Meet Temple’s Extraordinary 30 Under 30 of 2023
They are bold, driven and innovative. Since graduation, these young alumni have turned their passions into professional success and have remained mindful of helping others and creating community along the way. See what our outstanding 30 Under 30 champions have been up to since they left the nest.
Hailey Brinnel, BYR ’18
Professional Music Performer
From the time she was a child, Hailey knew that she wanted a career in music. Now, as a professional jazz trombonist and vocalist, she brings a vibrant energy to the Philadelphia music scene and beyond.
Read Hailey’s full story.
Hansen Bursic, TFM ’20
Marketing Manager, Outfest
The intersection of storytelling and advocacy is where Hansen finds his purpose. As an independent documentary filmmaker and marketing manager, he brings nonfiction narratives to life.
Read Hansen’s full story.
Enya-Kalia Jordan, BYR ’20
Manager of Dance Development and Diversity, Radio City Rockettes
As a plus-sized Black dancer, Enya-Kalia didn’t always experience kindness and acceptance in traditional dance spaces. Instead of conforming to those systems, she’s creating new ones.
Read Enya-Kalia’s full story.
Kara Milstein, KLN ’16
Photo Editor, TIME magazine
Kara discovered her passion for visual storytelling as a first-year student at Temple, catapulting her into a career journey that led to a position at TIME magazine.
Read Kara’s full story.
Desarae Bradham, CPH ’15
Social Media Supervisor, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Desarae pursued a degree in public health so that she could make a difference in the lives of individuals. Today her tweets on mask-wearing and getting vaccinated have reached millions.
Read Desarae’s full story.
Irene Cedano, CLA ’18
Social Work Advocate, Philadelphia Public Defender’s Office
A life-changing class at Temple inspired Irene to switch her career goals from law enforcement to advocating for prisoner’s rights and helping newly released people navigate their post-incarceration lives.
Read Irene’s full story.
Amando E. Dominick, LAW ’21
Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office
Turning traumatic loss into purpose, Amando dreams of transforming the American criminal justice system—starting right here in Philadelphia, where he fights for fairer sentencing.
Read Amando’s full story.
Alexis Mercado, EDU ’17
Career Coach, Community College of Philadelphia
Inspired and supported by her middle school teachers, Alexis committed to one day working in education and giving back. Now, she’s helping Philly-based students transition into fulfilling careers.
Read Alexis’ full story.
Colin Pawlowski, KLN ’17
Creative Producer and Editor, ChatterBlast Media
In adolescence, Colin hid away important parts of themself. But when they arrived at Temple University, they found space to flourish. Now, they play important roles in Philadelphia’s civic, comedic and queer communities.
Osimiri Sprowal, CLA ’20
Marshall Scholar, Master’s Degree Candidate, University of Warwick and the London School of Economics
A slam poet, human rights activist, playwright and self-described “troublemaker,” Osimiri is determined to make life easier for trans people, people with disabilities, homeless people, Black people and others like them.
Read Osimiri’s full story.
Camille Bell, KLN ’15
CEO and Co-founder, Pound Cake
Growing up as a Black girl in rural PA wasn’t easy for Camille. But she found her footing at Temple, and now she’s shaking up the cosmetics industry by creating products for people with darker complexions.
Read Camille’s full story.
Danilo A. Burgos, STH ’19
Co-founder, Burg Properties, LLC
The son of Philadelphia bodega owners, Danilo is steeped in the city’s Dominican American community. But now, he’s blazing his own path as a real estate developer.
Read Danilo’s full story.
Zimri T. Hinshaw, CLA ’20
CEO and Founder, BUCHA BIO
The business Zimri T. Hinshaw launched as a Temple student got its start in a pungent pool of fermenting kombucha in his apartment. Now, his company is producing biomaterials that could inspire a new wave of sustainable design.
Read Zimri’s full story.
Ciara Murphy, FOX ’16
Technical Program Manager, Disney Streaming
The Walt Disney Company provides streaming entertainment to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Ciara Murphy helps keep track of it all.
Ellen Theresa Sisti, TYL ’21
Digital Dental Technician, Golden Ceramic Dental Lab
As a student, Ellen used 3D modeling software to create wearable art. Now, she applies that skill set to designing dental restorations in Temple’s new fully digital in-house lab.
