Top 10 Under 10 Awards
2024 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award Recipients
These 10 accomplished alumni from the past decade have achieved professional success, continuously work to better their communities and serve as loyal alumni role models.
Meet the Recipients
Sarah Alger ’17
Information Officer at USAID – Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance
Sarah Alger graduated magna cum laude from Elon in 2017 with a degree in public health and minors in human service studies, leadership studies, and wellness and health education. For her undergraduate research, Sarah collaborated with Dr. Cynthia Fair to publish the first-known study on the needs of internationally adopted children with HIV in the United States. Following graduation, Sarah went on to earn an advanced degree in public health from The George Washington University in 2019.
Sarah continued to pursue a career in global health programming when she joined DAI Global, LLC, an international development company with projects in nearly two hundred countries, as their Associate Global Health Practice Specialist. During her tenure, one of the projects that Sarah managed was the launch of USAID’s flagship maternal and newborn health project in Indonesia. After spending a year in Uganda serving as a Strategic Information Fellow with the CDC Global Health Fellowship Program, Sarah joined USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance in January 2023 as a full-time Information Officer.
Katherine Blunt ’15
Energy Reporter at the Wall Street Journal
Katherine Blunt earned her degree in journalism, with a focus on print and online news, from Elon in 2015. A Presidential Scholar and Communications Fellow, she was awarded Elon’s prestigious Lumen Prize in 2013.
Following graduation, Katie took a journalism job writing for the San Antonio Express-News. In November 2018, Katie began covering renewable energy and utility companies for the Houston office of the Wall Street Journal. She, along with two colleagues, investigated the massive wildfire that engulfed Northern California due to faulty infrastructure from power provider Pacific Gas & Electric. Their coverage was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting; it also earned a Gerald Loeb award, the highest honor in business journalism, and the Thomas L. Stokes Award for environmental journalism. Katie’s work on the disaster was the foundation for her 2022 book, California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric – and What It Means for America’s Power Grid.
Sean Burke ’14
Multifamily Debt Originations at PGIM Real Estate
Sean Burke graduated from Elon in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in accounting. Sean was an Odyssey Scholar and also held an internship with Citi during the summer of 2013 before taking a position with the company as a Finance Analyst after graduation.
Sean spent three years with Citi before joining PGIM Real Estate Finance in 2017 as a Senior Investment Analyst. Since joining PGIM, Sean has assisted with the structuring of more than $2.7B in debt financing transactions. In his current role as a Loan Officer, he is responsible for originating and structuring multifamily affordable and conventional loans. Sean’s passion for affordable housing stems from his time at Elon when he volunteered with the Odyssey Scholars in the Mississippi Delta.
Ashley Braun Darling ’13 and Tom Darling ’13
Co-Founders of Darling Wines
Ashley Braun Darling earned her degree in media arts and entertainment from Elon in 2013, specializing in broadcast and news media. Following graduation, she held marketing roles at Fishbowl Marketing and Health Spa Napa Valley before co-founding a yoga studio called Grip the Mat.
Tom Darling graduated from Elon in 2013 with a bachelor’s in sport and event management and a minor in business administration. He launched his career with roles in software and medical device sales.
In 2017, Ashley and Tom launched Darling Wines. The couple’s passion for winemaking inspired them to pursue a career in producing organic varietals. Beginning with a Syrah, Darling Wines has since added a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay to their listings. The wines are sourced from family-owned vineyards that prioritize sustainable, organic, and biodynamic farming methods. Bottles can be enjoyed at several Michelin-starred restaurants as well as local favorites and retail wine shops in the Bay area.
Peter Fox ’14
Vice President at The Blackstone Group
Peter Fox is a 2014 alumnus of Elon who earned a degree in finance with a minor in accounting. During his final year at Elon, Peter was part of a team that qualified as state finalists in the 2014 CFA Institute Research Challenge. In 2021, Peter furthered his education with an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Since graduating, Peter has steadily advanced his career in investment banking. Beginning as an analyst with the Corporate Finance Group at Credit Suisse, he progressed into associate and senior associate roles at Coller Capital before joining the team at Blackstone in 2021.
