OUR  TEAM

MEET OUR TEAM

Student Agencies Inc.’s seven business units are each managed by Cornell undergraduates, who have profit/loss responsibility for their respective businesses. Each agency manager reports to the President who is ultimately accountable for the operations and performance of the entire portfolio. The Executive Team supports the President and the six agencies in executing their business operations and increasing their profitability.

A number of full-time professional staff provide mentoring and support services to the student management staff, including a CEO that serves as a “Mentor-in-Residence.”

A formal Board of Directors sets the organization’s long-term strategic vision and serves as an experienced resource for the student management staff.

Want to learn more about each of these roles?

Feel free to contact any of our team members for a coffee chat!

EXECUTIVE TEAM
Willie Yao
President
Willie is a sophomore from Orange County, California, studying Hotel Administration at Cornell’s Nolan School with a focus on real estate and entrepreneurship. As President, he drives revenue growth and operational efficiency for all of the business units. Willie is passionate about building communities and creating seamless living experiences. Outside of Student Agencies, he is involved with Diversity and Inclusion in Real Estate, Startup Consulting at Cornell, and Hotel Ezra Cornell. In his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, backpacking, scuba diving, skiing, and bringing people together through hosting dinner parties.
Sam Tsao
Chief Financial Officer
Sam is a sophomore from Old Greenwich, CT studying Applied Economics and Management at the Dyson school. As the Managing Director of the Hired Hands Moving Company, Sam is looking forward to offering exceptional service to the greater Tompkins County area. Outside of Student Agencies, he is a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon and Cornell Commodities Trading Club. He is also the incoming president of the Cornell Club Hockey Team. In his free time, Sam enjoys golf, poker, and MMA.
Mark Lee
Chief Technology Officer
Mark is a sophomore studying in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and plans to minor in Information Science. As the Chief Technology Officer of Student Agencies, Mark is passionate about the intersection between technology and people, striving to implement innovative solutions that boost efficiency and drive organizational success. Beyond Student Agencies, Mark channels his creativity as an enthusiastic member of Cornell's Performing and Media Arts department, where he pursues his love of Cole Porter and the Great American Songbook. In his spare time, you'll find him exploring new tech trends, playing golf, or searching for Ithaca's best ramen spots.
Rory Grant
Chief Growth Officer
Rory is a sophomore from Bryn Mawr, PA, studying Mechanical Engineering and pursuing a minor in Aerospace Engineering. He is the General Manager of Hired Hands Moving Company, and seeks to bring a technical approach to solving small-business problems. He is excited to take his real world business experience from Student Agencies and apply it to complex problem solving in a technical field. Aside from Student Agencies, Rory is a member of Mediocre Melodies a Capella and the Cornell Outing Club. Rory enjoys all things outdoors; and when not working on work or school is most likely found running on trails around Ithaca.
Elena Centeno
Executive Director of Development
Elena is a junior from New Windsor, New York studying Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She serves as Executive Director of Development at Student Agencies Inc., where she supports strategic growth, operational planning, and new venture development across student-run enterprises. Outside of Student Agencies, Elena is the Treasurer of the Cornell Women’s Basketball Team and a Cornell Tradition Fellow. She is passionate about operations and business strategy, particularly improving systems, scaling organizations, and driving sustainable growth. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball and spending time with her loved ones.
Tamara Kasikovic
Director of Tech Development
Tamara is a sophomore from Old Bridge, NJ majoring in Computer Science and Statistics. As the Director of Tech Development, she looks forward to applying her technical background to build software across the organization. She's especially interested in using technology to solve operational challenges and empower student-led businesses. Beyond Student Agencies, Tamara is a member of the Cornell Data Science project team and Epsilon Nu Tau, Cornell's entrepreneurship fraternity. In her spare time, she enjoys playing beach volleyball, going to concerts, and exploring cities.
Alexandra Mastrogianni
Software Project Lead
