Executive Board
Click on each name to read more about the committee member Christina WhittakerPresident
Christina Whittaker is the President of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association (RCMBA). She is a junior in the College of Business Administration completing a double major in Marketing and General Management (with concentrations in Human Resource Management and Information Systems). In addition, she is pursuing a minor in Economics and two certificates in International Business and Public & Professional Writing. Christina was elected to this position after serving two years within RCMBA. Whittaker’s vision for RCMBA is to “Take it to the next level.” It is her goal that the organization operates at a consistent level of excellence and provides members with professional, personal and academic development resources to aid their growth as exceptional undergraduate students. In addition to the organization’s overall mission, “Transforming the corporate world through diversity,” Christina hopes that RCMBA will continue to solidify its reputation as the premier business organization at the University of Pittsburgh. Other organizations that she is involved in include the Blue & Gold Society and Some of God’s Children Gospel Choir (Vice-President).
In the future, Christina plans to pursue a career in Management and Strategic Consulting, complete her Masters in Business Administration and found a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the development of urban youth in the Washington D.C. area.
Janet Fiki is the Vice President of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. In this position, she serves as the liaison between corporate recruiters and RCMBA members. She is also the professional development coordinator of events. Janet is a junior marketing major within the College of Business Administration and is originally from the Poconos.
After being in the School of Arts and Sciences for a year, she switched her major and transferred into the College of Business Administration (CBA). Initially, she joined RCMBA because of its distinguished reputation within CBA. After being a part of the RCMBA family for a semester, she realized that the unique foundation that RCMBA was built on attracts the most talented and ambitious individuals. Furthermore, she realized that RCMBA does more than transform the corporate world but it transforms its own members. At the end of Janet’s sophomore year, she became more committed to serving her fellow students.
Janet strives to expose the members of RCMBA to as many professional opportunities as possible. She has created and facilitated a variety of programs which include: networking events, professional workshops, company information sessions, corporate luncheons, programs in business etiquette and other events. She hopes to help RCMBA attract and strives to produce the most ambitious and talented innovative leaders.
Courtney Merritt is the Business Manager for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. In this vital role, her primary responsibility is to document all financial transactions of the organization and serve as the liaison between RCMBA and both the Student Organization Resource Center and the Student Government Board. She is a sophomore from Windsor, Connecticut, majoring in Finance, with minors in both Mathematics and Economics, and a Certificate in International Business. She previously was an active member of the Community Outreach Committee, and was also chosen by the steering committee as one of the RCMBA Student Spotlights for the year.
Courtney hopes that as a leader in RCMBA she can give to the members of the organization the same kind of guidance and support that she received during her freshman year. She also strives to carryout this year’s vision, which is to take the organization to the next level of both professionalism and excellence.
Rachel Marhevka is the Minorities in Pittsburgh Conference Coordinator of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She is a junior majoring in Finance within the College of Business Administration. In addition to Finance, she is also working towards the Certificate in International Business and a minor in Economics. Rachel is passionate about RCMBA’s vision of "Transforming the corporate world through diversity".
Rachel is an active member of RCMBA. In addition to her participation on the Executive Board, she makes every effort to attend and be involved with all of the organization's many initiatives such as academic, social, community outreach, diversity, and professional events. Rachel has been involved with teaching students in Chang Rai, Thailand, mentoring minority freshmen, and mentoring students associated with the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. Her main focus and passion is concentrated on the construction, development, and presentation of the Minorities in Pittsburgh Conference. In addition to all of her other activities, she is an active member of the Ski Club and Pitt Outdoors Club. Her interests also include traveling, and student development.
Kathryn Wright is the Executive Administrator for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She is a sophomore in the College of Business Administration. Kathryn is seeking degrees in Marketing and Environmental Studies with a Certificate in German Language and Literature. She has been a member of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association since her freshman year. In her current role, she is actively working towards making RCMBA more efficient and accessible for all members. Previously, Kathryn served on the Marketing and MIP Committees. This year she created an electronic database for archiving the success and recording all RCMBA events. She hopes that this database can be used to help future RCMBA leaders. Her plans for the future include Graduate School and Environmental Consulting.
Karuna Kasturi is currently the Administrative Assistant for RCMBA. She is a junior Marketing major in the College of Business Administration. This is her second year being active in RCMBA. Last summer Karuna interned at United Technology Corporation in the marketing department. Her interests include networking, traveling, ping pong, soccer, lacrosse, painting, and photography.
