Past Speaker Series

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday November 5th 6:00-6:45pm EST

Going to the Dogs; Identify & Develop Your Entrepreneurial Niche (and Talk about Dogs)

Our speaker will be Adam Boyko, Omicron ’99 (University of Illinois) – Associate Professor at Cornell University & Founder of Embark: Dog Genetic Breed + Health Kit

Live via ZOOM webinar: Register Here
Facebook Event

Adam’s LinkedIN Profile
Learn about Embark

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

After getting his PhD in Biology, Adam Boyko founded Embark, a company which uses genetic testing to give pet owners Information that may improve or extend their pet’s life.

In the course of their quest to understand the domestic dog, Embark’s founders have discovered many of the things that make every breed and every individual dog unique. Their pioneering work revealed an origin of the domestic dog near Central Asia over 15,000 years ago and the history of dog populations around the globe.

Adam’s lab has also uncovered the genetic basis for many dog diseases and traits. While they have enjoyed working in remote corners of the world and in the lab, Adam and Ryan have always wanted to share their work and improve the lives of pet dogs everywhere. Partnering with the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the leading veterinary school in the country, and Spencer Wells, a pioneer in consumer genetics, they founded Embark to bring cutting-edge science and insights directly onto your phone and desktop.

Owners and their pets can immediately benefit from all the newest and most advanced science. They can also contribute to advancing scientific discoveries every day. By continually sharing new insights while collecting more data, our dogs can benefit from the best care.

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday September 10th 6:00-6:45pm EST

Connecting People With A Purpose Through Philanthropy & Volunteerism

Our speaker will be Rhoden Monrose, Beta Beta ‘09 – Founder & CEO CariClub 

Live via ZOOM webinar: Register Here
Facebook Event

Rhoden’s LinkedIN Profile
About Cariclub

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

CariClub is a community of talented professionals working together to tackle society’s biggest problems. Our technology makes it easy for our members to discover associate board positions with hundreds of inspiring and effective nonprofit organizations. An associate board is a leadership group made up of young professionals who, through their own time, talent and resources, help expand the capacity and advance the mission of a nonprofit. Other terms for associate boards include “junior board,” “young professionals board,” and “junior leadership board.”

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Wednesday September 23th 6:30-7:15pm EST

Trends in Media Information

Our speaker will be Tom O’Brien, Pi’ 83 (Syracuse University) – President Weather Group & the Weather Channel 

Live via ZOOM webinar: Register Here
Facebook Event

Tom’s LinkedIN Profile

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Tom O’Brien is the President of Weather Group, the parent company of The Weather Channel television network – America’s Most Trusted TV News Network – and OTT streaming service, Local Now. He also serves as Executive Vice President of Allen Media Group. 

As President of Weather Group, Tom leads all television and digital operations for the company, including content production, acquisitions, programming, advertising sales, marketing, and all related corporate strategy and development. One of O’Brien’s key objectives is to ensure The Weather Channel remains the top-rated and most widely-distributed weather network in America, and continues to evolve as a media company that serves as the market leader in the dissemination and comprehensive analysis of important and relevant news and weather information. Consistent with this mission, Tom is driving the development and growth of the network’s OTT platform, Local Now, which provides unique and localized content and serves as an example of how a modern newsroom of technologists and journalists can create a disruptive platform. 

Tom O’Brien is a television and digital business leader who successfully operates at the nexus of television, digital, and technology, with a strong track record of driving innovation and growth for the businesses he leads. Previously, Tom was a corporate officer of the Nexstar Media Group, where he led the digital and revenue growth efforts for the company. Prior to Nexstar, Tom spent 14 years in executive leadership roles at NBC Universal, including the roles of President and GM of NBC’s flagship station, WNBC, and Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer for CNBC. 

Recognized for his work in the industry, Tom received the 2015 Technology Leadership Award from Broadcasting and Cable (B&C) Magazine and was named a 2014 Digital All-Star by B&C. He was honored in 2010 by New York’s City Harvest with their prestigious “Heart of the City” award. 