Alexandra is a sophomore in Cornell’s College of Engineering and a Software Developer at Student Agencies Inc. In her role at SAI, she works on building and improving technical systems that support business operations across the organization. On campus, Alexandra is involved in ORIE research and is a member of the Cornell Data & Strategy Club, where she contributes to data-driven and analytical projects. Outside of SAI and academics, Alexandra enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Grace Heskial
Director of Human Resources
Grace is a sophomore in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations and our Director of HR for 2026. As Director of HR, she oversees HR operations for all our businesses, including onboarding, payroll, culture initiatives, and more. On campus outside of SAI, she is an Emerging Markets Institute Fellow, a Cornell Traditions Fellow, Head of Operations for Cayuga Capital, VP of NME for BCEE, and a Research and Social Media Intern for the Community Justice Center. In her free time, Grace enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing chess, and cooking.
Kieran Shulman
Assistant Director of HR
Kieran is a sophomore from Ithaca, NY studying Global Development and Information Science. As the Assistant Director of Human Resources, he hopes to continue emphasizing the energetic and empowering culture of SAI. Outside of Student Agencies, Kieran is in the Energy Transition Club, a Global Development Peer Mentor, and a TA. In his free time, he plays tennis, soccer, and goes fishing.
Big Red Shipping & Storage
Zaryab Kanjiani
General Manager
Zaryab is a freshman from Dallas, TX, studying Applied Economics and Management at the Dyson School. As a General Manager for Big Red Shipping & Storage, he is focused on growing the operations of the business while ensuring a smooth experience for all customers. Outside of Student Agencies, Zaryab is an analyst with Cornell Equity Research and serves as a Vice President in Scholars of Finance. In his free time, he enjoys Formula 1, poker, and exploring nature.
Leo Levy
General Manager
Leo is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences and our Big Red Shipping and Storage General Manager for 2026. As General Manager, he drives revenue growth, manages operational efficiency, and oversees customer service for Big Red Shipping and Storage. He also brings a strong creative mindset to developing strategic marketing concepts and event initiatives. On campus outside of SAI, he volunteers for the Food Recovery Network and plays club soccer for Cornell Mundial. In his free time, Leo enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, and playing as much soccer as possible.
Zachary Yabut
Assistant Manager
Zach is a sophomore in the Nolan School of Hotel Administration and the Assistant Manager of Big Red Shipping and Storage for 2026. Zach works alongside the General Managers to increase revenue and order volume through creative marketing and customer-facing initiatives. Outside of SAI, Zach is involved in Social Enterprise at Cornell, Hotel Ezra Cornell, and is the Transfer Representative on the Student Assembly. In his free time, Zach manages his nonprofit back in Jersey City and enjoys exploring different cuisines with his friends.
Hired Hands Moving Company
Luke Jablonski
General Manager
Luke is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences and one of the co-managers of Hired Hands Moving Company for 2026. As co-manager, he drives customer acquisition and project management for hundreds of moves. Luke has been with Student Agencies since June of 2025, when he began working as a mover himself. Before coming to Cornell, Luke spent his first year of college abroad in Dublin, Ireland. In his free time, Luke enjoys spending time in nature and watching movies with friends.
Ewan Moss
General Manager
Ewan is a sophomore in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and GM of Hired Hands Moving Company for 2026. As HHMC GM, he manages customer relations, move logistics, and on-site labor. On campus outside of SAI, he is President of the Cornell United Football Club, VP of recruitment for Cornell M&A, Social Chair of Outdoor Odyssey, and a member of Epsilon Nu Tau's Mu class. In his free time, Ewan enjoys staying active at the gym, backpacking, and playing with multiple musical ensembles on campus.
Student Agencies Real Estate
Ishan Patel
General Manager
Ishan is a sophomore from Oklahoma City, OK studying Hotel Administration. He serves as the General Manager of Real Estate and manages the $36M portfolio of residential and retail properties, managing daily operations and maintaining tenant relations. He is passionate about exploring new opportunities to improve the business. Outside of Student Agencies, Ishan is involved in Hotel Ezra Cornell, Cornell Real Estate Club, and Big Red Raas. In his free time, he enjoys watching the NFL, NBA, skiing, and playing golf.
Max Wadhwa
Assistant Manager
