Rising Professionals: An Old Masters program to hold campus-wide panel

Purdue's Rising Professionals will celebrate successes and inspire current students during a two-day event on March 4-5.

Built as part of the Old Masters Program, Rising Professionals was developed to give current students the opportunity to interact with some exceptional recent graduates.

At 4 p.m. March 4, “WALC the Talk” will be held at Wilmeth Active Learning Center’s Hiler Theater. At “WALC the Talk," the Rising Professionals will share how their Purdue journey affected postgraduate success. Students and faculty will be encouraged to ask questions and submit questions ahead of time via Twitter. Free pizza will be provided as well. The event is free and open to the public.

A Rising Professional is a distinguished alumnus who not only has shown success in their early career, but was involved on campus during their time as a student, taking full advantage of the opportunities Purdue has to offer.                                                                                                                                           

The 2018 Rising Professionals are:

* Frank Garofalo, Bachelor of Science in computer graphics technology, minor in management marketing (Purdue, 2008); Master of Science in computer graphics technology (Purdue, 2010). At Purdue, Garofalo was involved in Iron key, Professionals in Technology and Mortar Board, and received the Computer Graphics Technology Distinguished Student Award. He is the Reslife Portal principal consultant and creator and Garofalo Studios principal consultant and founder in Los Angeles.

* Chelsea Hayes, Bachelor of Arts, public health promotion and public relations (Purdue, 2011); Master of Science, corporate communication (Northwestern, 2012). At Purdue, Hayes was involved in Mortar Board, the College of Liberal Arts (dean’s ambassador), and Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She previously worked as a human resources specialist and sales support at GE and the Africa Channel director of human resources before becoming the CEO and principal consultant for The Coaching Factory in Los Angeles.

* Lane Konkel, Bachelor of Science, industrial engineering (Purdue, 2013); Master of Science in supply chain management (Penn State, 2017). At Purdue, Konkel was involved in Old Masters, Institute of Industrial Leaders, Paint Crew (president), Boiler Gold Rush (new student orientation leader) and Sigma Kappa sorority. Konkel works for GE Healthcare as a Brilliant Factory Lean leader in Phoenix.  She has received Forbes 30 Under 30 in Manufacturing and Industry.

* Tom Trachtman, Bachelor of Science, Management, and MBA (Purdue, 2010 and 2011) 3+2 Program. At Purdue, Trachtman was involved in Old Masters (Central Committee), Iron Key (president), Krannert Executive Forum GA, School of Management Council, and Sigma Chi fraternity. He previously worked as a senior financial analyst at General Mills and works as a consultant for Health Care Futures in Minneapolis.

* Tom Seto, Doctor of Pharmacy (Purdue, 2011); Master of Science, pharmacy administration (Purdue, 2010); MBA (Duke, 2017).  At Purdue, Seto was involved in Iron Key, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, Mortar Board, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, Purdue University Dance Marathon, Pharmacy Student Council, Purdue Student Government, Campus Appeals Board, Purdue Pharmacy Ambassadors, and the President’s Leadership Class. He is currently a management consultant at PWC in Chicago.

* Bradley McKinney, Bachelor of Science, agricultural sales and marketing (Purdue, 2007); Master of Science, agricultural economics (Purdue, 2016); MBA (Indiana University, 2016). At Purdue, McKinney was involved in Purdue Student Government as a vice president, Iron Key and Sigma Chi fraternity. He previously worked as a legislative and regulatory affairs specialist for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and he now works as the director of government affairs for Michael Torrey Associates in Washington, D.C.

The Old Masters Program has been a Purdue tradition since 1950, celebrating distinguished professionals while inspiring students to embody the value of the Boilermaker experience.

For more information, email directingrpcc@gmail.com or visit http://www.purdueoldmasters.org/rising-professionals/welcome-from-directing/.

Contact: Daniel Hopfensperger, publicityrpcc@gmail.com