Career Talk Roundtable: Get Advice from LSA Mentors

How can you tap into the power of shared wisdom and experience? By attending this mentorship event featuring an all-star cast of LSA alums who are leaders in the fields of print and broadcast journalism, finance, marketing, and more. These alums are here to help you as you explore careers and prepare for life after graduation.

Come as you are to this informal event and have meaningful and authentic dialogue through round-robin small group discussions and one-on-one conversations with alums. Whether you’re a first-year student or a soon-to-be grad, get your questions answered by alums who are here to help you as you explore careers and prepare for life after graduation. Learn more about the participating alums below, and find them on LSA Connect.

This event is open to all LSA students. Food will be provided onsite.

This event is sponsored by the U-M English Advisory Board in partnership with the LSA Opportunity Hub and LSA’s Department of English.

Alum Bios

Greg Fisher: TV Producer, Journalist, Media Executive
Greg Fisher is a west coast producer for the CBS News broadcast 48 Hours. Greg has been a network broadcast producer for 30 years, and a supervisor at 48 Hours. Greg spent 16 years as an investigative producer for ABC News 20/20 and PrimeTime working with Diane Sawyer, Chris Wallace, and Chris Cuomo. Among other awards, Greg has won the National Press Club Award, an Emmy Award for Investigative Reporting, and an Emmy Award for Breaking News. He began his career as a radio and newspaper reporter. Greg graduated from U-M in 1987 with a BA in English. He earned an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University in 2009. Chat with Greg on LSA Connect >>

Rob Granader: Market Research Executive
Rob Granader is CEO at MarketResearch.com. After graduating from U-M with a BA in English, he earned a JD from George Washington University before working as a journalist on Capitol Hill. Rob then founded MarketResearch.com, the leading provider of industry intelligence for business, consultants, and investors. Their products and services are used by more than 89% of the Fortune 500, and the company has expanded into providing broad market research solutions. Rob has also published short stories and essays in top venues including the Washington Post and the New York Times. Chat with Rob on LSA Connect >>

Howard Katz: Corporate Executive
Howard Katz is Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer at HAVI, a global company that specializes in managing the supply chains of leading brands. In the past, Howard has also held executive positions at RollingStone.com and the Marketing Store (a customer engagement agency). Before embarking on this journey in corporate leadership, Howard earned a BA in English at U-M and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Amy Tara Koch: Style and Travel Journalist
Amy Tara Koch is an author and journalist who has the unique pleasure of traveling the world for her job. She contributes to the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, Vogue, and others. Amy earned her BA in English at U-M and began her career in style journalism before landing the position of Director of Marketing for fashion label BCBG Max Azria. After penning a column for the Chicago Tribute, Amy became an on-air style reporter at NBC/WMAQ covering fashion and beauty trends. Her maternity style book, Bump it Up (Random House) was published in 2010 to great acclaim.

Lauren Winn: Management Consultant
Lauren is a Management Consultant Manager at Accenture. After earning a BA in English at U-M and spending seven years at Quicken Loans as a content developer, technical writer, instructional designer, and team leader, she transitioned to her current role. Lauren’s expertise includes leadership, needs assessment, instructional design, program evaluation, and facilitation. She also earned an M.A. at George Washington University in the School of Education, focusing on Education Technology Leadership. Chat with Lauren on LSA Connect >>

Cathy Zumberge: Human Resources Executive
Cathy Zumberge is a retired Human Resources consultant who focuses on HR management in arts and education organizations. After graduating from U-M with a degree in English, her career-long mission was to improve the employment relationship for the benefit of both workers and employers. Cathy’s HR experience includes executive work in California and Colorado, highlighted by her years as the Vice President for Personnel Administration at the Bank of San Diego. She also served as the Director of Business Programs for Extension at UC San Diego, where she developed and oversaw courses in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and process improvement. Cathy holds an MBA from San Diego State University. Chat with Cathy on LSA Connect >>


Dennis Dennehy
Dennis is the Chief Communications Officer at AEG Presents, the live events arm of Anschutz Entertainment Group that books tours for artists including Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Tyler, the Creator, and Ed Sheeran. Dennis began his career in music at an independent record label in 1991, before moving to Geffen Records where he worked as a junior publicist and handled media campaigns for artists including Nirvana, Beck, and Sonic Youth. He then moved to Interscope Geffen A&M Records when the labels were combined; in his senior roles in publicity, media, and marketing, he has overseen campaigns for artists such as Eminem, Nine Inch Nails, U2, Dr. Dre, Lady Gaga, J. Cole, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Imagine Dragons, and many more. Chat with Dennis on LSA Connect >>




Zach Esposito
Zach is a 2014 University of Michigan graduate and a 2017 graduate of the University of Chicago law school. While at the University of Michigan, he lived in South Quad, on Arbor Street, and on Packard Street. He spent five years as a law firm associate focused on in- and out-of-court restructurings. He currently works as in-house counsel for a major bank. Zach lives in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago and has been in the city for the past eight years.


Shira Lee Katz
Shira is Head of Content Strategy at Coursera, and previously held leadership roles in creative production and digital learning at Netflix and the nonprofit media organization Common Sense Media. She is an experienced leader in the areas of learning and consumer tech, with expertise in content strategy, edtech, kids’ media, product innovation, and diversity and inclusion. Shira holds an AB in English with Honors from UM and a doctoral degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Chat with Shira on LSA Connect >>


Carlen Zhang-D’Souza
Carlen Zhang-D'Souza graduated from the University of Michigan in 2010 and the University of Michigan Law School in 2013. She is currently an attorney for the ACLU of Ohio; she has worked in private practice, as well as for the legislature, the judiciary, and an agency. She also runs a non-fiction book summary website (www.pithysummary.com) where, each month, she provides a summary of a compelling non-fiction book, a recommendation for a related book, and a suggestion for a related product. She lives in Columbus, OH with her family.