OUR TEAM
MEET OUR TEAM
Student Agencies Inc.’s six business units are each managed by Cornell undergraduates, who have profit/loss responsibility for their respective businesses. Each agency manager reports to the President who is ultimately accountable for the operations and performance of the entire portfolio. The Executive Team supports the President and the six agencies in executing their business operations and increasing their profitability.
A number of full-time professional staff provide mentoring and support services to the student management staff, including a CEO that serves as a “Mentor-in-Residence.”
A formal Board of Directors sets the organization’s long-term strategic vision and serves as an experienced resource for the student management staff.
Want to learn more about each of these roles?
Feel free to contact any of our team members for a coffee chat!
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Thomas Bailey
President
Thomas is a junior in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and our President for 2025. As President, he drives revenue growth and operational efficiency for all 7 business units. Thomas has been with Student Agencies since 2022 when he was hired as the General Manager of Big Red Shipping and Storage. On campus outside of SAI, he is a fellow of the Emerging Markets Society, a Sector Lead for Cornell Equity Research, and a deans list scholar. In his free time, Thomas enjoys staying active outside with friends and family.
Riley McGuire
Director of Human Resources
Riley is a sophomore from Hanover, NH studying Industrial and Labor Relations and plans to minor in Business. As the Director of Human Resources, she is excited to apply her experiences in HR operations to ensure smooth internal functions. She also hopes to continue fostering the educational and energetic organizational culture of SAI. Outside of Student Agencies, she is a project manager for 180 Degrees Consulting and a Peer Mentor in the ILR School. She is also on the Cornell Women’s Club Soccer Team and Cornell Club Alpine Ski Team. In her free time, Riley enjoys going on hikes, getting coffee, and exploring new places in Ithaca.
Email: hr@studentagencies.com
Jude Coe
Chief Financial Officer
Jude is a junior from West Glover, Vermont studying Applied Economics and Management with a concentration in Finance. Jude is looking forward to working with such talented and dedicated students and hopes to have a record-breaking year. Outside of Student Agencies, Jude plays lacrosse and is an avid skier.
Email: cfo@studentagencies.com
Mark Lee
Chief Technology Officer
Mark is a freshman studying in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and plans to minor in Information Science. As the Chief Technology Officer of Student Agencies, Mark is passionate about the intersection between technology and people, striving to implement innovative solutions that boost efficiency and drive organizational success. Beyond Student Agencies, Mark channels his creativity as an enthusiastic member of Cornell’s Performing and Media Arts department, where he pursues his love of Cole Porter and the Great American Songbook. In his spare time, you’ll find him exploring new tech trends, playing golf, or searching for Ithaca’s best ramen spots.
Email: cto@studentagencies.com
Tamara Kasikovic
Director of Tech Development
Tamara is a sophomore from Old Bridge, NJ majoring in Computer Science and Statistics. As the Director of Tech Development, she looks forward to applying her technical background to build software across the organization. She’s especially interested in using technology to solve operational challenges and empower student-led businesses. Beyond Student Agencies, Tamara is a member of the Cornell Data Science project team and Epsilon Nu Tau, Cornell’s entrepreneurship fraternity. In her spare time, she enjoys playing beach volleyball, going to concerts, and exploring cities.
Email: it@studentagencies.com
AGENCY MANAGERS
Elena Centeno
General Manager
Elena is a sophomore from New Windsor, New York studying Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences on a pre-law track. As a Cornell Tradition Fellow and a dedicated campus leader, Elena is passionate about advocacy, mentorship, and community engagement. As Manager of Big Red Shipping and Storage, Elena leads with a focus on team collaboration and operational excellence. She hopes to grow Big Red by emphasizing top-tier customer service and ensuring customer satisfaction is always a priority.
Email: brss@studentagencies.com
Kieran Shulman
General Manager
Kieran is a freshman from Ithaca, NY studying Global Development and Information Science, as well as a minor in Business. As the Managing Director of Big Red Shipping and Storage, he strives to provide the best storage service possible for Cornell students and the greater Ithaca area. Outside of Student Agencies and Big Red Shipping and Storage, Kieran is an analyst for the Building Decarbonization project team within Energy Transition Club, as well as a Global Development Peer Mentor. In his free time, Kieran enjoys playing tennis, golfing, and trying new food. He also loves to disturb the other SAI employees (especially his co-manager Elena) by playing ping pong in the office.
