FSB alumni named 18 Of The Last 9 honorees
Three Farmer School alumni have been recognized by the Miami University Alumni Association for their accomplishments after graduation
FSB alumni named 18 Of The Last 9 honorees
A trio of Farmer School of Business alumni have been honored by the Miami University Alumni Association for their accomplishments since graduation.
Modeled after the well-known “30 under 30” concept and named for Miami University’s charter year of 1809, the 18 of the Last 9 Award program seeks to recognize outstanding recent grads who are actively embodying the core values of a Miami education. The chosen alumni from the last 9 graduating years are recognized as leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
This year's honorees include:
Sara Al-Zubi is an Internal Medicine resident at Massachusetts General Hospital and a graduate of the Harvard MD/MPP dual-degree program at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Kennedy School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Capital Management and Leadership with a Pre-Medical Studies co-major and a minor in French.
"I never expected my life to turn out the way it has, and for a long time at Miami, people questioned my choices — my combination of degrees, my work, why I was a business student," she said. "But the truth is, I made my own path. I tried new things, stayed true to my values, and sometimes faced pushback. Along the way, I realized that the people you surround yourself with make all the difference in the world you create."
Roderick is a Senior Associate at Prairie Capital, a private equity firm in Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Miami University in 2018, where he was also a member of the Varsity Men’s Basketball team. After graduation, he fulfilled his childhood dream of playing professional basketball, competing in the Republic of Georgia. Prior to his career as an investor, Roderick worked in investment banking and asset management.
" Once you realize the value of embracing who you are and the unique perspective that you have, and don’t try to be something you’re not - you tend to be more fulfilled. One of my favorite quotes is, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Like most people, it’s hard not to compare yourself to others, but it only creates unnecessary stress," he said. "Pressure and expectations will always exist, but the only things you can truly control are your effort, your attitude, and how you show up every day. Over time, those things compound, and the results usually follow."
Paul Fortin is a Vice President at RLH Equity Partners, a Los Angeles–based private equity firm that invests in growing technology, healthcare, and business services companies. He focuses on evaluating new investments and providing oversight across several RLH portfolio company boards. In these roles, Paul works closely with leadership teams to refine strategy, improve operations, and strengthen organizational culture. Before joining RLH, Paul worked in investment banking at Huron and in consulting and transaction advisory at Ernst & Young.
"Progress, both in work and in life, is never a straight line. Even best laid plans go awry. Don’t get discouraged and enjoy the journey," he said.
The trio join more than 230 other Miami University alumni who have been 18 of the Last 9 honorees since the program began in 2016.
