History
Founded by College of Management MBA students, the GBA has been an active RPA and Graduate Student Assembly member connecting and serving the College of Management’s graduate student and alumni population, faculty, and other academic and business professionals for the past decade.
Past GBA Executive Officers that have made a difference:
Christopher Suchy (GBA President 2010, VP 2009) 
The GBA was able to expand online under the leadership of Chris. As the President, Chris was able to redesign the website to look more professional and utilize SEO tools to increase the traffic to the website. Under Chris, the GBA had nine events in the Spring and Summer 2010 including guest speakers, company tours, as well as social and networking events. Chris and the Vice President, Andre Sanchez, received an award from the University which recognized individuals’ positive contributions among their peers, outstanding leadership, and helping advance student learning.
Rob Visconti (GBA President 2009-2010)
Under Rob’s leadership the GBA saw significant growth and active membership participation, as well as an increase in the number of professional, social/networking, and development events. Average attendance at GBA events increased by 600% during his term. He carried through on his vision of a more inclusive GBA that actively invited participation of alumni, graduate peers from all of the UMass campuses, as well as area business professionals, leaders, student peers, and faculty. In an effort to reach out and give back to the community he recommended and created new GBA Board positions for Social and Charitable Events. Rob also started the GBA “Featured Business Author Speaker Series”.
A NYC area native, Rob is a smart cookie and holds a bachelors degree from the University of Scranton, as well as graduate degrees from Drew University, Dowling College, and two from UMass Boston. Rob graduated with his MBA from UMass Boston in 2010, with specializations in HR Management and International Management. Rob is a Learning and Development Project Manager at Fidelity Investments and has spent most of his career in international business, consulting, and learning and development.
Vanessa Montero (GBA President 2008-2009; GBA VP 2009)
One of the GBA’s most outgoing, and energetic leaders, Vanessa served as President from 2007-2008, then as VP in 2009. Her contributions to the GBA were significant and in her term as President she worked hard to increase active membership in the GBA and coordinated a number of successful events for the GBA.
Originally from Lima, Peru, Vanessa grew up in FL and graduated from The U. of FL in 2004. Her undergrad degree was in Management (BS). She graduated from the UMass Boston MBA program with concentrations in HR and Marketing in 2009. She held a part-time position as a graduate assistant at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) during her term as GBA President. Additionally, she was the President to the Graduate Student Assembly (2009). Vanessa’s previous work experience before entering school full-time comes from many areas including sales, marketing, project management, staff training and development, office administration, presentation development, quality assurance, and customer relations. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, traveling, and meeting new people.
Stephanie Reck (President, 2007-2008)
Stephanie served as President from 2007-2008 and increased participation by organizing a variety of bi-weekly events (networking, social and speaker) and adding new positions for additional officer involvement. She was also a Teaching Assistant for the MGT650 class and greatly enjoyed helping students and meeting new people. Stephanie was able to travel to both India and China for classes through the MBA program, which she highly recommends. She received the College of Management Community Service Award 2008 and Office of Graduate Studies MBA Award for Excellence 2008. Stephanie graduated from the UMASS Boston MBA program with an emphasis in Marketing in May 2008.
Stephanie is originally from Hayden, CO and has been in Boston for the last three years. She is currently an Acquisitions Analyst for The Mentor Network in Boston (which she obtained due to networking from a GBA event).
Mike Obal (GBA VP, 2008-2009)
Mike was an active GBA VP during his term. He served as VP from 2006-2007. In his term as VP he worked tirelessly to grow the organization and was a Graduate Assistant in the College of Management. Mike graduated with an MBA from UMass Boston in 2008.
Mike is a Milford, MA native and professor in a local college. Mike returned to graduate school in 2009 to pursue his PhD.
Tanya Zucconi (President, 2005-2007)
Tanya’s committment to the GBA, her peers, and the University spanned more than her two year term as GBA President. She brought a great deal to the GBA amounting to more than just her valuable time. Tanya was the College of Management Honors Convocation Speaker 2007, received the College of Management Community Service Award 2007 and Office of Graduate Studies MBA Award for Excellence 2007. She served handily as President from 2005-2007 and in her term as President she organized a number of successful events. Tanya graduated from the UMass Boston MBA Program with a concentration in IS in 2007.
Tanya is currently a Senior Analyst, Decision Support Systems, Center for Clinical Excellence, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.