You asked, he answered.

Brendan Kempff is back to tell us how he’s transitioned to a career in consulting, thriving in the heart of San Francisco.  

We reminisce a bit about his campus reporting days as a Cornell Sun writer, what it's like to go back the first time after graduation, and he reveals his future plans to become a... 

Tune in for a great conversation about living your dreams and embracing new challenges!

Brendan is exactly how you remember him, charismatic, charming and brilliant - and somehow he's even better!

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Clean house and clean slate, Gwen is back with exciting news.

Her passion for healthy living shines through as she discusses her innovative new line of eco-friendly, wildly affective, aromatherapy-filled cleaning products. Ever since receiving ours, we are cleaning 10X more than normal just because her products smell so good!

Find out what happened since the last time she was on the show, now that she can finally talk about it.

We also highlight her support for Cornell through hiring interns and providing valuable advice to them, to us, and to any Cornellians launching a small business.

We love any time spent with Gwen.

Prepare for an enlightening conversation filled with laughs, insights, and inspiration to elevate your cleaning game! (P.S. we play a game with her you do not want to miss)

Find her new company at
https://www.thefillclub.com/

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

In this episode of Where Are They Now, we reconnect with two inspiring Cornellians: Jemma Hendricks, a first-semester freshman, and Kayla Singer, a first-semester senior.

Both returning guests share updates on their lives since we last spoke, reflecting on the growth they've experienced and the excitement they feel for what’s ahead.

Kayla discusses the profound changes she’s witnessed over her three years at Cornell, while Jemma shares what it’s like to arrive for the first time at Cornell in the midst of a strike and campus unrest.

This episode is filled with insights and inspiration from two impressive young women who, despite being at different stages of their Cornell journey, have the same deep commitment to making the most of their time at Cornell.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Meet Osei Boateng, A CNN Hero and Cornell Human Ecology Young Alumni Achievement Award winner. Osei is the founder of the OKB Foundation which provides critical clinical care and accessibility in Ghana.

Osei’s passion for community and saving lives has made him an extraordinary leader, dedicated to making a big difference. We discuss how his work is changing lives and leaving a lasting impact, and how in the world he ever came up with such a genius idea for a medical van.

We met him this past June and couldn't wait for him to come on the show because in addition to being brilliant and creative, he is funny and fun and we loved spending time with him.

Here are his links:
OKB HOPE FOUNDATION: https://www.okbfoundation.org

HEAA Recent Alumni Achievement Award 2024: https://www.human.cornell.edu/alumni/about/stories/osei-boateng-heaa-recent-alumni-achievement-award-2024

Instagram:
okbhopefoundation

LinkedIn:
Osei Kwadwo Boateng

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Meet Derek Ting and Joyce Yung.

Derek, a writer and martial arts enthusiast, and Joyce, a renowned photographer, teamed up to create films that pack a punch—literally. If you like action movies, you will like their latest movie Agent Recon.

Derek may have caught the movie bug in Acting 101. Other than that, neither had filmmaking in their post grad plans. They transitioned from impressive corporate careers to the exciting world of action filmmaking.

Hear how they combined their unique talents and experiences to produce action films, including their recent project starring the iconic Chuck Norris.

Oh, and they’re married!

You can watch their films on Amazon, Hulu and Fandango and others
Lots of info at:: Http://www.Agentsaga.xyz
Find Joyce and Derek here too:
www.joyceyung.com
www.powerhousejy.com
www.randomartworkshop.com
FB: joyceyungphotography; randomartworkshop
IG: yungjoyce; randomartworkshop, powerhouse.jy
Instagram: @dkting 
Website: http://www.dkting.com

We had a lot of fun with them and we're guessing there are more movies on the horizon.

Shout out to Tony Chen for introducing us to Derek and Joyce - thank you!

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Jackie Garrido is a Cornell ILR graduate and seasoned Talent Development Leader with over 25 years of experience. She shares her journey in transforming workplaces into environments where people not only excel but also love what they do.

Her career path is a highlight reel of dream employers. And she met her husband at one of them...

Plus she is an expert on workflow and minimizing distraction. Guess which of our scenarios would possibly distract her?

We loved talking to her, we learned a LOT!

Find her on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiegarrido/

Cornell talk:
https://live.alumni.cornell.edu/career?p=66450fdc3283ae018b38beb4&v=66450fc8cbdb8abb0e5c1636

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

We were thrilled to talk to Matthew, a rising junior and a rising star in the culinary world. 
 
Matthew has captivated the hearts, appetites and inner chef of millions with his vibrant, humorous, and approachable cooking style, making his kitchen and his dorm room a global stage on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. 

He’s got 3 million followers across his platforms. THREE MILLION.

We met him on a panel we were part of at a CALC event in Baltimore last winter and we have been dying for more ever since.

He is also somehow exceptionally active on campus, and not just within the Hotel School.

You have got to hear his story, told exceptionally well because he is an incredible storyteller on and off social media.

We LOVED him.

You can find Matthew here:

https://matthewmerril.com

TikTok:

Matthewinthekitchen

Instagram:

Mmerrill

YouTube:

MatthewMerril


Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Melissa made a significant impact on Cornell campus life by organizing the iconic Slope Day and several other on-campus events. She was a natural-born promoter and leader.

Her career in hospitality PR began with a series of impressive internships and study abroad that you've got to hear and tell any incoming or current Hotel School students about. 

Melissa founded Benhaim PR, an agency dedicated to helping travel and hospitality brands achieve consistent media coverage. Her agency specializes in highlighting the unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression on guests.

As the Co-President of the Cornell Club of Miami, Melissa continues to give back to the Cornell community, fostering connections and supporting fellow alumni.

And of course, she was a good sport in reviewing our pitches for new niche campus activities.

Learn how her passion, expertise, and dedication at Cornell have shaped her career. She was FUN.

Find her here:
https://benhaimpr.com
LinkedIn:
Melissa Benhaim

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Jeanne is designing for gold!
 
We caught her right before she left for Paris and we are thrilled. She was one of the most fun and most interesting people we have ever met. We LOVED HER.
 
Behind the seams:
Jeanne tells us all about how she became the designer of the STUNNING gymnastics leotards, how her company balances aesthetics, functionality and performance, and how she is prepared for any leotard emergency on site.
 
Her Cornell story is poetic. But, the class she regrets not taking is questionable. Please weigh in by sending us a DM on Instagram.
 
Also, she's a black belt.
 
Go to our Instagram account to see the leotards we designed and ran by her for 2028. Thoughts?
 
There is so much to Jeanne! You have got to hear this story. And she's a Cornell Human Ecology graduate, just sayin'.
 
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

Jeanne is designing for gold!

We caught her right before she left for Paris and we are thrilled. She was one of the most fun and most interesting people we have ever met. We LOVED HER.

Behind the seams:
Jeanne tells us all about how she became the designer of the STUNNING gymnastics leotards, how her company balances aesthetics, functionality and performance, and how she is prepared for any leotard emergency on site.

Her Cornell story is poetic. But, the class she regrets not taking is questionable. Please weigh in by sending us a DM on Instagram.

Also, she's a black belt.

Go to our Instagram account to see the leotards we designed and ran by her for 2028. Thoughts?

There is so much to Jeanne! You have got to hear this story. And she's a Cornell Human Ecology graduate, just sayin'.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.