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Alumni Relations & Engagement
Young Alumni Board
The Young Alumni Board provides opportunites for recent graduates living and working in Central Indiana to connect with fellow alumni, network for career opportunities, and serve both the community and Butler University. The Board consists of at least 24 members who work together to advocate for a stronger University and collegiate experience for students. Members volunteer to serve three-year terms, meet four times a year as a group, and plan activities for Butler’s largest concentration of young alumni.
Within the Board, there are four taskforces that help communicate with and plan programming for recent graduates:
- Alumni Engagement
- Fundraising
- Communications
- Student Connections
In addition to Board meetings, members are asked to participate on one of the taskforces listed above and to complete a series of action items outlined in the Action Plan for each year of his/her term. The Board will accept applications for the June 2021-May 2024 membership term beginning Febuary 1, 2021. Candidates should live or work in Central Indiana and have received their Butler degree within the last 10 years. All applicants must submit an application and reference(s) for consideration during the process. Current board members for the 2020-21 year are listed below.
Please email us for more information, and follow the official Butler Alumni Association social media accounts (linked on the right). Be sure to update your information to receive the Butler Newsflash, along with announcements about special events and programs for young alumni.
Sandy An '16
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Science: Arts Administration, Music concentration and Business minor
Profession:
Development, Kiwanis International - Kiwanis Children's Fund
Current civic activities:
Butler University Young Alumni Board
EDGE Mentoring
Leadership United
Professional organization memberships:
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Personal interests:
Traveling
Trying different cuisines: love Japanese curry!
Arts & Culture: museums, botanical gardens, symphony concerts (I play violin & flute), musical theatre, architecture tours, and any fun experiential lifelong learning
Community engagement and sharing the beautiful city of Indianapolis with visiting friends and family
Tech & SaaS innovation
Favorite Butler memory:
Tutoring students at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and watching their confidence grow from mentoring and education throughout the years.
Kelsey Briggs '11 - Secretary
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Indiana University, Master of Business Administration in Marketing ’16
Profession:
Sales Operations Manger, Conga
Current civic activities:
Delta Gamma Fraternity - Alumni
Volunteer and Chapter Advisor
Personal interests:
Trying out new local restaurants and foods, especially tacos
Home DIY projects
Travel anywhere near the water
Binge-worthy podcasts or docuseries
Karaoke and trivia, but I'm not good at either
Working on my piano and photography skills
Listening to live music, preferably on a patio with a cold drink in hand
Favorite Butler Memory:
All of March 2010 and March 2011 - The back-to-back runs to the NCAA men's basketball national championship games have to be near the top of my list. I had never seen campus so alive! Besides all of the fun cheering together and celebrating the wins, we made some epic memories road tripping to all of the games.
Katie Cessna '15
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication
Profession:
Senior PR Manager, BLASTmedia
Personal interests:
Traveling
Sports (especially Butler Basketball!)
Cooking
Experiencing Indy
Favorite Butler Memory:
My favorite Butler memory is either when Jimmy Fallon filmed on campus during Super Bowl XLVI or being front row for the buzzer beater against Gonzaga.
Claire Couch ’11
Education:
Butler University, Electronic Journalism and Public Relations
Profession:
Director of Field Marketing, Conga
Emerging Marketing Leaders Indianapolis
Governor Bob Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship Alumni
Professional organization memberships:
Edge Mentoring
Personal interests:
Exploring Indy
Health & Fitness
Traveling
Cooking
Abbey DiSano '17
Education:
Butler University, Bachelors of Science in Marketing
Profession:
Marketing Coordinator, BGBC Partners, LLP
Current civic activities:
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, parishioner
Indy Thrive Dance Community
IndyCatholic
Professional organization memberships:
Association of Accounting Marketing
Personal interests:
Health & fitness
Traveling
Dancing
Food & wine
Favorite Butler Memory:
My summer on campus interning with the Office of University Events! I loved every minute of it!