Max is a sophomore from Northbrook, Illinois, at the Nolan School of Hotel Administration with a minor in real estate and information science. As the Real Estate Assistant Manager at Student Agencies, he works with Ishan to oversee the $36M mixed use portfolio. Max is passionate about bridging his background in hospitality operations and real estate. Outside of Student Agencies, Max serves as an Assistant Director of P&C for Hotel Ezra Cornell, on the executive board for the Hospitality Asset Management Association (HAMA), Cornell Real Estate Club, and consults for SAFC. In his free time, Max enjoys cooking, going to concerts, golfing, and exploring new restaurants via his Beli account.
The Cornellian Yearbook
Melina Kohilakis
General Manager
Melina is a sophomore from Westchester, NY studying Global Development and minoring in Information Science. As the General Manager of The Cornellian Yearbook, she is excited to carry on its legacy by providing students with a memorable yearbook. Outside of Student Agencies, Melina is involved in the Cornell Consulting Group (CCG), Cornell University Parole Initiative (CUPI), Big Red Ambassadors, and the Cornell Women’s Club Lacrosse Team. She also serves as the Director of Communications for AlreadyFriendz and worked as a research assistant for the Cornell Humphrey Fellows Program. In her free time, Melina enjoys trying new cafes and spending time with friends and family.
Anna Foote
General Manager
Anna is a Global Development student at Cornell University with a concentration in Environment and Development and minors in Law & Society and Anthropology. Originally from Alexandria, VA, Anna combines a passion for equitable systems with hands-on experience in environmental education, fair trade, and energy policy. She currently serves as a manager for the Cornellian Yearbook, where she is contributing to a culture of creativity and innovation at Student Agencies. Anna is also an editor for The Diplomat, Cornell’s international affairs magazine, and a web designer for Markets4Kenyans, promoting sustainable e-commerce for artisans in Kenya, exploring intersections between global policy, local livelihoods, and sustainable development.
Duncan Buckerfield
Editor-in-Chief
Duncan is a student in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. Originally from Northeast Ohio, Duncan currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cornellian for Student Agencies. Duncan is excited to create a memorable yearbook for the class of 2026! He is also a Student Manager (Tour Guide) for the Office of Visitor Relations and a Student Manager at Cornell’s only entirely student run café (Green Dragon).  His experience includes working in HR at a pharmaceutical company last summer and studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin in Fall 2024.
Student Agencies Tutoring
Erika Leung
General Manager
Erika is a sophomore in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and General Manager for Student Agencies Tutoring. As general manager, Erika is committed to expanding education access to Ithaca and beyond. Outside of SAI, Erika is Recruitment Director of 180 Degrees Consulting, E-board in Forté, and mentor in the Chinese Student Association. She enjoys learning skateboarding, graphic design, and trying new cafes.
Cornell Bigger Beds
Rory Grant
General Manager
Rory is a sophomore from Bryn Mawr, PA, studying Mechanical Engineering and pursuing a minor in Aerospace Engineering. He is the General Manager of Hired Hands Moving Company, and seeks to bring a technical approach to solving small-business problems. He is excited to take his real world business experience from Student Agencies and apply it to complex problem solving in a technical field. Aside from Student Agencies, Rory is a member of Mediocre Melodies a Capella and the Cornell Outing Club. Rory enjoys all things outdoors; and when not working on work or school is most likely found running on trails around Ithaca.
Kieran Shulman
General Manager
Kieran is a sophomore from Ithaca, NY studying Global Development and Information Science. As a General Manager of Cornell Bigger Beds, he hopes to provide a high quality comprehensive bed-extension service to Cornell students. Outside of Student Agencies, Kieran is an analyst in the Energy Transition Club, a Global Development Peer Mentor, and TA. In his free time, he plays tennis, soccer, and goes fishing.
Campus Promotions
Mark Lee
General Manager
Mark is a sophomore studying in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and plans to minor in Information Science. As the Chief Technology Officer of Student Agencies, Mark is passionate about the intersection between technology and people, striving to implement innovative solutions that boost efficiency and drive organizational success. Beyond Student Agencies, Mark channels his creativity as an enthusiastic member of Cornell's Performing and Media Arts department, where he pursues his love of Cole Porter and the Great American Songbook. In his spare time, you'll find him exploring new tech trends, playing golf, or searching for Ithaca's best ramen spots.

