Julia Cirone

Julia is an Accounting student, graduating in 2027, and pursuing her entrepreneurial passions through her business ReBalance. ReBalance is working to build a motivational community and brand that encourages each other to balance time effectively and to accomplish goals.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-cirone/

Theresa Dobbins

Theresa Dobbins, originally from Greenwich, CT, is dedicated to her Mechanical Engineering studies, particularly in the field of aerospace and mathematics education. She aspires to broaden her horizons by exploring project management, networking, and drawing inspiration from the diverse ideas and stories of others.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-dobbins/

Lakshita Ganesh Kumar

As a first-year Computer Science and Engineering Honors student, Lakshita is excited to pursue her passions in both coding and fashion. Through the Werth Innovators program, she has been able to develop her idea for a fashion-based social networking app that will allow college students and young adults truly express and explore their styles without being bombarded by mainstream trends and media. Moving forward, she plan sto scale this project into something that students at UConn and beyond can partake in.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshita-ganesh-kumar/

Jordan Latta

From Stamford, Connecticut, Jordan Latta is channeling her entrepreneurial passion through her business, Latta Plans. This service provides personalized digital itineraries that include detailed plans for restaurants, activities, and events throughout the Fairfield County area. Jordan is eager to explore Digital Media and Design, as she enhances her creativity and expresses her ideas through various multimedia platforms.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-latta-10450a299/

Sarah McCarthy

From Merrimack, New Hampshire, Sarah McCarthy is a dedicated student majoring in Cognitive Science. With a profound passion for cognitive science, human happiness, and literary analysis, she is driven by a quest for deeper understanding. Sarah hopes to further explore the art of effective self-presentation, storytelling, and cultivating genuine connections, aspiring to become a compelling individual to network and collaborate with.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-m-3b02aa308/

Rosemary Moyo

From Kwekwe, Zimbabwe, Rosemary Moyo is a dedicated student pursuing a major in Biomedical Engineering. With a passionate interest in the intersection of technology and medicine, science fairs, finance, economics, and languages, she is committed to exploring diverse fields of interest. Rosemary aspires to enhance her skills in effective communication, building lasting connections, problem-solving approaches, and generating innovative, impactful ideas for the future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarymoyo/

Juliana Portal

From Avon, CT, Juliana Portal is a driven student pursuing a major in Biomedical Engineering. With a desire to help others, she seeks to broaden her horizons by delving into various interests beyond her major. Juliana is eager to gain insights into business operations and entrepreneurship, aspiring to understand the intricacies involved in creating and managing a successful venture.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-portal-259a2a29b/

Raaga Pulya

Raaga Pulya, from Acton, MA, is dedicated to her studies in Physiology & Neurobiology. Her passion for medicine, entrepreneurship, and research drives her to seek knowledge in various fields. Raaga is eager to delve into the realm of marketing and hopes to gain insights into effectively promoting products to interested audiences.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raaga-pulya-185129194/

Aya Amoudi

Aya is an accomplished and driven individual with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. She is a proactive leader and community builder as she serves as the President of the North African Student Society and the Secretary of the Biomedical Engineering Society Student Chapter, where she facilitates communication and event planning. Her role as a Resident Assistant and her involvement in the Undergraduate Student Government as an Operations Director and Women in Math, Science, and Engineering as an Events Coordinator underscore her commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic community. Fluent in Arabic and French, with conversational proficiency in Spanish, Aya brings a global perspective to her endeavors, making her a remarkable asset in any field she chooses to pursue. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has been a member of research teams focusing on tissue slicing and musculoskeletal system modeling, employing sophisticated techniques and software engineering.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aya-amoudi/

Brendan Barnett

Brendan Barnett is an ambitious Computer Science and Engineering honors student passionate about building businesses. His current focus is Green Elm Web Solutions, a website design and development company tailored to serve startups and small businesses in CT. Despite his technical background, he is drawn to the challenges and intricacies of the business world. Currently, Brendan is an AI Research Assistant, an Analyst at Hillside Ventures, the Team Lead at UConn ITS, and a CSE Teaching Assistant. These diverse experiences allow him to practice essential entrepreneurial skills like leading technical teams, evaluating businesses, and communicating complex ideas intuitively. When he’s not working on a business or developing trading algorithms, Brendan is probably running, snowboarding, or at Starbucks.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanabarnett/