Katie Edwards '19
Education:
Butler University, Bachelors of Science in Marketing & Finance
Profession:
Market Access Strategy & Analytics, Eli Lilly & Company
Current civic activities:
United Way LINC Steering Committee Member
United Way Read-Up Tutor
Make-A-Wish Volunteer
Professional organization memberships:
Healthcare Businesswomen's Association
Personal interests:
Exploring Indy and traveling to new places
Cheering on Butler Men's Basketball and visiting campus
Eating pizza
Spending time with family and friends
Playing intramural sports
Favorite Butler Memory:
My favorite Butler memory is a combination of the big and small things. It is the late night study sessions that turned into fast food runs or life chats. It is the major events like AOC, Homecoming, or Spring Sports. Butler is a special place with incredible people.
Ben Evans '18
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Profession:
Orr Fellow and Operations Analyst at DuraMark Technologies
Current civic activites:
Butler Young Life Advisory Board
Zionsville Middle School Baseball Coach
The PourHouse Inc. volunteer
Professional organization memberships:
Governor Bob Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship
Personal interests:
Backpacking
Playing piano and guitar
Reading
Butler Basketball
Favorite Butler memory:
Participating in Butler University's Dance Marathon all four years.
Kyle Frantz ’15
Education:
Butler University, Doctor of Pharmacy, 2015
Profession:
Clinical Research Scientist, Oncology Business Unit, Eli Lilly & Co
Current civic activites:
Lilly Day of Service Site Coordinator, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Personal interests:
Traveling and exploring new cities
Trying new restaurants and foods
Butler basketball
Running, biking, & walking around Indianapolis
Matt Howard '11
Education:
Butler University, BS Finance & MIS
Profession:
Financial Planning
Current civic activites:
Volunteer youth coach (FBA/North Central); volunteer youth team church; in the process of joining "A Kid Again."
Profesional organizatoin memberships:
Working toward a CFP.
Personal interests:
Basketball
Sports
Traveling
Family
Favorite Butler Memory:
Outside of the great memories of playing at Hinkle Fieldhouse, the memories are countless and involve all the amazing people who make Butler what it is.
Andrew Kazmierczak '13 - President
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Science: Marketing and MIS
Profession:
Senior Solution Architect, Salesforce
Current Civic Activities:
Chapter Advisor, Phi Delta Theta (Indiana Gamma)
Personal interests:
Indianapolis Colts
Notre Dame Football
Butler Basketball
Traveling
Spending time with family and friends
Olivia (Lahr) Pennington ’14
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Science: Risk Management and Insurance
Profession:
Risk Transfer Specialist, MJ Insurance.
Current Civic Activities:
Westfield Youth Assistance Program Mentor
Spencer Educational Foundation Mentor
Personal interests:
Showing Horses
Spending time with friends and family
Loving on my bulldogs
Joel Leichty '13
Education: Butler University, Bachelor of Science
Profession: Cybersecurity and Privacy Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Professional Organization Memberships: ISACA and ISC^2
Personal Interests:
Sports
Traveling
Butler Baseball
Concerts
Technology
Ainsley Paton ’16
Education
Butler University Lacy School of Business, Masters of Business Administration Candidate
Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Doctor of Pharmacy, 2016
Profession:
Staff Pharmacist, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health
Current civic activities:
Footlite Musicals
Butler University Community Outreach Pharmacy, Volunteer Pharmacist
Butler University Marching Band Alumni Association, Member
Pride of Indy Bands
New Palestine United Methodist Church, Contempory Worship Musician - Bass Guitar
Butler University Marching Band Alumni Association, Member
Professional organization memberships:
American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP)
Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG)
Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity
Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Inc, Indiana Grad Chapter
Personal interests:
Orangetheory fitness
Playing bass guitar, pedal harp, cello, and singing
Butler Basketball (GO DAWGS!)
