| Business Analytics Bulletin
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LMU DATATHON | MARCH 14, 2026
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You’re invited to the 2026 LMU Datathon, a hands-on, day-long competition where students tackle real-world business and data challenges while showcasing innovation, analytical thinking, and collaboration.
Held on Saturday, March 14, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Center for Business, the LMU Datathon gives participants the opportunity to work with real datasets, transform data into actionable insights, and present solutions to industry professionals. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students of all skill levels, the event offers valuable hands-on experience, professional development, teamwork, and the chance to earn recognition and cash prizes. No cost to participate! Learn more and register.
A Recap of the 2025 LMU Datathon
For the first time, the LMU Datathon welcomed teams of graduate and undergraduate students from schools across Southern California. Participants used data from Resolution Economics to create their final presentations and showcase their storytelling skills with data. The competition was judged by a panel of industry-leading organizations, including Thumbtack, Fox, Currie & Brown, Salesforce, Cedars-Sinai, Willdan, Promoshop LA, ServiceNow, LMU, and Resolution Economics. Special thanks to Rob Crandall from Resolution Economics and the Komagome ISBA/MSBA Student Success Fund. Congrats to our winning teams! Read more.
Undergraduate Team:
1st Place - Naomi Alvarado, Vivek Dhingra, Maya Purandare, Cameron Hajaliloo (LMU Statistics and Data Science)
Graduate Team:
2nd Place - Luis Otero, Xiomara Vidal Marquez, Savio Ragonesi, Ornella Darcyl (LMU MSBA)
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The 2025 Innovation Symposium, Shaping the ClimateTech Transformation, spotlighted how AI and emerging technologies are being leveraged to address the growing threat of climate change. This event was the fourth in the Innovation Symposium series of conferences at LMU, led by the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics (ISBA) in the College of Business Administration and LMU External Affairs. Read The Loyolan's full coverage of the event here.
Our next Innovation Symposium will be held in fall 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
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Ten ISBA/MSBA students toured the Google campus in Playa Vista, hosted by LMU alumnus and ISBA/MSBA advisory council member Alan Wayne '11. Ashlee Newton, MSBA '25 shared the following on her LinkedIn page: “Visiting the Google Playa Vista campus was an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to gain valuable insights and see firsthand how innovation and collaboration drive success in the tech space. Not to mention, I was totally mesmerized by the workspace that used to be no other than... an airplane hangar!”
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ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PANEL
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Ornella Darcyl, MSBA '25 organized and moderated a high-impact industry panel that brought professionals from leading entertainment companies, including IMAX, NBCUniversal, FOX, and Disney, to the LMU campus. Her goal was to create a space where students could engage directly with industry leaders and gain meaningful insight into the evolving media and entertainment landscape.
Ornella states: “Bringing industry leaders to campus was an incredible experience. I wanted to create a space where students could connect directly with the people shaping the entertainment world and expand everyone’s resources—and I’m proud we made that happen."
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Professor Ana Mangal's Master of Science in Management (MSM) students had an unforgettable experience in the LMU Immersive Technology Lab. Through a hands-on session led by Kelly Watson, clinical professor of management, students explored various VR applications using Oculus headsets. They also created their own 360-degree videos for class projects—bringing immersive media to life. A big thank you to Professor Watson for providing such a powerful and engaging learning experience!
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GUEST SPEAKER: CHRISTIAN PEVERELLI
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The ISBA Society and Entrepreneurship Society were thrilled to host Christian Peverelli at LMU for a dynamic session on using an AI stack to launch a business in under two hours! Christian is a serial entrepreneur and digital strategist with over 12 years of experience building start-ups, running accelerators, and consulting for Fortune 500 companies and celebrities.
Students gained real-world insights into how AI is reshaping entrepreneurship and walked away inspired to build boldly in today’s tech-driven world. Shout out to Krish Pathak and Thomas Fathi, the presidents of each society, for putting this event together!
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|  | We are thrilled to announce that Arin Brahma, Ph.D. has been promoted to associate professor of information systems and business analytics with tenure!
