Executive Board
PIA ATAL, Co-President
Pia is a junior from Los Angeles, CA studying AI for Business. After starting a nonprofit to teach free programming lessons to low-income communities, Pia became interested in the blend of business and technology. In her career, she hopes to develop AI solutions for social good and help companies improve their technologies, while maybe even founding her own startup. Outside of class, Pia loves going to the beach, hiking, exploring new food spots, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
TAZKYAH KHAN, Co-President
Tazkyah is a junior from Portland, Oregon studying Business Administration with a minor in Occupational Sciences. She enjoys working with strategy and specializes in entrepreneurial ventures within the hospitality space. Alongside RISE, Tazkyah serves as the VP of Finance and Housing for the Alpha Phi chapter and is part of SC Triathlon. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, working out, concerts, and film photography.
ROY SALOT, Executive Vice President
Roy is a junior from Ahmedabad, India studying Business Administration (Finance) with a minor in Music Industry. Professionally, he is interested in finance, media, and entertainment and plans to go into investment banking. Besides RISE, he is currently the President of Trojan Venture Partners and is also involved with USC Kathaa and the Undergraduate Student Investment Fund. Outside of school, he enjoys producing music, watching films, trying new restaurants, and going hiking.
CHARLIE AUSTIN, Vice President of Internal Affairs
Charlie is a Junior from Western Springs, Illinois, majoring in Accounting through Leventhal. He will be working for PwC in Chicago this upcoming summer as an Audit intern. Charlie holds interest in the financial, sustainability, automotive, and sports industries. In addition to RISE, he serves as President of the University Park Interfraternity Council. In his free time, Charlie enjoys spending time with friends, exploring cultures, listening to various genres of music, and playing sports, specifically, soccer and golf.
LILAH KEATING, Vice President of External Affairs
Lilah is a junior from Bronxville, New York, studying Business Administration while getting an accelerated Masters in Business, Design, & Technology. Outside of RISE, she was the assistant editor for the Trojan Magazine, Director of Facility Operations for Tri Delta, and on the Nexus casing team. Having worked in advertising, finance, and research, she hopes to do something focused in strategy.
ANDRE HSIEH, Vice President of Finance
Andre is a senior from Taipei, TW. He is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in AI Applications. He is highly interested in consulting, healthcare and life sciences, quantitative analytics, and the intersection of these fields. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, working out, playing basketball, watching football, and hanging out with friends.
TRISTAN TSAI, Vice President of Projects
Tristan is a senior majoring in economics and math, minoring in applied analytics. He is interested in consulting, data science, consumer goods, and healthcare. Outside of RISE, Tristan serves as President for the Chinese American Student Association and is a counselor for Troy Camp. In his free time, he likes going to the gym, watching sports, playing poker, and trying out food spots around LA.
NOLLAN XU, Vice President of Projects
Nollan is a junior from Sunnyvale, California, and is currently studying Economics with a minor in Consumer Behavior. He is interested in pursuing a career as a consultant post graduation. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, playing basketball, dancing, and exploring LA cafes
NITYA PEUMANS, Co-Vice President of Launch
Nitya is a junior from Sunnyvale, CA, currently in the Iovine and Young Academy studying Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation. She is interested in healthcare technology and startups. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and going on long drives with friends.
ESHA BINDLISH, Co-Vice President of Launch
Esha is a sophomore from San Ramon, California. She is majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Artificial Intelligence Applications. She is highly interested in consulting, technology, entrepreneurship, policy, and the intersection of these sectors. Within RISE, she serves as Vice President of Launch and has previously worked as a Project Manager. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, trying new restaurants and cafés, traveling, cooking and baking, and exploring Los Angeles.
Directors
SHREYA RAJARAMAN, Director of External Affairs
Shreya is a Junior from Seattle, Washington studying Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. She is highly interested in the intersection between policy, international relations, and finance. At USC, Shreya is also involved with Kappa Alpha Pi where she serves as the fundraising chair. In her free time, she enjoys long walks, soccer, travel, and exploring coffee shops and restaurants.
