Building Alumni Connections

Sapphire is a program in the development stage. It has been around for six years now and we are just starting to hear from our alumni. If you are an alumni and would like keep in contact with the program please call 814-863-1947.  Also join the Sapphire Linkedin Group and check out our Student Run Website Alumni Page.

We would love to hear from you!

Alumni Corporate Connections

Andrew Fedele, Audit Associate, Consumer & Industrial Markets, KPMG

Andrew, a Sapphire alum from the class of 2010, is currently working for KPMG in Chicago, Illinois, as an audit associate in their Consumer & Industrial Markets business unit.  As the 2009 Sapphire Leadership Council President, Andrew knows the high standard and great potential of each Sapphire student.  While not part of the KPMG recruiting team, he is more than happy to help any interested Sapphire student to learn more about career paths at KPMG and put these students in touch with the Penn State recruiting team.  The opportunities KPMG offers are vast and varied.  From Global Internships to National Leadership Conferences, KPMG has programs for almost any business student.  If you would like to know more about KPMG or have questions, please contact Andrew at afedele@kpmg.com.

Evan C. Flamm, Consultant, Distribution Sector, IBM

Evan Flamm, a Sapphire alum from the class of 2010, is currently working for IBM in Atlanta, Georgia for their  Global Business Services Consulting division. After becoming aware of their new recruiting efforts for IBM, he felt that Sapphire Graduates would be a great fit.  Although he is unable to assist in the direct recruiting effort for IBM at Penn State, he wishes to reach out to Sapphire’s and enable them to use their talents within the company.  Evan would like to offer support any Sapphire member who may have interest with the company.  New hires for his division are placed in the Consulting by Degrees Program.  This program aims to give different service-line experiences to all entry-level consultants to provide a variety of opportunities early on in their careers.  If you have an interest in working for IBM please contact Evan Flamm at ecflamm@us.ibm.com

Christopher W. Gray, Deloittee Consulting, Business Analyst Program

Christopher is a 2011 graduate of the Sapphire Program, earning degrees in Finance and Economics during his time at Penn State.  He has since been working for Deloitte Consulting in their Business Analyst program.  Christopher is also a member of the Penn State recruiting team, and is more than happy to speak with any students interested in Deloitte Consulting.  Through his experiences serving Sapphire as President in 2010, Christopher realizes the vast potential of Sapphire students and is working to bring more Sapphires into Deloitte.  If you are interested in exploring opportunities with Deloitte, please contact Christopher at chrigray@deloitte.com.

Joan Kong - Kraft Foods

Joann Kong returns again with Kraft Executives

This past week, we were honored to have a Sapphire alum initiate a professional event for the second year in a row.  Joann, Kong along with Matt Fisher and two other Kraft employees, came and spoke to the Sapphire students on September 21st.  Kraft presented “Succeeding in the Workplace.”  This event focused on reviewing business etiquette around the office and was specifically focused on the Supply Chain majors.  It was a pleasure to have Joann come back and speak with us, and we are looking forward to many other corporate events led by Sapphire alumnus.

Sapphire Alum Brings Kraft Foods to Smeal

The first scheduled corporate event from the semester is with Kraft Foods on January 26, 2010 from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. in room 120 Business.  Kraft Foods is coming to Smeal for the SC & IS career fair to target sophomores and juniors for internships and is hoping to have a strong Sapphire presence.  The info session will include an overview of the company’s background, career path and opportunities, and questions from students.  This event was arranged by Joann Kong, a Sapphire alum who won the 2009 Service Award for invaluable leadership and commitment to the development of the Sapphire Program. The Kraft information session is a great opportunity for the Sapphire students to benefit from the advantage of having a strong alumni network, and although Kraft Foods is mainly targeting Supply Chain and IS majors the event is open to every member of the Sapphire Leadership Program.

Colon Matichak, Financial Management Program, General Electric

Colin Matichak is a 2010 graduate of Smeal and the Sapphire Leadership Program. He majored in both Finance and Economics and is currently in General Electric’s Financial Management Program. The two year program consists of rotational assignments combined with formal classroom training in finance, accounting, business and leadership development. He served as Vice President of Communications for Sapphire in 2009 and attributes many of his opportunities and experiences to the program. Colin studied abroad in Florence, Italy in Spring 2007 and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma honors fraternity and Delta Sigma Pi professional fraternity.

Ryan Babakian, Business Advisor Program, Ernst & Young

Ryan is a Sapphire alum from the class of 2011, and works for Ernst & Young as a financial consultant in their Business Advisor Program.  He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Finance, and minors in International Business and History.  While in school, Ryan was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, holding multiple leadership roles. He also participated in numerous organizations through the Smeal College of Business. Ryan is happy to help any Sapphire students, and they should feel free to contact him at Ryan.Babakian@gmail.com.