Booth Alumni

We're so excited to see you this weekend for Reconnect! This weekend would not be possible without the collaboration and dedication of so many, including our hardworking team and the outstanding alumni volunteers who help lead the way. Thank you for your time, your ideas, and your unwavering support in bringing classmates back together to celebrate. Your efforts make a lasting impact, and we’re proud to have you as part of the Booth community. Be sure to tag us on LinkedIn and Instagram (@BoothAlumni) all weekend long to share how you are celebrating!

A major milestone for the first Sokolov Executive MBA Class of 2025 at Chicago Booth’s campus in Hong Kong!   We recently celebrated the annual closing ceremony, welcoming these incredible students into our global alumni community. This network is now further strengthened thanks to a historic $100 million gift from Booth alumnus Konstantin Sokolov, ’05 (XP-74), in support of the Executive MBA Program.   As this new class prepares to lead in industries around the world, they carry forward the Booth values of curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. With the support of visionary leaders like Sokolov, the future of Booth Executive MBA students is brighter than ever.   Welcome to a legacy of innovation, impact, and excellence! 

Congratulations to all of our winners of the Distinguished Alumni Awards this year! 👏 Continue reading to learn how these alumni have made long-lasting impacts in their careers and at Booth! ⬇️ Dave Liguang Chenn, MBA '00, Founder, CEO and Managing Partner of Oceanpine Capital. Chenn serves as a trustee of Culver Academies, vice chairman of China Green Energy Fund, vice chairman of the board of directors for Beijing Institute of Technology, and trustee of Beijing Film Academy. Chenn has received numerous awards that recognize his entrepreneurship and philanthropic contributions, including “China’s Top 50 Investor in 2023.” John Ehara, MBA '78, Co-Founder of Unison Capital. Ehara co-founded Unison Capital in 1998, and it became a pioneer of private equity in Japan and is among the nation’s leading firms today. He also served as the first Chairman of the Private Equity Association of Japan from 2005-2007 and again from 2013-2015. Roxanne Martino, MBA '88, Co-Founder of OceanM19. In 2015, Martino was inducted into the InvestHedge Fund of Hedge Funds Hall of Fame in London and was recognized as one of "50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds" by the Hedge Fund Journal. Richard Wallman, MBA ‘74, Former Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Honeywell International Inc. Wallman and his wife Amy were both included on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s “Philanthropy 50” in 2017 and 2023. In honor of his philanthropic commitments, Booth designates its graduating MBA students who earn high honors as Amy and Richard F. Wallman Scholars. Steven Wymer, MBA '89, Portfolio Manager at Fidelity Management and Research. Wymer has managed the Fidelity Growth Company Fund and related funds since 1997, and was named "Domestic-Stock Fund Manager of the Year" in 2017 by Morningstar. Click to learn more about the winners and their accomplishments! 💼 https://lnkd.in/gDSNhTNJ

Join us for an upcoming event with our Spring Quarter Rothman Faculty in Residence and Booth faculty member, Christian Leuz, in conversation with Professor Dr. Axel Weber, President of the Center for Financial Studies at Goethe University Frankfurt. Together, they will discuss global growth and economic projections across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific, and the impacts of recent inflation, debt and fiscal policy. They’ll analyze these topics within the current context of geopolitical conflicts, trade tensions and tariffs. Register today to secure your spot on May 8: https://lnkd.in/gXSuEyRZ

I was honored to speak to Robert Channick to discuss my passion for education and ongoing support for The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, marking 20 years since my graduation. As highlighted in the article, I consider my time at the school as among the best times in my life and the best decision I made in my career. The school’s goal to instil a mindset “always to make you think about things, instead of giving you a simple solution” has been absolutely instrumental in my success, a mindset I know will help future students also go on to succeed and excel. Thank you, Robert, for speaking with me and to the Chicago Tribune. https://lnkd.in/dxusjk-J

In appreciation for his Booth education, entrepreneur and investor Konstantin Sokolov, ’05 (XP-74), has made a $100 million gift to benefit the Executive MBA Program at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The program will be renamed the Sokolov Executive MBA Program. In addition, Sokolov’s extraordinary commitment will establish a new clinical professorship at Chicago Booth, to be awarded to a professor who teaches Executive MBA students. “Two decades after my graduation, the lessons I learned, the experiences I gained, and the friendships I forged at Booth remain the foundation of my career and my life. The school’s relentless pursuit of knowledge is an inspiration, and I hope my support will contribute to its continued success,” Sokolov said. Sokolov’s gift will strengthen the school’s ability to attract the most talented Executive MBA students from around the globe. In addition to sustaining the quality of the program by ensuring the continued availability of scholarship and operating funds, the gift will also make it possible for Chicago Booth to continue to refine its curricular and programmatic offerings in response to developments in the modern business environment. It will also help the program enhance its approach to fostering alumni and corporate connections for the students. Click to learn more about this transformational gift. https://lnkd.in/gc8H-Pxj

It’s official! CBR has been nominated for a #Webby award, which recognizes the best of the internet. We're shortlisted for video, while the Chicago Booth Review Podcast received a Webby Honor. ✅ Vote for us by April 17: http://ms.spr.ly/6041qtzM3

Say cheese! We're so excited to reminisce and catch up with your reunion class during Reconnect weekend, which is just about two weeks away.   More than two thousand alumni and friends will return to the Chicago campus to celebrate and share memories of their Booth experience. It's not too late to register to attend Reconnect weekend. Click to see schedule details, who is attending, and learn more about the weekend festivities. https://lnkd.in/g9UM5Gu7

Join Polsky Center Investor-in-Residence Dipa Mehta, MBA ’12, cofounder and managing partner, Valeo Ventures, for a discussion on post-transaction management. Speakers Bo Shi, VP, Sandbox Industries, and Jyothi Vallurupalli, investor, Lightbank, will join for a panel about the work that VC firms do after deals are closed. Register here >> https://lnkd.in/gN_wUJg4 // The University of Chicago Booth School of Business | Booth Alumni

Are you feeling nostalgic for the classroom? During Reconnect weekend on April 26 you can be back in your favorite seat at Harper Center for our Back to Booth classroom sessions. Learn the latest on our Healthcare Initiative with professor Dan Adelman. Or, hear about the highlights from the New Venture Challenge with professors Steve Kaplan and Samir Mayekar. This event includes breakfast and a state-of-the-school address from dean Madhav Rajan starting at 10 a.m. Classroom sessions to follow at 11 a.m. Click to learn more about both sessions and make your selection for your Reconnect weekend itinerary! https://lnkd.in/gf3Bfyfp