Happy birthday!

We asked the alumni below, celebrating a birthday today, February 16, "Where are you now?" Here's what they said...

 

Deidre-Ann Eskin MBA '13
Hey Team Fuqua! I currently live in the California Bay Area with my husband (Lenny), my daughter (Nicolet, 3), my son (Jacob, 7 months), and our dog (Nina, 5). Professionally, I'm a marketing director at a biopharmaceutical company and still hopeful that our healthcare system evolves to better meet people's needs. While I miss sleep and foody fine dining, you'll find us enjoying nature, music, and kid-friendly dining instead. Cheers to 2023, and forever grateful for Duke!
Deidre and her husband taking a wintry nature walk while holding their two young children

 

Harry Grewal MBA '16
After moves from Durham to Dallas and NYC, I now call Seattle home, working in Amazon Advertising as a product lead. We love exploring the great outdoors the Pacific NorthWest has to offer. But on some days, nothing beats chilling at home with my wife, Ruchi, 9-month-old son, Zora, and Goldendoodle, Simba.
Harry and family enjoying playtime with their dog in a warm-toned kitchen

 

Chris Lasala MBA '98
In 2021, after a fulfilling 18 years at Google, I resigned to join Columbia Business School as a full-time faculty member to build their digital product management curriculum. This was possible thanks to Fuqua for giving me the opportunity to teach as an adjunct. If only Fuqua was closer to where I live, maybe I'd be teaching there! Pictured below is a photo of my wonderful family: Leslie (MBA '98), Jake, and Avery.
Chris and Leslie taking a picture with their children at a warm, outdoor event

 

Tim Lessek '98, MBA '05
It’s hard to believe, but I’m still in Cincinnati with J&J, where I’ve been since leaving Fuqua 18 (!!!) years ago. My wife, Jen, and I have our hands full with our two boys, Jacob (14 and now officially the tallest in our household) and Cameron (12), and I remain passionate about cycling, running, and all-things-music.
A Lessek family photo by the wood's edge with warm evening light filtering through the leaves
 

 

Joe Liefer MBA '16
Hello Team Fuqua! Since graduating, my wife and I have welcomed two daughters to our family that keep us smiling and chasing after them. I continue to work for John Deere as the lead product manager for autonomy. I am focused on commercializing off-highway autonomy across our global markets.
Joe and his wife holding their two babies by the decorative Christmas tree Joe and his daughter sitting together in a tractor with the sun setting over a cornfield in the background

 

Stephanie Nelson '01, MBA '07
I am living with my family in Washington, DC. Our latest crazes are ice skating, Roblox, and stuffies. When not hanging with my family or reorganizing my house, I am working on my new business, Clarity Consulting Group, which I launched in January of 2021.
Stephanie holding an enthusiastic child on her lap while sitting on a sandy beach

 

Brian O'Dell MBA '08
Where am I now? After retiring from a career in banking in 2021, I'm pursuing my childhood dream of becoming a firefighter. I'm currently an active firefighter/EMT in Newark, DE. This picture is from summer of 2022 when I was awarded my shield and helmet by Deputy Chief Sands (on left). Photo courtesy of Aetna, Hose, Hook and Ladder Company.
Brian and his fire chief standing together in front of a bright, red engine while holding a firefighter's helmet

 

Maria Sebastian MBA '96
Hi Fuqua Community, I am living in London, home for the last 17 years, with my husband and two daughters (12 and 17… eek!). After a 20-year career in travel that was capped off with leading marketing and sales at Virgin Atlantic, I shifted to food and beverage with a stint at Starbucks as their EMEA CMO before joining the pub world as CMO for U.K.’s leading pub retailer, Greene King. I enjoy connecting with my Fuqua network during our annual visits to Park City, UT, or after our Fuqua European Advisory Board meetings. Cheers!
Maria standing between her two daughters taking a selfie with forest scenery in the background

 

Amelia Steinman MSQM '21
Where am I now? Well, since Fuqua, I’ve moved down to Atlanta, Georgia, and have been spending a lot of time with friends, family, and my new pup, Georgia! I am currently working at FanDuel doing user experience analytics, and I am loving being a part of the sports world!
Amelia and her friend posing in front of a barn while holding a sleepy golden retriever puppy

We asked the alumni below, celebrating a birthday today, February 16, "Where are you now?" Here's what they said...

