Lisa Pearson

Events

Graduated: Bachelor of Science degree in 2005
Major: Marketing, Minor: Sociology
Clubs & Activities: THON, Blue & White Society, Lions Share, & Athletics
From: Amherst, MA
Residence: Eastlake (Chula Vista, CA)
Job: Associate Athletics Director of Marketing at San Diego State
Board Activity: 3rd year as President, 2017-18 Events Chair, 2016-17 Secretary

Biography

Lisa is excited to contiue to once again be the Events Chair for SDPSU. She served three years as President and sixth year on the Board. In 2016-17, she served as Secretary and in 2016-18 she served as Events Chair. Lisa graduated from Penn State in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, minoring in Sociology. While a student at Penn State, she was very involved in THON, Homecoming Committee, the Blue & White Society, and Lions Share, while also working in the Athletics Department. Lisa has worked in college athletics since her time at Penn State, having also worked at Ohio State, Kentucky, and Iowa before moving to San Diego, where she is currently the Associate Athletics Director of Marketing & New Media at San Diego State. A native of Amherst, MA, she has now called Eastlake home for the past 4 ½ years. She is passionate about animal welfare and in her free time, Lisa loves to travel, spend time with friends and family, and attend live events such as sporting events and concerts.

Favorite PSU memory: Dancing in THON twice as a student, back when it was 48 hours and took place at Rec Hall. I was physically and mentally exhausted both times, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat if I could. Being a part of the largest student-run philanthropy in the world is one of the greatest experiences of my life and something that can’t fully be explained until you’ve experienced it yourself. FTK!

Erica Hernandez

Marketing

Graduated: Bachelor of Arts degree in 2014
Major: Advertising, Minor: Psychology and International Studies 
Clubs & Activities: Alpha Delta Pi Alumni, Penn State Alumni Association Member, Volunteer at PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, Going to the dog beach with my pup, exploring new artists and attending concerts.
From: Rockland County, New York
Residence: North Park, San Diego
Job: Executive Director of Account Management at BLVR – a Creative Agency
Board Activity: 1st year as Marketing Chair

Biography

Erica earned her Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from the BellaBellisario College of Communications in 2014. At Penn State, she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and served as Director of Social Enrichment. Within Alpha Delta Pi, she supported The Ronald McDonald House charity as well as Penn State THON. Erica moved to NYC after graduation and moved out to San Diego in 2019. In New York, Erica worked on advertising campaigns for Olive Garden, 3M and Papa Johns. Her goal for moving out to San Diego was to gain a better work life balance and work for smaller brands where she could make a bigger impact. She currently is the Executive Director of Account Management at BLVR. BLVR is a creative agency focusing on branding and campaigns. As a B-Corp, BLVR gives back to charities and supports non-profits with creative executions. In her free time, Erica loves putting her skills to work for friends, SD PSU and PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy. She enjoys music, planning events and parties, hanging out with friends and her dog, Rio!

Favorite PSU memory: I am having such a hard time picking one!! I loved my entire four years at Penn State and the life-long friends I made. One of my favorite memories was THON 2011. As a freshman, I had no idea what to expect – it absolutely blew my mind and even though I was in the stands, I didn’t want to go home or sit down. The amount of inspiration and energy you feel in the BJC THON weekend is incredible. It set my intention for the rest of my college career to work hard to raise as much as I could for THON!

Marcy Yurick

President

Graduated: Bachelor of Science, College of Agriculture 1997
Major: Environmental Resource Management
Activities/Hobbies: Nittany Lion Club Member, Back The Lion Club Member, Penn State Alumni Association Member. Volunteered at Center Wildlife Care, Shavers Creek Environmental Center and Center County PAWS. Currently Volunteer at Gently Hugged and Tomorrow’s Heroes Today
From: Drums, Pennsylvania
Residence: Oceanside, California
Job: Co-Owner  of Planted Earth Fitness
Board Activity: 2020-2021 Vice President, 2019-2020 Events Chair, 2017-2018 Secretary

Biography 

Marcy is enjoying her 1st year as President of the SDPSU Alumni Chapter. Her previous board member roles include Vice President, Events Chair and Secretary. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the College of Agriculture in 1997 and majored in Environmental Resource Management. She’s also a member of the Nittany Lion Club, Back The Lion Club Member, and the Penn State Alumni Association. While Studying at Penn State, Marcy volunteered at the Center Wildlife Care, Shavers Creek Environmental Center and Center County PAWS. Currently Marcy volunteers at Gently Hugged and Tomorrow’s Heroes Today, here in San Diego. She is originally from Drums, Pennsylvania and currently resides in Oceanside, California with her 3 children. Marcy is a Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. She also works at Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation in Carlsbad, Ca.  In her spare time, she enjoys playing baseball and going on bike rides with her children. She also enjoys wine with friends and watching Penn State Football.

Favorite Memory: After graduating college, I lived in State College until 2005. My 1st son was born at Mount Nittany Medical Center on June 21st 2004. I had a view of Beaver stadium. It was the 1st day of summer and it was raining buckets! It was a beautiful start to summer 🙂
.