Email: brss@studentagencies.com
Tarneet Singh
Director of Field Operations
Tarneet is an incoming sophomore from Philadelphia, PA studying Hotel Administration. As Director of Field Operations for Big Red Shipping and Storage, Tarneet enjoys the opportunity to be able to delve deep into the financial side of running a business. Outside of Student Agencies, Tarneet is a member of the business fraternity Phi Gamma Nu and Cornell Alpha Fund. In his free time, he enjoys watching the NFL, running, and playing golf.
Email: brss@studentagencies.com
Sam Tsao
Managing Director
Sam is a freshman from Old Greenwich, CT studying Information Science. As the Managing Director of the Hired Hands Moving Company, Sam is looking forward to offering exceptional service to the greater Tompkins County area. Outside of Student Agencies, he is a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon and Cornell Commodities Trading Club. He is also the incoming president of the Cornell Club Hockey Team. In his free time, Sam enjoys golf, poker, and MMA.
Rory Grant
General Manager
Rory is a sophomore from Bryn Mawr, PA, studying Mechanical Engineering and pursuing a minor in Aerospace Engineering. He is the General Manager of Hired Hands Moving Company, and seeks to bring a technical approach to solving small-business problems. He is excited to take his real world business experience from Student Agencies and apply it to complex problem solving in a technical field. Aside from Student Agencies, Rory is a member of Mediocre Melodies a Capella and the Cornell Outing Club. Rory enjoys all things outdoors; and when not working on work or school is most likely found running on trails around Ithaca.
Max Klein
Director of Operations
Max is a freshman from Brooklyn, NY studying economics in the College of Arts and Sciences. As the Director of Operations for Hired Hands Moving Company he hopes to help the business run smoothly within its previous scale, and to grow it as well. Max is excited to work closely with other SAI businesses to expand collaboration. Outside of Student Agencies, Max will be a Course Assistant in his sophomore year, as well as playing Cornell’s Sprint Football team.
Willie Yao
General Manager
Willie is a freshman from Orange County, California, studying Hotel Administration at Cornell’s Nolan School with a focus on real estate and entrepreneurship. As the Real Estate General Manager at Student Agencies, he oversees a $36M portfolio of commercial and residential properties, managing tenant relations, budgeting, and daily operations. Willie is passionate about building communities and creating seamless living experiences. Outside of Student Agencies, he is involved with Diversity and Inclusion in Real Estate, Startup Consulting at Cornell, and Hotel Ezra Cornell. In his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, backpacking, scuba diving, skiing, and bringing people together through hosting dinner parties.
George Weinstein
Assistant Manager
Melina Kohilakis
General Manager
Melina is a sophomore from Westchester, NY studying Global Development and minoring in Information Science. As the General Manager of The Cornellian Yearbook, she is excited to carry on its legacy by providing students with a memorable yearbook. Outside of Student Agencies, Melina is involved in the Cornell Consulting Group (CCG), Cornell University Parole Initiative (CUPI), Big Red Ambassadors, and the Cornell Women’s Club Lacrosse Team. She also serves as the Director of Communications for AlreadyFriendz and worked as a research assistant for the Cornell Humphrey Fellows Program. In her free time, Melina enjoys trying new cafes and spending time with friends and family.
Anna Foote
General Manager
Anna is a Global Development student at Cornell University with a concentration in Environment and Development and minors in Law & Society and Anthropology. Originally from Alexandria, VA, Anna combines a passion for equitable systems with hands-on experience in environmental education, fair trade, and energy policy. She currently serves as a manager for the Cornellian Yearbook, where she is contributing to a culture of creativity and innovation at Student Agencies. Anna is also an editor for The Diplomat, Cornell’s international affairs magazine, and a web designer for Markets4Kenyans, promoting sustainable e-commerce for artisans in Kenya, exploring intersections between global policy, local livelihoods, and sustainable development.
Naakai McDonald
General Manager
Naakai is a junior from Arizona studying Information Science, Systems, and Technology in the College of Engineering. As the General Manager of Student Agencies Tutoring, she enjoys the opportunity to engage more deeply with the Ithaca community by supporting both local high school students and fellow Cornellians. Outside of Student Agencies Tutoring, she is a Vice President of CUXD and Digital Marketing and Social Media Manager of Doctor's Without Borders. In her free time, Naakai loves discovering new coffee shops, exploring Ithaca’s hidden gems, and spending time outdoors with friends.