FULL TIME STAFF

Dan Karlin
Chief Executive Officer

Dan Karlin, CEO of Student Agencies, has 2 decades of experience as an entrepreneur, management consultant, and marketing executive. Before his MBA at Cornell’s Johnson School, he started, ran and sold profitable businesses ranging from food & beverage, international shipping and consumer facing software industries. Post-MBA he worked in strategy at Oliver Wyman and business development and marketing at WeWork and TradeZero. He loves to work with founders and entrepreneurs: he has and does advise startups formally and informally and is an Angel Investor in nearly a dozen companies. If you have questions about startups, consulting, MBAs, career paths or Student Agencies, please reach out to Dan at dkarlin@studentagencies.com.

Zachariah Bush
Facilities Director

Zachariah Bush

Zachariah is an Ithaca native who finds purpose in creating solutions to complex problems. He created and successfully ran a small property maintenance company when he was just 15 years old. After completing his bachelors in economics and business management at Wells College he continues to perform property maintenance here with us as our Facilities Director. He enjoys home renovation projects and playing video games with his son.

Lori Westmiller
Buildings Housekeeping

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Our Board of Directors is comprised of Student Agencies alumni and Cornell University faculty and professors. They serve as an experienced resource for the student management teams. 

Aaron Pempel
Chairman of the Board

Aaron Pempel

Aaron is the Founder and President of USHU Footwear, Inc., a start-up that uses 3D printing to make shoes for people with hard-to-fit feet. Prior to that, Aaron spent 20 years at Nike, where he lived and worked in North America, South America, and Europe, managing businesses from $100 million to over $1 billion in revenue. His early career training was at McKinsey, Monitor Company, and Smith Barney. Aaron is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard Business School.

Nathaniel Weiss

Nathaniel Weiss

Nathaniel is the President of Nécessaire, a personal-care brand based in Los Angeles. Prior to that, Nathaniel held multiple operating roles at True Religion, including GM of the outlet/off-price business, and GM of ecommerce/technology. He started his career at Bain & Co in New York and Western Europe. While a student at Cornell, he was the General Manager of BRSS and the President of Student Agencies, Inc.

Board Member 2007 and December 2008-present; Foundation Member 2008-present

Sharon Dauk

Sharon Dauk

Currently a Principal in Dauk/Wagner Investments, a private investment company based in Ridgefield, CT which focuses on early stage investments and real estate development. Formerly worked for Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley in their Corporate Finance Departments specializing in both mergers and acquisitions and real estate finance.

Graduated from the University of Southern California with a BS in Business Administration in 1982 and received a Masters of Business Administration from Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management in 1989.

Consultant/General Manager of Student Agencies, 1986 – 1989; Board member since 1986.

Joshua Eisenberg

Mr. Eisenberg is the CEO of Urban American, a vertically integrated real estate investment and management firm that owns and operates approximately 4,000 apartment units across New York, Colorado, and Texas. He leads a diverse team of more than 150 professionals, delivering strong performance for residents, partners, and investors. Since 1997, Urban American has invested over $2 billion of equity in the acquisition, repositioning, and disposition of more than 22,000 apartment units nationwide.

Before joining Urban American in 2004, Mr. Eisenberg practiced as a real estate attorney, representing developers and equity investors in the acquisition, development, and leasing of multifamily housing, office buildings, luxury hotels, and retail properties. He also advised financial institutions on all aspects of real estate financing, including construction and permanent loans, community development financing, and credit-backed bond issuances.

Mr. Eisenberg holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Cornell University and a JD from Cornell Law School, where he served as an Editor of the Cornell International Law Journal. From 1996 to 2007, he was a reserve officer in the United States Army, commanding units in both the Field Artillery and the Military Police.

Nancy Humphries

Nancy Humphries

Currently Principal of Entrepreneurial Support Services (ESS) based in Austin, TX that provides various services to primarily start-up businesses in diverse industries. Formerly worked for Cornell University as the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship and Personal Enterprise Program (EPE) from 1995 through 1997. In 1985, founded E-TECH to provide high volume and executive recruitment for an extensive collection of entrepreneurial firms.