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi ’15
Actress, currently in The Color Purple
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi is a graduate of Elon’s musical theatre program who minored in communications. Shortly before graduating, she was cast as a vocal swing and held the understudy role for Shenzi in the Broadway National Tour of “The Lion King.”
Throughout her post-graduate career, Phylicia Pearl has enjoyed success as an actress, writer, comedian, and singer who tells stories that showcase the excellence of underrepresented people through a comedic lens. Most recently, she stars as young Celie in the remake of The Color Purple (produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg). In May 2023, she celebrated the premiere of Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies for Paramount+ working as a writer for the first season. She also completed a scripted podcast for HBO entitled “We Stay Looking” for Hollywood mogul Issa Rae and her production company; the episode received both Webby and Ambie Award nominations.
Oscar Miranda Tapia ’17
PhD Candidate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at NC State
Oscar Miranda Tapia earned a degree in psychology from Elon in 2017. An Odyssey Program and Golden Door Scholar, he was an involved student on campus. Following graduation, he spent a year as a Community Impact Fellow with Alamance Achieves before going on to earn his master’s degree in education from Harvard University in 2019.
Oscar returned to his alma mater to help launch The First-Generation Initiative through his role as Assistant Director of First-Generation Student Support Services. This meaningful work is highlighted in the book that Oscar recently co-authored with President Emeritus Leo M. Lambert, Assistant Provost Peter Felten, and Isis Artze-Vega in August 2023, Connections are Everything: A College Student’s Guide to Relationship Education. Oscar currently serves as a Research Associate at the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research and is also a Graduate Assistant at the William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. In 2021, he was honored with the Latinx-Hispanic Union Staff Service Award.
Dmitri Thompson ’18
CEO at Rise Media, Co-founder of Rise League Inc.
Dmitri Thompson is a former member of Elon’s Division I Men’s Basketball team who graduated with a degree in sport and event management with a minor in communications. He served as a captain his senior year and ended his Elon career as one of the best scorers in program history. Following graduation, Dmitri spent two years playing professional basketball internationally in Nicosia, Cyprus.
While Dmitri was playing abroad, he and his brother, Dwight, sold shirts of their own design to raise enough money for a sizable donation to the Boys & Girls Club. The success of their initiative led to the creation of the streetwear clothing brand DT Apparel, with the message “Rise Up, Take Courage, Do It.” In 2019, Dmitri and Dwight established RISE League to show youth in their hometown that the skills they learn on the basketball court can also be applied to the business world. In November 2023, the nonprofit received a $75K grant from Dick’s Sporting Goods to help with program and scholarship costs. Most recently, the Thompson brothers started a company called Rise Media, a full-service creative agency that offers photography, videography, editing, and Photoshop services for businesses and the public. In addition to leading the company as Chief Executive Officer, Dmitri also acts as Director of Media for JRZ Marketing.
Erin Wilkins ’18
Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Goodwin Law firm
Erin Wilkins is a 2018 alumna who earned a degree in public health studies before going on to receive an MA in education and human development from The George Washington University; she currently teaches a professional development class to upperclassmen in the Business School.
In a short span of time, Erin has built a distinguished career in the legal industry and currently serves as the Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the law firm Goodwin. She advises partners on how to incorporate DEI competencies into their legal practice and management styles and empowers staff who have been historically marginalized. Erin recently championed the creation of a women of color initiative within the firm. Erin also works to make a difference in her community through her service in the Junior League of Washington. As a member of the scholarship committee, she helps provide resources to young people who are facing financial challenges in pursuing their education. As a testament to her expertise in DEI, Erin has been invited to speak at the National Association for Law Placement Annual Education Conference in Boston, MA, in 2024.
