Meet a Global Ambassador

Global Ambassadors are School of Management students who have recently participated in our global programs. Want to learn more? Send an email to the ambassadors below and ask them about their experiences.

Jessenia Leaphart, STEM MBA ’26

Programs: International Business in Europe (Virtual Spring 2025; optional in-person travel Spring 2025)

“The International Business in Europe program gave me the chance to step outside the classroom and experience how business and leadership operate in a completely different environment. Seeing how strategy plays out in a cultural and economic context outside of the US challenged some of my assumptions about operations and problem-solving. The experience stretched me in all the right ways and made me a more confident leader navigating through uncertainty and ambiguity.

Italy was a deeply meaningful experience for me personally. It was one of the most memorable and life-changing trips I’ve taken so far. The integration of the curriculum and the cultural experience left me thinking, how could I be so lucky?”

Hannah Clarke, BS in Business Administration ’26, MSF ’27

Programs: International Business in Europe, Italy (Virtual Spring 2025; optional in-person travel Spring 2025); Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Africa (Virtual Fall 2025; optional in-person travel Winter 2025); Business in the EU, Latvia (Virtual Spring 2025; optional in-person travel Summer 2025)

“Participating in three global programs reshaped how I understand international business and leadership. Analyzing real challenges faced by companies and adapting to different cultural environments strengthened my critical thinking and adaptability skills. My trip to Italy especially introduced me to the importance of sustainability in business and made me rethink how I want to run my future ventures. As an aspiring entrepreneur, I do not want to build businesses solely focused on profit , but I want to create jobs within my community while implementing sustainable practices that protect the environment. These experiences affirmed my commitment to building businesses that balance financial success with meaningful impact.”

Samantha Sorensen, BS in Biological Sciences ‘27

Programs: Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Africa (Virtual Fall 2024; optional in-person travel Winter 2025 and Winter 2026)

“Traveling to Ghana twice through UB’s global programs is a defining part of my college experience. Returning allowed me to move beyond observation and truly engage with the community, building lasting relationships, and gaining a deeper understanding of the realities of providing care in resource limited settings through medical outreaches. These experiences challenged me in ways a classroom never could and allowed me to use my education to make a meaningful impact.”

Contact Us

Center for Leadership and Global Impact
School of Management
University at Buffalo
UB Downtown Gateway
77 Goodell St., Suite 201
Buffalo, NY 14203

Tel: 716-645-2235
mgt-clgi@buffalo.edu

Meet our team

Center for Leadership and Global Impact Facebook page

Center for Leadership and Global Impact LinkedIn page

Center for Leadership and Global Impact YouTube page

Class of 2025

Jamie DeRidder, BS '18, MBA '23, OMSBA '25

Programs: Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Latin America (Virtual, Spring 2023; optional in-person March 2023), International Business in Asia (Virtual, Fall 2023; optional in-person January 2024), Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Africa (in-person Summer 2024), and International Business in Europe (in-person Spring 2025)

"Participating in UB’s global programs has broadened my perspective on international business and social impact across diverse regions. Each experience—from exploring entrepreneurship in Latin America to understanding macroeconomic trends in Africa—has deepened my passion for working with global communities. These programs have not only expanded my knowledge but also inspired me to apply what I’ve learned in real-world contexts."

Nicholas Falk, BS '24, MBA '25

Programs: International Business in Singapore (Virtual, Fall 2022; optional in-person January 2023) and Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Latin America (Virtual, Spring 2024)

“Taking a course through global programs has completely changed my outlook on international careers while simultaneously broadening my cultural horizons. Collaborating on projects and eventually visiting my Singaporean classmates allowed me to gain a greater understanding of cross-cultural communication in a professional setting. I encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zones and explore the world through this unique experiential learning opportunity!”

Class of 2024

Gabriella Scoccia, BS '24

Programs: Experience the 50: West Coast Fintech (Seattle and Southern California)
(Virtual, Spring 2023); Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Africa (Virtual, Fall 2023); Experience the 50: Disney (Virtual, Fall 2023; optional in-person October 2023); Experience the 50: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - NYC (in-person April 2024)

Katriel Agregado, BS '23, MSBA '24

Programs: Experience the 50: Leadership, Industry and Culture in Chicago (Virtual, Fall 2022; optional in-person September 2022); Experience the 50: Tech Trek to Boston and Colorado (Virtual, Spring 2023)

Class of 2023

Sivarama Mandapati, MBA '23

"As an international student, global programs has made it possible for me to connect with domestic companies and engage in invaluable idea exchanges. But the program didn't just equip me with practical skills, it also helped me to build a network of professional contacts that will be invaluable as I move forward in my career. Furthermore, my work as a mentor and course assistant for the global leadership course further strengthened my desire to be a global citizen, taking on community challenges and accepting shared responsibilities."

Shameera D/O Abdul Aziz, BS ’23

Program: International Business in Singapore (Virtual, Fall 2021)

“Global programs helped me to develop as an individual and comprehend diverse cultures. Communicating across time zones, I collaborated on a project with a global team and networked with students from UB and the Singapore Institute of Management to strengthen our bonds. After graduation, the skills and knowledge I learned from this program will be with me throughout my career journey.”

Adam Kerr, MBA ’23

Program: Business in Central Europe (Virtual, Spring 2022)

“My global experience in Hungary and Germany was unforgettable. The program was engaging and immersive and a great chance to work in a team with students from different School of Management programs. I strongly recommend participating in global programs—and I’m looking forward to participating in additional programs in my second year.”

Archana Mohan, MS ’23

Programs: Experience the 50: Tech Trek to Ontario and Miami (Virtual, Spring 2022) and Experience the 50: Fintech in Seattle and Phoenix (Virtual, Spring 2022)

“The Experience the 50 programs were an opportunity for me to gain a glimpse of what may lie ahead, visit places and meet people—all from the comfort of my room. It is different than any other course offered by the School of Management. As an international student, I appreciated the avenues this course provided to expand my professional network and learn from alumni.”

Himani Priya, MBA ’22, MS ’23

Programs: Experience the 50: Chicago (Virtual, Fall 2020); Experience the 50: Silicon Valley Tech Trek (Virtual, Fall 2021); Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Africa (Virtual, Fall 2021); Experience the 50: Washington D.C. (Virtual, Spring 2022)

“Global Programs were one more step toward being a global citizen. The interactions helped me understand different work cultures and become inclusive as a team leader, while exchanging life stories with people from different walks of life.”

Robert Siegel, BS ’23

Programs: Experience the 50: Midwest Tech Trek (Virtual, Fall 2020), Experience the 50: Industry and Culture in Philadelphia (Virtual, Spring 2021)

“My virtual programs in Austin and Philadelphia greatly enhanced my college experience. Learning about different industries in various parts of the country, while simultaneously networking with alumni, made for eye-opening trips. Global programs are a fantastic opportunity for students to gain real-life experience outside of the classroom.”

Rachel Wheeler, BS ’23

Program: Business in Central Europe (Virtual, Spring 2022)

"My course with Hungary and Germany helped me develop as an individual and gave me a unique experience to interact with international companies. The program was eye-opening and informative. I enjoyed the chance to work with different School of Management students, both undergrad and graduate, and gain perspective from other cultures. Global Programs are an amazing opportunity to gain real-world experience and learn about other cultures."