Musical theatre
Steven Pelych '10
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Secondary Education
Marian University, Master of Arts in Teaching
University of Indianapolis, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
Profession:
Principal at Cardinal Ritter High School
Adjunct lecturer at Indiana University
Current civic activities:
Butler Young Alumni Board
Lilly Scholars Network
Sigma Nu Fraternity
Parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Teach for America, alumni
Professional organization memberships:
National Catholic Education Association
Indiana Association of School Principals
National Association of Secondary School Principals
Personal interests:
Spending time with family and friends
Golf
Butler Athletics
Chicago Bears football
Craft beer
Favorite Butler memory:
Rooting on the Bulldogs during the back-to-back National Championship runs.
Brett Reardon '11
Education
Butler University: Bachelors of Science in Middle/Secondary Education
Concordia University – Portland: Master’s Education in Educational Leadership
Profession:
Academic Advisor, Admissions at Indiana University-Bloomington’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Current civic activities:
Indy Honor Flight
Hancock County Community Foundation
Professional organization memberships:
National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)
Bloomington Academic Advising Council (BAAC)
Personal interests:
IndyCar Racing
Running
Local sporting events
Traveling
Brian Rochford '10
Education
Butler University, Bachelor of Science: Spanish and Chemistry, 2010
Indiana University School of Dentistry, DDS, 2014
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, MSD: Orthodontics, 2017
Profession:
Owner/Orthodontist, Glander Rochford Orthodontics
Current civic activities:
Butler University Pre-Health Advisory Board
Professional organization memberships:
American Association of Orthodontists
Indiana Dental Association
Personal interests:
Travel
Hiking
Skiing
Spending time with my family and two dogs
Rachel Rogers '17
Education
Butler University, Bachelor of Science in Finance
Profession:
Senior Financial Analyst, Eli Lilly and Company
Current civic activities:
Board member, Infinity Giving Works Inc.
Ambassador at Eli Lilly and Company for United Way of Central Indiana Annual Campaign
Personal interests:
Travel
Fitness
Cooking
Trying local restaurants
Favorite Butler memory:
Participating in Homecoming week activities each year.
Douglas Roolf '10
Education:
Butler University, Masters Of Professional Accounting
Butler University, Bachelor of Science: Accounting
Profession:
Ethics and Compliance at Cummins Inc.
Current civic activities:
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Professional organization memberships:
Indiana CPA Society
Personal interests:
Butler Basketball
Movies
Cooking
Gardening
Favorite Butler memory:
Going to back-to-back National Championship games.
Kaitlyn Sawin '18
Education:
Marketing (Major), Strategic Communication & Spanish (Minors)
Profession:
Marketing Manager at Vibenomics
Current civic activities:
Alpha Chi Omega sorority - local and national volunteer
Professional organization memberships:
Orr Fellowship
Personal interests:
Cooking, being active, college football, live music, spending time with friends and family, exploring Indianapolis and beyond, and all things Butler!
Favorite Butler memory:
My time as a co-chair on SGA's Concerts Committee was certainly a highlight, especially as a music lover. I was able to meet (and fulfill crazy requests for) T-Pain, Kesha, American Authors, Parachute, DNCE, Quinn XCII, and more!
Logan Schwering '18
Education:
Butler University, Bachelors of Science in Finance & Marketing
Profession:
Eli Lilly & Company, Finance
Current civic activities:
Butler University Young Alumni Board of Directors
Second Helpings, Volunteer
Traders Point Christian Church, Member
Eagles Way Homeowners Association, Executive Officer
Personal interests:
Butler Men's Basketball
Traveling
Running/Biking/Walking
Boating
Exploring Indy and New Restaurants
Favorite Butler memory:
Participating in a variety of organizations and having the opportunity to meet many fellow Bulldogs!
