AUTHORS
Kurt Ahlm: Associate Dean of Student Recruitment and Admissions
Danielle Foster: Associate Director of Admissions
Amy Hung: Assistant Director of Admissions
Meghan Keedy: Associate Director of Admissions
Bryce Kirchhausen: Associate Director of Admissions
Joanne Legler: Associate Director of Admissions
Carrie Lydon: Associate Director of Admissions
Eddie Pulliam: Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Emily Salans: Assistant Director of Admissions
Donna Swinford: Director of Operations and Evaluation
Joanna Zisis: Communications Specialist
Kurt Ahlm
Associate Dean of Student Recruitment and Admissions
kurt.ahlm@chicagobooth.edu
Kurt joined the Admissions Office in the fall of 2002 as the Senior Associate Director of Operations and during his tenure has been responsible for virtually every aspect of the admissions process at one point or another. As Director of Admissions Kurt played a key role in the rebranding efforts of Chicago Booth from Chicago GSB and redesigned the Booth application to include the infamous "Power Point Presentation". In his current role as Associate Dean of Student Recruitment and Admissions Kurt oversees the marketing and communications efforts of the office with an eye to greater opportunities in the social media space.
Prior to Chicago Booth Kurt worked as an admissions officer for Northwestern University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions and as a Recruiting Manger for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Kurt earned his bachelors degree from Northwestern University with a double major in Psychology and Communication Studies. He later received his masters degree in Higher Education Administration from Northwestern University's School of Educations and Social Policy. And most recently Kurt completed his MBA from Chicago Booth with concentrations in Marketing Management, Strategic Management and Managerial and Organizational Behavior.
When Kurt is not working he enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, and German Shepherd. He currently lives in the western suburbs after spending the last 10 years a home run's distance from Wrigley Field. Kurt is a lifelong Chicagoan, sports enthusiast, and long suffering Cubs fan.
Priscilla Parker
Director of Financial Aid
priscilla.parker@chicagobooth.edu
Priscilla joined the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in 1998 as Associate Director, later being promoted to the Director of Financial Aid at Booth in 2003. Currently Priscilla manages all aspects of financial aid for all Booth students. Her career and expertise in this field began when she started her career in Financial Aid in 1970 at the University of Michigan.
She earned her BA from the University of Michigan and an M.ED from Loyola University of Chicago.
Eddie Pulliam
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
eddie.pulliam@chicagobooth.edu
Eddie joined the Admissions Office in 1987 and held several positions before becoming Senior Associate Director. Along with recruiting, reading applications, and interviewing candidates for Chicago Booth, his primary responsibility is spearheading recruitment initiatives for under-represented minorities including African American, Hispanic American, Native American, women, and gays and lesbians. He also works on marketing initiatives. Eddie has served as a co-chair for the annual Graduate Management Admission Counsel (GMAC) conference, is Chicago Booth's representative for the Ten School Diversity Alliance (TSDA).
Prior to coming to the Admissions Office, he worked for the University of Chicago Hospitals, Development and Comptroller Offices. Eddie received his bachelor's degree from Chicago State University in 1979.
An avid trivia and movie buff (appearing as an extra in several major movie productions), he volunteers for the Blind Services Association and enjoys running. Eddie has lived on the south side of the city in the Chatham neighborhood all of his life and enjoys all of the hidden treasures that visitors to Chicago rarely see.
Joanne Legler
Associate Director of Admissions
joanne.legler@chicagobooth.edu
Joanne has been with Chicago Booth's Admissions Office since September of 2006. She is responsible for overseeing the Dean's Student Admissions Committee (DSAC) and the Campus Visit Program, working on women's initiatives and other areas of diversity, and managing the Booth Scholars Program. She most enjoys reading applications and interacting with prospective students and loves the travel she gets to do to promote Chicago Booth.
