Among the few silver linings to the current stay-at-home practices due to COVID-19 is the newfound comfort level with video conferencing. Professors of Economics Diep Phan and Laura Grube recently invited three alumni to share their experiences working in the field of marketing. Of particular interest to our graduating seniors, the panelists explained how they started on their paths to success using skills acquired while undergraduates at Beloit. 

Despite being scattered across the country—and the globe—over two dozen students joined the virtual panel, moderated by Brian Morello, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship.

Special thanks to our panelists:

• Thu Pham-Nelson ’12 (Econ and Media Studies majors); Communication Analysts - Global Marketing - eBay
• Kaz Gunay ’95 (Econ major); Head of Marketing and Strategy at Plumrose
• Todd Hansen ’89 (English major); Principal, O’ Malley Hansen Communications

Kaz Gunay was an economics major at Beloit College and has an MBA in marketing and market research from UW-Madison. He has over 20 years of experience in the field. Currently head of marketing and strategy at Plumrose USA (a company that specializes in meat products), Kaz has worked with big names in consumer goods, including Kraft and Kraft Heinz.

Todd Hansen studied English composition at Beloit College. He has worked in public relations for over 20 years, including with big names such as Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. He started his own firm, O’Malley Hansen Communications, in 2006.

Thu Pham Nelson graduated in 2012 with a double major in economics and media studies from Beloit. She has a master’s degree in Media Management from the New School. She is currently a communications analyst at eBay.