--- title: Meet the Alumni --- # Meet the Alumni ![SMALogoClear](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SMALogoClear.png?width=150&height=158&name=SMALogoClear.png "SMALogoClear") ![4-3](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4-3.png?width=250&height=92&name=4-3.png "4-3") ![FD8FDBF2-5BD4-4453-8363-11A5D78254AC](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FD8FDBF2-5BD4-4453-8363-11A5D78254AC.jpeg?width=2000&height=728&name=FD8FDBF2-5BD4-4453-8363-11A5D78254AC.jpeg "FD8FDBF2-5BD4-4453-8363-11A5D78254AC") ## Finding ways to help alumni We feel it is important for alumni to stay connected after graduation. This page is available as a resource for you to share your stories, build your network, and get involved in the WWU Marketing Program. - Are you a marketing alumni in need of guidance on how to build your network? - Have you tried connecting with other alumni and current students on LinkedIn, but need references? ## Ways to Connect Alumni connections are a vital part of helping students and graduates find their way in an increasingly complex world. We hope to foster these connections by offering opportunities for alumni to visit during club meetings, serve as judges for our annual case competition, and build your personal brand. To get connected now, check out the list of options below! --- Be Featured on Marketing by the minute ![Podcast - Lizzy-1](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Podcast%20-%20Lizzy-1.png "Podcast - Lizzy-1") --- [ Marketing By The Minute ](https://cbe.wwu.edu/fmkt/marketing-minute-podcast) ## Be featured on Thursday Tips ![Thursday Tip image-1](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Thursday%20Tip%20image-1.png "Thursday Tip image-1") --- [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/64682638/) ## Speak at the Student Marketing Association meetings ![SMA (2)-1](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/SMA%20(2)-1.png "SMA (2)-1") --- [ Reach Out ](mailto:andrew20@wwu.edu) ## Western Alumni events ![DSC03474-1-1](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/DSC03474-1-1.png "DSC03474-1-1") --- [ View Calendar ](https://alumni.wwu.edu/) ## Be a Speaker in Digital Marketing --- [ Reach Out ](mailto:andrew20@wwu.edu) ## WWU Marketing Program Website --- [ View Website ](https://cbe.wwu.edu/fmkt/marketing-program) ## help fund marketing students --- [ Donate to the marketing program ](https://alumniq.wwu.edu/giving/make-a-gift) ## Contact The sma vice president --- [ Boost your platform ](mailto:andrew20@wwu.edu) --- ## Career Advice ![MicrosoftTeams-image-1](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image-1.png?width=450&height=300&name=MicrosoftTeams-image-1.png "MicrosoftTeams-image-1") After graduation, I was ready to have my pick of the litter when it came to an entry level marketing position. I quickly realized how difficult it was not only to find the right job, but also to send a resume without any connections to the company. Claudia Webster, Graduated 2022 [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudialwebster/) ![Kathleen](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kathleen.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=Kathleen.jpg "Kathleen")  "I decided to work with a temp staffing agency so I could have the opportunity to try out different roles and experience different companies and industries. I was lucky to find the right fit in my first contract position and my employer at the time offered me a full-time position after the contract was up" Kathleen Esses, Graduated 2013  [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-esses/) ![Makenna-1](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Makenna-1.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=Makenna-1.jpg "Makenna-1") "One issue I had was once I actually got my first job: moving away from friends and starting a career is fairly lonely" Makenna Schumacher, Graduated 2019 [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/makenna-schumacher/) ![Bob](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bob.jpg?width=300&name=Bob.jpg "Bob") "It depends what you are balancing in life, but working hard during the week and making sure you are disconnecting at times , to give you and your brain a relief " Bob Brennecke [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-brennecke/) ![Jesse](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jesse.jpg?width=250&height=302&name=Jesse.jpg "Jesse") "I would say I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome. If you just show up to work every day, you will learn what/ how to do your job". Jesse Kowals-Rose, Graduated 2022 [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-kowals-rose-a98103b8?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B77c4AanURwKIOyOS%2BrHd6w%3D%3D) ![Chris Rue (1)](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Chris%20Rue%20(1).jfif "Chris Rue (1)") "To work through it, you just need to care about what you are doing and bring the right attitude every day, consistency is crucial to the growth.  If you care about what you are doing and work hard at it, you will get the knowledge and experience you need to start feeling more comfortable in your role and that feeling of imposter syndrome will subside." Chris Rue, Graduated 2012 [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-rue/) ## SMA Alumni Directory ![1678264458139](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1678264458139.jpeg?width=800&height=800&name=1678264458139.jpeg "1678264458139") ### 2023 President - Alexis Janis Marketing Major, Sociology Minor [Abbey Spivey's LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisjanis) ![1669451147128](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1669451147128.jpeg?width=800&height=800&name=1669451147128.jpeg "1669451147128") ### 2023 Vice President - Rebecca Drew Marketing Major [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccadrew032900) ![Abbey Spivey](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Abbey%20Spivey.jfif "Abbey Spivey") ### 2022 President - Abbey Spivey Marketing Major, Sociology Minor Creative Marketing Manager at Genzio [Abbey Spivey's LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbeyspivey/) ![Hayden Cody Jensen](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Hayden%20Cody%20Jensen.jfif "Hayden Cody Jensen") ### 2017 Vice President - Hayden Cody- Jensen Marketing Major Research Consultant at Qualtrics [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydencodyjensen/) ![Alex Hamilton](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Alex%20Hamilton.jfif "Alex Hamilton") ### 2016 President - Alex Hamilton Marketing Major, Sociology Minor Director of Solutions Engineering at Pattern [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhamilton5/) ![Sophia Pandey](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Sophia%20Pandey.jfif "Sophia Pandey") ### 2016 Vice President - Sophia Pandey Marketing Major, Management Information Systems Major Senior Program Manager at Microsoft [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiajpandey/) ![haley douglas](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/haley%20douglas.jfif "haley douglas") ### 2017 President - Haley Douglas Marketing Major, User Experience Design Minor Creative Supernova at Sunshine Creative Studio [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleyndouglas/) ![Marissa Lemon-1](https://23625081.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Marissa%20Lemon-1.jfif "Marissa Lemon-1") ### 2017 Vice President - Marissa Lemon Marketing Major, Art History Major Testing Coordinator at Fast Enterprises [Follow us on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissanlemon/)