Bentley Mosaic Alumni Council

Ainsley Castro ’10

Boston, Mass.

A former finance major with a minor in Management, Ainsley joined the council to assist Bentley in making an impact with alumni of color and existing students to bridge belonging at the university. Today, she’s a senior director of workforce solutions at Year Up Professional Resources (YUPRO Placement). 

Student Activities: Black United Body, La Cultura Latina, ALPFA, NABA, Habitat for Humanity, Bentley University Radio, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement

Bwann Kellie Gwann, MBA ’23

Worcester, Mass.

Bwann Kellie Gwann completed her MBA with a concentration in leadership. Currently, she is the director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she oversees the Inclusive Excellence Employee Resource Groups (IIERGs), the Diversity Advocate program for faculty, and facilitates several DEIB institutional trainings centered on belonging. Additionally, she has been working with WPI Student Government leaders to launch an inaugural student-led DEIB conference. Bwann possesses over a decade of experience in higher education and continues to create environments of inclusion for faculty, students and staff.

Student Activities: Bentley United Body (Grad liaison, 2022-23) and the Graduate Women’s Leadership Organization (President, 2022-23)

Charbel Hanna ’18

Boston, Mass.

With a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics/Accounting, Charbel is a senior associate in PwC’s deals transformation practice. He has returned to Bentley as a career design instructor (CDI-101) for first-year students. When he’s not working, Charbel serves on the Emerging Leaders Council for Bottom Line, is a Yawkey Scholar advisor for two Bentley students and a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts. He’s excited to work alongside dedicated fellow alumni who are eager for change and creating a campus community that promotes racial justice, equity and inclusion.

Student Activities: First Year and Transfer Seminar Facilitator, Career Colleague, CDI-101 Facilitator, MOSAIC Experience Ambassador, Peer2Peer Mentor, Association of Latino Professionals for America, Alternative Spring Break, and member of Bentley's Falcon Society. 

Melissa Hector ’11

Dorchester, Mass.

Melissa is a dynamic and enterprising leader dedicated to making a positive impact on her community. Born and raised in the vibrant neighborhood of Roxbury, Mass., she embarked on her journey of advocating for social and economic justice at a young age. Melissa is a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner, as well as a public servant strategist, with a career spanning various sectors. She has a proven track record of creating community engagement opportunities that lead to improved living outcomes for individuals and families. Melissa is a passionate advocate for African American emancipation and women's empowerment, dedicating herself to promoting health awareness and self-confidence through her volunteer-run/walk meetup group, Curvy Girls Run. In her leisure time, Melissa enjoys writing, mentoring, and exploring thought-provoking documentaries.

Essmaa Litim ’18

Boston, Mass.

With a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a minor in law, Essmaa has used her Bentley background to marry both her passion for business and her love of writing to advocate for societal change throughout her career. She is currently a senior media planner at Havas Media. When she isn’t working with her clients, she uses her voice as her medium to raise awareness for social justice through Spoken Word and community organizing in Boston. As a first-generation American, Essmaa works hard to help build the community that helped build her through believing it, speaking it and being it.

Student Activities: La Cultura Latina, Black United Body Fashion Show, Study Abroad, ALANA, Center for International Students and Scholars

Luisanny Germosen Mejia ’20

Yonkers, N.Y.

With a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Audit and Controls, Luisanny is a senior consultant in Deloitte’s Financial Advisory practice. She has continued her Bentley extracurriculars into the professional world by being a professional member of the ALPFA NY Chapter. Outside of work, she enjoys trying out new fitness group classes, travel and she is a literacy volunteer tutor in her local community. As a first-generation graduate, she’s excited to share her story and connect with current Mosaic students to support their journey!

Student Activities: Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Bentley Service Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE), ALPHA KAPPA PSI Business Fraternity (AKPsi), La Cultura Latina (LCL) Member

Shanell Mosley ’10

New York, N.Y.

With degrees from Bentley and Northeastern in business management and global perspectives and nonprofit management, respectively, Shanell currently oversees sports partnerships at UNICEF USA and manages relationships with U.S. sports leagues, teams and professional athletes that are dedicated to educating, advocating and fundraising to help the world’s most vulnerable children. Shanell is also a faculty member at John Hopkins University with a Sports & Entertainment Impact course focused on partnerships and collaboration. She credits her student activities for providing spaces in which she learned the importance of connecting with others and serving her community.

Student Activities: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, Study Abroad, Multicultural Center, Admissions Office, Aquatics Department

Chris Nash ’06

New York, N.Y.

A risk management professional in the payments industry, Chris has held various analytical positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is currently a director in risk management at Mastercard. Passionate about advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, Chris serves on the steering committee of a Mastercard affinity group for Black and African-American employees and as a member of the Mastercard In Solidarity Advisory Council. She earned her degree in economics-finance and is a member of the Bentley Racial Justice Task Force.

Student Activities: RA, University Advancement

Lakeya Newton ’11

Stamford, Conn.

Currently the director of marketing at King School, an independent school, Lakeya also coaches lacrosse and serves as the staff coordinator for diversity, equity and inclusion. When she's not working she also serves as an alumni board member for her middle school, Rippowam Cisqua School. At Bentley, she previously served as a Global Alumni Board member and currently volunteers for the Bentley Mosaic Alumni Council.

Student Activities: NABA, Black United Body, FIRE Step Squad, Residential Life and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Katie Penn ’96

Waltham, Mass.

As Bentley’s first official chief diversity and inclusion officer, Katie serves on the president’s cabinet—formalizing the vital relationship and role she has played at Bentley for decades. Her work has promoted an inclusive work and learning environment by supporting student- and employee-led initiatives, resource development and advocacy for affinity groups — including the Racial Justice Task Force.

Brianna Rakoski-Calvin ’15

Boston, Mass.

A former managerial economics major, Brianna worked for the Boston Red Sox before transitioning to the legal industry. She’s currently a legal knowledge management analyst for Ropes & Gray, where she is the leader of the Boston Multicultural Resource Network and serves as a member of the Diversity Action Committee.

Student Activities: Orientation Leader, ALANA (now MOSAIC) Leader, REAL E-Board

Joana Tejada ’10

Chicago, Ill.

A financial professional with over 10 years of experience in banking and the consumer packaged goods industry, Luisanny works as a finance manager, leveraging her analytics skills in day-to-day business operations. Amongst her peers, she is known for her energetic leadership and willingness to help others. During her time at Bentley, she double majored in Business, Finance and Accounting as well as Liberal Studies with a focus on global perspectives. Joana proudly joins the Mosaic community in hopes to reconnect with alumni and serve as a resource to others.

Student Activities: CAP, Resident Assistant, Graduate Admissions, Study Abroad, La Cultura Latina and NABA.

Zhi Zhu ’05

Boston, Mass.

With a degree in accounting and corporate finance, Zhi spent 10 years working for PwC in Shanghai before joining Santander as vice president for ethics and anti-bribery. He works as a forensic accountant and has traveled the world assisting companies investigate fraud and corruption.

Student Activities: Bentley Chinese Student Association, RA, AIA, Falcon Society