Read Ellen’s full story.
Daniella Uchendu-Oji, TFM ’20
2D and 3D Designer, Freelance
After growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Daniella faced a rocky path pursuing her dreams in the U.S. Now, she’s out to redesign the digital world, one pixel at a time.
Read Daniella’s full story.Global Ambassadors
These Owls have shown that it takes more than just talking to make a difference. Whether combating climate change or applying technological innovations to local businesses, they have found that a welcoming smile or a thoughtfully designed green space can help preserve and elevate our communities.
Loymi Peralta Cruz, FOX ’22
Technology Architect Analyst, Accenture
After finding a home at Temple, Loymi is now developing innovative technology solutions for the business world while simultaneously uplifting the next generation of business leaders.
Read Loymi’s full story.
Ei Thandar Lwin, STH ’22
Manager-in-training, Four Seasons, Philadelphia
A passion for hospitality has driven Ei through an exceptional academic career and up the ladder at her current job. Now, she’s thinking big about her future in the hotel business.
Read Ei’s full story.
Andrea Poosikian, ENG ’19
Electrical Engineer, Onshore Wind US, BP
Electrical engineer Andrea Poosikian has turned a passion for sustainability into a dynamic career in BP’s wind business.
Andrew Sargeant, TYL ’16
Landscape Architect, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress
A young Black man in a traditionally white field, Andrew is pioneering the use of virtual reality and other immersive technologies to design urban landscapes for everyone.
Read Andrew’s full story.
Bayan Alturkestani, ENG ’19
Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer, Conan MedTech Corp
An idea that Bayan began nurturing as an undergraduate assistant in a Temple research laboratory could revolutionize the diagnosis of sports-related concussions.
Read Bayan’s full story.
David Dugue, CST ’15, MED ’21
Plastic Surgery Resident, Weill Cornell Medicine
Growing up, David’s mother and aunt helped instill a passion for caring for others. Now he holds their memory close as he helps make patients physically whole following traumatic events.
Read David’s full story.
Alexandra Jones, CST ’18
Oceanography PhD Candidate, MIT
Determined to play a role in addressing climate change, Lexi is studying how ocean currents impact phytoplankton, the marine organism that produces 50% of the oxygen we breathe.
Read Alexandra’s full story.
Anuj Mehta, CST ’17
Orthopedic Surgery Resident, Temple University Hospital
After finding his passion for medicine as an undergraduate researcher at Temple, Anuj returned to Temple University Hospital as an orthopedic surgery resident to treat patients who most need it.
Read Anuj’s full story.
Kevin Nguyen, PHR ’21
Infectious Diseases Pharmacist, Boston Medical Center
As a clinical pharmacist, Kevin provides meticulous, well-researched care and antibiotic stewardship across a large and complex hospital system. His rigorous path through Temple laid the groundwork for this deeply important work.
Read Kevin’s full story.
Varun Solanki, DEN ’21
Assistant Professor of Restorative Dentistry, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry
Since his childhood in India, Varun wanted to serve as many patients in need as possible—and he decided Temple was the best place to help him achieve that dream.
Dion Dawkins, CLA ’17
NFL Offensive Tackle, Buffalo Bills
At 6 feet, 5 inches tall and 320 pounds, this Buffalo Bills star is a large man with Pro Bowl talent. But Dion’s heart is even bigger—as evidenced by his ceaseless charitable work.
Read Dion’s full story.
Evan Easterling, KLN ’19
Senior Staff Editor, Sports, The New York Times
At the nation’s preeminent newspaper, Evan helps edit coverage of some of the nation’s largest sporting events, including the Super Bowl and World Cup.
Read Evan’s full story.
Brandon Matthews, EDU ’16
Professional Golfer, PGA Tour
Growing up in a working-class family outside Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Brandon struggled to break into golf’s elite circles. But he got his shot at Temple, and now he’s competing among the best in the world.
Read Brandon’s full story.
Angelise Stuhl, KLN ’14, STH ’16
Founder, CEO and Sports Director of Philadelphia Sports Digest
As a child, Angelise seemed destined to become a sports journalist. Today, she runs a successful Philadelphia high school sports website that is pushing the industry to improve their coverage of female athletes.
Read Angelise’s full story.