Interviews by Current Lafayette Students with Notable Alumni
Lafayette alumni with distinguished professional careers bring a dose of the real world to first year students. The students will interview alumni, asking about takeaways from their time at Lafayette, some of their toughest professional challenges, and tips for success. The conversations reveal what's on the minds of today's students and experiences that bridge theory and practice—in other words...what was taught, what was learned, and what is reality.
In conjunction with WLVR-NPR, students worked with real world professionals to produce their podcast from start to finish.
The Interviews
Chris Caine
President & CEO of Mercator XXI, LLC
Class of 1978
Christopher Caine, Lafayette Class of 1978, has found success in public affairs through his innovative approaches to problem-solving. After graduating, Caine worked for companies including Coca Cola and IBM, and eventually became CEO of Mercator XXI (21), LLC and President of the nonprofit Center for Global Enterprise. Lafayette First-Year students, Daisy Wheeler ’25 and Claire Weitzmann ’25 sit down with Caine to discuss the effects that working with others has had on his career, and the importance of mentorship in finding success.
Amanda Pisetzner
Senior Editorial Producer, Vice Media
Class of 2010
Amanda Pisetzner, Lafayette class of 2010, is a producer at Vice News, HBO’s original reporting and storytelling program covering world issues, economics, and public policy. Lafayette First-year students Rob Hnelski ’25 and Lui ’25 met with Amanda to discuss her time at Lafayette, her past & current jobs, and why she ultimately does what she does.
Angel Mendez
Executive Chairman-Board of Directors, LevaData
Class of 1982
Angel Mendez, Lafayette Class of 1982. Mendez is Executive Chairman at Leva Data, CEO of HERE Technologies, and member of the Lafayette Board of Trustees. Lafayette First-Year students Easton Brenner ’25 and Kat Walton ’25 met with Angel to talk about his past college experience, his present work, and what he looks for in leaders. Easton asked Mendez why Lafayette produces so many leaders.
Tim Hylan
Vice-President, Internal Medicine Field Medical Director Group at Pfizer, Inc
Class of 1988
Tim Hylan, Lafayette Class of 2013 led his team at Pfizer through the development of the Covid-19 vaccine. Lafayette First Year students, Jacob Maurer '25 and Amara Almodovar '25, sit down with Hylan to hear more about his journey from Lafayette to Pfizer.
Samatha Jordan
Foreign Service Officer at U.S. Department of State
Class of 2013
Samantha Jordan, Lafayette Class of 2013, is a financial economist for the U.S. Department of State. She has developed an extensive career in government and foreign service since her time at Lafayette College. First Year students Christopher Rubayo ’25 and Ella Kenyon ’25 met with Samantha to talk about her career and how she has taken skills learned from her time at Lafayette with her into her career.
Katherine
Mulready
SVP & Chief Strategy Officer, Colorado Hospital Association
Class of 2004
Katherine Mulready, Lafayette Class of 2004, has worked in various roles relating to health policy, and currently serves as Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer for the Colorado Hospital Association. Lafayette First Year students Matt Luongo ’25 and Molly Terraciano ’25 met with Katherine and to talk about her work and what led her down this career path.
Sean
Bluni
CEO at Hardesty & Hanover, LLC
Class of 1990
Sean Bluni, Lafayette Class of 1990, started as an intern and is now the CEO of Hardesty & Hanover, an infrastructure engineering firm with over 500 members and 30 locations around the country. It has built some of the nation's most notable projects such as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. First Year students Stephanie Papalia ’25 and Sebastien Bjorkeson ’25, speak to Bluni about teamwork, modern infrastructure, and the highs and lows of being a CEO. Bluni shares his insight on hot topics like: what does it really mean to be a leader? How do you become successful in the real world?
Oliver
Bowen
Digital Systems Architect, Perceptive
Class of 2005
Oliver Bowen, Lafayette Class of 2005, shares his experience of moving his life from South Africa to Easton, PA in order to attend Lafayette College and earn a degree in Electrical Engineering. First year students, Kira Hawkins ’25 and Jim Guinee ’25 sit down with Bowen to hear about his time at Google working as a Digital Architect, which would eventually lead him to joining a new startup company, Perceptive. In this interview Bowen discusses the evolving technology that is augmented reality and his take on the field.
Kevin
Mandia
CEO and Board Director, Mandiant,
Class of 1992
Kevin Madnia, Lafayette College Class of 1992, is the Chief Executive Officer of FireEy who graduated from Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. First year students, Olivia Boeckman ’25 and Ray Dennehy ’25 sit down with Mandia to learn more about his time serving in the United States Air Force as well as the founding of Mandiant, an American cybersecurity firm, in 2004. Mandia discusses his path in cybersecurity after college and the importance of leadership throughout his life.