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The evening served as a thank you to the dedicated alumni, corporate partners and friends who invest their time and resources into mentoring, hosting student trips and providing critical philanthropic leadership. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the professional world, this exceptional network continues to create invaluable networking opportunities and pathways for the next generation of Whitman business leaders.

“The alumni and partners we recognize tonight represent the very best of what it means to be part of the Whitman community,” said Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. “Their careers, their service and their continued commitment to our students have a real and lasting impact on the strength of our network, on the opportunities available to our graduates and on the culture of this school. We are incredibly proud to call them our own.”

Thanks to the dedicated support of the school’s alumni and partners, the 2025–26 academic year was a resounding success, driving significant progress toward Whitman’s Transformation 2030 goals as it advances toward becoming a top 25 undergraduate business school. Some notable successes from the year include:

•  Improving its Poets&Quants undergraduate business school ranking by two spots to No. 37
• 555 internships completed in the 2025-26 academic year
• 98.1% full-time placement within 180 days of graduation for the Class of 2025
• 87 employers participating in recruiting events
• 260 alumni and friends serving in volunteer leadership roles over the past academic year

While the event celebrated the collective power of the Whitman network, the evening also shone a spotlight on the exceptional individuals leading the charge. A select group of alumni and partners whose extraordinary contributions set the standard for the entire Whitman community were honored. The following awards were presented:

Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year Award: David Panasci ’80

The Holtz Award was established in 1986 by Jonathan J. Holtz ’78 to recognize alumni for their professional accomplishments and service to Syracuse University. The highest honor given to graduates of the Whitman School, the Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to David Panasci ’80, founder and president of DHP Consulting LLC.

For years, Panasci has been a fixture in the Whitman School community. His exceptional mentorship and continued support have left an indelible mark on the student community. Through his longstanding involvement with the Panasci Business Plan Competition and his creation of the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative, he has helped establish unique experiential learning opportunities that distinguish the school’s programmatic offerings on a national level.

The Panasci Local Leadership Initiative is offered by Whitman in collaboration with Leadership Greater Syracuse. The program was launched in fall 2023 to cultivate the next generation of Central New York’s leaders and encourage Whitman students to explore and consider a future career in CNY.

One student participant reflected, “my experience in the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative was amazing … I know so much more about the community and all the wonderful things the leaders are doing to keep it going and improving it. The program allows us to build a deeper connection with our mentors. I was given the space and time to immerse myself in a community and truly understand how to build a solution-oriented mindset.”

The Panasci Business Plan Competition is a marquee annual entrepreneurship event offered by the Whitman School. The annual competition offers students across the  University community to present their entrepreneurial ventures and compete for $40,000 in start-up funding.

Prior to launching DHP Consulting, Panasci served as president and COO of Fay’s Incorporated, where the company achieved more than $1 billion in sales. With more than 40 years of executive and management experience spanning sales, marketing, real estate, mergers and acquisitions and turnaround scenarios, Panasci has consulted with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies as well as local and regional nonprofits. He also serves as an adjunct assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University at Buffalo.

Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service: Barbara Ashkin ’74, G’77

The Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service recognizes members of the Whitman community who exemplify a significant commitment to helping prepare and place future business leaders. Barbara Ashkin ’74, G’77 is a distinguished business leader whose career helped shape the economic and civic landscape of Central New York. She began in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand before playing a pivotal role in the development of Carousel Center, now Destiny USA. She later joined CXtec (formerly CABLExpress) as vice president and CFO, helping grow the firm into a global provider of sustainable technology solutions.

As a dedicated alumna mentor, Ashkin engages with career exploration trips, on-campus panels and the Panasci Local Leadership Initiative, consistently investing her expertise in the next generation of Whitman students.

“Mentors like Barbara Ashkin, who actively share insights, provide guidance and help students build meaningful connections, create a much more impactful experience,” said one Whitman student.

Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service: Jennifer Kreischer ’88

Jennifer Kreischer ’88 is a seasoned financial advisor with more than 35 years of experience in operational and financial due diligence. She began her career in the audit practice of what became PwC before becoming a partner in PwC’s Deals practice, guiding buyers and sellers through complex transactions. She also helped shape PwC’s approach to internal controls for power and utilities clients following the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Today, she leads teams at Kreischer Miller, helping institutional investors assess and manage operational risk.

Since graduating from Syracuse, Kreischer has remained actively involved with the Whitman School, including serving as chair of the Lubin School of Accounting Advisory Board, hosting student interns and participating in career exploration events. As a third-generation Syracuse University graduate, Kreischer exemplifies what it means to “Be Orange.”

Orange Ovation Award: Margo Konugres ’12

The Orange Ovation Award is presented to young alumni who set a positive example to Whitman students through their professional success and service to the Whitman/Syracuse University community. Recipients of this award must have graduated within the past 15 years.

Margo Konugres ’12 began her career at IBM after interning there between her junior and senior years at the University. Over the past 13 years, she has grown into a strategic leader driving client engagement, alliances and large-scale business transformation across global organizations.

A proud alumna of the Whitman School, Konugres has demonstrated a sustained commitment to giving back as a founding member of the Young Whitman Advisory Board, former engagement chair and current member of the Marketing Management Engagement Board. Through monthly mentorship, classroom engagement and involvement with student organizations, she actively supports the next generation of Whitman leaders.