Email: sat@studentagencies.com
Ginger McCoy
General Manager
Ginger is a junior from Brooklyn, NY studying Computer Science. As Manager of Campus Promotions, she is excited to connect local businesses with the Cornell community. She also hopes to help Cornell departments market their events to students. Outside of SAI, she is a member of the Cornell Investment Banking Club and pre-professional fraternity Kappa Theta Pi. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, spending time with family, and going to the beach.
Email: cp@studentagencies.com
FULL TIME STAFF
Dan Karlin
Chief Executive Officer
Dan Karlin, CEO of Student Agencies, has 2 decades of experience as an entrepreneur, management consultant, and marketing executive. Before his MBA at Cornell’s Johnson School, he started, ran and sold profitable businesses ranging from food & beverage, international shipping and consumer facing software industries. Post-MBA he worked in strategy at Oliver Wyman and business development and marketing at WeWork and TradeZero. He loves to work with founders and entrepreneurs: he has and does advise startups formally and informally and is an Angel Investor in nearly a dozen companies. If you have questions about startups, consulting, MBAs, career paths or Student Agencies, please reach out to Dan at dkarlin@studentagencies.com.
Zachariah Bush
Facilities Director
Zachariah is an Ithaca native who finds purpose in creating solutions to complex problems. He created and successfully ran a small property maintenance company when he was just 15 years old. After completing his bachelors in economics and business management at Wells College he continues to perform property maintenance here with us as our Facilities Director. He enjoys home renovation projects and playing video games with his son.
Lori Westmiller
Buildings Housekeeping
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors is comprised of Student Agencies alumni and Cornell University faculty and professors. They serve as an experienced resource for the student management teams.
Nathaniel Weiss
Chairman of the Board
Nathaniel is the President of Nécessaire, a personal-care brand based in Los Angeles. Prior to that, Nathaniel held multiple operating roles at True Religion, including GM of the outlet/off-price business, and GM of ecommerce/technology. He started his career at Bain & Co in New York and Western Europe. While a student at Cornell, he was the General Manager of BRSS and the President of Student Agencies, Inc.
Board Member 2007 and December 2008-present; Foundation Member 2008-present
Aaron Pempel
Aaron is the Founder and President of USHU Footwear, Inc., a start-up that uses 3D printing to make shoes for people with hard-to-fit feet. Prior to that, Aaron spent 20 years at Nike, where he lived and worked in North America, South America, and Europe, managing businesses from $100 million to over $1 billion in revenue. His early career training was at McKinsey, Monitor Company, and Smith Barney. Aaron is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard Business School.
Sharon Dauk
Currently a Principal in Dauk/Wagner Investments, a private investment company based in Ridgefield, CT which focuses on early stage investments and real estate development. Formerly worked for Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley in their Corporate Finance Departments specializing in both mergers and acquisitions and real estate finance.
Graduated from the University of Southern California with a BS in Business Administration in 1982 and received a Masters of Business Administration from Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management in 1989.
Consultant/General Manager of Student Agencies, 1986 – 1989; Board member since 1986.
Joshua Eisenberg
Mr. Eisenberg is the Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Urban American, a real estate investment and management firm. Urban American currently owns and operates approximately 14,000 apartment units in the New York Metropolitan area. Mr. Eisenberg is responsible for the legal aspects of all real estate acquisitions, sales and financing. He serves as a liaison to outside counsel and supervises corporate governance and compliance. Mr. Eisenberg is also actively engaged in the management, operation and rehabilitation of Urban American’s portfolios. He currently serves as its Director of Sustainability and places a strong focus on increasing energy efficiency, promoting conservation and reducing carbon.
Prior to joining Urban American in 2004, Mr. Eisenberg practiced law, first at Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner LLP and then at Heller Ehrman, LLP. He represented real estate developers and equity investors in acquiring, developing and leasing various types of real estate, including multifamily housing, office buildings, luxury hotels and retail space. He also represented financial institutions in all aspects of real estate financing, including construction and permanent loans, community development loans and credit-backed bond financing.
Mr. Eisenberg holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Cornell University and a JD from Cornell Law School, where he was an Editor of the Cornell International Law Journal. Between 1996 to 2007, Mr. Eisenberg served as a reserve officer in the United States Army and commanded units in the Field Artillery and then in the Military Police.
Nancy Humphries
Currently Principal of Entrepreneurial Support Services (ESS) based in Austin, TX that provides various services to primarily start-up businesses in diverse industries. Formerly worked for Cornell University as the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship and Personal Enterprise Program (EPE) from 1995 through 1997. In 1985, founded E-TECH to provide high volume and executive recruitment for an extensive collection of entrepreneurial firms.
