoted to making a difference through nonprofit work.
Motivated by a desire to contribute meaningfully to society, Ronald participated in the "December to Remember" orphanage outreach program. This experience inspired him to address the needs of those displaced by conflict in Cameroon, leading to the establishment of a nonprofit organization focused on providing financial assistance and vocational training for empowerment. During Ronald’s pursuit of a Master’s in Engineering, he remained committed to the cause, organizing remote training and boot camps.
Upon relocating to the United States in 2022, the goal was clear—to merge engineering skills with financial expertise. In 2023, he joined Mustard Seed Impact International as the Financial Secretary, expanding community reach and assisting those in need. Ronald's role involves developing and implementing mission-aligned strategies and ensuring transparent and accountable financial practices. Collaborating closely with fundraising teams, he provides financial insights to optimize strategies and enhance overall efficiency of the organization. As the Financial Analyst for People Assisting The Homeless (P.A.T.H.) in California, Ronald leverages financial acumen and engineering skills to contribute to efforts aimed at ending homelessness. In every role, whether coordinating fundraising efforts, organizing training programs, or serving as a financial leader, determination and empathy drive him to make a lasting difference.
Larah-Ann Petersen, MBA 2024
MBA Fellow
FinTech Innovation | Data Science | Responsible Leadership
Larah-Ann Petersen is the recipient of the MBA Fellowship for 2023–2024.
She currently works as the Graduate Assistant for the Department of Finance and Accounting at Rohrer College of Business. Larah-Ann has an interest in private equity, risk management, and FinTech. She is passionate about integrating data science into the financial industry and innovating current FinTech policies and practices. Larah-Ann wants to develop solutions to ethical dilemmas currently plaguing the FinTech industry, and she aims to find better ways to mitigate risks associated with information breaches and ensuring consumer data is used and stored responsibly.
In 2022, Larah-Ann graduated from the College of Science and Mathematics at Rowan University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. As an undergraduate, she developed a passion for data science, statistical analysis, and writing code. She also worked as a bioinformatics research assistant. Larah-Ann plans to make a career in private equity or risk management to gain a more profound understanding of the industry before venturing into consulting.
Siena Rampulla, MBA 2025
MBA Fellow
Entrepreneur | Tech Start-Up | Safety Advocate
Siena Rampulla is a recipient of the MBA Fellowship 2023–2025.
Rampulla completed her BA in Psychology from Rowan University’s Martinson Honors College in 2023. While spending a semester in Italy, Rampulla gained knowledge on the intricacies of business culture in other countries, which will aid in her Fellowship work with the Jamk Institute of Bioeconomy in Finland.
After witnessing first-hand the dangers of being a woman on a college campus, Rampulla was inspired to create a solution, PULLATracker, a mobile application that helps women feel secure on college campuses. Her invention led her to Rowan’s business community with the New Venture Competition. She entered her start-up and won first place in 2023. The awarded grant prize funding is allowing Rampulla to complete her vision of having a safety app on campus ready for Spring 2024.
Rampulla volunteers at SERV (Services Empowering Rights of Victims) as a Confidential Sexual Violence Volunteer, offering support to those in need. During her undergraduate studies at Rowan, she was a member of the CEO Club, President of the Panhellenic Council, and long-time anchor for the Rowan Television Network. Her degree and start-up endeavors made Rampulla passionate about the mix of psychology and business.
Robert "Bill" Rodgers, MBA 2024
MBA Fellow
Navigating Technological Frontiers | Strategic Vision | Business and Cybersecurity Integration
Robert “Bill” Rodgers is a recipient of the MBA Fellowship 2023–2024.
He is currently pursuing an MBA with a focus on Management Information Systems (MIS). Motivated by a desire to comprehend the intricacies of business operations, Bill aims to integrate his technical expertise and growing business acumen with evolving technology while fulfilling the MBA Fellowship program.
In 2017, Robert "Bill" Rodgers transitioned from a thriving career in Real Estate Appraisal to embark on an enriching academic journey at Rowan University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Computing and Informatics in 2021. He also attained a Certificate of Undergraduate Study (CUGS) in Cybersecurity and Emergency Management during his undergraduate studies. Bill went on to complete a master's degree in Cybersecurity. While working in the defense industry, Bill excelled in roles such as System Administrator, Information System Security Manager, and System Engineer, reflecting a deep understanding of technology.