Tiwanda Taylor serves as the staff advisor to the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association (RCMBA). She also serves as an academic advisor in the College of Business Administration (CBA) and the Coordinator of Minority Student Programs. She believes that RCMBA has some of the most talented and highly motivated students within the University. Ms. Taylor has worked at the University of Pittsburgh for 10 years. During this time, she has held a variety of positions including being a program coordinator in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, the Liaison for the CBA Living Learning Community and a facilitator for the Emerging Leader’s Program. Ms. Taylor is also the liaison and workshop facilitator for INROADS. Based on her service, the University of Pittsburgh won the INROADS Educator of the Year Award in 2006. In addition, Ms. Taylor serves on the Pitt Business Diversity Committee, is a liaison for the National Black MBA Association and continues to assist the College of Business Administration in its efforts to recruit high-achieving minority students.
Steering Committee
Amber Nelson Membership Chair
Amber Nelson is the Membership Chairperson of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Psychology and Administration of Justice and pursuing a certificate in American Sign Language. Amber’s primary goal as Membership Chairperson is to ensure that the organization fulfills its vision by reaching a diverse student base. She also wants to make sure that the RCMBA membership expands its population, ethnic makeup and diversity across majors. In the fall 2008 semester alone, the RCMBA membership has grown to over 100 diverse members who are actively seeking to “Transform the corporate world through diversity”. In addition, Amber seeks to instill the notion that RCMBA is not just another organization, but a family. Upon graduation, Amber plans to have a career in law enforcement, specializing in working with children.
Derek Hawkins II serves as the Social Events Chair of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. He is a sophomore majoring in Finance in the College of Business Administration. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. During his freshman year, Derek joined the organization and participated on the Social Events and Health and Wellness Committees. He feels that RCMBA was an essential part of his adjustment to college life and monumental in his professional growth. As a result, he wanted to give back to an organization that helped him during this vital transitional period. As the Social Events Committee Chair, he leads his committee in making sure that RCMBA stays connected as a family. Both Derek and his committee accomplish this goal by hosting events like bowling outings, game nights, and our annual Thanksgiving dinner.
Erica Simpson serves as the Community Outreach Chair of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She is a sophomore pursing a dual major in Finance and Economics with a Certificate in International Business in the College of Business Administration. Erica has been a part of RCMBA since the beginning of her freshman year. During the 2007-2008 academic years, she was a member of the Alumni and Community Outreach Committees. Her main goal this year is to help foster the family-like atmosphere within RCMBA while providing members with the opportunity to give back to the Pittsburgh community. She believes that it is the responsibility of RCMBA members to serve the community that has served them during their time in Pittsburgh.
Isaac Connor serves as the Chair of the Diversity Relations Committee of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. He is a sophomore majoring in Accounting with a minor in Economics within the College of Business Administration. Since his freshman year, Isaac has been an active member of the RCMBA. He has chaired the Diversity Relations Committee since the second semester of his freshman year. In this role, Isaac strives to promote diversity throughout the University of Pittsburgh and RCMBA. He plans to achieve this by facilitating campus events dedicated to addressing prevalent diversity issues encountered by RCMBA members and the student body of the University of Pittsburgh.
Jhason Dixon is the Technical Consultant for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. He is a senior Accounting major in the College of Business Administration. Jhason hopes to assist the organization to operate more efficiently by incorporating advanced technological resources. He credits RCMBA for his personal and professional growth in the past three years. Jhason hopes to use the skills and attributes he acquired while in RCMBA in the corporate world after graduation. In addition to his position in RCMBA, Jhason is also the Historian for Ambassadors for Christ.
Johanna Ojo serves as the Vice-Chair of the First Step Committee for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She is a junior majoring in Political Science and Africana Studies in the School of Arts and Sciences. She has always had a passion of working with high school students and enjoys the opportunity to mentor high school students from the Pittsburgh area. Her goal for the year is to increase the high school students’ knowledge of the college process. She also attempts to encourage them to pursue higher education opportunities. First Step is a valued asset of the RCMBA community and Johanna encourages every member to volunteer their time in helping the Pittsburgh community.
Julia Costello serves as the Academic Affairs Committee Chair for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She is a junior pursuing a double degree in Finance (College of Business Administration) and Actuarial Mathematics (School of Arts and Sciences). Julia’s goal for the year is to help students gain a greater knowledge of their personal learning styles and to achieve academic excellence. In addition, Julia is a part of the Actuarial Mathematics Club. She also enjoys art and participating in the Pitt Arts Program.
