Riordan Programs Alumni Association Board of Directors
The Riordan Programs Alumni Association Board of Directors 2010-2012 have been working towards meeting the needs and interests of the alumni group, which includes both professional and social activities. Our goal is to introduce venues that assist the alumni in pursuing a MBA and career enrichment. In addition, the RPAA board proudly provides a scholarship for alumni who purse a MBA.
Please visit the RPAA homepage for more details or email the group at riordanalumni@gmail.com
President
Logan Blake president@riordanalumni.com 
Riordan Fellow 1999
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles Anderson MBA
Logan is the Founder of Interactive Advisory, a boutique consulting firm focused on financing for Internet start ups. Prior to starting Interactive Advisory, Logan was the finance manager at pricegrabber.com, overseeing strategic planning, forecasting, and analysis. Logan also worked as an equity research analyst covering the Enterprise Software Sector at Wedbush Morgan Securities, and was an Investment Banking Associate at Banc of America Securities. Logan has a BA from UC Berkeley, a Master of Accounting from USC, and an MBA in Finance from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. In his spare time, Logan can be found searching for pool time at local swimming holes in Southern California, devouring epic science fiction and fantasy novels, volunteering for worthy causes, or analyzing market trends for the next big thing.
Vice President, External Affairs
Quingan Zhou vp.external@riordanalumni.com
Riordan Scholar 2006
Current 2013 Riordan Fellow
Yale University
Quingan currently works as the Coordinator of International Cooperation at the Prostate Cancer Foundation. She recently graduated from Yale University as a Humanities major with a concentration in Intellectual History. At Yale, as a Board Member of the Yale Hunger and Homeless Action Project, Quingan helped to raise over $30,000 in 3 months, which prevented the shut-down of overflow shelters serving over 60 homeless men in New Haven, CT. Quingan was a Riordan Scholar 2006.
Vice President, Internal Affairs
Roger Islas vp.internal@riordanalaumni.com
Riordan Fellow 2010
University of California, Los Angeles
Roger Islas graduated from UCLA in 2004 with a degree in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. After graduating, he conducted research at a midsize pharmaceutical company. He then transitioned over to Bank of America where he has held several positions, including serving as a risk analyst, and most recently a mortgage negotiator underwriting loan modifications for financially distressed customers. He wishes to obtain an MBA to solidify his finance and management background so that he can one day create a financial institution that targets underrepresented minorities. Aside from his passion for education, Roger also enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading about politics and finance, traveling, and wine tasting.
Director of Programming
Nancy Lopez programming@riordanalumni.com
Riordan Fellow 2011
University of California, Berkeley
Nancy Lopez graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A in Political Science. She has worked at Northrop Grumman (NGC) since 2005 in various capacities, most recently as an Engineer Planning Analyst for various Flight Test Projects. At NGC Nancy has been an active member of ADELANTE, an all inclusive Employee Resource Group that seeks to recruit and retain talent within the company. As Membership Chair of ADELATE Nancy spearheaded a 10% membership growth and managed the Adopt-A-Family program, successfully raising over $1,000 in donations for local families in need. As the current Cultural Awareness Chair she manages sector level events and serves as funding coordinator for the HENAAC Conference
Director of The Saturday Business Academy
Denice Gonzalez sba@riordanalumni.com
Riordan Scholar 2004
University of California, Los Angeles
Denice Gonzalez graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Global Studies and a minor in Public Policy. Upon graduating she taught English in South Korea. She currently works in Chatsworth, CA at CBOL Corporation where she manages domestic sales of military and commercial items and export compliance. She is the Los Angeles Coordinator of the nonprofit program, Project Bridge, a program for youth ambassadors that culminates in a fully funded ten day study tour to South Korea. Denice has been a mentor for the UCLA Riordan Scholars Program for two years and was recently awarded the respectable Mentor of the Year Award. She is also a catechism teacher at St. Odilia Parish. She hopes to one day start her own nonprofit organization in her South Los Angeles Community.
Director of Riordan Programs Affairs
Maureen Enem rp.affairs@riordanalumni.com
Riordan Fellow 2012
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Maureen is a Registered Associate and Branch Coach at Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management. She served as Regional Faculty Facilitator for the Merrill Lynch National Peer to Peer Program in 2011. Maureen graduated from the Riordan MBA Fellows Program in 2012, where she served as Alumni Director and Facilitator for the Saturday Business Institute. Maureen is currently a mentor and volunteer for the South Central Scholars Program. After obtaining an MBA, she plans to continue a career in Finance. She is passionate about the Riordan Programs and hopes to stay involved with their mission.