Joanne previously worked as assistant director of admission at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and in Residence Life at Towson University in Maryland. Joanne received her bachelor's degree in American Studies from Hamilton College in 1997 and her M.Ed in student affairs from the University of Delaware in 2001. She lives in Lincoln Park and, a native New Yorker, is a loyal fan of the New York Yankees. Joanne also volunteers her time with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
Donna Swinford
Director of Operations and Evaluation
donna.swinford@chicagobooth.edu
Donna joined the Office of Admissions in 2005. Donna is responsible for handling all issues related to technology, application systems and operations. Prior to moving to Admissions she held the positions of project manager for the computing services office and information services manager in MBA Career Services at Chicago Booth. Donna was integral in the development and implementation of our online application system. Donna has been at Chicago Booth since 1997.
Donna and her husband live in Chicago along with their three children.
Joanna Zisis
Communications Specialist
joanna.zisis@chicagobooth.edu
Joanna joined the Chicago Booth Admissions Office in August 2007 as an associate director. In addition to serving as part of the Admissions Committee, Joanna works with Admissions marketing and content projects, including social media.
Previously, she was the senior manager of admissions at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Joanna's experience in higher education also includes her positions as student advisor, program coordinator, and ESL instructor at Scuola Lorenzo DeMedici, an international university in Florence, Italy. She has also served as an account executive for marketing agencies in New York and Chicago.
Originally from Ohio, Joanna received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University and her MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Joanna, her husband and son live in downtown Chicago. She loves traveling the globe for Chicago Booth and meeting prospective students from all over the world.
Andrea Schmoyer
Associate Director of Admissions
andrea.schmoyer@chicagobooth.edu
Andrea joined the Admissions Office in 2007. Along with recruiting, reading applications and interviewing candidates for Chicago Booth, she manages the Dean's Student Admissions Committee (DSAC) and oversees communication planning for admitted students.
Prior to coming to the Admissions Office, she was responsible for undergraduate admissions and advising for the nursing program at the University of Illinois at Chicago and also worked at the International Academy of Design & Technology as the Director of Student Management. Andrea received her bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1997.
Originally from Minnesota, Andrea moved to Chicago in 1998 on a detour to warmer weather. She absolutely fell in love with Chicago and enjoys all that the city has to offer. She has a passion for travel and is always excited to explore new areas of the world, be it for business or for pleasure. Having lived in Lakeview near Wrigley Field since she moved to Chicago, Andrea has officially joined Cubs Nation and hopes to someday witness a World Series at Wrigley Field.
Carrie Lydon
Associate Director of Admissions
carrie.lydon@chicagobooth.edu
Carrie joined the Chicago Booth admissions team in August of 2008. Along with recruiting and evaluating applicants as part of the Admissions Committee, Carrie focuses on global outreach initiatives, including corporate and alumni relations, as well as LGBT recruitment. She most enjoys traveling on behalf of Chicago Booth and meeting prospective students from around the world.
Prior to joining the Admissions Office, she served as the development director for Girls in the Game, where she led the organization's resource development and strategic planning. Her professional experience also includes nonprofit development and management with the Center for Economic Progress. Carrie received her bachelor's degree from Ball State University in 2001.
A Chicagoland native, she currently resides on the south side, between Chinatown and U.S. Cellular Field. In her free time, she enjoys performing throughout Chicago, volunteering, and spending time with her partner and dog.
Danielle Foster
Associate Director of Admissions
Danielle.Fosterchicagobooth.edu
Danielle joined the Admissions Office in October of 2011. She works as a member of the Admissions Committee, while also managing and spearheading relationships with Chicago Booth global alumni of the Full-Time MBA Program.
In her previous position as the Assistant Director of Recruiting for the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, Danielle led and managed the International MBA and Master of International Business programs and recruiting/retention efforts. Danielle’s experience in higher education also includes developing the marketing and recruiting department for the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina.
