All Stuyvesant alumni are invited to attend our third virtual panel discussion about what the world may look like after COVID-19.

The event will be held on Wednesday, July 29 at 7 p.m. EDT via Zoom.

Those who attend will be able to hear leading Stuyvesant alumni discuss the current state of the world with a focus on the technology sector. At the end of the panel discussion, you will have the chance to attend a more intimate discussion with a panelist of your choice in a Zoom breakout room. This is an exclusive networking opportunity for those who attend this event.

The panelists include:

• Bob O’Connor ’76 
• Mahesh Ram ’82 
• Richard Newman ’85 
• Serena Chew ’89 
• Brad Reisner ’89 
• Xevion Baptiste ’07

 Meghna Rao ’09 will serve as both moderator and panelist. Serena and Brad will be presenting together. They are one of our Stuy Couples, and you can read our feature of them here.

Tickets are available now for $5 for dues-paying members, and for $25 for all other alumni. You can purchase a ticket plus membership at the discounted rate of $50.

Please note: You MUST log into MyStuy to purchase all tickets.

Current Stuyvesant students can join this event for free. Please email us at [email protected] for details on how to join.

Bob O’Connor ’76 received his Bachelor’s degree from the City University of New York and his Masters from Columbia University, both in Computer Science. He’s held various technical and executive roles throughout his career, with a focus on supply chain technologies. As Chief Technology Officer for Girl Scouts of the USA, he currently supports one of the largest “sales forces” in the world (think Thin Mints).

Mahesh Ram ’82 is a serial technology entrepreneur who has helped grow and build multiple successful software-based companies. He is currently Founding CEO at Solvvy, an AI and Machine learning company focused on conversational self-service SaaS applications for businesses. Prior to Solvvy, Mahesh was CEO of GlobalEnglish Corporation, a venture-backed company in the online learning space that was subsequently acquired by Pearson PLC (NYSE: PSO). Prior to GlobalEnglish, Mahesh led a knowledge management company, WisdomLink (subsequently acquired by ThomsonReuters). Mahesh also advises and invests in a number of early stage companies and founders. Prior to these entrepreneurial journeys, Mahesh held a variety of senior management roles including CTO at ThomsonReuters and WoltersKluwer. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and two children.

Richard Newman ’85 is the Co-Founder & CTO of Reliant Solutions, which is headquartered in New York City. Richard has more than 20 years of experience in applications and infrastructure and is responsible for Reliant’s product and technology. His technical expertise extends to cloud infrastructure, DevOps, network infrastructure, agile software architectures, and information security. Over the last several years, he has worked extensively with leading retailers and restaurant operators on next generation edge computing implementations.

Brad Reisner ’89 is a Partner at Igicom, a web development and applications consulting firm and brings more than 25 years of experience and thought leadership in technology, with a specialization in database technologies and data visualization. Over the course of his career, he has managed engagements and global operations for The AFL-CIO, Colgate-Palmolive, Time Inc., Lady M Confections, Delivery.com, Nine West Group, Tommy Hilfiger, Frommer Media, The Chicago Tribune Company, Proctor & Gamble, Fortune Live Media, Bertelsmann, WNYC, AIG, DDB Worldwide, Nike and others. While operating Igicom, Brad also co-founded Charitybuzz an online auction technology and cause marketing company; Charitybuzz was subsequently merged into The Charity Network. Prior to Igicom and Charitybuzz, he was Vice President, Electronic Commerce Technology at Time Warner’s Book-of-the-Month Club and Time Life Books. He holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Vermont.

Serena Chew ’89 is a Partner at Igicom, a web development and applications consulting firm that she co-founded with Brad Reisner ’89 (they are a Stuy Couple) and brings more than 25 years of experience in user experience design and data visualization. She has led the development of web applications for Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago, CUNY/Hunter College, Baruch College, Covenant House, Real Simple Magazine, Intuit, Unilever, Columbia House, Weill Cornell Medical College, Lifetime Television, YMCA of New York City, Berlitz, the Special Olympics USA Games and others. While operating Igicom, Serena also co-founded Charitybuzz an online auction technology and cause marketing company; Charitybuzz was subsequently merged into The Charity Network. Prior to Igicom and Charitybuzz, she was on the original design team of Time Warner’s Pathfinder, creating web interfaces for Fortune, Money, CNN, NY1 and Zagat.

Xevion Baptiste ’07 is an Assistant Vice President for Initiatives at the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). At EDC, her portfolio has included relationship management and cybersecurity workforce development. Previously, Xevion worked as Chief of Staff and Policy Programs Manager at the Black Economic Alliance in Washington, DC, where she oversaw production of the Black Presidential Forum. Her other professional experiences include American Express, Univision Communications Inc. and The White House. Xevion is an M.P.P. graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School and a proud alumna of Macaulay Honors College at Hunter, City University of New York.

Meghna Rao ’09 is a writer from Queens, currently working on her first novel. She’s worked extensively at the intersection of tech, culture, and journalism. Last year, she helped launch new media publication The Juggernaut and worked as its managing editor. Prior to that, she was a researcher at New York-based tech firm CB Insights, and spent four years reporting on technology from Bangalore, India.

If you have any questions, reach out to [email protected]. The Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association office is currently unable to take phone calls to our main line. Please email us to schedule a phone call.