About this Event
Give the alumni network a BOOST with this new program to connect current students with alumni from all walks of life. The event kicks off with a career-focused panel discussion featuring Tamara Mayberry '97, Gelu Suluguic '98, and Ryan Zapolski '16. This conversation—moderated by Career Corner Podcast host Lucas Kauffman '25—will offer ample opportunities for students and alumni alike to explore the many paths from South Hill to a successful life.
After the Q & A, the room will breakout into Networking Huddles where alumni and students can connect based on a variety of interest areas and professional sectors.
Featured Alumni Bios
Tamara Mayberry '97: Tamara “Tammy” Mayberry has more than two decades of experience in government affairs and public engagement in Washington, DC and Rochester, NY. Tammy, a Buffalo native, is currently Rochester Mayor Malik Evans’ Chief of Staff. As Chief of Staff, Tammy is, among other things, responsible for intergovernmental projects, especially those involving other mayors and their staffs. Tammy has previously worked in two Presidential Administrations, for the House of Representatives, former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, and the City of Chicago. Most recently, she was Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Empire State Development within the New York State government. Tammy is a graduate of Ithaca College and the George Washington University Law School.
Gelu Suluguic '98: Born in Romania, I was lucky to receive a scholarship from Ithaca College so I could attend the Roy Park School of Communications. I graduated with a degree in journalism and worked as a business reporter and later editor for Reuters and Bloomberg in New York and Copenhagen. I then founded PLX, a real-time financial news service powered by AI. The company was acquired by Reuters, where I've been working for the last two years, implementing our news automation solution throughout their global organization. I'm currently based in Copenhagen.
Ryan Zapolski '16:
Ryan graduated from Ithaca College in 2016 with a degree in Sports Management. He currently serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and chairs the Philanthropy subcommittee. While at IC, Ryan was a member of the men's Rugby team and was involved with the Student Phonathon program.
Currently, Ryan Zapolski is a passionate and dedicated fundraiser based in Cleveland, Ohio. Ryan currently serves as a Director of Development for Smile Train, the world's leading provider of cleft care, and a Director for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Cleveland Board of Directors. In 2024, Ryan earned his CFRE and received AFP Global's 2024 Outstanding Young Professional Award.
Outside of fundraising, Ryan is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland, College Now Greater Cleveland, and the Cleveland Leadership Center's Leadership Council.