Northeastern Next Podcast

Meet Mike Beaudet, MA'08! An investigative reporter for WCVB and professor of journalism at Northeastern, Mike brings three decades worth of field experience and knowledge to his classes. Learn more about how Mike helps students develop their own voices and stories, his upcoming trip to Peru for Dialogues of Civilizations, and his plans for reinvigorating the concept of local news.  Read the walk...

Meet Kojo Addaquay, E'23! Currently working as a finance business systems analyst at Northeastern, Kojo has a history of working with the United Nations and his own fintech startup that aims to help farmers in Ghana finance their equipment. Learn about Kojo's unique co-op experience, his techniques for self-discipline when learning a new skill, and his predictions for the future of global fintech!...

Meet Byron Hurt, AMD'93! After starting his journalism career at The Patriot Ledger while at Northeastern, Byron transitioned to documentary filmmaking that focuses on hot-button topics. Byron's latest film, "Lee and Liza's Family Tree", traces the history of the Hurt family through various genealogical practices while using it as a vessel to explore a range of social issues. Learn more about Byro...

Meet Meghan Phan, a graduate of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2022! While working toward her degree in philosophy, Meghan opened a bakery with her mother in 2018. Specializing in sweet treats, Vietnamese food, and coffee, Sweet Piglet Bakery offers something for everyone. Learn about starting a business as a student, balancing work with family, and this year's Northeastern Holid...

Meet Greg Lainas, a graduate of the D'Amore-McKim School of Business in 1978! Greg had a long and prolific career as a CPA—working for industry giants like Robert Half and ESPN. Now retired, Greg leads speaking engagements on networking, telling his story of how he was able to create connections that lead to jobs, leadership positions, and even his first co-op experience. Learn more about the powe...

Meet Martell Mason, a graduate of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2007! Beginning as a Starbucks barista while taking classes at Northeastern, Martell fell in love with the coffee industry. After spending time working as a coffee importer/exporter in Turkey, Martell asked himself, "How can I make coffee more accessible to underrepresented communities?"  In 2021, he returned to his...

Meet Kade Krichko, a graduate of the College of Arts, Media and Design in 2012! After graduating from Northeastern, Kade began pitching sports stories that touched on the human condition to media giants like the New York Times and ESPN. After building relationships in the industry and writing award-winning pieces, Kade now teaches a class on media literacy at Northeastern and is ready to launch a...

Meet Rick Leary, a graduate of the D'Amore-McKim School of Business in 1989 and recipient of a Masters in Public Administration in 1992! Beginning his career in public transportation as a train attendant for Boston's famous Green Line, Rick ascended to becoming the chief operating officer of the MBTA in 2005. In 2014, Rick moved to Canada to work for the Toronto Transit Commission, where he now se...

Rian Finnegan, a 2011 graduate of the College of Arts, Media and Design, returns to the Northeastern Next podcast with two years worth of stories and accomplishments. Currently the Head of Employer Brand and Recruitment Marketing at Snap, Rian additionally runs the Little Loaf Bakeshop in Poughkeepsie, New York, a vegan bakery that moonlights as an independent music venue. Learn more about the sta...

Meet Ioana Good, a 2000 graduate from the College of Arts, Media, and Design and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Bianca Vranceanu, a 2022 graduate of the College of Arts, Media and Design! After founding the PR and Branding Agency, Promova, Ioana wanted to give back to her alma mater, to which she accredits much of her success. In early 2020, Ioana started offering co-op positio...

Meet Dave Fatula, a 2001 D’Amore-McKim School of Business graduate and founder of a one-of-a-kind guided hiking business! After 20 years behind a desk, Dave gave up his career in the world of real estate finance to launch his own business and pursue his passion for the great outdoors. As the owner and operator of Guineafowl Adventure Company, Dave seeks to remove the obstacles one faces when looki...

Meet Dr. Nash Hernandez, GC’07, MSc’07, PhD’09! With a career spanning nearly three decades, Dr. Nash is currently a member of the board of directors for GloboScience, a pharmaceutical and medical technology consultancy. Focusing on rare diseases, gene therapy, cell therapy, and advanced tissue products, Dr. Nash has utilized his unique background of marketing and biology to bring health products...