BEN MELNICK, Co-Director of Launch
Ben is a junior from Northbrook, Illinois, majoring in finance and accounting. He is an incoming investment banking summer analyst at Wells Fargo in their Financial Sponsors Group. At USC, he is also a TA for BUAD 281 and the VP of the University Park Interfraternity Council. In his free time, he enjoys working out, golfing, Catan, and hanging out with his friends.
SIRI TAILIGERI, Co-Director of Launch
Siri is a sophomore at USC Marshall studying Business Administration with a minor in Applied Analytics. She is interested in consulting, entrepreneurship, and finance as career paths. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, painting, and cooking with friends.
Project Managers
KARAN MALIEKKAL
Karan is a sophomore from Dubai, UAE studying Economics and Data Science with a minor in Financial Mathematics. His professional interests are in Consulting and Finance, and this summer he interned at KPMG as a strategy advisory intern. Outside of RISE he is involved in QuantSC as a trader/researcher. In his free time he loves to play basketball, speed-cube, and play guitar.
BRAYDEN CHEN
Brayden is a junior from Fullerton, CA. He is majoring in Business Administration with a minor in AI Applications. He is interested in product management and tech consulting. Outside of RISE, he is involved with ProductSC and the USC Baseball as a Data Analytics Student Manager. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding, working out, golfing, and hanging out with family and friends.
SASANK KALAPATAPU
Sasank is a junior from the Bay Area, CA studying Electrical & Computer Engineering. He brings a deep passion for Data Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, specifically on how to integrate these concepts into everyday life to build scalable solutions. His entrepreneurial spirit is what drew him to RISE, where he aims to bridge the gap between the technical and business sides of innovation. Outside of school, Sasank loves to hangout with friends, explore new places, and watch sports.
Senior Advisors
LUCAS DAMASCO
Lucas is a senior from Palos Verdes, CA studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). His professional interests are broad, including Corporate Law, Strategy Consulting, Finance, and Artificial Intelligence. Outside of RISE, Lucas serves as the Director of Finance for the Academic Culture Assembly within the Undergraduate Student Government and is a member of the Leadership Program for TroyPhi. In his free time, he likes to play golf, take photos with his retro digital camera, and explore the food scene with friends in LA.
LUCY DAVIES
Lucy is a junior from Chicago, Illinois studying Business Administration with a minor in Environmental Studies. Outside of RISE, she is involved in the Trojan Investing Society, and is interested in the intersect between sustainability and business. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, trying new restaurants, skiing, and going to the beach.
JACK BULLOCK
Jack is a junior from Birmingham, Alabama majoring in Economics with a double minor in Spanish and Business Finance. Jack previously partnered with Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in high school to make affordable housing protests more accessible through social media. In the future, Jack aims to become a management consultant and optimize business strategies in mass media, renewable energy, and international transactions. Along with RISE, Jack is involved in USC's Corporate Law & Financial Regulation Association as well as Annenberg TV News. Outside of school, he enjoys driving around LA, going to the beach, surfing, and playing guitar.
MAHIKA KANODIA
Mahika is a junior from Mumbai, India studying business administration and looking to add minors in applied analytics & sports media. She hopes to pursue a career in consulting, as she loves creative & analytical problem solving. She is also a part of SBA, and her passion for sports stems from competing nationally in track and field and the hope of improving women's sports. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys adrenaline sports, drawing, and spending time with friends and family.
Business Analysts
Ari is a junior at the University of Southern California studying Public Relations and Advertising. Outside the classroom, he is involved in TAMID Group, Beta Sigma Investment Group, and the USC Men’s Club Ice Hockey Team. Next summer, Ari will be joining FTI Consulting’s TMT practice in New York as an intern. He has a strong interest in media and entertainment and enjoys keeping up with new movies and developments across the industry. In his free time, Ari enjoys working out, traveling, playing hockey, and spending time with friends and family.