 

Deidre-Ann Eskin MBA '13
Hey Team Fuqua! I currently live in the California Bay Area with my husband (Lenny), my daughter (Nicolet, 3), my son (Jacob, 7 months), and our dog (Nina, 5). Professionally, I'm a marketing director at a biopharmaceutical company and still hopeful that our healthcare system evolves to better meet people's needs. While I miss sleep and foody fine dining, you'll find us enjoying nature, music, and kid-friendly dining instead. Cheers to 2023, and forever grateful for Duke!
Deidre and her husband taking a wintry nature walk while holding their two young children

 

Harry Grewal MBA '16
After moves from Durham to Dallas and NYC, I now call Seattle home, working in Amazon Advertising as a product lead. We love exploring the great outdoors the Pacific NorthWest has to offer. But on some days, nothing beats chilling at home with my wife, Ruchi, 9-month-old son, Zora, and Goldendoodle, Simba.
Harry and family enjoying playtime with their dog in a warm-toned kitchen

 

Chris Lasala MBA '98
In 2021, after a fulfilling 18 years at Google, I resigned to join Columbia Business School as a full-time faculty member to build their digital product management curriculum. This was possible thanks to Fuqua for giving me the opportunity to teach as an adjunct. If only Fuqua was closer to where I live, maybe I'd be teaching there! Pictured below is a photo of my wonderful family: Leslie (MBA '98), Jake, and Avery.
Chris and Leslie taking a picture with their children at a warm, outdoor event

 

Tim Lessek '98, MBA '05
It’s hard to believe, but I’m still in Cincinnati with J&J, where I’ve been since leaving Fuqua 18 (!!!) years ago. My wife, Jen, and I have our hands full with our two boys, Jacob (14 and now officially the tallest in our household) and Cameron (12), and I remain passionate about cycling, running, and all-things-music.
A Lessek family photo by the wood's edge with warm evening light filtering through the leaves
 

 

Joe Liefer MBA '16
Hello Team Fuqua! Since graduating, my wife and I have welcomed two daughters to our family that keep us smiling and chasing after them. I continue to work for John Deere as the lead product manager for autonomy. I am focused on commercializing off-highway autonomy across our global markets.
Joe and his wife holding their two babies by the decorative Christmas tree Joe and his daughter sitting together in a tractor with the sun setting over a cornfield in the background

 

Stephanie Nelson '01, MBA '07
I am living with my family in Washington, DC. Our latest crazes are ice skating, Roblox, and stuffies. When not hanging with my family or reorganizing my house, I am working on my new business, Clarity Consulting Group, which I launched in January of 2021.
Stephanie holding an enthusiastic child on her lap while sitting on a sandy beach

 

Brian O'Dell MBA '08
Where am I now? After retiring from a career in banking in 2021, I'm pursuing my childhood dream of becoming a firefighter. I'm currently an active firefighter/EMT in Newark, DE. This picture is from summer of 2022 when I was awarded my shield and helmet by Deputy Chief Sands (on left). Photo courtesy of Aetna, Hose, Hook and Ladder Company.
Brian and his fire chief standing together in front of a bright, red engine while holding a firefighter's helmet

 

Maria Sebastian MBA '96
Hi Fuqua Community, I am living in London, home for the last 17 years, with my husband and two daughters (12 and 17… eek!). After a 20-year career in travel that was capped off with leading marketing and sales at Virgin Atlantic, I shifted to food and beverage with a stint at Starbucks as their EMEA CMO before joining the pub world as CMO for U.K.’s leading pub retailer, Greene King. I enjoy connecting with my Fuqua network during our annual visits to Park City, UT, or after our Fuqua European Advisory Board meetings. Cheers!
Maria standing between her two daughters taking a selfie with forest scenery in the background

 

Amelia Steinman MSQM '21
Where am I now? Well, since Fuqua, I’ve moved down to Atlanta, Georgia, and have been spending a lot of time with friends, family, and my new pup, Georgia! I am currently working at FanDuel doing user experience analytics, and I am loving being a part of the sports world!
Amelia and her friend posing in front of a barn while holding a sleepy golden retriever puppy