College of Business

Alex Anderson '17, M.P.A. ‘17

Alex Anderson is a senior manager in PwC's Consumer and Industrial Products and Services Assurance practice, specializing in leading PCAOB audits for public companies. After graduating from Illinois State University in 2017, Anderson earned his CPA license and began his career with PwC in Peoria, Illinois. Since joining the firm, he has built a strong foundation in audit quality, technical accounting, client service, and team leadership.

In his current role, Anderson manages complex audit engagements, coaches and develops team members, collaborates with clients, and helps ensure audits are executed in accordance with professional standards and regulatory requirements. He serves clients across a variety of industries while supporting the growth and success of others within the firm.

Anderson credits Illinois State with helping develop the communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills that have been essential throughout his career.

Rakesh Chandra, M.B.A. '18

Rakesh Chandra is an enterprise architect at McDonald's Corporation, leading the global adoption of artificial intelligence across international operations. His work builds on foundations from Illinois State University, where he earned an MBA in business analytics with a 4.0 GPA and was named Outstanding MBA Student in 2018.

With more than 21 years of experience across fintech, insurance, and consumer brand and QSR domains at Zelle, State Farm, and McDonald's, Chandra specializes in designing resilient cloud and AI solutions that drive automation and growth. He is also a Distinguished Toastmaster, reflecting his commitment to public speaking and servant leadership.

Chandra is the father of two sons, aged 12 and 7, and finds his greatest happiness in spending time with them and supporting their growth.

Michael Currie '16

Michael Currie earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Illinois State University in 2016 and has been a practicing CPA in public accounting since. As a senior manager at Miller Cooper, Currie oversees more than 40 accounting and audit engagements across a variety of industries. In addition to day-to-day direction of engagement teams, he leads recruiting and onboarding efforts, including on-campus recruiting, candidate interviewing, training development, and orientation coordination for all new and experienced audit hires. He also manages the mentor system and the audit team's CPA coaching program.

Currie has the privilege of serving on the Young Alumni Advisory Board for the Accounting Department at Illinois State University and recently received the ILCPAS Joshua D. Lance Young Professional Leadership Award.

Gianna D'Amico '13  

Gianna D'Amico has built a successful career in employee benefits consulting. As an account executive at Stumm Insurance, she advises employers nationwide on employee benefits strategy, compliance, and execution, helping organizations across diverse industries develop competitive, sustainable programs.

A cum laude graduate of Illinois State University, D'Amico earned a Bachelor of Science in management with a concentration in human resources and a minor in organizational leadership. She credits much of her success to her involvement in SHRM and Alpha Kappa Psi, along with her study abroad experience in Florence, Italy.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, D'Amico is an avid traveler, a former varsity high school cheerleading coach, and a proud supporter of her hometown community. She and her husband reside in Chicago's western suburbs, where they enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Kristen Dunne '17

Kristen is a senior enterprise client success manager at Sprocket Sports, an all-in-one youth sports management platform. She leads Sprocket's strategic relationship with its largest client, League One Volleyball (LOVB), partnering with LOVB on strategy and growth while leading the customer success team supporting LOVB's youth clubs. A thread of customer service has shaped Kristen's career, starting with years in restaurants. After graduating from Illinois State University's Business Information Systems program, she started in technical support before intentionally reassessing her path—leading her to technical customer success in digital marketing, a fast-paced AI startup in enablement, and ultimately Sprocket. She focuses on aligning customer and company goals to build mutually beneficial partnerships. Outside of work, Kristen teaches yoga, competes in triathlons, bikes Chicago's lakefront, and makes a point to take solo adventures each year. Her latest obsession? Salsa and swing dancing her nights away!

Allison Dykeman '14

Allison Dykeman is the training and development specialist at Harrell's, where she leads the learning and development department. Reporting to the vice president of innovations, she supports technology decisions and implementation across the manufacturing business and oversees training, continuing education, and talent development. She holds a Certified Professional of Talent Development (CPTD) credential.

Dykeman graduated from Illinois State University in 2014 with a double major in HR management and organizational leadership, earning the Outstanding Senior Award in both fields. She was active in several student organizations, including Pi Sigma Epsilon, club soccer, and a study abroad program in England, where she played basketball.