ISABELLA SHEN
Isabella is a junior from San Francisco, California, studying Business Administration with a minor in Applied Analytics. She is interested in pursuing a career in consulting, as she enjoys structured problem-solving, strategic thinking, and analyzing data to inform impactful business decisions. Isabella is also passionate about the fashion industry and is interested in working at the intersection of creative vision and business. In her free time, Isabella likes to play tennis, travel, shop, and spend time with friends.
JACKSON KIM
Jackson is a sophomore from Wrightwood, California studying Accounting with an anticipated Masters in Taxation. He is interested in pursuing a career in law, consulting, and or accounting. In the winter he works as a snowboard instructor at Mountain High Ski Resort. In his free time he enjoys trying new foods, working out, and indulging in history. He is currently interning at the company Vylist, as a growth strategist and has a new found passion for playing the guitar.
RITHVIK IYER
Rithvik is a sophomore from Denver, Colorado studying Business Administration in Marshall. He is interested in finance, consulting, and AI applications. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, playing golf, hiking, and spending time with his friends.
ROSE XU
Rose is a sophomore from Vancouver, Canada majoring in Business Administration with a minor in A.I. applications. She is interested in marketing, website design, and product development and plans on pursuing consulting in the future. Outside of RISE, Rose is a project manager for USC’s Core Consulting Group and in her free time she likes to do art, photography, and travel.
ARYAN NEHRU
Aryan is a junior from Edison, NJ, studying Finance at USC Marshall with minors in AI applications. He is interested in financial modeling, fundamental research, business strategy, and the ways AI is reshaping how investors and operators work. Over the past two years he has interned in technology investment banking, private equity, and AI strategy, and most recently in strategic financial advisory. Aryan is particularly drawn to investing and high-growth technology companies, where he hopes to combine his background in finance and technology. Outside the classroom, he enjoys playing and watching basketball, working out, listening to music, and spending time with friends.
MAYA HAMMERMAN
Maya is a sophomore from Lafayette, California studying Business Administration with a Finance concentration. Her experiences founding an e-commerce business and organizing a county-wide Shark Tank competition sparked her interest in entrepreneurship, finance, and consulting. At USC, she is involved in RISE Consulting, Spark SC, TIS, and MREFA. She has also explored her interests and potential career paths through internships in investment banking, venture capital, and real estate. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, exploring Los Angeles, and spending time with friends and family.
ETHAN SONG
Ethan is a sophomore studying Applied Mathematics with a minor in Business Finance. This summer, he interned at a boutique bank in New York as an investment banking analyst, but now hopes to pursue a career in either consulting or actuarial science, and even has long-term career plans of becoming a community college math professor. Outside of class, Ethan enjoys playing poker, watching films, skateboarding, playing volleyball, and playing the piano.
Faculty Advisor
COURTNEY BRUNIOUS, Assistant Professor of Clinical Management and Organization
Courtney Brunious is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Management and Organization in the Department of Management and Organization. He teaches courses in strategy, sports business, and leadership, leveraging his experience in executive roles in the sports business industry to bring real world insights into the classroom. Previously, he served as COO of Altius Sports Partners and Associate Director of the USC Marshall Sports Business Institute, in addition to being a consultant on issues involving non-profit organizations, sports business, and real estate. He has continued to study the sports business industry for years and has provided insight into issues ranging from sports anchored real estate development to technology. He has also spoken on or moderated panels at the USC Body Computing Conference, NBPA Tech Summit, and USC Marshall Diversity conference. His media work has included appearances on the CBS evening news and KTLA as well as radio and print such as NPR, CNBC, ESPN, Variety, Fast Company, the Los Angeles Times, and the Los Angeles Business Journal. He is also admitted to the state bar of Illinois.