Krishna Benzy

Krishna Benzy is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, majoring in finance and actively participating in the Werth Innovators program. Outside of his coursework, he is deeply involved in various co-curricular activities, including playing for the Men's Club Rugby Team, participating in the Investment Banking Society, and contributing to the Business Connections Learning Community (BCLC). He is also engaged with the Asian Mentoring Program and has been selected as a Resident Assistant for the BCLC. Krishna has demonstrated his leadership and entrepreneurial skills through various ventures and competitions. Krishna is passionate about health and wellness, real estate investment, and personal finance. He constantly seeks to enhance his knowledge and skills in these areas, driving his entrepreneurial spirit and ambition to create value and make a positive impact. Guided by a commitment to excellence and a desire to learn from those around him, Krishna expects the Werth Innovators program to be a catalyst for his entrepreneurial journey. Through his involvement in the program, he aims to accelerate his growth and contribute to his long-term vision of leading innovative ventures, leaving a lasting impact in his field.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishnabenzy/

Kate Boget

Kate is a rising sophomore at the University of Connecticut pursuing a dual-degree with a Bachelor’s of Business in Marketing and a Bachelor’s of Science in Sport Management. She is active on campus as the Lead Coordinator and Chief of Marketing for the UConn Sport Business Conference, a Graphic Designer and multimedia specialist for Championship Labs–a student-led NIL activity and content creation team, and a member of UConn Women in Sport and UConn Women in Business. Additionally, Kate is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and a two time Dean’s List honoree. She is thrilled to begin her work as a Werth Innovator, and excited for the opportunity to expand her entrepreneurial abilities. In her free time, Kate enjoys spending time with friends and family, working out, baking, and hopes to one day, be an avid traveler.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-boget

Ethan Carty

Ethan is majoring in Data Science & Engineering with a minor in Mathematics to pursue a career in human-computer interaction. Before the innovators program, he worked for the National Science Foundation's REU program at Cornell Tech to perform research into improving automated vehicles and analyzing driving differences between cultures. Furthermore, Ethan gained experience in surgical robotics as an engineering intern at Medtronic. He plans to combine his experiences in research and the industry to engineer tools that streamline everyday tasks using artificial intelligence. Additionally, he aims to develop his entrepreneurial skills by working with like-minded Werth Innovators while learning how to commercialize his ideas. In his free time, Ethan enjoys running, gaming, playing chess and cello, and tutoring math at local high schools in his hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. He believes that long runs help him cultivate his best ideas and relax his mind. After graduating, he plans on pursuing a PhD in computer science to improve and apply machine learning algorithms related to human-computer interaction.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-carty/

Jenaliz Cordero

Jenaliz Cordero is a sophomore during the 2024-25 academic year. They are a Geoscience major with a concentration in Earth Science. Jenaliz attended Ella T. Grasso Technical High School where they studied in the trade for Bio-Environmental Technology and achieved valedictorian status for the graduating class of 2023. Now at UConn, Jenaliz is a part of the Honors Program and striving to achieve University Honors Laureate status. Jenaliz is also a member of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and the First Generation College Student Society. They are also a part of many organizations and clubs on campus. They are Treasurer of Geoclub, a club run by the geoscience department for anyone with an interest in geology, they are the representative for Decolores, a queer and Latin support group, and they are a mentor for the FAMILEE program run by the Rainbow Center to promote success and sense of belonging for incoming queer undergraduates. Ever since working for Nature's Art Village in Montville, Connecticut, Jenaliz has held a passion for sharing knowledge of paleontology to the public, especially children who are just learning about the wonders of dinosaurs, plant life, and other prehistoric organisms that roamed the Earth before humans did. Jenaliz's current dream career is to work for a museum that allows her to curate pieces related to paleontology while also allowing her to continue research in the field of paleontology.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenaliz-cordero-b2b048293/