Please join us in celebrating this incredible achievement—congratulations, Professor Brahma!
| |  | Ace Vo, Ph.D. was also promoted to associate professor with tenure! He shares gratitude for his position and his students. "The ever-evolving landscape of technology continues to transform how we approach business challenges. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our students’ journeys as they grow into leaders who will make a positive impact on our communities."
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|  | ISBA/MSBA Advisory Council Spotlight: Alan Wayne '11
Alan earned an M.S. in Technology Leadership from Brown University. He split time between on-campus learning in Providence, Rhode Island, and virtual learning from his home in Los Angeles. His critical challenge project explored the opportunities and challenges that U.S. institutions of higher education face in addressing the global higher education supply and demand imbalance.
"I look forward to using all that I learned at Brown (and at LMU before it) to help scale the life-changing impact higher education can have on people's lives around the world through technology, both with my clients at Google and here at LMU CBA."
| |  | MSBA Alumni Spotlight: Diego Estuar, M.S. '24
After completing his undergraduate degree at LMU in economics and marketing analytics, Diego chose LMU's MSBA program because of its hands-on and cooperative learning environment fostered by dedicated faculty.
"The LMU community has so much to offer, and I attribute many of my opportunities to the support of the faculty, students, and friends."
Diego is currently an operations analyst at Cedars-Sinai and will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Information Systems & Technology with a concentration in Data Science & Analytics at Claremont Graduate University this fall.
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|  | MSBA Alumni Spotlight: David Golshirazian '20, M.S. '21
David is a data analyst at Activision Blizzard, and credits the LMU MSBA program for his career in analytics.
"The MSBA program gave me a route into a previously unknown and completely unconsidered field. Who knows where I would be if I had not taken this opportunity?"
| |  | MSBA Alumni Spotlight: Karen Tafa '20, M.S. '21
Karen earned her B.S. in ISBA and continued on the bluff to earn an M.S. in Business Analytics. "LMU has great professors who are dedicated to helping you succeed. Make sure to take advantage of their expertise by asking questions and seeking guidance." Karen currently works as a senior solutions architect at Magna Marketing.
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|  | ISBA Student Spotlight: Sarah Nguyen '26
Sarah completed a summer internship as an IT Risk Assurance Intern at PwC in Ho Chi Minh City. “Coming home to Vietnam for the summer and interning at PwC has been the perfect way to apply what I’ve learned abroad."
Sarah’s internship gave her valuable insight and experience in risk assurance. “As an intern, I’ve been surrounded by an incredibly supportive team that is always willing to guide, teach, and cheer me on. It’s been such a fulfilling experience to learn and grow alongside them!"
| |  | ISBA Student Spotlight: Rae McDonald '26
Rae was selected as a 2025 Regional Collegian of the Year (South Pacific region) by Delta Sigma Pi, the nation's largest professional business fraternity.
Rae says this achievement is the result of stepping out of her comfort zone. "Delta Sigma Pi marked the true beginning of my journey as an LMU Lion, and it’s still surreal to reflect on how one decision to step outside my comfort zone has led to such a meaningful honor. This recognition not only commemorates the conclusion of my term as president, but also symbolizes the legacy of leadership I aspire to carry forward."
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MSBA Alumni Spotlight: Sebastian Heredia, M.S. '25
Sebastian reflects on using the skills learned at LMU in the professional world.
“I’ve been fortunate to apply my analytics skills in multiple real-world settings, including a data science consulting role with Tillster and a business analytics internship with Saahas for Cause. These opportunities allowed me to use tools like Python, SQL, and Power BI to drive insights in both corporate and nonprofit contexts."
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Interested in Being a Capstone Sponsor?
MSBA students presented their capstone projects on August 7 to clients, faculty, board advisors, alumni, and LMU leadership. Clients included Sony Pictures, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Hawthorne, Plug and Play, Toonstar, and Tillster. If you would like to sponsor a capstone project this year, contact us at msba@lmu.edu.
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