Graduated from the University of Florida in 1970; Board member since 1995.

Tivadar Szegletes

Tivadar Szegletes

Tivadar Szegletes (PhD, MBA ’02) is responsible for overseeing core support functions in the SC Johnson College of Business (comprised of Johnson School, Nolan School, Dyson School, Statler Hotel and central college departments) for finance, IT, facilities and New York City operations spanning over 6 buildings in Ithaca, Roosevelt Island and midtown in NYC, with a budget over $320 million.

Tivadar joined the Cornell community in November 2015. Tivadar’s prior career included working in corporate finance for FMCG companies (Unilever, P&G, Stila) for 15 years in New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, California and Europe.

Besides his MBA from the Johnson School, Tivadar also holds a PhD degree in Biochemistry from Szeged University in Hungary and an MS degree from University of Amsterdam.

Tivadar has 3 children: 2 of them are grown up, while his youngest one is 15. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, skiing, hiking, gardening and spending time with his family.

Board member since 2016.

Zander Liem

Alexander (Zander) Liem

Zander is currently a Senior Associate at Longitude Capital, a life sciences and healthcare venture capital firm. Prior to joining Longitude Capital in 2017, Zander was an Analyst in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs, where he covered healthcare, consumer and retail companies.

As an undergraduate at Cornell Zander was CFO of Student Agencies from 2013-2014. Zander gradated in 2015 with a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Biology and in Applied Economics and Management with a concentration in Finance.

Board member since 2018.

Madi Lieber

Madi Lieber

Madi is currently the Program Manager for Learning & Development within Google Cloud Support, based out of Seattle, WA.

Prior to moving to Seattle, she worked as a Technical Solutions Consultant and Associate Account Strategist within Google, supporting high spend customers within the Google Ads ecosystem.

While at Cornell, she studied Industrial and Labor Relations, with a minor Business (Class of '17). She began her time at SAI as the General Manager for Campus Promotions in 2015, before becoming President in 2016. During her presidency, she supported the build out of the eHub space and the accompanying organizational changes for SAI. Following her Presidency, she remained involved as the Redevelopment Coordinator throughout the 2017 year.

Since then, she has stayed engaged as a Student Agencies Foundation member (June '17), Student Agencies Properties Board Member (Sept '17), and Student Agencies, Inc. Board Member (June '19).

Mark Miller

Mark is the Managing Partner and Founder of Good Harbor Partners, an advisory firm providing growth strategy and M&A services for leading companies in education, publishing, and digital media. Over the past two decades, Mark has built, led, and exited several ventures including The Daily Jolt and CollegiateLink. He is also a co-founder of LearnLaunch, the nation’s most active edtech ecosystem supporting founders and investors across the learning sector. Mark is a graduate of Cornell University where, as a student, he notably founded TakeNote, the note-taking service that has served Cornellians since 1985.

Dan Karlin
Chief Executive Officer

Currently the CEO of Student Agencies Inc., Dan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California before earning his MBA from the Johnson School. He is a seasoned executive with a diverse background in entrepreneurship, marketing, business development, and consulting. He has led high-growth teams and generated significant revenue across industries, from founding an international wine tourism business to scaling marketing efforts for a financial tech company. Dan also has experience working as a management consultant for Oliver Wyman, Director of Business Development for WeWork, and has founded/co-founded several businesses. His strong strategic vision, leadership skills, and proven track record in building businesses make him a welcome asset at Student Agencies Inc.

Willie Yao
President

Willie is a sophomore from Orange County, California, studying Hotel Administration at Cornell’s Nolan School with a focus on real estate and entrepreneurship. As President, he drives revenue growth and operational efficiency for all of the business units. Willie is passionate about building communities and creating seamless living experiences. Outside of Student Agencies, he is involved with Diversity and Inclusion in Real Estate, Startup Consulting at Cornell, and Hotel Ezra Cornell. In his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, backpacking, scuba diving, skiing, and bringing people together through hosting dinner parties.