Purdue University Northwest Welcomes New Alumni Advisory Board

Purdue University Northwest’s newly named Alumni Advisory Board held its first meeting in August 2024. Members pictured include (front row, left to right) Darien Thompson (BS’17, MBA’19); Kelly Anoe (MBA’07); Dakita Jones (AS’03, BS’04); (back row, left to right) Sandra Patino (MACC’19); Spencer Summers (BSB’22, MBA’23); John Freyek (BA’94); Connie Adams (AS’85, BS’93, MS’09, DNP’20); and Katie Holderby, PNW Director of Alumni Engagement.

Purdue University Northwest is pleased to announce the members of the Alumni Advisory Board. The board includes 14 accomplished PNW alumni with diverse backgrounds working in a variety of industries. Board members’ perspectives and leadership will be influential in contributing to university initiatives and driving impactful change for Northwest Indiana and beyond.

“We are fortunate to have accomplished and motivated alumni sharing their time and energy to advance their alma mater’s impact,” said Katie Holderby, director of Alumni Engagement. “The PNW Alumni Advisory Board members’ collective experience and community connections will help us continue engaging in meaningful ways with our constituents.”

The Alumni Advisory Board held its first meeting in August 2024. Board members will serve as key partners for university leaders, offering insights as alumni and working professionals with roots in their communities. Alumni board members’ feedback also will help PNW continuously shape how it prepares students for in-demand careers and how it can continue contributing to the region’s quality of life.

The inaugural PNW Alumni Advisory Board members include:

• Connie Adams (AS’85, BS’93, MS’09, DNP’20)
• Kelly Anoe (MBA’07), President and CEO, Legacy Foundation
• John Freyek (BA’94), Market President, Horizon Bank
• Ken Giden (MBA’12), Artificial Intelligence Sales Executive, Global Enterprise Sales Central, Cisco
• Niyah Hall (BS’18, MBA’20), WFS Business Specialist — AMXL Network, Amazon
• Dakita Jones (AS’03, BS’04), Vice President and Director of Community Relations, Centier Bank
• Carl Kurek (BA’11), Director of Development, MAAC Foundation Inc
• Calvin-Charles Mead (BS’20), Controls System Software Engineer, Rolls-Royce
• Sandra Patino (MACC’19), Tax Associate, NWI Tax LLC
• Jahaira Perez (BA’08), Employee Relations Manager, Purdue University Northwest
• Spencer Summers (BSB’22, MBA’23), Economic & Business Development Manager, NIPSCO
• Darien Thompson (BS’17, MBA’19), Alumni Clubs Senior Specialist, Purdue for Life Foundation
• Jasmin Zamora (BA’14), Principal of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Discover Financial Services
• Sherri Ziller (BA’08, MSED’12), President and CEO, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority

Positions updated in December 2025.

For more information about PNW’s office of Alumni Engagement, visit pnw.edu/alumni.