After earning his JD and MBA from BU, Alan Ostfield (LAW’90, Questrom’91) went on to occupy the c-suite of legendary organizations including the San Diego Padres, the Detroit Pistons and now, the North Atlantic division of the world’s largest live entertainment company, Live Nation. Alan explores the process of building his career, learning from his mistakes and his advice on how to pivot when the future of your career stretches beyond your control.

To learn more about Alan and the Proud to BU podcast, visit our website – bu.edu/alumni/podcast. 

A transcript of this episode is also available. Please note, transcripts may be edited for clarity and do not represent a verbatim record of dialogue.

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Channeling his ADHD into a superpower has propelled serial entrepreneur Peter Shankman (CGS’92, COM’94) to incredible success. Perhaps best known for founding Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a company connecting journalists to sources, Peter has built and sold three successful businesses, authored five books and built a brand as a keynote speaker, podcast host, angel investor and frequent cable news contributor.

To learn more about Peter, visit shankman.com or check out his Faster Than Normal podcast. For more on Proud to BU, visit our website – bu.edu/alumni/podcast.

A transcript of this episode is also available. Please note, transcripts may be edited for clarity and do not represent a verbatim record of dialogue.

Listener Survey: We want to hear from you! Complete a 3-minute survey and claim your pair of our custom-made limited edition Proud to BU podcast socks!

From computer science to classical civilizations, Ferol Vernon's (CAS'03) path to success as an entrepreneur is anything but ordinary. Today, Ferol combines his love of literature with his passion for technology as the Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Written Word Media. His company is focused on connecting readers with their next great book and providing a high-tech platform to help authors and publishers reach new audiences.

To learn more about Ferol and his company, Written Word Media, visit our website - bu.edu/alumni/podcast.

A transcript of this episode is also available. Please note, transcripts may be edited for clarity and do not represent a verbatim record of dialogue.

Listener Survey: We want to hear from you! Complete a 3-minute survey and claim your pair of our custom-made limited edition Proud to BU podcast socks!

Leading a team tasked with telling Facebook's story has been both the ultimate challenge and the ultimate opportunity for Anthony Harrison (COM'81) who serves as Director of Corporate Media Relations for the social media giant. Anthony shares his journey from Comm. Ave to Silicon Valley as a seasoned PR expert with experience shaping brands like LexisNexis, Microsoft and Starbucks.

You can connect with Anthony directly on BU's Career Advisory Network - bu.edu/alumni/can - and be sure to read his recent profile in BU Today called "Diversifying Silicon Valley". For more on Proud to BU, visit bu.edu/alumni/podcast.

A transcript of this episode is also available. Please note, transcripts may be edited for clarity and do not represent a verbatim record of dialogue.

Listener Survey: We want to hear from you! Complete a 3-minute survey and claim your pair of our custom-made limited edition Proud to BU podcast socks!

After earning a degree in French Language and Literature from BU, Christine Fletcher (CAS’91) went on to become a partner at the Burns & Levinson law firm in Boston. Christine was selected as a 2018 Woman Worth Watching® by the Profiles in Diversity Journal and is also a regular online contributor for Forbes where she shares her expertise on trusts and estates.

As you’ll hear, Christine is always happy to connect with alumni looking to build their own networks. Visit our website - bu.edu/alumni/podcast – for more information.

A transcript of this episode is also available. Please note, transcripts may be edited for clarity and do not represent a verbatim record of dialogue.

Listener Survey: We want to hear from you! Complete a 3-minute survey and claim your pair of our custom-made limited edition Proud to BU podcast socks!

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Eric Stange (COM’79) shares his journey, creative process and lessons learned from personal and professional hardship as founder and executive producer of Spy Pond Productions. His work has been broadcast on PBS, National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, and the BBC. Prior to his career in filmmaking, Eric wrote about art and culture for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Atlantic Monthly and many other publications.

Visit our website - bu.edu/alumni/podcast – for more information on connecting with Eric and his company, Spy Pond Productions.

A transcript of this episode is also available. Please note, transcripts may be edited for clarity and do not represent a verbatim record of dialogue.

Listener Survey: We want to hear from you! Complete a 3-minute survey and claim your pair of our custom-made limited edition Proud to BU podcast socks!

Aerospace engineer Dr. Jennifer Gruber (ENG’99,’99) uncovered her passion for space exploration at the age of seven and today, fulfills her childhood dream working at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in the International Space Station Mission Control. Jenny shares insights from her remarkable journey and reflects on the importance of leadership, teamwork and problem solving when working in the realm of human space flight.

Visit our website - bu.edu/alumni/podcast – for more information about Jenny including how you can connect with her on the Career Advisory Network.

A transcript of this episode is also available. Please note, transcripts may be edited for clarity and do not represent a verbatim record of dialogue.

Listener Survey: We want to hear from you! Complete a 3-minute survey and claim your pair of our custom-made limited edition Proud to BU podcast socks!

Fred Santarpia (MET’08) recently stepped down from his role as Chief Digital Officer at the premier mass media company, Condé Nast. In this episode, Fred talks about his dynamic career path from his education in accounting and finance to building and executing a digital strategy that spans a wide variety of household brands. Beyond Conde Nast, Fred also occupied a number of unique and challenging roles at Universal Music Group, VEVO, TechSpace and Arthur Andersen.

To learn more about Fred and the Proud to BU podcast, visit our website: bu.edu/alumni/podcast.

 A transcript of this episode is also available. Please note, transcripts may be edited for clarity and do not represent a verbatim record of dialogue.

Listener Survey: We want to hear from you! Complete a 3-minute survey and claim your pair of our custom-made limited edition Proud to BU podcast socks!