Katelyn Sussli '16
Education:
Butler University, Bachelors of Science in Organizational Communication & Leadereship and Political Science
Profession:
Community & Events Manager, IndyHub
Current civic activities:
Board Member, Magnified Giving
Volunteer, School on Wheels
Committee Member, Indy Ultimate/ Indiana Sports Corp
Personal interests:
Exploring parks and trails in Indy
Spending time with friends and family
Traveling
Cooking & reading
All things Indy
Favorite Butler memory:
Participating in the pre-welcome week program Ambassadors of Change as a first year student, and then as a team builder. It was my first introduction to the incredible city, and now home, of Indianapolis.
Nate Swick ’16
Education
Butler University, Bachelors of Arts: Strategic Communications – Public Relations and Advertising
Profession:
Communications Coordinator, Visit Indy
Current civic activities:
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentor
IndyHub, 1828 Project Member
Indiana Sports Corp, Volunteer
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, WWoC Committee Member
Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Committee Member
Professional organization memberships:
Public Relations Society of America
Midwest Travel Journalists Association
Personal interests:
Being active and being outdoors
Camping/Hiking
Traveling
Attending sporting events both near and far
Butler Basketball
Notre Dame Football
All things Indy
Kendall Theile ’17 - Vice President & President-Elect
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Profession:
Teacher at Sycamore Elementary/Avon Community School Corporation
Current civic activities:
Butler University Dance Marathon, Alumni Mentor
Tri Kappa, Inc. Philanthropic Organization, Member
St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Member
Bloomington South Dance Team, Assistant Dance Coach
Professional organization memberships:
Bridges Math Program Grade Level Representative
DreamBox Online Math Program, Pilot Teacher/Steering Committee
Indiana Science Initiatve Gread Level Representative
Sycamore Safety Committee Grade Level Representative
Student Council Sponsor
Personal interests:
Cheering on the Dawgs
Traveling with friends and family
Eating Mexican food
Completing crosswords
Watching movie trailers
Halie Vining '12
Education:
Butler University, English, Creative Writing
Profession:
Product marketing
Current civic activities:
CASA, Neighborhood Parks Association Board
Professional organization memberships:
Revenue Collective
Personal interests:
Reading, cooking, and exploring new places and cultures.
Favorite Butler memory:
My favorite Butler memory is really a compilation of memories. Going for car rides, studying in Jordan Hall late, celebrating basketball victories all have one thing in common — friendships. The people at Butler make up my favorite memories. And to this day, I do a weekly virtual happy hour with an awesome BU crew. For all I learned at Butler, I'm most grateful for the people I met and how they've continued to impact my life.
Jennifer Welch '10
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Integrated Communications
Profession:
Account executive at Well Done Marketing
Current civic activities:
Leadership board member, FORTE, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Young Professionals Group
Member, IndyHub
Volunteer for Indianapolis Habitat for Humanity Women's Build
Professional organization memberships:
Member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts
Personal interests:
Cooking
Trying new restaurants
Walking/hiking
Attending concerts
Spending time with family and friends
Soaking in all Indy has to offer
Favorite Butler memory:
Rushing Hampton Drive in 2010, when Butler made it to the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship!
Brandon Wiley ’11
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Minor in Public Relations
Profession:
Change Management for Business Transformation Strategy at Cummins Inc.
Current Civic Activities:
Ambassador, Develop Indianapolis Resource Group (DIRG) at Cummins Inc.
Professional Organization Memberships:
Member, Indy Hub
Member, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Personal interests:
Tennis
College football
Traveling with friends and family
All things Indy!
Emily Wilkerson '18
Education:
Butler University, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Profession:
Teacher at IPS/The Butler Laboratory School #55
Current civic activities:
Traders Point Christian Church, member and small group leader
Personal interests:
Being active outdoors
Cooking breakfast foods
Cheering on the Bulldogs
Learning about life from children
Exploring Indy
Favorite Butler memory:
Sitting with professors and talking about assignments, life, and big dreams in the old College of Education in Jordan Hall.