Fall 2024 Cohort

My Bio

My name is Dawn Brewer, I am a wife of 24 years to Jerrell Brewer and mother of two (Desiree’ Brewer & Jordan Brewer). As a CCIM, Principal Broker, and Real Estate Instructor I have just under 20 years of experience serving the Houston & Dallas/Fort Worth Area. My Real Estate Career began after obtaining an Undergraduate Degree in Finance and a Graduate Degree in Accounting. By the Grace of God, I have achieved tremendous success in the industry and own a boutique Real Estate Brokerage in North Houston. When not in the office, I enjoy reading and an active lifestyle (indoor cycling, strength training & rowing).

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

I consider playing basketball at the collegiate level one of my greatest accomplishments – I had to overcome adversity which built a competitive nature and strong spirit to never give up.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

I believe the DBA program will assist in increasing the impact and influence that I have in Commercial Real Estate. I expect to obtain the skills necessary to strategically improve Advanced Real Estate Education and Organizational Leadership within the CCIM Institute.

Peek behind the profile:

Something fun I like to do in my free time is read, play chess with my son, run half-marathons, indoor cycling, strength training. My hidden talent is inspirational speaking.

My Bio

Today, I lead the HR department at American Omni Trading Company and serve on the HR Houston Board of Directors. It’s a thrilling challenge, and I appreciate every opportunity to shape our organization’s success. HR isn’t just a job; it’s my passion. I believe in fostering growth, supporting employees, and creating workplaces where everyone thrives.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

On a personal note, I absolutely believe my greatest accomplishment will always be my children. I am consistently in awe of the amazing humans that I have helped to shape and influence.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

The DBA will help me in several ways: Build my general business savvy so that I can become stronger at proposing solutions; Build my knowledge in how to research different topics; Build my network with other like minded professionals; and Prepare me for a future in which I can teach at the collegiate level.

Peek behind the profile:

My favorite free time activity is to curl up with a great book and a cup of coffee in order to watch the sun rise and enjoy the first few moments of a new day. Bonus points if I can hear waves in the distance. My hidden talent is skiing.

My Bio

I am an experienced quality management professional with a master's in chemistry. I have successfully implemented management systems for various organizations. Currently, as the North America Chemical Manufacturing Quality Manager at Halliburton, I am responsible for implementing and improving HMS across multiple chemical manufacturing plants.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

Implemented successful Quality management system for different companies.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

Pursuing DBA will allow me to follow my current dream of becoming an educated manager and a better strategic decision maker.

Peek behind the profile:

I enjoy running in nature. Specifically, running in natural parks early in the morning and then having my La Madeline coffee on Saturdays is my favorite activity. My hidden talent is cooking.

My Bio

I live in Kemah, TX which is part of the greater Houston metroplex. I have been married for 4 years to my wife Ashley. I have two stepchildren Bella (15), Benjamin (13) and my first-born Willow (16 months). We are expecting another little girl, Sutton, in July. I spent four years in the Army before I moved into a career focused on information technology and digital services at credit unions. I am a big fan of credit unions and constantly looking for ways to leverage technology to help credit unions grow and provide our members with excellent member and digital experiences.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest professional accomplishment would be developing a digital transformation plan for my first credit union that is still in use years after having left the organization. The plan I developed has led them to be a powerhouse on the technology front and they have a very advanced digital banking and technology stack that rivals most big banks.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

My long-term goal is to become a C-level at a large credit union. I want to focus my research on the best digital transformation plan for credit unions and how they can best expand access to financial services amongst underserved populations via digital channels. I believe the DBA program is a great step towards that future goal.

Peek behind the profile:

I love working on cars, and I have built several heavily modified Jeeps that my family uses for overlanding/camping trips. I have a knack for tactical games such as tabletop wargaming and competitive trading card games. I have won many regional tournaments in Warhammer 40K and even managed to win a Grand Tournament (National) at my peak.

My Bio

I am a first-generation college graduate student and an experienced Latino professional with over 15 years of expertise in the Oil and Gas and EPC industries. My academic background includes completing undergraduate studies in business at the University of Puerto Rico and earning my MBA at UHD. After eight years working as an expat with Chevron in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I recently shifted my base to Houston with my family. My professional interests are focused on exploring new opportunities to excel at both family and work, and I am highly committed to achieving success in both areas. I am well-versed in the technical aspects of the Oil and Gas and EPC industries and possess a proven track record of delivering results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

In this phase of my life, my biggest achievement would be to balance completing my MBA, constructing a new home, and progressing in my career within a new organization and city without neglecting the most important facet of my life: my family.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

Completing a Doctorate in Business Administration would represent a significant milestone in my career, enabling me to pursue consulting and teaching opportunities. I anticipate that the program will adequately equip me with advanced skills and knowledge essential for analyzing complex business problems and providing strategic solutions. Additionally, I am confident that the program will help me develop critical thinking and research skills valuable for teaching at the university level.

Peek behind the profile:

I enjoy spending my free time exploring new cultures by traveling to exotic destinations. It's always exciting to learn about different traditions and customs. In addition to that, I am a big fan of art and enjoy collecting pieces from all over the globe. And last but not least, I am a wine enthusiast! I believe that wine is more than just a drink; it's an experience. I would have to say my hidden talent is adaptability.

My Bio

I live in Groves, TX. I’m 41 years young. I’m married and have two beautiful daughters. I’m a Construction Project Manager for Bartlett Cocke General Contractors. I earned my MBA from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

Successfully managing multiple major construction projects.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

Hopefully, the DBA program will help me to further my expertise and surround me with peers at the top of the industry.