Tom graduated at the top of his class from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the School of Management. 

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday June 25th 5-5:45pm PST (8pm EST).

Summer Hospitality Series: Talking about Wine & Vineyards.

Our speaker will be Cushing Donelan, Gamma ’05 (Amherst College). Director of Marketing, Donelan Wines

Email Cushing if you are of age and would like a special offer on Donelan wines exclusively for brothers of Psi Upsilon.

Live via ZOOM webinar.
Facebook Event
Details on the virtual series here:
Register here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Donelan Wines is a boutique winery located conveniently in the middle of Santa Rosa, CA. The winery features Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhone Blends from the Sonoma County.

Cushing brings his diverse experience in brand development and entertainment production to Donelan Family Wines. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Cushing saw the opportunity to enhance the brand’s evolution and create new partnerships, and was eager to dig his hands into the family business.

Truly a man of many interests, Cushing studied art history and studio art in college, served as Executive Assistant to actor Matthew McConaughey and his company (j.k. livin productions), and continues to be an Executive Producer with oneinarow productions. Read Cushing’s full bio.

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday July 16th 5-5:45pm PST (8pm EST).

Summer Hospitality Series: Talking about Beer & Brewing

Our speaker will be Tom Schmidlin, Eta ‘88 (Lehigh University) Owner and head brewer of Postdoc Brewing.

Live via ZOOM webinar.
Facebook Event
Details on the virtual series here:
Register here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Tom Schmidlin opened Postdoc Brewing in 2014 where he is the owner and head brewer.  Postdoc is an award-winning, small, independent brewery just outside of Marymoor Park in Redmond WA that self-distributes in the greater Seattle area.

Tom serves on the board of the Washington Brewers Guild and on the Brewers Association Engineering Subcommittee.  He started brewing at Lehigh University while working on a degree in mechanical engineering, and later earned a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Washington.

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday July 23th 6-6:45pm EST.

Q&A on Navigating an Early Software Engineering and Financial Technology Career: Jessie Newman, Gamma Tau ’13 (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Algorithm Software Engineer, Hudson River Trading

Jessie is an Algo Engineer at Hudson River Trading. Prior to moving to finance, she spent five years as a Software Engineer at Google working on Google Search, Google Drive, and Google Maps. Jessie has experience reviewing resumes and giving programming interviews at both companies. She also volunteers with organizations focused on underrepresented groups in tech.

This event will be a conversation with questions by Psi U Foundation Director of Member Engagement Jonathan Chaffin, Gamma Tau’00 (Georgia Institute of Technology). (You can ask questions live or submit them in advance to jonathan@psiu.org)

Live via ZOOM webinar.
Details on the virtual series here:
Register here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday June 18th 6-7pm EST.

Fireside chat with Dr. Barbara Hendrie, Kappa ’80 (Bowdoin). Barbara is the Director, North America for the UN Environment Programme. Topics including International Humanitarian Development and Environmental Policy.

Dr. Barbara Hendrie is the Director of UN Environment North America. She has over two decades experience as a senior international diplomat/negotiator and development/humanitarian professional, working for both the United Kingdom and United States governments. She was a senior official in the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) from 1999 to 2015, and a senior political appointee of President Obama based in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2015-2016. Barbara, a native of New York, has a Ph.D. and Masters in social anthropology from University College, London, UK, and a B.A. in English from Bowdoin College in Maine, USA. She is a dual US-UK citizen.

This event will be a conversation with questions by Psi U Foundation president Alexander Senchak, Eta’06 (Lehigh University). (You can ask questions live or submit them in advance to asenchak@psiu.org)

Live via ZOOM webinar.
Details on the virtual series here:
Register here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Topic: Commercial Real Estate Trends in NYC

Thank you all who attended to learn and share our fellowship. Your donations support our mission and allow us to develop as a community.
If you would like to support the Speaker Series you may do so here, and if you would like to see about helping organize or speak at an event, contact Jonathan Chaffin, Director of Member Engagement.

Pictures from the Event

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Our Speakers

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