Dykeman stays active in the Lakeland, Florida community through First United Methodist Church and Big Brothers Big Sisters, and she and her husband Brian enjoy traveling, playing pickleball, and spending time with family.

Collin Geninatti '10 

Collin Geninatti, CFA, CAIA, is director of alternative investment strategy at Edward Jones, where he leads the firm's strategy for alternative investments, integrating product strategy, asset allocation, and investment research. He oversees alternatives research priorities, guides manager selection and due diligence, and contributes to firmwide portfolio strategy through key investment committees.

Previously, Geninatti held investment leadership roles at American Airlines and First Command, with responsibilities spanning asset allocation, portfolio construction, and manager research across public and private markets. He began his career at Edward Jones in manager research and advisory program design.

Geninatti earned degrees in finance and economics from Illinois State University and an MBA from Texas Christian University, where he was the top scholar. He remains engaged with Illinois State, mentoring students and sharing industry insights to support the next generation of finance professionals.

Kevin LeClair '11

Kevin LeClair is a relationship management professional with more than 15 years of experience in membership retention, sales, and client engagement. He recently joined Strategic Coach as a program advisor, partnering with entrepreneurs to maximize the value of their coaching experience and achieve their business and personal goals.

Prior to Strategic Coach, LeClair spent 15 years with the Chicago Blackhawks in membership retention leadership. His tenure coincided with two of the organization's three Stanley Cup championship runs, where he helped deliver exceptional experiences for season ticket members and premium clients.

LeClair also served as an adjunct professor at DePaul University, teaching sports sales and bringing real-world industry experience into the classroom.

He grew up in Chicago's northwest suburbs and now resides in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with his wife and their two boys.

Trevor Nigus '20

Trevor Nigus is an operations leader and community builder. After graduating in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trevor joined DHL Supply Chain, where he managed multilingual teams, helped successfully launch a 250,000-square-foot distribution center, and implemented training and quality controls. Trevor later returned home to Chillicothe as operations manager for Novel Electronic Designs, Inc., a family-owned educational electronics manufacturer. There, he has led change management and process improvements to increase profitability amid supply chain challenges. Trevor also currently serves as board president of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, promoting global education throughout Central Illinois. Through PAWAC, he has remained connected with Illinois State University by inviting Redbirds to programs featuring experts from around the world. He also volunteers with the City of Chillicothe, where he helped launch the Nikolausmarkt holiday market in 2024.

Tanner Schultz, '16

Tanner Schultz has spent his career in the wholesale insurance brokerage industry with an emphasis on the healthcare sector. As senior vice president at RT Specialty, he helps healthcare, senior living, and human services organizations navigate complex liability risks by structuring tailored insurance solutions. He works closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and develop coverage strategies that provide meaningful protection in difficult and evolving environments.

In addition to his role at RT Specialty, Schultz is involved in multi-family real estate development and investment in communities across the U.S.

Schultz and his wife, Chelsea, reside in Naperville, Illinois, with their son, Ford, and two goldendoodles.

Beau Swinford, '16, M.S. ‘17

Beau Swinford began his accounting career at PwC, where he worked in the asset management tax and capital markets advisory groups. In the tax group, he prepared partnership tax returns and K-1s for fund investors. Within capital markets, he supported complex projects including the conversion of financial statements from GAAP to IFRS and assisted in bringing a consumer goods company public.

Swinford subsequently relocated to Florida and joined BrightNight, a startup independent power producer, where he managed accounting and treasury functions for more than 100 domestic and international entities.

He currently serves as chief of staff at PermCap, a $5 billion investment firm focused on institutional and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, leading and supporting strategic initiatives across finance, accounting, and operations.

Swinford and his wife, Selina, now reside in Charleston, South Carolina, with their newborn daughter.

Madison Weiss '18

Madison Weiss serves as the training coordinator in the Business Training Center at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. She designs, implements, and scales workforce training programs that support local business growth and regional workforce needs, working closely with employers, instructors, and community partners to develop high-impact training solutions throughout the Black Hawk College district.

Weiss has been with Black Hawk College since 2021, beginning in risk management and payroll before transitioning into workforce training and development. Prior to joining the college, she worked in human resources for a nonprofit.

Weiss serves on the board of her local Association for Talent Development chapter and is a member of the Quad Cities chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. She also holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.

Weiss and her husband, Thomas, live in Coal Valley, Illinois, with their son and two dogs.