Peek behind the profile:

In my free time, I train for ultramarathons. My hidden talent is I play several instruments, some of them fairly well.

My Bio

I am an executive, entrepreneur, investor and advisor with more than 30 years of experience as a business builder and thought leader in the project development, engineering, construction, maintenance, and operations market for asset dependent companies globally. While taking a break from day-to-day operational roles to support my family’s needs, I currently work as an advisor, board member and entrepreneur in both the conventional and energy transition space. I continue to advise the Fidelis/Kraken team on ESG-centric infrastructure investments, serve as lead independent director on the board of directors for Jones Industrial Holdings and pursue early-stage venture development opportunities through BluPlum Ventures, LLC. I am passionate about the “triple bottom line” and always look for opportunities to advance sustainability, diversity/inclusion, and economic returns.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

I consider my role as husband and father to be my highest and best accomplishment, personally. Regarding my career, I am most proud of the Teams and systems I have helped build which have gone on to accomplish outstanding and impactful objectives across industries.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

I believe this program will allow me to bring my diverse experience to the process and dive deep into the research tools, critical thinking skills and change-based mindset offered in this leading-edge curriculum. I hope this will enable me to help bring new solutions to the industry and further my journey as a leader, practitioner and mentor.

Peek behind the profile:

In my spare time I enjoy traveling with my family. I also stay active as an individual enjoying exercises such as running and martial arts. I hope to find my hidden talent is scholarly research and writing ... to be determined. But one thing not many people know is that I enjoy juggling!

My Bio

I'm a passionate lifelong learner, ambitiously pursuing personal growth and development. After a 15-year tenure at NASA leading the robotics group, I founded my first company (Nauticus Robotics) that I took public as CEO. Additionally, I started 2 other tech companies (Jacobi Motors, Enbord) and manage a hedge fund (Rad Capital Ventures). I have a BSEE and MSEE from Purdue University.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

Inventing a new form of undersea vehicle and convincing DARPA to build a program around the idea.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

It will help me retroactively learn business theory after a decade of business practice.

Peek behind the profile:

In my free time I enjoy playing the piano and guitar, and enjoying sailing and flying a Piper Archer as a private pilot. My hidden talent is I'm a scary judge of people and talent.

My Bio

I am a change agent, natural leader and lifelong learner. My experience over these last two decades in the workforce has been in non-profits including public education, the religious sector and now I am working at the University of Houston. I received my bachelor’s at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2000 and my masters at the University of Lynchburg in 2022. I also obtained my Project Management Professional certification in 2020. I am daily searching for ways to be better human and hope that each day I can bring a smile to someone.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

The best decision of my life was to marry my husband more than 20 years ago. He spoils me and our two dreamsicles daily.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

This DBA program will help build my confidence and increase my skills. I am excited to learn more about the research process.

Peek behind the profile:

We are a vacation household. We are always planning out the details for our closest one while already have the following one booked. I also enjoy collecting Mr. Potato Heads! My hidden talent is that I am strangely good at making up names for party foods to match a theme!

My Bio

I am a gritty applications developer and manager with over 12 years of industry experience, and I have been programming as a hobby for over 20 years. Like many in IT, I’ve followed an unconventional path having had a prior life in humanities academia, which strongly influenced my ethic as a leader. I have credentials, including an MBA in MIS, from University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas A&M University and Stony Brook University. I am very humbled to be part of this cohort of fellow leaders and students.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

I have two children from whom I learn as much as they do from me.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

I have reached the stage where I want to leave a legacy with the broader professional and scholarly communities, while remaining engaged as a practitioner. The DBA program will give me the credentials, access to local institutional resources and faculty support to publish on my research interests.

Peek behind the profile:

I am an active reader, especially of Japanese literature in recent years. I like to spend as much time as possible in nature, especially hiking with my dog and kayaking with my kids. I recite seventeenth-century poetry in the car when sitting in traffic. Some people sing Taylor Swift, but my muse is Milton. (No offense, Swifties!)

My Bio

Energy is in my blood, with 23 years across critical functions like strategy, technology and supply chain. I have lived and worked across NA, Asia, Europe which brings me unique perspectives. My interests are energy transition, decision sciences and leadership development. In my spare time, I am an avid gardener. I am currently the head of digital Architecture for Lubricants Supply Chain at Shell.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

It is hard to single out one from such a long career. I consider my greatest accomplishment to be growing and maintaining a global career while being a devoted mom to my two kids.

How will the DBA program help you achieve your future goals?

My aim is to establish consultancy on developing sustainable supply chains, and transition into academia. I enjoy teaching and working with young minds. My extensive industry experience together with a DBA will position me well to add value in an academic setting. I firmly believe that Industry, Academic partnership is fundamental to bring solutions to critical problems like the energy transition. Supply chain scope 3 emissions are ~70% of global emissions . The DBA program will help me to harness cutting edge academic rigor to my future work.

Peek behind the profile:

I grow tropical vegetables in my organic garden patch. I love writing, and now using LinkedIn as a medium to share my thoughts. I self-published a book on investing.

Executive DBA

Fall 2024 Cohort

Dawn Brewer

Tracy Frazier

Najma Kamali

Jeramey Litzman

Alcides Nieves

James Pallone

John Plumlee

Nicolaus Radford

Jennifer Rea

Michael Streeter

Srividhya Vaidyanathan