Graduated from the University of Florida in 1970; Board member since 1995.
Greg Thomas
Greg Thomas '93, MBA '10 is the Chief Administrative Officer, Global Strategy and New Ventures at State Street Bank. In his role, he manages the annual goals for the company and provides regular updates on key strategic initiatives and overall corporate performance to the Management Committee and Board of Directors. Prior to State Street, Greg worked at Fidelity Investments as Vice President, Strategic Measurement and Analysis; at Palladium as Vice President and Head of Retail and Consumer Brands; and at Sapient as Program Manager. As an undergraduate at Cornell, Greg majored in Economics and served as CFO of Student Agencies and Real Estate Manager in 1992 and 1993.
Greg stated that "being CFO of SAI equipped me with incredible real world business and financial skills that complimented my Cornell education. I have a tremendous passion for the company and am looking forward to my role as a guide and mentor to the next generation of business leaders.
Greg rejoined Student Agencies in June of 2015 as a member of the SAI Board of Directors and will work with other dedicated Cornell alumni to support the long-term growth of the company and fulfillment of the mission.
Tivadar Szegletes
Tivadar Szegletes (PhD, MBA ’02) is responsible for overseeing core support functions in the SC Johnson College of Business (comprised of Johnson School, Nolan School, Dyson School, Statler Hotel and central college departments) for finance, IT, facilities and New York City operations spanning over 6 buildings in Ithaca, Roosevelt Island and midtown in NYC, with a budget over $320 million.
Tivadar joined the Cornell community in November 2015. Tivadar’s prior career included working in corporate finance for FMCG companies (Unilever, P&G, Stila) for 15 years in New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, California and Europe.
Besides his MBA from the Johnson School, Tivadar also holds a PhD degree in Biochemistry from Szeged University in Hungary and an MS degree from University of Amsterdam.
Tivadar has 3 children: 2 of them are grown up, while his youngest one is 15. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, skiing, hiking, gardening and spending time with his family.
Board member since 2016.
Alexander (Zander) Liem
Zander is currently a Senior Associate at Longitude Capital, a life sciences and healthcare venture capital firm. Prior to joining Longitude Capital in 2017, Zander was an Analyst in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs, where he covered healthcare, consumer and retail companies.
As an undergraduate at Cornell Zander was CFO of Student Agencies from 2013-2014. Zander gradated in 2015 with a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Biology and in Applied Economics and Management with a concentration in Finance.
Board member since 2018.
Madi Lieber
Madi is currently the Program Manager for Learning & Development within Google Cloud Support, based out of Seattle, WA.
Prior to moving to Seattle, she worked as a Technical Solutions Consultant and Associate Account Strategist within Google, supporting high spend customers within the Google Ads ecosystem.
While at Cornell, she studied Industrial and Labor Relations, with a minor Business (Class of '17). She began her time at SAI as the General Manager for Campus Promotions in 2015, before becoming President in 2016. During her presidency, she supported the build out of the eHub space and the accompanying organizational changes for SAI. Following her Presidency, she remained involved as the Redevelopment Coordinator throughout the 2017 year.
Since then, she has stayed engaged as a Student Agencies Foundation member (June '17), Student Agencies Properties Board Member (Sept '17), and Student Agencies, Inc. Board Member (June '19).
Dan Karlin
Chief Executive Officer
Currently the CEO of Student Agencies Inc., Dan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California before earning his MBA from the Johnson School. He is a seasoned executive with a diverse background in entrepreneurship, marketing, business development, and consulting. He has led high-growth teams and generated significant revenue across industries, from founding an international wine tourism business to scaling marketing efforts for a financial tech company. Dan also has experience working as a management consultant for Oliver Wyman, Director of Business Development for WeWork, and has founded/co-founded several businesses. His strong strategic vision, leadership skills, and proven track record in building businesses make him a welcome asset at Student Agencies, Inc.
Thomas Bailey
President
Thomas is a junior in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and our President for 2025. As President, he drives revenue growth and operational efficiency for all 7 business units. Thomas has been with Student Agencies since 2022 when he was hired as the General Manager of Big Red Shipping and Storage. On campus outside of SAI, he is a fellow of the Emerging Markets Society, a Sector Lead for Cornell Equity Research, and a deans list scholar. In his free time, Thomas enjoys staying active outside with friends and family.