Meet Rishya Narayanan, MS’19! With a passion for environmental science and fighting climate change, she is currently the climate change communications strategist for the Conservation Law Foundation nonprofit in Boston. Pivoting from her initial career aspirations of becoming a therapist, Rishya has spent time advocating for environmental nonprofits like the New England Aquarium and the Massachuset...

Meet Michelle Calderon, MBA’21! A winner of the Northeastern Women Who Empower Innovator awards in 2021, Michelle has recently soft launched her company Addition Beauty, a makeup brand that uses high-quality formulations that are safe and free of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. With the introduction of three new shades of lipstick and a roadmap to expand product offerings, Michelle is ready to mak...

Meet CJ Grasso, B.A.’16, M.S.’17, MBA’22. CJ began his journey at Northeastern as a business major. However, during his first co-op at a small law firm, he realized the need for change and found a new passion in community resilience and homeland security. A triple husky, CJ stays in touch with his co-op coordinator and continues to visit the university—he acts as a resource to co-op students by pr...

Meet Elke Thoms, a graduate of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities in 2018 and currently a stand-up comedian and writer based in Los Angeles. Elke's comedic journey began during her time at Northeastern after taking classes at Improv Boston, igniting a passion for the art of comedy. With a captivating stage presence, Elke has been performing standup all over the country at venues includi...

Meet Donna Halper, LA’69, MEd’70, MA’73! A remarkable trailblazer in the world of radio and music, Donna made Northeastern history in 1968 as the first female DJ of WRBB. One of Donna's most significant contributions came in the early 1970s when she played a vital role in discovering the legendary rock band Rush. Recognizing their immense talent, Donna championed their music and gave them their in...

Meet Hannah Ung, DMSB’23! The founder of one of Boston’s most innovative startup companies, Boxy, Hannah has been helping college students find storage through a host’s underutilized space since 2022. With the support of Northeastern’s entrepreneurial network, Hannah has grown Boxy through market research and building a rapport with customers in the area, all of which helped her win a Women Who Em...

Meet Mike Troxell, DMSB‘10, Principal and Founder of Modern Financial Planning. After working in finance and wealth management, Mike opened a financial planning business in 2018 that serves millennials and Gen X in the tech industry. He completed two co-ops throughout his time at Northeastern, including one at Merrill Lynch on Wall Street during the peak of the 2008 financial crisis. Mike talks ab...

Meet Gina V. Dunn, CSSH'06, CPS'13! A double-husky, Gina lives by the philosophy of to not just learn for school, but for life. Being a self-described lifelong learner, Gina has an eclectic resume and diverse career history—from surviving the 2008 recession to writing Paris Possibilities, her new innovative and informative guidebook for those visiting the city for the first time. Learn how Gina us...

On this special episode of Northeastern Next, meet three entrepreneurs with exciting side hustles! Our first guest, Ben Brakenwagon, transcends the typical entrepreneur convention through his own personal side hustle selling rock climbing equipment, his work at a tech startup, and everything in between. Following Ben, current Northeastern student Bella D'Ascoli celebrates the legacy of her late fr...

Meet Kate Weiler, CPS ‘13! Co-founder of the beverage company Drink Simple, she is a hardworking and motivated entrepreneur with a passion for nutrition and sustainability. Using Northeastern's IDEA program to build the framework of her business, Weiler launched the Drink Simple brand to critical acclaim. Learn about her entrepreneurial journey to bring maple water to the masses! Drink Simple: htt...

Meet Valerie Robert, Khoury'23, CSSH'23! A Women Who Empower Innovator award winner in 2022, it's no secret that Valerie is an incredibly motivated individual—from holding a variety of leadership positions on campus to having aspirations of starting intersectional businesses, it's clear she is on a path towards success. Learn about her entrepreneurial journey and her post-graduation plans. Instagr...

This Northeastern Next bonus episode is the culmination of five women’s quest to change the way the world perceives their strength. During her co-op in Northeastern’s Advancement division, student athlete and aspiring journalist, Madison Neuner, AMD’24 examines ways in which women own their right to influence social change for themselves and others. From advocating in office spaces to cheering on...

While TV medical dramas have ruled entertainment for decades, Dr. Washington, AS’05, was putting in the real work. She received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and was the first Black woman to be admitted into the residency program. From a private practice in Texas to a prestigious surgery fellowship in Oregon, Dr. Washington is a lifelong learner, now spec...