John Dreixler is a biomedical researcher and studies biomarkers for different clinical studies, for example the role of Siglec 9 in Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrom (ARDS) as well as Activin A and aspirin in pre-eclamptic women and subsequent cardiac issues, at the University of Chicago.

"I want to help students and new alums navigate the sciences and academia, especially with necessity of post-graduate degrees for various employment possibilities."

Graduation year: 1983

Post-grad: Doctor of biological sciences/neuroscience

Major: Biology

Campus activities: Gamma Alpha Beta fraternity

• Best way to contact him: Email

Julie Dreixler is the chief human resources officer at Graham Media Group (GMG) in Chicago. She reports to the CEO and is responsible for all aspects of recruiting, training, employee relations, compensation and benefits for GMG. As the company’s chief HR strategist, Julie works with GMG senior management, as well as those individuals at Graham Holdings Company, playing a key leadership role in identifying, growing, and developing GMG employees.

"As a member of the Augustana Alumni Board of Directors and an Augustana graduate, I am interested in giving back to the school and helping/connecting with students to answer any questions, provide insight and counsel and connections as appropriate. I want to partner with Alumni Relations and CORE to ensure this program is coordinated, meets the needs of students, alumni and administration, and is sustainable.

I can offer students counsel on any HR-related topic including career advice (branding yourself, internships, sourcing/hiring - interviewing process, performance management, benefits, compensation, separation/outplacement). I can speak to how I moved from not-for-profit to HR and provide some insight into the various companies that employed me.

I can also speak to living and working in the Chicago area."

Graduation year: 1983

Post-grad: Masters in human resources/industrial relations

Majors: Political science, public administration and German

Campus activities: Student Life Programming Board (formerly CUBOM), Phi Rho sorority, international/German club, homecoming yell, bowling club/league, ski club, Young Republicans, orientation leader, WVIK radio DJ, European Quarter

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• Best way to contact her: Email

Dana Diedrick is an accounting manager for Alera Group in Chicago.

"Almost every job I have through college and after, until my most recent move, I got due to an Augustana connection. Networking is important and companies don't come to Augustana from the Chicago land area so it is our job to make the connection for students."

Graduation year: 2012

Major(s): Business administration-finance and accounting

Campus activities: Delta Chi Theta sorority, club volleyball

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• Best way to contact her: Email

Leslie Carranza is a Mission Expansion Partnership Liaison, administrative companion and bilingual case manager with Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph (sponsored ministry) in the Chicagoland area.

"Professionally, I've gotten exposure to a great variety of different nonprofits of all sizes, stages of development, and with varying degrees of involvement. Positions include intern, board member, administrator, direct service provider, outreach coordinator, key stake holder, and so on. I've had the privilege of working closely with mentors that are excellent models of sustainable, servant-hearted leadership, understand how easily an organization can tank, and examples of what that looks like. 

Also my experience at Augie was fairly different from that of my peers and feel like I've developed much more after graduation, since post grad service wasn't promoted very much in vocational direction. Coming from a blue collar far northern Chicagoland city was a huge culture shock when arriving at Augie, as I identified more with people in Moline and Rock Island than the college campus life. Even more so, diving into an intentional community, living with a group of people I'd never met before, practicing mindfulness in an environment built around Catholic Social Teaching enriched what it meant to search for vocation along with occupation."

Graduation year: 2015

Major: Anthropology

Campus activities: Latinxs Unidos, Technical Theater, Performance Hall manager, Cantilena women's chorus, WAUG Radio

• Linkedin profile

• Best way to contact her: Personal email, work email, or Office of Alumni Relations

Lindsey Cannata is a certified financial planner (CFP) at J.P. Cannata & Associates in Roselle, Ill.

"It was a difficult transition phase after I graduated from Augustana. I started working with my father while also living at home. Looking back, I would not change anything and am so thankful that I did. However, it was a difficult transition and I wish I had a group similar to Viking Connections to turn to for advice. 

I think I'll be able to offer advice to recent Augustana grads that may have a difficult transition from college to the real world as well as offer career advice."

Graduation year: 2013

Post-grad: Master of wealth management

Major: Business administration

Campus activities: Greek life, business club, investors club

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• Best way to contact her: Email

Brittany Burk is a speech-language pathologist in both acute and inpatient rehab units at Carle Foundation Hospital, a level one trauma hospital, in Champaign, Ill.

"Great mentors helped me get to where I am today. I would love to help students overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. I would be able to help with tips related to grad school, clinical fellowships, and things to consider when applying for jobs post-graduation."

Graduation year: 2015

Post-grad: Master of speech-language pathology

Majors: Communication sciences and disorders and psychology

Campus activities: APO, campus ministries, Appalachia service project, Dance Marathon, UNYK

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• Best way to contact her: Email or phone, 309-573-6936

Marlisa Barrett is the owner of Swirl Wine Bar in Bettendorf Iowa. Before opening Swirl, Marlisa worked in various hospitality positions in the Quad Cities area, including Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport, Iowa; and Johnny's Italian Steakhouse in Moline, IL.

"As a recent graduate - I'm excited to help new graduates find resources and people that can offer them advice while transitioning out of college. Additionally, as an Alumni in the Quad Cities I want to help recent graduates stay connected and plugged in to their alma mater."

Graduation year: 2019

Majors: Business administration-management, ethics and communications

Campus activities: Phi Rho sorority and Augustana Choir

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• Best way to contact her: Email

Zubair Ansari a hospital executive at Luminis Health in Annapolis, Md.

"I have lived and worked globally and have been able to represent Augie wherever I go. I support many causes in education, help students with resumes and mentor them to jobs across the globe. It’s all about relationships and I would like to give back to Augustana."

Graduation year: 2000

Post-grad: Master of healthcare administration

Major: Sociology

Campus activities: MSA, SGA

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• Best way to contact him: Email, Linkedin message or phone, 410-913-1675