2024-2025 Program

Meet the Fellows

Nikita Desale

Nikita Desale

MS Business Analytics 

Nikita Desale, a Women in Leadership (WIL) Fellow 2025, leads the WIL Sustainability Data Summit 2025 as its Project Manager, an integral part of the Women in Leadership Forum 2025. She drives efforts to integrate sustainability and data-driven insights into leadership discussions, ensuring the summit equips professionals with actionable strategies for sustainable decision-making.

As a Master’s student in Business Analytics at California State University - East Bay, Nikita applies her technical expertise from her role as a Cloud Engineer at Searce. Holding four Google Cloud Certifications, she possesses hands-on experience in AI, cloud computing, and data analytics, bridging the gap between technology and leadership.


Beyond academics, she serves as the President of the Business Analytics Club at CSUEB, strengthening industry connections, organizing workshops, and leading initiatives that equip students with real-world analytics skills. Passionate about innovation, leadership, and sustainability, she actively leverages technology to create meaningful impact in both industry and community-driven projects.

Prasannaw Maddipati

Prasannaw Maddipati

MS Statistics and Data Science

Prasannaw Maddipati is a graduate student at ÐÓ°É´«Ã½, pursuing a Master’s in Statistics and Data Science. With over six years of experience in data science, she specializes in machine learning, Generative AI, and advanced analytics. Prasannaw has led successful projects in the banking and retail sectors, driving improvements in operational efficiency and client engagement. Passionate about using AI to create impactful, data-driven solutions, she is committed to fostering innovation. As part of the Women in Leadership Fellowship, Prasannaw is researching social isolation and healthcare barriers within the South
Asian senior community in the Bay Area, combining her technical expertise with a focus on public health and social equity. She is eager to contribute her skills to organizations that champion inclusivity, innovation, and technology's potential to drive positive change. Outside of work, Prasannaw enjoys solving Sudoku, traveling, and exploring the outdoors, drawing inspiration and peace from nature.
Amy Marshall

Amy Marshall

MBA

Meet Amy F. Marshall, a principled and purpose-driven leader dedicated to opening doors to graduate education for individuals previously disenfranchised from higher education. As Program Coordinator for the BET McNair Scholars Program at Cal State East Bay, Amy is part of a committed team helping first-generation, low-income, and marginalized students reach their academic and professional objectives.

Amy is renowned for her unrelenting sense of responsibility, her capacity to inspire people, and her love of lifelong learning. Driven by strong ideals and a profound faith in the transforming power of education, she leads with conviction. Whether advising the Falcons First Rocket Club, organising research opportunities, or mentoring academics, Amy builds inclusive environments where students feel seen, encouraged, and motivated.

Currently working on her MBA and acting as a Women in Leadership Fellow, Amy combines strategy and compassion to support access, create community, and assist the next generation in developing into leaders.

Saijyoti Meti

Saijyoti Gurulingappa Meti

MS Computer Science

Saijyoti Gurulingappa Meti is a dedicated Master's student in Computer Science with a keen interest in Deep Learning, Image Processing, and Computer Vision. With a strong technical foundation and a passion for innovation, Saijyoti focuses on developing impactful solutions that address real-world challenges. Her current academic and professional endeavors include creating a machine learning model to authenticate fabrics and preserve artisan craftsmanship. Her dedication to leveraging technology for meaningful impact, combined with her passion for empowering others, reflects her commitment to creating a better and more inclusive future.
Outside academics, she enjoys dancing, exploring new places, and discovering diverse cuisines, which resonates with her natural curiosity and enthusiasm for life. She strives to grow a future filled with purpose, equity, and innovation through her efforts.

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Khushbu Shah

MS Marketing Analytics

Khushbu is a Women in Leadership (WIL) Fellow and serves as the Social Media Manager for the WIL program. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing Analytics, building on her strong foundation in marketing and strategy. She also holds an MBA in Marketing and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication, which equips her with a unique blend of analytical, technical, and creative expertise.

With over five years of experience in digital marketing, SEO, and brand management, Khushbu is passionate about crafting compelling brand narratives and leveraging data-driven strategies to drive engagement and growth.

Her leadership extends beyond marketing—she is deeply interested in sustainability and its intersection with leadership, always seeking ways to create long-term impact. Known for her inclusive, positive, and adaptable nature, Khushbu thrives in dynamic environments, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, she finds joy in painting, singing, and traveling, believing that creativity fuels perspective and inspiration.

She aspires to merge marketing analytics with sustainability-driven strategies, helping brands make a meaningful impact while fostering responsible innovation.

Lisa Skinner

Lisa Skinner

B.S. Business Administration, Human Resources Management and Organizational Behavior

Lisa Skinner is a junior at California State University East Bay, pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management and Organizational Behavior. A single mother of two and a former corporate operations supervisor in the behavioral health sector, Lisa brings years of hands-on leadership in performance management, policy reform, and employee development. Her lived experience fuels her deep commitment to creating access and equity for underserved communities, especially single parent families, by reimagining how opportunity is built and shared.

As the founder of Project Breaking Barriers, Lisa is on a mission to equip youth from single-parent and low-income households with the tools, mentorship, and belief to lead in careers they have historically been locked out of. She is driven by the conviction that talent is everywhere, but access is not. Through service, innovation, and intentional leadership, Lisa is building a future where these students are not the exception but the standard. She is honored to be part of the Women in Leadership Fellowship, where she continues to uplift her community with purpose and power while maximizing her reach.

