Pleasantville Awards Ceremony 2026
Emilia Djonbalaj
New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Award
Emilia Djonbalaj is an exceptional accounting student whose record reflects true academic excellence and professional achievement. Graduating with an outstanding 3.98 GPA, Emilia has demonstrated superior scholarship and a deep commitment to mastering the field of accounting.
Her accomplishments extend well beyond the classroom. Emilia completed multiple prestigious audit internships, including with KPMG and PKF O’Connor Davies, and has already begun her career as a full-time Audit Associate at KPMG, a testament to her strong work ethic, technical ability, and professionalism.
In addition to her academic and professional success, Emilia is dedicated to giving back to her community through volunteer work, supporting local clean-up initiatives and serving those in need in a soup kitchen.
For her superior scholarship in accounting, exemplary work ethic, and commitment to excellence, we are proud to recognize Emilia Djonbalaj as the recipient of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Award.
Victoria D’Urbano
Marketing Department Award
Victoria is graduating with the highest overall GPA in Marketing major; making Dean’s List every semester; an accomplishment made even more remarkable because she is graduating in only 3 years.
Victoria came to Pace with an impressive 28 credits earned through dual-enrollment courses taken at her high school.
Here at Pace Victoria excelled in her Marketing courses, earning straight A’s.
Victoria held four part-time jobs while a full-time student, working at a sports and entertainment complex, a child-care center, a dog groomer, and at a health food restaurant. Victoria clearly has been busy and has mastered multitasking.
Victoria has also given back to her community, as a volunteer for 4 years for Project Reach, a drug addiction & mental health nonprofit at Rye Beach Pavilions.
Victoria is currently seeking a role in advertising, brand management, or digital marketing.
Isabelle Duddie
Excellence in Marketing Award
Isabelle Duddie is a creative and driven marketing student who has demonstrated excellence through both her academic work and hands-on experiences. Throughout her time at Pace, she has consistently earned Dean’s List recognition while pursuing a degree in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications with a minor in Arts and Entertainment Management.
Isabelle has brought her creativity to life through impactful projects and professional experiences, including developing a comprehensive marketing campaign strategy and leading digital and branding initiatives in her current role. Her work reflects a strong ability to combine data-driven insights with creative execution.
On campus, Isabelle has shown exceptional leadership as President and Vice President of Recruitment for the University Panhellenic Council, where she fostered collaboration and led large-scale initiatives that strengthened the campus community.
Through her creativity, leadership, and dedication to the field of marketing, Isabelle has truly exemplified excellence.
Evan Glusic
Finance Department Award
Evan is graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.9 GPA and his degree in Finance as part of the Pforzheimer Honors College.
Evan was a member of the Pace Football team where he also acted as a tutor and a mentor to younger business student athletes.
Evan was active on campus. He served as Assistant Financial Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and General Manager for Pace Mart, part of the Center for Student Enterprise. He managed a 20-person team and oversaw the senior management team. He also was the Senior Vice President of Delta Sigma Pi, the nationally recognized business fraternity. Evan was the recent keynote speaker at the Pace Bound event for prospective first-year students and their families.
Evan completed a summer internship at AFLAC as an insurance agent, conducting meetings with employers and customizing programs to meet benefit needs. Evan also holds several licenses and certifications.
Evan has accepted a position with Goldman Sachs as a full-time Operations Analyst in Asset Management in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Isabel Glickman
Career Services Award
Izzy is graduating with Latin Honors with a degree in Business Management, and a minor in Public Relations.
Izzy completed 2 internships at the Westchester Country Club, as an Operations Intern, and her current position as Hospitality and Activities Coordinator. Through these experiences Izzy learned how to manage and work with a large team and gained experience working directly with executives. Izzy also is currently interning at Together Hospitality, as Hospitality Membership and Community Growth Intern. Through this experience she is furthering her interest for the hospitality industry and has been learning how to use social media marketing and event planning. industry.
Here at Pace, Izzy was involved in our Center for Student Enterprise, quickly working her way up to a managerial position at Pace Connect as their Chief Information Officer. She coordinated and guided an 8-person staff who conducted and performed research projects with phone outreach and surveys. Izzy excelled in her role as a peer leader for University 101. She easily connected with new first-year students, teaching them valuable lessons about college success, in and out of the classroom. She organized student leader panels, prepared engaging PowerPoint presentations, and led lively class discussions.
Izzy also participated in numerous Pace Admissions Events that she participated in for Lubin, including Pace Bound, and Open House, where she embodied professionalism and student success as she presented to perspective Pace students and their families.
Izzy also found the time in between all these positions to study abroad, spending the Spring 2025 semester in Cork, Ireland.
Umara Humayyun
Accounting Faculty Award
Umara Humayyun is an outstanding accounting student whose academic excellence, determination, and commitment to the field truly distinguish her. As a first-generation college student, Umara has achieved an impressive academic record, earning a 3.91 GPA along with recognition on the Dean’s List and induction into Beta Gamma Sigma.
Her dedication to accounting is evident through her hands-on experience as a Tax and Accounting Intern, where she has prepared numerous tax returns, maintained financial records, and worked closely with clients to ensure accuracy and compliance. She has also developed strong technical skills, earning certifications in Excel, QuickBooks, and tax preparation.
