Committee Members Biographies

Biographies for START Conference committee members.

Portrait of Sydney Baughman.

Sydney Baughman

Sydney Baughman is a first-year student from Prosper, TX. Sydney is participating in her first year with the START Committee and intends to study Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship. She currently works as a Penn State's Commons Desk team member and is one of four students on the National Diversity Case Competition Team. In her free time, Sydney loves to write and crochet.

Portrait of Matthew Bowles.

Matthew Bowles

Matthew Bowles is a fourth-year student from Boyds, Maryland. He is majoring in Supply Chain and Information Systems. He is in his third year as a member of the START committee and is involved in THON and the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) in the Smeal College of Business. Matthew aspires to work in procurement after graduation. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, spending time with friends and family, traveling to new places, and exploring new cuisines.

Portrait of Jazzani Gerena.

Jazzani Gerena

Jazzani Gerena is a first-year student from Philadelphia, PA. She intends to major in finance in the Smeal College of Business. In her free time, Jazzani loves art and enjoys experimenting with different mediums. She is currently building her knowledge of law and language studies through clubs and organizations at Penn State.

Portrait of Golden Israel-Achumba.

Golden Israel-Achumba

Golden Israel-Achumba is a graduate student in the Supply Chain Management program at Penn State. He serves as the Graduate Assistant for the Diversity Enhancement Programs office. This is Golden's first year on the START Committee. A Penn State football letterman and a singer-songwriter, Golden brings a unique blend of leadership and creativity to campus. In addition to their academic and professional pursuits, Golden is passionate about fostering inclusion and inspiring others through music and mentorship.

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Brian Knox

Brian Knox is a fourth-year Bunton-Waller scholar studying International Politics with the National Security Option in the College of the Liberal Arts. He is currently studying Korean and has found a real passion for the language and culture. In addition to the START Committee, Brian is a member of the Penn State Boxing Club.

Portrait of Samiyah McDuffie.

Samiyah McDuffie

is a fourth-year student at the Smeal College of Business. She is an accounting major in the integrated undergraduate-graduate MAcc program. She is on track to graduate in 2026 and will be eligible for the CPA examination. Samiyah is the Secretary for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and a Programming Ambassador for the Paul Robeson Cultural Center (PRCC). Additionally, Samiyah is a Spring 2023 distinguished member of the Accounting Society, a Bunton-Waller Undergraduate Fellow, and a Smeal Diversity Enhancement Scholar. This winter, she is interning at EY as an Audit Intern in the Tyson's Office.

Portrait of Parker Melo.

Parker Melo

Parker Melo is a third-year student from Rockland County, NY. Parker returned for his third year as a member of the START committee. He is majoring in management in the Smeal College of Business. In his free time, Parker loves working with the children and adults in his community. He has volunteered for several events to teach the next generation and feed the homeless. LinkedIn Profile

Portrait of Anthony Sanchez.

Anthony Sanchez

Anthony Sanchez is a second-year student and returning member to the START Committee. He is from Long Island, New York and intends to major in either Finance or Supply Chain & Information Systems. He is currently exploring the many co-curricular activities and organizations Penn State has to offer. LinkedIn Profile

Portrait of Nicholas Schell.

Nicholas Schell

Nicholas Schell is a third-year student from Orange County, CA. He is working towards his dual major in finance and accounting, along with a minor in the Legal environment of Business. Nicholas enjoys spending his free time playing video games and reading. He enjoys the fine arts and traveling.

Portrait of Tuong Truong.

Tuong Truong

Tuong Truong is a third-year student majoring in Finance with a dual track in Accounting, a minor in International Business, and a student in the MAcc integrated undergraduate-graduate program. He is a Lenfest scholar who is a distinguished member of the Accounting Society, vice president of ASCEND, Smeal Diversity Enhancement Scholar, as well as an active member of PSU VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). In his third year on the START Committee, he hopes to work with the other members to shed light on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in both the personal and professional aspects of life. Tuong's two favorite hobbies are solving Rubik's cubes and playing card games.

Portrait of Kadyn Young.

Kadyn Young

Kadyn Young is a first-year student from Miami, Florida, and this is her first year with the START Committee. She plans to major in Management at the Smeal College of Business, with a minor in International Business. Outside of her academic pursuits, Kadyn enjoys volunteering with her church and learning new languages.