Alumni Coffee Chats Bring UIC Business Graduates Back to Campus
UIC Business alumni are meeting with students this spring through the Alumni Coffee Chat series, sharing insights and professional advice in small-group conversations.
UIC Business Alumni Return to Campus for Career Conversations with Students
UIC Business alumni are returning to campus this spring for the Alumni Coffee Chat series, meeting with students for informal conversations about careers, industry insights, and life after graduation.
The conversations give students the opportunity to ask questions, hear firsthand career advice, and learn how alumni navigated their own professional paths after graduating from UIC Business.
The inaugural Coffee Chats featured alumni Tony Kwilosz (BS ’90), senior vice president at Wintrust Bank, and Davanh Sanamixay (BS ’25), treasury analyst at BMO Capital Markets, who each met with students to share insights on career development and navigating the transition from college to industry.
Alumni Spotlight: Davanh Sanamixay
Davanh Sanamixay Shares Career Advice with Students
Alumna Davanh Sanamixay, who met with students during the inaugural Coffee Chat sessions, reflected on the experience on LinkedIn:
“I had the pleasure of returning to the University of Illinois Chicago as an alumna for the launch of the UIC Business Alumni Coffee Chats, where I had the opportunity to connect with five students in one-on-one conversations.
It was great connecting with international, transfer, first-year, and graduating students—sharing experiences and answering questions about navigating school and early careers. The conversations were just as valuable for me as I hope they were for them.
Moments like this remind me how important it is to give back. I encourage more alumni to get involved and more students to take advantage of opportunities like this—one conversation can make a lasting impact.”
Sanamixay also thanked Rita Bieliauskas, assistant dean of the Business Career Center, and Janice Adams, associate director of Alumni Engagement, for organizing the Coffee Chats and creating opportunities for alumni to connect with students.
Spring 2026 Alumni Coffee Chat Participants
Throughout the semester, alumni from a wide range of industries have participated in the Coffee Chat series.
March 4, 2026
Davanh Sanamixay (BS Finance ’25)
Treasury Analyst, BMO Capital Markets
March 5, 2026
Tony Kwilosz (BS Finance ’90)
Senior Vice President, Wintrust Bank
March 11, 2026
Parin Moradiya (BS Management ’24)
Managing Partner, Diamond Soiree
March 18, 2026
Elmer Duran (BS Finance ’17)
Corporate Banking, BNP Paribas
March 19, 2026
Marc Butiong (BS Management ’15)
Senior Change Management Specialist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
April 1, 2026
Hannah Applegate (BS Accounting ’13)
Director of Accounting Policy, CNA
April 2, 2026
Jey Patel (BBA ’22)
Luxury Key Account Manager, Whirlpool Corporation
April 8, 2026
Eddie Esparza (BS IDS ’13, MIS ’20)
Co-Founder & Chief Information Officer, Diversified Equity Partners
April 8, 2026
Alvin Grande (BS Accounting ’21)
Alternative Assets Investor
April 9, 2026
Monica Uribe (BS Management ’19)
HR Generalist, ITW
April 16, 2026
Miten Shah (BS Finance ’20)
Commercial Banking Senior Associate, Wells Fargo
April 16, 2026
Rafay Basheer (BS Finance ’12)
Senior Manager – Business Analytics, CVS Health
Strengthening the UIC Business Alumni Network
The Alumni Coffee Chat series highlights the strength of the UIC Business alumni network and its commitment to supporting current students as they explore career opportunities and prepare for the transition from college to industry.
Building on the pilot’s success, UIC Business will expand the program next fall, hosting Alumni Coffee Chats each week from September 9 through November 19. We look forward to welcoming alumni and students for another season of meaningful connections.
👉 Join the initiative: https://forms.gle/W7vjHvfZpp8D9Wba6