Bill’s journey from real estate appraiser to cybersecurity expert illustrates his adaptability, resilience, and dedication to continuous learning. His journey from defense roles to pursuing an MBA reveals his unwavering commitment to professional evolution, strategic vision, and acquiring the skills needed for success in the dynamic landscape of technology and business.
Zachary Rouhas, MBA 2024
MBA Fellow
Sustainable Business Strategist | Systematic Change Agent | Corporate Responsibility
Zachary Rouhas is the recipient of an MBA Fellowship for 2023–2024.
He is from the suburbs of Chicago and initially attended Southern Illinois University before enlisting in the United States Army as an M1 Abrams Tank Crewman. After a decade of service and three deployments he transitioned from service back to academics. He graduated from Rowan University School of Earth & Environment Summa Cum Laude with his BA in Environment & Sustainability Studies in May 2023. Through his service he has been exposed to the ravages of human-caused climate change on a global scale, and seeing these things made him extremely passionate about protecting the environment and doing so in the most impactful ways possible. He recently worked as a Research Assistant for Rowan University on a deep dive into the Pinelands Development Credit Program origins, and potential paths for future applications for a book being published in winter 2024. Collaborating with large companies to reduce their environmental impact is the focus of his research and future career. Working to be an agent of change to help close the gaps between people, planet, and profit within these companies is the desired result. He believes the onus is on corporations to help lead the way towards a more sustainable economy, and the ability to convince them of this will be a direct result of his MBA program.
Past MBA/MSF Fellows
Sarah Atai, MBA 2024
MBA Fellow
Enhancing Lives | Responsible Leadership | Nonprofit Management
Sarah Atai was the recipient of an MBA Fellowship for 2022–2023.
Originally from Uganda, her background in public administration and nonprofit management led her to work for a nonprofit community outreach organization with partnerships between the United States and Sarah's home country. Sarah managed services that included after-school childcare and instruction on life and career skills—designed with the potential to evolve into revenue sources for children and their families. Her early career journey of working with orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda within nonprofit organizations allowed Sarah to develop a vision and goal that would grow her skill set so she could plan more strategically to make a greater impact. She was awarded an internship opportunity with an affiliated nonprofit in the United States and spent the next year working tirelessly to learn all she could about nonprofit development. After arriving at Rowan, she earned an RCB Certificate of Graduate Study (COGS) in Business and then continued her education by earning an MBA.
To read about Sarah's background and Fellowship initiatives, click below.
Jake McFarland, MBA 2024
MBA Fellow
Data Analytics | Technologist | Forward-thinker
Jake McFarland was the recipient of an MBA Fellowship for 2022–2023.
His mindset for sustainable advancement paired with data analytics was a welcome addition to the Rohrer Graduate Business community. Jake has a strong interest in data, technology, and analytics and how these can be utilized to serve the greater good. In his Fellowship role, Jake set his intention to build strong relationships, learn more about sustainable decision-making, and gain valuable knowledge in his area of concentration, Data Analytics.
Jake has a passion for not only advancing his own career, but for also being a mentor for other MBA students and like-minded professionals. Jake has over 7 years of experience in team management, Information Technology (IT), software development, and project management. He sees data analysis and data science as the keys to making major positive impacts for social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Currently, he is a Digital Acquisition Analytics Manager at Comcast, working to create and manage end-to-end processes for the acquisition data, and manages the analysts on his team.
To read about Jake and his Fellowship initiatives click below!
Michelle Martinez, MBA 2022
MBA Fellow
Venture Capital | Financial Equity Advocate | Economic Development
Michelle Martinez was the recipient of the MBA Fellowship 2021–2022. In this role, she sought to leverage her professional experience to normalize financial literacy and advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in the finance industry. In her experience dealing directly with clients and later as a regulator, she had come to witness the widening financial inequalities that lead people to make such different quality of life choices. While observing this phenomenon over a decade, she had also been quietly studying the steps financial intermediaries can take toward closing the widening gaps.
During her time as an MBA Fellow, Michelle was also working full time in her role as Associate Principal Examiner for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Michelle provided investor protection and market integrity by examining brokerage firms for compliance with FINRA and Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) rules, as well as federal securities laws and the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking board. Her core competencies included surveilling and testing member firm operational and financial books and records for control weaknesses and sales practice misconduct in conflicts, overcharging, misappropriation, suitability and money laundering. Since completing her MBA, Michelle has joined the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) as a Product Officer for Venture Programs to support the expansion of collaborative partnerships with venture capital fund managers to build a stronger and fairer NJ economy.
To read more about Michelle's background, and Fellowship initiatives, click below.