Early Career Achievement Awards 2026 - 2027 Recipients
The Early Career Achievement Awards celebrate outstanding young alumni who have demonstrated innovative and responsible professional leadership and the potential for future distinction. The pool of nominees was especially strong this year and the College extends its congratulations to all those under consideration for their successes. We are proud of you and appreciate all you do that enhances our reputation for excellence. They return to campus to receive their award and share advice with current students through panel discussions during Homecoming Celebrations.
The Early Career Achievement Awards will be presented at a public reception in the Caterpillar Auditorium during Homecoming 2024 on Friday - September 27, 2024, in the State Farm Hall of Business from 3:15 - 4:30 pm. Please invite family, friends, former faculty, and colleagues to join us and help celebrate your success. A short reception immediately following a brief presentation celebrating their early career success.
Here is a brief look at the winners of the 2024-2025 College of Business Early Career Achievement Awards (ECAA).
Alex Anderson
Accountancy
Alex is a Senior Manager in PwC’s Consumer and Industrial Products and Services Assurance practice, specializing in leading PCAOB audits for public companies. After graduating from Illinois State University, Alex earned his CPA license and began his
career with PwC in Peoria, Illinois, in 2017. Since joining the firm, he has built a strong foundation in audit quality, technicalaccounting, client service, and team leadership.
In his current role, Alex manages complex audit engagements, coaches and develops team members, collaborates with
clients, and ensures audits are executed in accordance with professional standards and regulatory requirements. He values the opportunity to serve clients across a variety of industries while supporting the growth and success of others within the firm. Alex credits Illinois State University with helping develop the communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills that have been essential throughout his career.
Rakesh Chandra
Business Analytics
Rakesh is an Enterprise Architect at McDonald’s Corporation, where he leads the global adoption of Artificial Intelligence across international operations. Navigating the complexity of a global brand, his high-scale architecture work builds directly on
foundations from the Illinois State University College of Business, where he earned an MBA in Business Analytics with a perfect 4.0 GPA and was named Outstanding MBA Student in 2018.
With over 21 years of experience across fintech, insurance, and quick-service restaurant domains at Zelle, State Farm, and McDonald’s, Rakesh specializes in designing highly resilient cloud and AI solutions that drive automation and growth. He is also a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), reflecting his commitment to public speaking and servant leadership. Personally, Rakesh is the proud father of two sons, aged 12 and 7, and cherishes spending quality time helping them reach their full potential.
Michael Currie
Accountancy
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Illinois State University in May 2016 and has been a practicing CPA in public accounting since. As a Senior Manager at Miller Cooper, Michael is responsible
for over 40 accounting and audit engagements across a variety of industries. In addition to guiding day-to-day engagement operations, he leads firmwide recruiting, onboarding, intern and full-time interviewing, training development, and new audit hire orientation. Michael also developed and actively manages the firm’s mentor system and audit team CPA coaching program.
Michael serves on the Young Alumni Advisory Board for the Accounting Department at Illinois State University. He was
recently honored as the recipient of the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) Joshua D. Lance Young Professional Leadership Award.
Gianna D'Amico
Management - Human Resources
Gianna has built a successful career in employee benefits consulting. As an Account Executive at Stumm Insurance, she advises employers nationwide on employee benefits strategy, compliance, and execution. She has helped organizations across diverse industries develop competitive, sustainable programs and enjoys educating clients on the complexities of healthcare benefits.
A 2013 cum laude graduate of Illinois State University, Gianna earned a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Human Resources and a minor in Organizational Leadership. She credits much of her success to her involvement in SHRM and Alpha Kappa Psi, along with her study abroad experience in Florence, Italy. Beyond her professional
accomplishments, Gianna is an avid traveler, a former varsity high school cheerleading coach, and a proud supporter of her hometown community. She and her husband reside in Chicago’s western suburbs, where they enjoy spending time with family
and friends.
Kristen Dunne
Accountancy - Business Information Systems
Kristen serves as a Senior Enterprise Client Success Manager at Sprocket Sports, an all-in-one youth sports management platform. In this role, she leads Sprocket’s strategic relationship with its largest client, League One Volleyball (LOVB), partnering on strategy and growth while directing the Customer Success team supporting LOVB’s youth clubs.
A consistent focus on customer service has shaped Kristen's career, beginning with years in the restaurant inustry. After grdauation from Illinois State University's Business Information Systems program, she started in technical support before transitioning into techical Customer Success in digital marketing, a fast-paced AI enablement startup, and ultimately Sprocket. She specilizes in aligning customer and company goals to build mutually beneficial partnerships. Outside of work, Kristen teaches yoga, competes in triathlons, bikes Chicago's lakefront, takes annual solo adventures, and enos salsa and swing dancing.
Allison Dykeman
Management
Allison is the Training and Development Specialist at Harrell’s, where she leads the Learning and Development department. Reporting to the Vice President of Innovations, she supports technology decisions and implementation across the manufacturing business while overseeing training, continuing education, and talent development. She holds a Certified
Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) credential.