2023 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award Recipients
David Campbell ’13
Senior Manager – Americas Tax Technology & Transformation, EY
Campbell graduated from Elon with dual degrees in accounting and finance. Following graduation, he completed his CPA and began work with EY where he had previously interned.
In September he stepped into his current role as a senior manager in the Americas Tax Technology & Transformation group with a focus on the firm’s global Sustainability Tax solutions strategy. Additionally, he leads EY’s campus recruiting efforts at Elon.
Sydel Curry-Lee ’17
Vintner & Partner, Domaine Curry
Sydel Curry-Lee ’17 was member of the Women’s Volleyball team where she was named team MVP in 2016. Curry-Lee earned her degree in psychology and following graduation partnered with sister-in-law, Ayesha Curry, to produce their own wine label, Domaine Curry.
In addition to her work as an entrepreneur, she is also a mental health advocate and content creator.
Dr. Marissa Mastrocola ’13
Orthopedic Surgery Resident, UMass Memorial Medical Center
Dr. Marissa Mastrocola graduated from Elon with her degree in exercise science and went on to receive her MD from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in 2019.
She has contributed to five medical journal publications and has most recently focused on the topic of obesity education and orthopedic sports medicine.
Alivia Mattioli-Hodge ’15
Senior Manager of Partnerships, Penske Entertainment
Mattioli-Hodge earned her degree in sport and event management from Elon in 2015. Beginning her career at Pocono Raceway, Alivia contributed to her family’s multi-generational family business as promoters of NASCAR racing in the Northeast.
Entering her eighth year with Penske Entertainment, Mattioli-Hodge has focused on cultivating partnerships and programming for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and INDYCAR.
Marisa Moody ’15
Brand & ESG Impact Strategy Director, Publicis One Touch
Moody, a Communications Fellow and strategic communications major, moved to Germany three years after graduating to join the staff of Publicis Groupe.
Earlier this year, Moody transitioned to her current role with Publicis One Touch, where she is working to reposition the sustainability and environmental, social and corporate governance communications strategy for the personal care brand Nivea.
Claudia Rodriguez ’17
Technology Recruiter, Proven Recruiting
Rodriguez earned her degree in psychology and following graduation, pursued her master’s degree in higher education from NC State University in 2019 and began building her career as a technology recruiter.
After working with Proven Recruiting for two years, she joined the team at MyCase and quickly rose through the ranks to become a People Business Partner in fall 2022.
Holly Brueggman Tamburello ’17
Senior Analyst, NERA Economic Consulting
Tamburello earned dual degrees in international economics and finance at Elon. Following graduation, she joined the Antitrust division of NERA Economic Consulting as Senior Analyst.
In her role, Tamburello has worked with clients across a variety of industries, guiding them through mergers, consumer protection, litigation and private arbitration. Tamburello is also a five-year member of the advisory board for Elon’s economic consulting major.
Jordan Thompson ’14 L’17
Legal Counsel at TikTok
Thompson is a double alumnus of Elon; he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science while playing on the football team and went on to earn his juris doctor three years later.
Currently, he serves as legal counsel in TikTok’s Monetization and Corporate legal group and advises on a plethora of business in the fast-growing entertainment platform.
David Williams, Jr. ’13
Senior Security Engineer, Amazon Web Services
Williams graduated from Elon with a degree in computer information systems while playing on the football team. After four years working at JPMorgan Chase, he joined Amazon Web Services where he has steadily risen through the ranks with a focus on cloud security.
Williams earned a masters degree in cybersecurity from New York University in 2016 and an MBA from the College of William & Mary in 2022.
Doug Williams ’13
News Anchor & Reporter, CBS New York
Williams earned his degree in journalism with a specialization in broadcast news and went on to build his own Emmy-nominated talk show at SNY in New York.
He left SNY after seven years in late 2021 and spent a year doing national and local talk radio for CBS Sports and Sirius XM. In early February of this year, he returned to TV news as a morning anchor at WCBS in New York.