LAS Leaders Alumni on the LAS Alumni Association Board
James R. Dolan (BS, ’02, microbiology) resides in Glenview with his wife Lauren (also a College of LAS alumna) with their three children. James earned a PhD in microbiology at Northwestern University following graduation. Today, James is a director in the Life Sciences Practice of Navigant Consulting, where he specializes in commercialization and development strategy, working with biopharmaceutical companies to bring new medicines to market that address a clinical unmet need. For his work, James has received the 35 Under 35 — Excellence in Healthcare Award from Consulting Magazine and the Shared Values Leadership Award from Navigant Consulting. As an undergraduate, James was a founding member and president of the LAS Leaders, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences' student advancement group. During his time at Illinois as an undergraduate, James took advantage of the broad range of coursework and opportunities offered by liberal arts education, which ultimately shaped what he does today, "working on the business side of science." Prior to joining the Board, he mentored undergraduate and graduate students exploring science careers and identify options, and is looking forward to expanding his efforts to give back to the Illinois community through board membership and delivering on the mission for the organization.
|
Michael T. Taylor (AB, ’01, finance and speech communication; MBA, ’04, finance; MHRIR ’04, human resources and industrial relations) resides in Deer Park and is the head of Healthcare Lending for First Midwest Bank. First Midwest Bank is a commercial bank headquartered in Itasca, Illinois. The health care practice at First Midwest Bank provides loans to non- and for-profit hospitals, senior living providers, and ancillary support service providers. Prior to joining First Midwest Bank, Mike was an investment banker at Ziegler, a boutique investment bank headquartered in Chicago, focused on senior living finance, issuing tax-exempt bonds for nonprofit senior-living providers. During his undergraduate years at Illinois, Mike was a founding member and first president of the LAS Leaders, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences' student advancement group. In his board membership application, Mike wrote: "I attribute much of the success that I have to date to the education that I received at the University of Illinois. As a result, I would like the opportunity to give back by not only helping current students but also working with the board to extend its mission of reconnecting alumni with the college and university."
|
Eryn Schneider (BS, '09, chemical engineering) has been employed by ExxonMobil for the past eight years, serving in a variety of roles in the downstream business line. These positions have spanned process engineering, logistics coordinator, and several supervisory roles. Eryn lived in Houston for six years before accepting a position in Joliet, Illinois, in 2015. Eryn attributes her first opportunities with ExxonMobil to the LAS Leaders organization, and its strong connection with prominent alumni of the college. "I so enjoy what I do every day, and wonder where I would be if not for a successful, connected and trusting alumnus in LAS," Schneider said. "I strive to bring the same personal connection, passion, and energy I received through my Illinois education to everything I do." She currently resides in Naperville, Illinois, with her husband, Bob (BS, '08, Civil Engineering, MS, '09 Construction Management), and dog Chunk. She has enjoyed returning to her Midwest roots.
|
Joseph J. Levin (BS '10, psychology; MHRIR '11, human resources and industrial relations) resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the HR manager of Talent and Engagement for the General Mills Supply Chain organization. General Mills is a multinational manufacturer of branded consumer foods headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Joey has been with General Mills for six years, and in his current role, he serves as an HR specialist responsible for managing talent pipeline, processes, and standards for the global supply chain. Prior to this role, Joey worked as the HR Manager for the General Mills cereal plant in Cincinnati, Ohio.
|