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Meet the PRIMA25 Student Scholars
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Sarah Branyan is a passionate mental health advocate and peer support specialist at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. Formerly the program director at NAMI Florida, she brings over a decade of lived experience in recovery to her work in peer support, education and community empowerment. Sarah is a state trainer for NAMI’s In Our Own Voice and Connections Support Group and leads multiple evidence-based programs, including WRAP and NAMI signature classes. A full-time student pursuing a B.S. in public policy and administration, Sarah is dedicated to transforming systems through advocacy, peer-led support and policy change. She is also a proud mother of five and is deeply committed to uplifting underserved communities through her work. |
| Sergio Castillo is a soon-to-be 2025 graduate of the University of Southern California, where he studies business administration with a concentration in risk management and a specialization in cybersecurity. Currently, he is pursuing a career in the wholesale insurance industry, having completed three internships with two brokerages and a carrier. Sergio had no prior connections to insurance and fell into it by chance, but it turned out to be the perfect fit for him. He enjoys meeting new people and building relationships, so he can often be found at conferences and risk management events. Outside of insurance, Sergio spends his free time working on his golf game and enjoying the outdoors either at the beach or on hikes. |  |
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Cesar Fernandes is a dedicated public policy professional with expertise in peace building, governance and international business affairs. Cesar is a doctoral candidate in public policy at Southern University. He holds an MBA in finance, human resources and supply chain management from Southern University and A&M College and a Bachelor of Science in marketing and international affairs from Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD)—École Supérieure Polytechnique (ESP). He also completed intensive training in peacebuilding program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation training at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. With over a decade of experience, Cesar has held key positions, including national coordinator for the West Africa Network for Peace building in Guinea-Bissau, where he managed multiple peace building programs. Through his leadership, he continues to drive impactful projects that promote education, governance and economic development. |
| Alexis Fong is a senior at Sacramento State University pursuing a degree in business administration with dual concentrations in management information systems and business analytics. With a strong interest in public risk management, Alexis currently serves as a student assistant in the Field Technology Support Unit at the California Department of Social Services. In this role, she supports statewide database systems, investigates reporting discrepancies, and collaborates with cross-functional IT teams to resolve issues affecting system integrity and compliance. Alexis is also the president of the Management Information Systems Association at Sacramento State, where she helps bridge the gap between students and the tech industry by organizing professional development events, career panels and networking opportunities. Outside of school, she enjoys contributing to early-stage startups—supporting projects ranging from web development to financial modeling—and has a personal passion for ballet and music production, which she pursues in her free time. |  |
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Artiom Hripco, born in Moldova and raised in Ukraine, moved to Sacramento, CA with his family at 14-years-old. Through determination, he overcame challenges like learning a new language and adapting to a completely new environment. In high school, he actively participated in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), gaining discipline and leadership skills while serving his community. Artiom volunteered extensively at his church, performed in bands, and worked as a camp coordinator, sharpening his risk management abilities. Academically, he excelled at American River College before transferring to Sacramento State University, where he is pursuing a business finance degree with risk management and insurance concentration. Artiom seeks to make new friends and gain more knowledge about the field of risk management. |
| Benjamin Jimerson-Jury, originally from Florida, attends St. Petersburg College pursuing a Bachelor's degree in business management. A natural leader, Benjamin has been recognized for his exceptional commitment to both his academic and extracurricular activities, particularly as an SPC Study Abroad Ambassador. His participation in programs across England, Greece, Japan and Costa Rica reflects his dedication to broadening his global perspective. Recognized by both faculty and peers for his personal and professional growth, Benjamin's work ethic is outstanding, demonstrated through his active involvement with the college and his inspiring drive to excel in everything he does. Besides his excellence in his academics, his dedication and commitment to his employer also earned him a spot on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square, a testament to his remarkable contributions. Replete with a passion for education, Benjamin is poised to continue excelling in his academic and future professional pursuits and is committed to pursuing his graduate degree. |  |
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Aimen Mudassar is a dedicated business administration student at St. Petersburg College with a strong interest in international business practices and public risk management. Through academic projects and case studies, Aimen has demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Passionate about sustainable and ethical business models, Aimen is particularly drawn to corporate social responsibility and community engagement. As a PRIMA student scholar, Aimen is eager to learn from experienced risk management professionals and explore innovative approaches in the field. Committed to bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, Aimen looks forward to contributing insights and sharing experiences through PRIMA’s podcast or blog. |
| Diya Shah is a freshman at Temple University Fox School of Business, double majoring in management information systems and risk management. Her passion lies in tech business and risk management, and she aspires to contribute meaningfully to these fields in her future. At Temple, Diya serves as a director of events for the Business Honor Student Association and is a consultant for the University of Maryland Baltimore Medical Center through the Temple Consulting Club. Diya is involved in medical associations, driven by her interest in health tech, and she proudly represents Temple as an ambassador. Beyond academics, she loves traveling, being with family and friends, working out, and exploring different languages. Looking ahead, Diya aims to pursue health-tech consulting and risk consulting with a strong desire to work in a dynamic city environment. She is excited for the opportunities ahead and the impact she can make. |  |
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Irene Shaju is an international student from India pursuing a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in management information systems and a planned minor in finance. She believes data holds the power to shape the future and chose MIS to better understand real-world challenges and design equitable, technology-driven solutions. Irene is deeply committed to using her skills to uplift underserved communities through action and innovation. She is a member of Tau Sigma National Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, Girls Who Code and MISA (Management Information Systems Association), where she recently accepted the role of student engagement and development officer elect. She previously served as a peer mentor for first-year students and currently works as a student assistant in human resources at University Enterprises, Inc. Irene values learning, service and creating lasting impact through purpose-driven work. |
| Vera Wang is a second-year student pursuing a degree in environmental studies with a minor in risk management and comparative literature at the University of Southern California, where she serves as treasurer and vice president of marketing for Gamma Iota Sigma. She is also a resident assistant, a geochemistry research intern, and an investigative reporter for Annenberg Media. Last summer, Vera interned in FM’s claims department, an experience that sparked her interest in wildfire-related property insurance policy research, which she pursues independently. Beyond academics, she enjoys watching River Monsters, talking about her three dogs, sewing, writing film reviews and reading. |  |