Director of Technology
King Adjei-Frimpong technology@riordanalumni.com
Riordan HCF 2010
University of California, Los Angeles
King graduated from UCLA with a double major in Political Science and African American Studies. He was also a member of the Riordan Healthcare Management Class of 2010. He has varied work experience from providing car audio solutions to working at a legal aid clinic. He currently works for the National Center for Appropriate Technology in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania where he provides hands-on energy efficiency assistance to low-income and underserved members of the community. In King's free time he enjoys travelling, working out, mentoring youth, and sampling new and foreign cuisines.
Director of Finance
Darlington Ahaiwe finance@riordanalumni.com
Riordan Fellow, 2012
University of California, Santa Barbara
Darlington Ahaiwe graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics with an Emphasis in Accounting and a minor Philosophy. Since graduation Darlington has worked as a Finance Supervisor for a prestigious Los Angeles Non-Profit organization. His career goals include pursing his MBA and CPA license while gaining more exposure and experience in the Finance and Accounting industry.
Co-Director of Marketing and Communications
Jude Florido marketing@riordanalumni.com
Jude Florido developed international entrepreneurial projects in Sri Lanka, Mexico & Costa Rica while in college. After graduating she went to teaching English in Poland, after Poland she moved to Barcelona in Spain. Here she became involved in a student organization that provides international internships to graduating college students- she then became the president of the local chamber. Throughout her career she has lived and traveled to more than 20 countries and speaks 3 foreign languages. She currently works at Warner Bros. as a Travel & Entertainment analyst and plans to transition into international marketing within the organization. She is passionate about learning how to be a better leader and enjoys outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking and playing basketball.
Director of Development
Joseph Kim development@riordanalumni.com
Riordan Fellow 2012
Joseph graduated from UCLA with a degree in Business Economics and Accounting. As a UCLA student, he studied abroad in Florence, Italy. He is currently a Financial Analyst within the Merrill Lynch Private Banking & Investment Group, specializing in concentrated stock strategies and portfolio construction. He plans to continue to pursue a career in investment management. He has served both the Saturday Business Academy and Saturday Business Institute, and was a 2012 Riordan Fellow. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, rockclimbing, snowboarding, and surfing. At the age of 19, Joseph won the Showcase Showdown on the CBS gameshow, The Price is Right, winning over $39k in prizes.
Project Managers
Shani Alford
Riordan Fellow 2009
California State University, Sacramento
Shani Alford earned her BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Sacramento State University. Shani has worked as a Marketing/PR Assistant for a non-profit, working on marketing campaigns and community development. She has volunteered for several organizations assisting with building brand recognition, community outreach and publicity. Currently, Shani works for the Local Government Commission, as a Project Coordinator. She works with local governments helping them build more livable and healthier communities. In her spare time, Shani enjoys dancing and outdoor activities.Shani would like to work on marketing campaigns for the RPAA that will assist with promoting the various Riordan programs. She would like to continue to build on the brand so that the programs can draw more participants from outside of California and continue to build on the network of alumni.
Yee Chen
Riordan Fellow 2011
University of California, Los Angeles
Yee graduated from UCLA in 2008 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Economics. While working full-time at the Boeing Satellite Development Center, Yee received his MS in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA. Yee is currently working on developing the SunSaluter, a solar tracker designed for the developing world. He is passionate about education and technology, and served as the Website Director for the 2011 Riordan Fellows Program, and was an SBA Program Manager from 2011-2012. In his free time, Yee enjoys cooking, traveling, and playing guitar.
Niraj Rami
Riordan Fellow 2009
University of Illinois
Niraj graduated from the University of Illinois, earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance and MIS, along with a minor in History. As an undergrad, Niraj served as President of the Information Decision Sciences Organization, while finishing professional internships at companies such as State Farm and Abbott Laboratories. After graduating in 2006, Niraj has been working in the management consulting industry as a Senior Consultant serving large clients across the nation. Niraj is a 2009 Riordan Fellow. During this time he worked with the UCLA Riordan Scholarship Research team to help underprivileged students apply to college. As a project manager, Niraj strives to help the greater RPAA community in Chicago. During his free time Niraj is an avid sports fan, traveler, and volunteer. He is passionate about the Riordan Programs and hopes to continue to help the RPAA mission in coming years.
