Buccino Leadership Institute Hosts Virtual Alumni Panel Connecting Students with Leaders Across the Country

The Buccino Leadership Institute hosted a virtual alumni panel on Friday, March 13, bringing together graduates from across the country for a conversation that connected alumni insight with student ambition.

The panel featured Mario Damasceno ‘18, Andrew Felbinger ‘11, Andrea Hebel ‘24, Cristina Hill ‘20, Alison Kruse ‘15, Ian Mehok ‘11 and Jessica Moran ‘23, all alumni of the Institute who have gone on to build careers across a range of industries and roles. More than 150 attendees joined the session, including current BLI students and members of the Institute’s administrative team.

Dr. Gerald P. Buccino opened the event by welcoming participants and reflecting on the importance of leadership in today’s environment. He pointed to the accomplishments of the panelists as clear examples of the kind of leadership the Institute aims to develop.

The discussion was moderated by Andrew Simon, Ph.D., interim executive director of the Buccino Leadership Institute, who guided the conversation across several themes relevant to students preparing to enter the workforce. Panelists spoke candidly about their transition from college to professional life, sharing both the opportunities they encountered and the challenges they had to navigate early in their careers. They reflected on pivotal leadership experiences, the role of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills in their success and how they have approached and managed conflict in professional settings.

The conversation also turned to the growing presence of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Panelists offered perspectives on how AI is shaping their industries and emphasized the continued importance of human judgment, adaptability and strong relationships in an evolving professional landscape.

Following the moderated portion, students engaged directly with the panelists, asking thoughtful questions that drew on the diverse expertise represented across the group. The exchange created a dynamic and practical dialogue, giving students a clearer sense of how leadership concepts translate into real-world contexts.

The event was widely regarded as a success, both for its level of engagement and the quality of insight shared. Dr. Buccino noted the clear value the panel provided to students and suggested that it should become a regular, annual offering for the Institute.

The session reflected one of the Buccino Leadership Institute’s core strengths: a committed alumni network that remains engaged long after graduation and a learning environment centered on developing the practical skills and perspectives that define effective leadership.

Categories: Alumni, Campus Life