Divyasri Yelubolu

Divyasri Yelubolu

MS Business Analytics

Divyasri is a dedicated Master’s in Business Analytics student with a strong passion for data analytics, visualization, and marketing. She thrives at the intersection of analytical thinking and creative strategy, using data-driven insights to power impactful marketing initiatives. Her expertise lies in dashboard creation, data storytelling, and performance analytics, allowing her to translate complex data into actionable marketing strategies. Beyond her technical skills, she is a creative problem-solver who enjoys bringing innovation and data together to drive meaningful results. Outside of her professional interests, Divyasri is a passionate home cook and content creator. She runs a food page where she shares her culinary creations. She finds purpose in positively impacting society through sustainable initiatives, always striving to blend technology, creativity, and purpose in everything she does.

Meet the Associates

Samadrita Roy Chowdhury

Samadrita Roy Chowdhury

MS Business Analytics

Samadrita is a Women in Leadership Associate and a Master’s student in Business Analytics. With a background in Electronics and Communication Engineering and professional experience in DevOps and software engineering, she enjoys solving complex problems, whether optimizing systems, developing solutions, or analyzing data to drive better decisions. She is inspired by the synergy between leadership and technology and believes in leveraging it to drive meaningful change.

Alongside her studies, Samadrita works as a Graduate Student Assistant at the Office of Graduate Studies, where she manages website development, oversees key digital initiatives, and contributes to improving engagement and accessibility for graduate students. This role has allowed her to combine her technical expertise with creative problem-solving, ensuring that digital platforms effectively support student success.

Her experience in the Women in Leadership program has been transformative, pushing her to step outside her comfort zone, refine leadership skills, and think more critically about the impact she wants to make. It has reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration and the importance of using technology and analytics to create sustainable, forward-thinking solutions.

Samadrita believes in continuous learning, unlearning & relearning, collaboration, and taking on challenges
that push her to grow. She is delighted to be part of the WIL summit, connect with inspiring women leaders, and contribute to conversations that shape the future.

Judy Keo

Judy Keo

MBA

Judy Keo is a dedicated professional with experience in supply chain management, procurement, and project management across technology, legal, and real estate development. She is currently pursuing her MBA (Class of 2026) in the Global Innovators program at ÐÓ°É´«Ã½, where she is deepening her understanding of leadership, strategy, and innovation. Passionate about fostering inclusive work environments, she is an advocate for neurodiverse professionals, promoting accessibility and equity in the workplace. With a strong track record of optimizing processes, driving innovation, and leading cross-functional teams, she is committed to empowering others and making a meaningful impact in her field.

Anahi Rodriguez

Anahi Rodriguez

BS Business Administration

Anahí is in her last year at Cal State East Bay studying Business Administration, concentrating on Marketing Management with a minor in American Sign Language. She is currently working as a Resident Assistant in University housing and works on developing strong leadership and communication skills, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment for students. After graduation, she plans on finding a job in management where she can express her creativity in a way that promotes business development. She has had a dedication to community service since middle school and likes to join various projects to help communities in need. She likes to learn new arts and crafts when she is not working or at school.

Brianna Taylor

Brianna Taylor

MBA

Brianna Taylor is a graduate student at CSUEB pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on Global Innovation. She was also rewarded with her Bachelor’s at East Bay in Strategic Communications and a certificate in Digital Marketing analytics.

Her passion derives from her past entrepreneurial experience running a business focused on inspiring others to reach their potential.

Since then, Brianna has applied her expertise in marketing and quality assurance roles. Brianna’s motivation is to lead transformative projects that empower people and foster positive business change.

Brianna aspires to be a leader who inspires others to also create positive change as a ripple effect. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and go on weekly day trips with her partner.

Amy Schioldager
Amy Schioldager BSBA '89
Amy Schioldager
Amy Schioldager BSBA '89

Board Member, Strategic Advisor and Finance Executive

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Maureen Goode
Maureen Goode BSBA '90
Maureen Goode
Maureen Goode BSBA '90

Sr. Director of Operations, Google

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Tracy Basinger
Tracy Basinger BSBA '89
Tracy Basinger
Tracy Basinger BSBA '89

Retired Regulator, Risk and Regulatory Compliance, Fintech, Climate Risk

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Jana Hunt
Jana Hunt BA '84
Jana Hunt
Jana Hunt BA '84

Creative Design Director, Leadership and Team Development, Career Coach

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MaryAnn Wofford
MaryAnn Wofford BS '88
MaryAnn Wofford
MaryAnn Wofford BS '88

Sales Director, Cohere

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Dipti Joshi
Dipti Joshi
Dipti Joshi
Dipti Joshi

Cloud Operations, Sr. Director- Teradata

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Shirin Hassan
Shirin Hassan
Shirin Hassan
Shirin Hassan

Healthcare Executive

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Manju Abraham
Manju Abraham
Manju Abraham
Manju Abraham

Product Operations Executive, Organizational Transformation & Innovation

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Vanessa Velerio
Vanessa Velerio
Vanessa Velerio
Vanessa Velerio

VP, Chief Operating Officer

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Arnab Mukherjea
Arnab Mukherjea
Arnab Mukherjea
Arnab Mukherjea

Public Health Faculty, Researcher, Instructor, Mentor, and Advocate for Equity

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Bryan Gillette
Bryan Gillette
Bryan Gillette
Bryan Gillette

President, Summiting Group. Author, EPIC Performance: Lessons from 100 Executives & Endurance Athletes on Reaching Your Peak

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