Kara serves as the Health and Wellness Committee Chair for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She is currently a junior pursuing a dual major in Psychology and Business with a minor in French. She hopes to help RCMBA members maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. She is also an active member in the Fashion Business Association, Pitt Trading Club and works with an after-school program with the Schenely Heights Community Development Program. Within RCMBA, Kara hopes to facilitate health presentations for the general body and to plan activities that educate members about ways to lead a healthy lifestyle in every aspect of life.
Laura Hutchison is the Vice-Chair of the Diversity Relations Committee of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. While in this position, she hopes to broaden RCMBA's horizon to other on-campus organizations, as well as other universities in the Pittsburgh area. She is a junior Finance major in the College of Business Administration and she has been an active member and leader within RCMBA for the past three years. Laura enjoys reading and watching movies with friends and staying focused on her future goal of pursuing a career in corporate finance upon graduation.
Melvin Goins is the founder and current Chairperson of the First Step Towards Excellence & Professionalism high school mentoring program. Through his leadership, this program became the proud recipient of the 2008 Community Service of the Year Award from the Pittsburgh Community Service Inc. Within First Step, Melvin’s goal is to mentor and educate students about the opportunities provided through higher education.
As a senior Accounting major with a minor in Music, Melvin has been able to broaden his knowledge by serving as an Internal Audit intern for PNC Financial Services and a work-study intern for the dean of Katz Graduate School of Business. Melvin is passionate about music and he is currently studying jazz piano and pursuing a career as a record producer.
Mychael Murray is the Minorities in Pittsburgh Conference Vice-Chair. He is a senior Finance major with a minor in Economics and for the past three years, Mychael has enjoyed being a part of what he candidly says is “The best student organization on campus.” He enjoys RCMBA because it gives students not only in the business school but also in the College of Arts & Sciences, Engineering and many others the opportunity to meet various corporate representatives and expose themselves to very diverse employment opportunities. While serving as Vice-Chair for the Minorities in Pittsburgh Conference, he believes that this event will prepare and jump-start students to completing a successful undergraduate degree in route to a thriving professional career.
Priya Gupta is the Fundraising Committee Chair of the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She will be working on an extensive effort to raise money for GUA Africa, to help the children involved in the war in Sudan. As a senior in the College of Business Administration, she is majoring in Finance and is also pursuing certificates in Public & Professional Writing and Business Ethics & Leadership. Priya has been involved with RCMBA since her sophomore year previously serving on the Executive Board as the Administrative Assistant, and also serving a vital role as Chair of the Community Outreach Committee. After graduating in April, Priya plans to move back to the Philadelphia area and work as a Credit Risk Analyst for The PNC Financial Services Group.
Robin Miller is the Marketing Committee Chair for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. Her goal for the Marketing Committee has been taking a steadfast approach to increase the exposure of the organization both within the University and the Pittsburgh business region. Last year she served as the Creative Director in the Marketing/PR committee and now she has found that working with all of the committees and providing creative input at all of the events to be very rewarding.
She is a senior majoring in Media and Professional Communication and is also obtaining a certificate in Digital Media. Though not a College of Business Administration student, Robin feels that the resources RCMBA offers have greatly enhanced a wide array of skills needed by all students entering the business world. Aside from RCMBA, Robin is the Business Manager for Some of God’s Children Gospel Choir.
Theresa Forrest is the Public Relations coordinator for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association. She has been a committed member for the past four years and has devoted her competencies in order to enhance and further the vision of RCMBA. Previously serving as the Administrative Assistant, she has maintained a strong presence in RCMBA and has been a steering committee member four consecutive years. She is a senior dual Communications and Business Administration major, pursuing a career in public relations and event coordination.
Having been a part of RCMBA for so long, she credits much of her professional growth and self-development to the organization. She has always been most excited about the family aspect of the organization, and is proud that it has drawn members not just by its name but mainly by the people involved. She is very proud of what RCMBA has done and is very hopeful about the future.
Tyler Summers is the Alumni Chair for the Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association as well as the co-coordinator for the Freshmen Leadership Program. As the Alumni Chair, he plans to increase the alumni base through recruitment and social activities as well as through the development of the Alumni Scholarship Program. Tyler publishes a monthly newsletter that is distributed to all registered alumni members of RCMBA. He has previously served on RCMBA’s Membership Committee.
Tyler is a sophomore Accounting major with a Certificate in International Business. On campus, he is also the Business Manager for Ambassadors for Christ and a member of Some of God's Children Gospel Choir. Tyler has attributed some of his best experiences thus far through RCMBA and he feels excited that the organization has helped mold his college career.