Alumni Leadership Speaker Series

Whether you are graduating soon or just starting out at Mason, it is never too early to start thinking about what comes next. Come learn from Mason Alum about their experiences securing internships, preparing for the job search, and how leadership skills apply in their fields. Alum will also share personal stories and experiences about how their campus involvement and engagement has made an impact. The Alumni Leadership Speaker Series is facilitated by our very own Student Leadership Consultants and is open to the entire campus community.

 


 

Spring 2024: Alumni Leadership Speaker Series

 

Featured Alumni for the February 27th Speaker Series


 

Ebonie Ambers-Blowe (Gibbs), Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Politics

Ebonie Ambers-Blowe (Gibbs) is a Virginia Beach native VA and graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in Government and International Politics. After college, she pursued a Master’s in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University. Over the last decade, she worked in the Operations department a local NFL team, across several different organizations focusing on sports and entertainment. She has worked with clients like the Premier League, NHL, MLB, and a slew of celebrities and entertainers, and now has taken her varied marketing, client-focused, and events skills to rise to the executive team at global media brand Axios. Outside of work, Ebonie enjoys traveling the world, going to sporting events with her husband, playing with her dogs, and thinking of new home improvement projects for her houses while listening to true crime podcasts!

Ebonie is the Vice President of Event Operations at Axios Media


 

Calvin Haney, B.A. in History and Master of Arts in Higher Education

With over 20 years of experience in student affairs, I am passionate about creating and enhancing programs, activities, events, and special co-curricular programs that promote student engagement and retention for all students. I work as an Associate Director of Multicultural and Affinity Engagement at American University, where I collaborate with the Director to develop goals, set strategies, and create volunteer structures for the management of new and existing affinity groups. I am also MBTI certified, and I use this tool to help students, staff, and alumni understand themselves and others better, and to foster a culture of inclusion and diversity. In my current role, I actively build and maintain a volunteer leadership pipeline, leveraging volunteer recruitment strategies, providing intentional onboarding and training, and stewarding volunteer relationships. I also advise, support, and serve as a consultant to special interest student groups within the Student Engagement portfolio, such as Veteran and Military Affiliated students, student activists, and underrepresented students. Some of the skills that I use and develop in my role are workshop facilitation, conflict resolution, and large group facilitation. I enjoy working with a dynamic and diverse team that is committed to enhancing the student experience and fostering a sense of belonging and community at American University.


 

Cody Norman, B.A. in Sports Communication and M.S. in Sports and Leisure Studies

Cody Norman is a Northern Virginia native and graduate of George Mason University with a B.A. in Sports Communication and M.S. in Sports and Leisure Studies. He started his public relations career at Walt Disney World Resort in 2014 supporting professional and amateur sports at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. He spent more than three years developing integrated communications strategies for some of the top amateur sports events in the nation at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). After a short stop at a small agency in Orlando, Cody and his family moved to Raleigh, N.C. to be closer to family. He has spent the last four years executing communications plans for Fortune 500 companies across industries including sports, health and fitness, retail, commercial real estate, healthcare and financial services. Cody married his college sweetheart, Megan, in 2014 with whom he now shares two kids, Sadie (6) and Gavin (3). He and Megan are expecting their third child, Rhett, later this month. Cody is a Managing Supervisor at FleishmanHillard in Raleigh, N.C.


 

Alexandra Nowakowski, Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies with a Concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights

Alexandra Nowakowski and graduated from George Mason University in 2018 with a degree in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights. She has worked in the field of social work at a local non-profit, where she gained a strong aptitude for macro-advocacy. Alexandra worked as a Senior Case Manager/Social Worker for 5 years working with homeless and affordable housing clients, as well as youth of all ages. Working at this non-profit helped shed light on her future path which is an interest in legal advocacy. In August of this year, she started working as a paralegal in order to gain legal experience before applying to law school. George Mason University was and is the foundation of her professional career and without my experiences there, Alexandra would not be the agent of change she is today. 


 

Gabbie Rimmaudo, Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs and a Minor in Tourism and Events Management

Gabbie graduated from George Mason in 2012 with a B.A in Global Affairs and a Minor in Tourism and Events Management. Currently Gabbie is with Choice Hotels International as a Learning Facilitator working with Choice University - "The most widely awarded learning program in the hospitality industry". Day to day she works with hotel franchisees and international initiatives. She previously worked in the higher education sector and at a commercial real estate start up. She attributes many of her successes to her time at Mason. While at Mason Gabbie served on the Panhellenic Council, a leader within Zeta Tau Alpha, served as a Mason Ambassador, was President of the Italian Club, and also worked in Student Involvement. Gabbie currently resides in Nashville, TN with her partner Justin and their two dogs Bernie and Harrison. In her free time she enjoys running, cooking, going to concerts, and traveling.


 

University Life Headshots

Philip Wilkerson, Master of Education, Counseling with a Concentration in Community Agency – currently pursing a PhD in Communications

Philip Wilkerson is an Employer Engagement Consultant at GMU Career Services. In this role, he serves as a liaison between employers and the GMU community to ensure career opportunities such as jobs and internships are available to students, faculty/staff, and alumni. He oversees the following industries: Media and arts. Entertainment, Journalism, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Sports & Recreation, Hospitality& Tourism, and Technology & Engineering. In the past, he was awarded "Employee of the Month" for GMU in September 2019, the” Forty under 40” list for GMU Black Alumni, “Forty under Forty” for the Northern Virginia area through the Leadership Center for Excellence as well as being a recipient for the "Pillar Award" which is for a GMU staff member who supports Black students.  He is also the faculty advisor for the Iota Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the GMU NAACP chapter. In his free time, he hosts a podcast called Positive Philter which focuses on well-being and Toastmasters. He is married to Maggie Wilkerson, LSCW (JMU Class of 2007, Social Work), and father to two boys, Bennett and Miles.


 

Previous Alumni Leadership Speaker Series Topics


Featured Alumni from previous Alumni Leadership Speaker Series