Mason Alumni Power Couple Committed to Serving Community

Marianne Klinker — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 19:52:24 +0000

Mason Alumni Power Couple Committed to Serving Community Marianne Klinker Fri, 11/12/2021 - 14:52

Since attending and graduating from ��AV, Marc and Shaza Andersen have embedded themselves in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. From establishing careers, marrying, and starting a family, to giving back, the Andersens have achieved several milestones in the region. They are two dedicated community business leaders who recognize the values and impact of the School of Business.

Marc and Shaza Andersen

The Andersens serve on the School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council, with Marc also sitting on the Center for Government Contracting Advisory Board, which he helped start.

Most recently, Shaza, BA Area Studies ’89, launched Trustar Bank in July 2019, serving as chief executive officer and founder. Trustar Bank is the first community bank to be chartered in Virginia in more than 10 years.

“With all of the bank consolidations in our marketplace, there was a demand for a new community bank,” she says. The response has been overwhelming.

Shaza says that both this demand and having a proven team of leaders from her previous job allowed the process to move quickly. “Our regulators were great in working with us, and many knew us from the past. That made a big difference,” she says.

Shaza Andersen

Previously, Shaza served as vice chair of the board of Sandy Spring Bank and was founder and CEO of WashingtonFirst Bank. She says the team looks forward to growing the bank by delivering superior service and strong returns to shareholders.

Marc, BA Economics ’90, has spent more than 17 years with Ernst & Young LLP (EY). He currently serves as a senior global client service partner advising global technology, public sector, consumer products, and banking and capital market clients. He also served in strategy, public policy, and market leadership roles, to include creating EY’s U.S. federal consulting business.

He has dedicated most of his career to EY because of the people and culture. “EY provides an incredible platform to create and build businesses, grow and develop people, and serve clients globally. It’s fun,” he says.

Marc is passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship, the “key ingredients for driving meaningful change and growth.”

“It’s about understanding what’s possible and then the impact you can make. I’m passionate about bringing the best of the private and public sectors together to solve complex problems by driving innovation and investing in entrepreneurship,” he says.

Marc Anderson

Marc also enjoys mentoring and investing in professional development opportunities for military and veterans as they transition to the private sector.

“We are both committed to doing what we can to help make a difference and to have an impact. Mason has come a long way since we graduated, due in part to alumni and friends staying active and committed to the university’s success,” they say. “From a community perspective, we recognize an opportunity and responsibility to make a difference where we can in the areas that matter most to us: youth, education, and entrepreneurship.”

As board members they recognize the advantages of a Mason business degree and future industry success.

“A degree from Mason’s School of Business sets students apart in what it communicates. The business school does a great job in preparing students to enter the workforce. In addition, as many students work while attending school, it also communicates the ability of Mason students to meet the many demands required to be a successful professional,” say the Andersens.

They encourage students to work hard and make the most of their education and professional development opportunities.

“Understand that success and your career are something that you need to consistently invest in over time. Take risks and do something that you are passionate about and take the time to invest in others and in our community.”

The Andersens look forward to the future and doing more of what they’re passionate about—building their businesses, investing in the community, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Topics

Costello College of Business News

Costello College of Business Alumni

First Generation

Marianne Klinker — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 18:48:20 +0000

First Generation Marianne Klinker Fri, 11/12/2021 - 13:48

In This Story

Jiasun Li

First-generation students and faculty bring a unique dedication and perspective to the ��AV community. At Mason, 33 percent of students are first generation, meaning they are the first in their family to attend college or to complete a four-year degree. Here, a first-generation student, alumnus, and two faculty members share their stories.

Franklin Funes

Management Major
Expected Graduation: Fall 2019

My family is incredibly proud that I am the first to get my degree, especially from such a respected school. My sisters have encouraged me all along the way and know that if I can do it, so can they.

I want to use my personal story as a way to motivate other first-generation students to finish their degree. In the tough moments, I want to be that sounding board and motivator they need to get to the finish line. In the end, I just want my story to help other students meet their goals.

Shin Nan Goto

BS Accounting ’07
Senior Manager, Professional Service Practice,Baker Tilly

One thing that I treasure in my role at Baker Tilly is my opportunity to come on campus to meet with and talk to students about the accounting industry. Meeting first-generation students who are pulling themselves up and trying to find their future in the accounting industry constantly inspires me. I always maintain a mindset, when I’m coming to Mason to recruit, that I find out the real story of every individual. A lot of times, it’s a story that mirrors my own.

I think Mason is the perfect school for individuals who are first-generation college students. It’s uniquely positioned in the Washington, D.C., area to provide opportunities and access to employers, internships, and meaningful employment while you’re in school that other universities don’t. I credit this as a major reason that I could successfully finish my degree as a first-generation student at Mason.

Jiasun Li

Assistant Professor of Finance
PhD, Finance, University of California, Los Angeles
BS, Mathematics, Fudan University

My situation might be a little different from the United States because my parents grew up in a time in China when most colleges were shut down. It’s not that they didn’t want to go to college. They didn’t have the opportunity, so they always supported my education.

I think it’s a precious opportunity to go to college, and I think it would be useful for first-generation students to spend some time and talk to people who have that experience so that they know what to expect in college and what to expect when they graduate so they can prioritize their work.

Suzanne de Janasz

Visiting Professor of Management and Conflict Analysis and Resolution
PhD, Organizational Behavior, University of Southern California
MBA, University of Southern California
BM, Music and Business, University of Miami

My parents were supportive of, but a bit confused by, my motivation for graduate degrees. I sometimes wished they understood the pressures I faced, but I found ways to forge my own path and seek support from others who had “been there and done that.” These mentors gave great advice, provided a reality check, and facilitated connections to others.Building relationships with mentors continues for me and also my students. For almost 20 years, I’ve required students in most of my classes to initiate and carry out a relationship with online mentors. Through this process, students expand their understanding of course concepts and also come to recognize the importance of mentors in their lives. Anyone—at any stage of life—can benefit from having (or being!) a mentor.

Topics

Costello College of Business News

Katherine Johnson Dias

Mason Alumni Power Couple Committed to Serving Community

Topics

First Generation

In This Story

Franklin Funes

Shin Nan Goto

Jiasun Li

Suzanne de Janasz

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