Allison graduated from Illinois State University in 2014 with a double major in HR Management and Organizational Leadership, earning the Outstanding Senior Award in both fields. During her time at ISU, she was active in Pi Sigma Epsilon and club soccer, and she played basketball while studying abroad in England. Allison stays involved in the Lakeland, Florida community through First United Methodist Church and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She and her husband, Brian, enjoy spending time with family, traveling, and playing pickleball. She is deeply grateful to her husband, parents, and ISU professors for their continued support.
Collin Geninatti
Finance, Insurance, and Law
Collin is the Director of Alternative Investment Strategy at Edward Jones, where he leads the firm’s strategy for alternative investments, integrating product strategy, asset allocation, and investment research. He oversees alternatives research priorities, guides manager selection and due diligence, and contributes to firmwide portfolio strategy through key investment committees.
Previously, Collin held investment leadership roles at American Airlines and First Command, with responsibilities spanning asset allocation, portfolio construction, and manager research across public and private markets. He began his career at Edward Jones in manager research and advisory program design. Collin earned degrees in Finance and Economics from Illinois State University and an MBA from Texas Christian University, where he was the top scholar. He remains actively engaged with ISU, mentoring students and sharing industry insights to support the next generation of finance professionals.
Kevin LeClair
Marketing
Kevin is a relationship management professional with more than 15 years of experience in membership retention, sales, and client engagement. He recently joined Strategic Coach as a Program Advisor, partnering with entrepreneurs to maximize the value of their coaching experience and achieve their business and personal goals.
Prior to Strategic Coach, Kevin spent 15 years with the Chicago Blackhawks in membership retention leadership. His tenure coincided with one of the most successful eras in franchise history, including two Stanley Cup championship runs, where he helped deliver exceptional experiences for season ticket members and premium clients. Kevin also recently served as an adjunct professor at DePaul University, teaching Sports Sales and bringing real-world industry experience into the classroom. Raised in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Kevin now resides in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with his wife and their two sons.
Trevor Nigus
International Business
Trevor is an operations leader and community builder. After graduating in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trevor joined DHL Supply Chain, where he managed multilingual teams, successfully helped launch a 250,000-square-foot distribution center, and implemented training and quality controls. He later returned home to Chillicothe as Operations Manager for Novel Electronic Designs, Inc., a familyowned educational electronics manufacturer, where he has led change management and process
improvements to increase profitability amid supply chain challenges.
Trevor serves as the Board President of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC), promoting global education throughout Central Illinois. Through PAWAC, he remains connected with Illinois State University by inviting Redbirds to programs featuring experts from around the world. He also volunteers with the City of Chillicothe, where he helped launch the Nikolausmarkt holiday market in 2024.
Tanner Schultz
Finance, Insurance, and Law
Tanner has spent the entirety of his career in the wholesale insurance brokerage industry, with a specialized focus on the healthcare sector. As Senior Vice President at RT Specialty, he helps healthcare, senior living, and human services organizations navigate complex liability risks by structuring tailored insurance solutions. He works closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and develop coverage strategies that provide meaningful protection in evolving environments. His work combines analytical problem-solving with trusted advisory relationships.
In addition to his role at RT Specialty, Tanner is active in multi-family real estate development and investment across communities in the United States. Tanner and his wife, Chelsea, reside in Naperville, Illinois, with their son, Ford, and their two goldendoodles.
Beau Swinford
Accountancy
Beau began his accounting career at PwC, where he worked in the Asset Management Tax and Capital Markets Advisory groups. In the tax group, he prepared partnership tax returns and K-1s for fund investors. Within Capital Markets, he supported complex projects including the conversion of financial statements from GAAP to IFRS and assisted in taking a consumer goods company public.
He subsequently relocated to Florida and joined BrightNight, a startup independent power producer (IPP), where he
managed accounting and treasury functions for more than 100 domestic and international entities. Beau currently serves as Chief of Staff at PermCap, a $5 billion investment firm focused on institutional and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, where he leads and supports strategic initiatives across finance, accounting, and operations. Throughout his career, Beau has moved across the country with his wife, Selina. They now reside in Charleston, South Carolina, with their newborn daughter.
Madison Weiss
Management
Madison serves as the Training Coordinator in the Business Training Center at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. In this role, she designs, implements, and scales workforce training programs that support local business growth and regional workforce
needs. She works closely with employers, instructors, and community partners to identify opportunities and develop highimpact training solutions throughout the Black Hawk College district. Madison has been with Black Hawk College since 2021, starting in Risk Management and Payroll before transitioning into workforce training and development. Prior to joining the college, she worked in human resources for a non-profit organization.
Madison serves on the board of her local chapter of the Association for Talent Development and is a member of the Quad Cities chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. She holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification. Madison lives in Coal Valley, Illinois, with her husband, Thomas, their son, and two dogs.