The Saturday Business Academy Program Managers
Carlos Avelar
Riordan Fellow 2011
University of California, Los Angeles
As the first born to Mexican immigrant parents from Tabasco, Zacatecas, Carlos Avelar graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. As an undergrad he worked as a Justice Corps volunteer at the Small Claim Advisor's Office and as a Trade Intern at the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Upon graduation he began his career as Sales Analyst for Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. and then moved on to work as Export Account Manager for Mexico at McMaster-Carr Supply. Currently he works as an Account Manager for CodeMetro where he consults ABA clinics on how to adapt business management software to increase efficiency and productivity. Because he lacked career role models growing-up Carlos has made it his mission to provide mentorship to students unsure of the opportunities that are out there. For that as a 2011 Riordan Fellow Carlos was Co-Chair of the Mentor Community Service Project and currently serves as a Program Manager for the Saturday Business Academy at Gertz-Ressler High School. Carlos is most proud of being the first in his family to graduate from high school, first to graduate from college, and in the near future being the first to graduate with an MBA. In his spare time Carlos enjoys adventure travel, cycling, surfing, hiking, and cowboying-up.
Ellia Chon
University of California, Los Angeles
Ellia graduated from UCLA in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in Art History. As an undergrad, Ellia worked as a strategy intern at Boston Consulting Group and a finance intern at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Currently, Ellia works as a Risk Assurance Experienced Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers where she delivers business and information technology risk assessments for top Fortune 500 clients. Ellia is passionate about new ideas. She has driven new initiatives at the workplace for quality improvement and started a microfinance club as an undergrad at UCLA. She has also actively volunteered as an SBA mentor in 2011, including making a presentation on her personal experiences with college and careers. Ellia wishes to pursue her MBA at a top-tier university and concentrate on Strategy and Business Development in the near future.
José Franco
California State University, Long Beach
José de Jesús Franco is a native of Ivanhoe, California, a small town in the San Joaquin Valley where his family has labored the agricultural fields for over 30 years. He graduated from CSU, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and English. He currently works for the California School Finance Authority as Program Analyst. As a first generation college student José has taken an interest in motivating young students from low-income communities to pursue higher education. He serves as a Program Manager for the Saturday Business Academy (SBA) at Ouchi High School. Jose plans to pursue a Master in Public Policy and a Master in Business Administration in the near future.
Fran Guzman
University of California, Berkeley
Fran is a market research analyst with experience helping Fortune 500 companies, the US Government, and political organizations turn audience and consumer insights into actionable strategies. He currently works at GfK Custom Research as an Analyst in the Roper Consulting Division. Fran received his B.A. in Political Science and Mass Communications from UC Berkeley. He is also a graduate of The New Leaders Council Institute, a nationwide leadership training program for young progressives.
Becky Ho
University of California, Los Angeles
Becky Ho is a Brand Manager at Disney Consumer Products managing licensing for Disney Princess and Disney Fairies toy lines. Prior to Disney Toys, she worked in marketing for Disney Food, Baby Einstein, and NBC Universal. Becky graduated with honors from UCLA as a double major in Political Science and Asian American Studies. Becky is very passionate about volunteering. She has been involved with mentoring and social change from within the community through the Riordan Program, Asian American Tutorial Project, China Cares, Rotary Club, Emma Bowen Foundation, and Girls for a Change Project.
Jon Lemmens
Riordan Fellow 2011 
University of California, Los Angeles
Jon Lemmens was a recipient of the Linda Baldwin Award of Excellence for distinguished leadership and commitment to personal and team excellence during the 2011 Riordan Fellows Program. Jon graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Communication Studies and is currently an Information Technology Project Manager at Lionsgate Entertainment, specializing in short term & long term infrastructure and customer support projects. Jon also provides resume assistance to UCLA undergraduates through the UCLA Alumni Association.
Janel Orozco
Riordan Fellow 2010 
University of Southern California
Janel Orozco was born and raised in Salinas, California and graduated from USC with a B.S. in Business Administration. She has been working within the healthcare industry for the past three years and, in doing so, has developed a passion to aid in the effort to provide better healthcare and greater operational efficiencies at hospitals. She currently works as a Senior Consultant at Medical Development Specialists, a healthcare management consulting firm, where she works to provide multi-disciplinary management and advisory solutions to hospitals. Janel wishes to pursue an MBA in order to transition from healthcare management consulting to a career in hospital management. Outside of work, Janel serves on the Board of Bienvenidos Community Health Center, which provides basic healthcare services to medically underserved individuals and families living in East Los Angeles. She is an alumnus of the Riordan MBA Fellows Program and has volunteered as a mentor and speaker for the Riordan Healthcare Management Fellows Program.