Committee Members Biographies
Afra Anan
Afra Anan is an MBA student here in the Smeal College of Business. She recently graduated from her undergraduate studies in August 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Management. Her involvement on campus spans from cultural clubs to student government. She currently serves as the Director of Internal Affairs for the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG). She is incredibly excited to be joining the committee for the second time and serves as the conference’s marketing lead.
Sam Edgar
Sam Edgar, currently a senior majoring in Management Information Systems in the Smeal College of Business, and minoring in Information Sciences and Technology in the College of IST, is serving his fourth year on the START Committee. In addition to the START Committee, Sam is the treasure of Limitless, a special interest organization benefiting THON. LinkedIn Profile
Jade Jean-Baptiste
Jade Jean-Baptiste is a Bunton-Waller Fellow master’s student studying Accounting Analytics in the Smeal College of Business. Along with being a member of the START Committee, she is also the marketing chair of the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club, a branch of Lions Club International. Jade is passionate about finding ways to address the racial wealth gap and aspires to narrow the gap through her work in accounting. LinkedIn Profile
Brian Knox
Brian Knox is a third-year Bunton-Waller scholar studying International Politics with the National Security Option in the College of the Liberal Arts. He is currently studying Korean and has found a real passion for the language and culture. In addition to the START Committee, Brian is a member of the Penn State Boxing Club.
Eyan Lynch
Eyan Lynch, currently a senior studying Political Science in the College of the Liberal Arts, is serving his first year on the START Committee. In addition to being on the START Committee, Eyan is also the Treasurer for the Visionary Arts organization on campus, and in the process of building his own startup in the automotive industry. LinkedIn Profile
Samiyah McDuffie
Samiyah McDuffie is a third-year student at the Smeal College of Business. She is an accounting major in the integrated undergraduate-graduate MAcc program. She is on track to graduate in 2026 and will be eligible for the CPA examination. Samiyah is on the professional development committee for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), a Spring 2023 distinguished member of the Accounting Society, a Bunton-Waller Undergraduate Fellow, and a Smeal Diversity Enhancement Scholar. This summer, she will be an Advance Start Audit Intern in PwC’s Washington, DC, office.
Parker Melo
Parker Melo is a second-year student from Rockland County, NY. Parker returned for his second year as a membert of the START committee. He intends to major in marketing in the Smeal College of Business. In his free time, Parker loves working with the children and adults in his community. He has volunteered for several events to teach the next generation and feed the homeless. LinkedIn Profile
Zachary Raifman
Zachary Raifman is a second-year student and returning member to the START Committee. Currently Zach intends to major in Finance in the Smeal College of Business. He is excited to be a part of the committee a second year and is interested in exploring the many co-curricular activities and organizations Penn State has to offer.
Anthony Sanchez
Anthony Sanchez is a first-year student and new member to the START Committee. He is from Long Island, New York and intends to major in either Finance or Supply Chain & Information Systems. He is currently exploring the many co-curricular activities and organizations Penn State has to offer. LinkedIn Profile
Aiman Sohail
Aiman Sohail is entering her second year with the START Committee. She is a rising junior studying Corporate Innovation & Entrepreneurship along with the International Business minor in the Smeal College of Business. She is serving as president for the Smeal student organization BASH (Business & Society House) on campus while practicing her family business; WBM International. Aiman is an international student, enjoys the fine arts and loves to volunteer at the largest model Railroad Museum called Northlandz.
Djime Traore
DJ is a new member to the START Committee. From Philadelphia, PA, DJ is a senior majoring in Labor and Human Resources, with the Human Resources option and a minor in Business and the Liberal Arts, all within the College of the Liberal Arts. He is a member and Vice President of Men’s Club Basketball and a member of the Penn State Club Bowling Team. He hopes to instill a diverse change in the world and leave an everlasting impact on everyone he meets along his journey. After graduation he will be joining The Global Mobility Services Team at KPMG. LinkedIn Profile
Tuong Truong
Tuong Truong is a sophomore planning to major in Finance with a dual track in Accounting and a minor in International Business. He is a Lenfest scholar who is a distinguished member of the Accounting Society, vice president of ASCEND, Smeal Diversity Enhancement Scholar, as well as an active member of PSU VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). In his second year on the START Committee, he hopes to work with the other members to shed light on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in both the personal and professional aspects of life. Tuong's two favorite hobbies are solving Rubik's cubes and playing card games.