A native Virginian, Danielle received a BA in sociology and a BA in criminal justice from Roanoke College. Danielle is a die-hard Washington Redskins and Virginia Tech football fan, and can be found traveling the world for Chicago Booth and for leisure. As a volunteer, she is active with Delta Gamma collegians and alumnae, and Service for Sight efforts. Danielle lives in the Gold Coast with her husband, who both enjoy exploring Chicago and taking their Weimaraner to all the great dog parks the city has to offer.
Bryce Kirchhausen
Associate Director of Admissions
bryce.kirchhausen@chicagobooth.edu
Bryce joined the Chicago Booth admissions team in April of 2010 as an Associate Director. In addition to serving as part of the Admissions Committee, Bryce is responsible for building lasting relationships with alumni and corporations. Prior to joining the Admissions Office, he worked in client services at a Chicago marketing agency and was a Recruiter for that industry. He also volunteers at Jobs for Youth, Chicago Professionals for Youth, Chicago Cares, Career Transitions Center, Off The Streets, and PAWS.
A native of Ohio, Bryce received his bachelor's degree in Marketing from Michigan State University. He has lived in Chicago since 2005 and currently resides in Lakeview. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the city, listening to all types of music, playing soccer and softball, cooking, and trying new restaurants.
Amy Hung
Associate Director of Admissions
amy.hung@ChicagoBooth.edu
Amy joined the admissions team in October 2010. She manages all on-campus events, including the Daily Campus Visit Program, Booth Live, and Admit Weekend. In addition to meeting and communicating with prospective students, she also works closely with student volunteers of DSAC and Admit Weekend.
Prior to joining Booth, Amy taught middle school literature for four years at a public school in Chicago. Amy grew up in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in secondary teaching. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in public service management, with a concentration in higher education administration, from DePaul University.
Amy enjoys leisure travel, movies, concerts, and is always seeking the best sushi restaurant. She enjoys interacting with students of diverse backgrounds and values making connections with prospective Chicago Booth students.
Emily Salans
Associate Director of Admissions
emily.salans@ChicagoBooth.edu
Emily joined the Admissions team in October of 2011. Along with the recruitment and evaluation of applicants as part of the Admissions Committee, Emily oversees the planning and execution of off-campus events, including admissions receptions, admitted student receptions, and student-hosted events
Prior to Booth, Emily worked at GroupOn as the Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Sales. She also worked as a Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist for Astrazeneca in Los Angeles before moving out to the Midwest for graduate school. A California Bay Area native, Emily attended The University of Southern California for undergraduate studies, double majoring in Chemistry and Psychology. She left sunny southern California to pursue graduate work at The University of Michigan and graduated in December of 2010 with a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry.
Currently living in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, Emily dances professionally with the Chicago Adrenaline Rush Dancers, dance team for the Chicago Rush arena football team. When she is not cheering on the Rush or her USC Trojans, Emily enjoys exploring the city of Chicago, cooking, volunteering, and spending time with her friends and puppy.
Meghan Keedy
Associate Director of Admissions
meghan.keedy@ChicagoBooth.edu
Meghan has been at Chicago Booth since April 2010, working first as an Academic Advisor and then moving to the Admissions team in September 2012. Along with supporting the recruitment and evaluation of applicants as part of the Admissions Committee, Meghan focuses on undergraduate initiatives for Chicago Booth, specifically working to grow and promote the Summer Business Scholars Program (SBSP). She also helps develop content on behalf of the Admissions team, and most enjoys playing the role of storyteller while on the road. Prior to Chicago Booth, Meghan worked in Academic Affairs for the Columbia Business School Executive MBA Program and assisted three faculty members in the Organizational Behavior unit at Harvard Business School. Meghan received her Bachelor's degree in English from Michigan State University and her Master of Fine Arts from The New School. In her spare time, Meghan writes a bi-monthly blog post for the NY-based DIY Business Association, serves as an essay tutor for 826Chi and is a committee member for the annual Share Our Strength Taste of Chicago event. She enjoys visiting her home state of Michigan, trying to bake pie, and watching her husband perform in various plays around Chicago.