Ari Gerard

Ari Gerard is a Finance major at the University of Connecticut School of Business, seeking continuous learning and growth as he navigates his path in the world of Finance. Outside the classroom, Ari's professional journey is marked by a blend of corporate and entrepreneurial experiences. As a Wealth Management Summer Intern at Fidelity Investments, he played a key role in developing advanced financial planning products. His analytical skills are further honed through his role as an Analyst with Hillside Ventures, the student-led venture capital fund, where he conducts due diligence and identifies high-potential startups for investment. He is an active member of the UConn Finance and Investment Banking Societies, and serves as a mentor within the Financial Literacy Innovation Program, educating at-risk high school students on personal finance and fundamental principles of investing. Additionally, Ari is a leader of the UConn Jewish community, serving as treasurer and board member of the Chabad on campus. In his spare time, Ari operates a successful e-commerce business selling pre-owned menswear, currently generating $250k+ in annual revenue. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Ari is an avid runner and is currently training for his third full marathon.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ari-gerard/

Drew Harrington

Drew is a third-year Finance major and Entrepreneurship minor from Melrose, Massachusetts. He is a former member of the Business Connections Learning Community and a past Get Seeded contestant. This summer, Drew delved into the world of venture capital as a Loeb.nyc intern, where he worked with their portfolio company RubyWell. He is now pursuing his passion for sports innovation as he takes on the role of Sports Tech Analyst at Hillside Ventures.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewharrington5/

Kaan Ozuolmez

Kaan is a quite handsome young fellow dual degreeing in Business Management & Philosophy. When asked, “Why philosophy?” Kaan explains that he enjoys pondering the intricacies of the universe. Sources say that at 6 feet in height, Kaan stands tall in facing entrepreneurial challenges (the tape measure says 5’ 9 ¾”). In his free time, Kaan enjoys saving kittens from trees, stopping crime, and getting involved with the Werth Institute. The most impactful lessons come in the form of failure – Kaan has learned a lot. With this knowledge and perseverance, he hopes to bring these characteristics to engage and grow in this community.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaan-ozuolmez-934145299/

Abdulhaq Sani

Abdulhaq Sani, a devout Muslim and rising junior at the University of Connecticut pursuing a degree in Management Information Systems (MIS), proudly represents the first-generation college students of Hartford, embracing the responsibility of paving the way for future scholars in his community. At UConn, he serves as a mentor for incoming Hartford Promise Scholars and volunteers in the Uconn Multicultural Business Society(MBS), actively supporting students and championing values of diversity and inclusion. Being an active member of organizations like NABA (National Association of Black Accountants) and NESBE (National Society of Black Engineers), Abdulhaq has continued to develop vital skills in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, enhancing his potential not only as a Werth Innovator but as a future leader. Abdulhaq's dedication to helping others extends far past campus boundaries, where he’s helped supervise youth programs and distribute garden beds to underprivileged families, demonstrating his commitment to servicing his community. As a Werth innovator, Abdulhaq is ready to leverage his unique experience (being a member of an underrepresented, marginalized community) to explore new opportunities for growth, channeling a passion for community service and technology to create tangible solutions to issues in healthcare and regarding food insecurity. Beyond the classroom, Abdulhaq is an open-minded individual with interests ranging from classic media to exploring the latest advancements in information technology and generative AI.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdulhaq-sani-350143201/

Kortney St Preux

My name is Kortney St Preux, I’m a rising Sophomore currently in ACES but applying for the School Of Business in Healthcare Management major with a minor in Psychological Sciences. As part of UConn, I am the community enrichment chair for the Global Business Ambassador. I love traveling and diving into new perspectives, I am a Brand Ambassador for GIVE Volunteers and volunteered over the summer in Nicaragua through them. I am a Facilitator at UConn’s Women Center for a support group named In-Power which focused on empowering survivors of non gender base violence. At the women center, I advocate and educate students on campus to bring awareness and raise conversation about women issues. I am also a floor mentor at Innovation Learning Community. I am passionate about advocacy, community building and mental health awareness. I hope to combine my entrepreneurial spirit with my interest in philanthropy to make the world a slightly better place.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kortney-st-preux-b4b600294/