Ryan Drushel

Treasurer

Graduated: Bachelor of Science 2004
Major: Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management
Clubs & Activities: Penn State Blue Band; Fighting Lions Pep Band; Penn State Thespians; Delta Chi Fraternity; THON: Morale Committee & Dancer; Penn State Hotel Restaurant Society; Hotel Sales & Marketing Club; National Society of Minorities In Hospitality;
From: Evans City, PA
Residence: Palm Springs, CA
Jobs: Director of Food & Beverage at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City
Board Activity: 2020 Treasuer, 2019 Treasurer

Biography

Ryan Drushel joined the SDPSU board in January 2019 as Treasurer where he oversees the board’s financial performance, most notably, the collection and distribution of the group’s annual scholarship awards. Ryan graduated from Penn State in May 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management. While at Penn State, Ryan was an active member of the Penn State Blue Band, Fighting Lions Pep Band, Penn State Thespians, Delta Chi Fraternity’ THON as both a Morale Committee member and a Dancer in 2003, Penn State Hotel Restaurant Society,  Hotel Sales & Marketing Club and National Society of Minorities in Hospitality. He is from Evans City, PA and currently resides in Palm Springs, CA. Ryan is currently employed as the Director of Food & Beverage at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City.

Rob Kraft

Alumni Admissions

Graduated: Bachelor of Science in 1989; Postbaccalaureate GIS Certificate in 2016
Major: Geography, Minors: Economics and National Security Affairs
Clubs & Activities: NROTC, Club Volleyball, Ski Club, Intramurals, & Student Escort
From: Poway, CA
Residence: Palm Springs, CA
Jobs: Geospatial Intelligence Officer, The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and Admissions Representative for the San Diego Region, Penn State Admissions Office
Board Activity: 8th year as Alumni Admissions Chair (AAC), 2 Years as Membership Chair,
1 year as Vice President, 2 years as President, and 1 year as Past President.

Biography

Rob is our new Scholarship Chair for 2021-2022.  Rob also continues to be the Alumni Admissions Chair throughout his nine years on the Board, often while dual-hatted as Vice-President, President (2), Past President, Membership and even a few months as Treasurer. He graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, with minors in Economics and National Security Affairs. He recently earned a post baccalaureate certificate in Geographic Information Systems in 2016. While at Penn State, he was in Naval ROTC, Club Volleyball, Ski Club, the Student Escort Service and the NROTC Pistol Team. After graduation he served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years as an Intelligence Officer; he is now a U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Officer for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. He also works for the Penn State Admissions Office as the San Diego regional recruiter. He was also on the Graduates of Earth & Mineral Sciences Board of Directors (2016-2019). Originally from King of Prussia, PA, he has lived all over the world. He married a saint from Escondido, CA and they and their two children live in Poway, CA.

Favorite memory from Happy Valley: Going to football games with my roommates and screaming for the Lions!

Siobhan Flayer

Community Service

Graduated:Bachelor of Arts 2019
Major: International Politics concentration in National Security
From: Tampa, FL
Residence:Little Italy, San Diego, CA
Jobs: Cybersecurity Lead as a contractor for the US Navy

Biography

New member to the board as the community service chair. Before graduating from Penn State, she served in the Marine Corps for five year and met her husband during that time. She attended Penn State as a World Campus student while living in New Orleans, LA. She has worked in the cybersecurity field for five years and moved to sunny San Diego in 2020. On her off time, she enjoys surfing, hiking, and exploring new sites in San Diego. She is training for her first marathon in October and is an active member of the Junior League of San Diego and ISC2 San Diego Chapter.

Jamie Osofsky

Board Member

Graduated: Bachelor of Arts – 2019
Major: Comminucations and Media Studies. Minor: Sociology and Gobal & International Studies
Activities & Hobbies: Blue & White Society, Ad&PR Club, Happy Valley Communications, TEDxPSU, Zeta Tau Alpha, studied abroad in Barcelona
From: Cranford, NJ
Residence: Solana Beach, CA
Jobs: Account Executive at Havas Edge, performance marketing agency 
Board Activity: 2021 Board Member

Biography

Jamie grew up in New Jersey and love spending her four years at Penn State. She was involved in different clubs and activities, both academically and socially. She graduated with a Media Studies degree and moved out to San Diego where she works for a performance marketing agency focusing on DRTV. She loves walking to the beach and checking out new restaurants in all of the different areas this city has to offer.

Favorite Penn State Memory : Beating Ohio State in 2016 and making it to the Rose Bowl. 

Laura Smail

Communications

Graduated: Bachelor of Science, College of Education, 2002
Major: Elementary and Kindergarten Education
Activities & Hobbies: Students About Living Truth (SALT), Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA)
From: Hollidaysburg, PA
Residence: San Diego, CA
Job: Executive Assistant, Trilogy Investment Group
Board Activity: New Secretary (as of July 2020)

Biography

Laura is excited to serve her second year on the SDPSU Alumni Association Board as the Communications Chair. During her first year, she was the Chapter Secretary.   She graduated from Penn State University Park in December 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Kindergarten Education. Most of her coursework was completed at the Penn State Altoona Campus, where she served as secretary for Students About Living Truth (SALT) and volunteer coordinator for the campus chapter of Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA). In her senior year, Laura met a Peace Corps recruiter at University Park who impressed upon her the need for trained teachers to share their expertise at overseas schools. Upon graduation, Laura embarked on a three-year adventure as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, where she served as a teacher trainer for an elementary school. She was able to share many teaching tips and tricks she learned during her time at Penn State. Her love for education and service led her to pursue career opportunities with AmeriCorps*VISTA, Peace Corps Response, U.S. Peace Corps Headquarters, Teach For America, and even her alma mater, Penn State Altoona. She eventually made her way to the West Coast, first to San Francisco and then to San Diego. She currently works as an executive assistant in Solana Beach.

Favorite Penn State Memory: The experience that most impacted me was witnessing the Penn State family come together in solidarity during the devastating aftermath of 9/11. I attended a candlelight vigil on the steps of Old Main and felt connected to the campus community in a way I never had before. Six months later, I had the opportunity to participate in an alternative spring break trip to New York City with other Penn State students sponsored by Agape, a student ministry of State College Presbyterian Church. We spent a week serving with organizations across the city and visited Ground Zero together. I am forever grateful to have experienced this time in history with Penn Staters at my side.

Dawn Luchowski

Membership

Graduated: Bachelor of Science 2020, World Campus
Major: Economics
Minor: Business
Activities & Hobbies: Professional Golfers Association of America, Spouse Member; National Notary Association Member; Blue & White Society; Avid sports fan!
From: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Residence: Wildomar, California
Jobs: Restaurant and Service Industry Professional, California Notary Public
Board Activity: First year as Membership Chair

Biography

Dawn is serving her second year as the Membership Chair for the SDPSU Alumni Association Chapter. Her goal is to connect as many San Diegan Nittany Lions as possible and to find creative ways to engage all members! She recently returned to Penn State via World Campus after taking a 30 year “break” and graduated in August 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a minor in Business. Dawn has been a restaurant and service industry professional for the past 15 years and previously spent 7 years in the front office of the Cleveland Indians, where she was the Manager of Purchasing and Corporate Services. She is also a licensed California Notary Public. A native of Stevens Point, WI, she enjoyed 12 amazing years on the beautiful island of Maui. She relocated to Wildomar 4 years ago with her husband, Frank, who also attended Penn State, and who is a PGA golf professional. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys playing golf, visiting the Temecula Valley wineries, exploring Southern California, and watching any type of sports – especially football! Go Pack Go!

Favorite Penn State Memory: Even though my recent graduation was a virtual celebration, I will never forget the emotion of finally being able to move that tassel from right to left and officially becoming a Penn State Alum! Being able to share that moment with my 81-year old Dad via Zoom is something I’ll always treasure! I’m looking forward to returning to campus in the near future to do it all over again in person! WE ARE!

Wally Kuhns

Board Member

Graduated: PSU Bachelor of Science 1988, Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business 2003
Major: Health, Planning & Administration
Minor:Business Administration
Activities & Hobbies: Chi Phi Fraternity, US Army ROTC, intramural wrestling
From: Allentown, PA
Residence: Encinitas, CA
Jobs: President, WKleadersolutions.com (HR consultancy)
Board Activity: Member at large

Biography

Wally joined the SDPSU board in October 2021, and is currently contributing on multiple projects.

Since graduating at Penn State, Wally has thrived in various Human Resources leadership capacities with companies such as Air Products & Chemicals, Nabisco, Aramark, Johnson & Johnson, Rockwell, Edwards Lifesciences, Cardinal Health/Carefusion, and Dexcom. He has worked in more than 20 countries and managed global, cross-disciplinary teams of 50+ staff members. Since 2015, Wally has been owner and President of WKleadersolutions.com, a private HR consultancy. He specializes in HR team leadership, talent management, and executive team strategy and coaching. When Wally is not motivating and helping others he can be found in north county San Diego, CA with his wife, Teresa, and their twins, Mia and Nate.

Katie Byrnes

Secretary

Graduated: Bachelor of Science from Smeal College of Business and Bachelor of Arts from The College of the Liberal Arts
Minor: Economics, Spanish and International Studies
Activities & Hobbies: Penn State Club Soccer, Kappa Alpha Theta, Penn State Alumni Association, CFA Institute, Carlsbad & Oceanside Young Professional Networks, Carlsbad Fire Department Foundation board member
From:Blue Bell, PA
Residence: Oceanside, CA
Jobs: Financial Advisor & Senior Portfolio Manager, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Board Activity: First year as SDPSU Secretary

Biography

Katie is excited to be serving her first year on the board of the SDPSU Alumni Association as Secretary. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Katie graduated from Penn State in 2010 with degrees from the Smeal College of Business and the College of the Liberal Arts. After spending most of her post Penn State life in New York City and Los Angeles, Katie made her way down to San Diego in 2020. She loves the weather and culture down here and currently resides in Oceanside with her husband and 1-year daughter. Katie is a Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner at Merrill Lynch and remains an avid Philadelphia and Penn State sports fan!