Beyond her academic and professional accomplishments, Umara is deeply committed to her community, leading financial literacy workshops to support immigrant families and provide essential guidance on financial and tax matters.
For her outstanding academic achievement, professional growth, and meaningful contributions to both the accounting field and her community, we proudly recognize Umara Humayyun as the recipient of the Accounting Faculty Award.
Elda Jean-Julian
Distinguished Student in Management Award
Elda completed her degree in December, earning Magna Cum Laude in her BBA in Management, with a concentration in Human Resources.
While attending Pace, Elda interned for the New York State Office of General Services, a position she obtained with the assistance of Career Services. In that position Elda worked with the Benefits Unit auditing employee leave files and assisting with payroll.
Elda served in the United States Marine Corp. We thank Elda for her service to our country. She spent five years as an Administrative Specialist there, working with Military Systems, personnel files, onboarding new members, processing separations, and leading and mentoring junior administrative staff. Here at Pace, she served as Vice President of the Pace chapter of the Student Veteran Association of America.
Elda was recognized by the faculty as a “super-star,” whose contributions to class discussions were always thought provoking and demonstrated a depth of understanding.
Elda recently began a position as an HR Assistant/Recruiter for KDC/One. She hopes to segue that into an HR Generalist position. Elda also plans to complete her master’s degree in the future.
Declan Landers
Lubin Alumni Association Award
Declan is graduating with his degree in Finance and is the true embodiment of making the most of your college experience. Declan was a member of the Pace Men’s Lacrosse team, but his time off the field was just as impressive as his time on the field.
Declan has been an integral part of the Center for Student Enterprise for the past year. He serves as the General Manager of Pace Perk, leading daily operations, overseeing scheduling, training, and inventory control. Declan also helps the marketing team at Pace Perk by acting in many of the reels that they produce for social media.
Outside of Pace Declan is a National Coach with US Indoor Lacrosse, mentoring high-level athletes. He also served as Team Captain for Team USA U21 where he participated in international competitions.
As Declan stated in his award application, “I aim to represent Pace in a way that reflects its values both in and out of the classroom, showing dedication, involvement, and making a meaningful impact. I am proud of the effort I have put into my time at Pace and grateful for the experiences that have shaped me.”
Chelsea Manna
Finance Faculty Award
Chelsea Manna exemplifies intellectual curiosity, engagement, and academic excellence within the Finance program. Known for her inquisitive nature, Chelsea consistently elevates classroom discussions through thoughtful questions, active participation, and a genuine desire to deepen her understanding of financial concepts.
She has distinguished herself academically, earning an impressive 3.84 GPA and consistent Dean’s List recognition, reflecting both her discipline and commitment to excellence. Beyond the classroom, Chelsea has demonstrated strong leadership and initiative across campus, serving as a Purchasing Manager for Pace Perk Mart, a campus tour guide, and an active member and fundraiser for Phi Sigma Sigma. In each role, she has shown professionalism, communication skills, and a willingness to contribute to her community.
Whether volunteering for campus events, engaging with prospective students, or excelling in her professional roles, Chelsea consistently goes above and beyond. Her enthusiasm, work ethic, and commitment to growth make her a standout student in the Finance Department.
For her outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and meaningful contributions both inside and outside the classroom, we are proud to recognize Chelsea Manna as the recipient of the Finance Faculty Award.
John Millett
Management Faculty Award
John transferred to Pace from the University of Denver in 2024 and completed his degree in December, earning a BBA in Business Management.
John excelled in his business courses, earning high marks, praise and respect from his professors. John was recognized for “consistently leading in the classroom during group activities and discussions, for applying his critical thinking skills to understand concepts, asking astute questions, and for being a caring person who built strong relationships with his fellow students.”
While at Pace John completed an internship with S&B Capital Management LLC as an Analyst where he gained valuable experience conducting research on companies for trading partners and completing company reports. John also worked as a sales and customer service representative for Sherwin-Williams, where he facilitated sales to contractors and homeowners, and gained knowledge and proficiency in how to provide excellent customer service.
John graduated with Latin Honors and is currently seeking a position in Management, where he can use his natural strengths along with what he has learned in his business courses to make the most out of his next professional position.
Gabrielle Rambharose
Scholastic Achievement Award
Gabrielle Rambharose exemplifies excellence in scholarship, intellectual curiosity, and academic engagement. Graduating with a near-perfect GPA and consistent Dean’s List recognition, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
In the classroom, Gabrielle is known for her thoughtful insights and ability to elevate discussions through meaningful contributions. Her Honors thesis, exploring the relationship between ESG and firm performance, reflects both her analytical strength and dedication to research.
Balancing rigorous academics with internships at Deloitte and KPMG, Gabrielle has applied her knowledge in real-world settings while maintaining exceptional performance.
For her excellence in scholarship and outstanding performance in the baccalaureate program, we proudly recognize Gabrielle Rambharose.
BBA /MBA Public Accounting Award
Gabrielle Rambharose exemplifies the very best of academic excellence, leadership, and professional achievement within the Combined Degree Program. Graduating with an exceptional near-perfect GPA, Gabrielle has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence in both her undergraduate and graduate studies.
Her accomplishments extend well beyond the classroom. Gabrielle has completed prestigious internships with Deloitte, KPMG, and Robotti & Company, gaining extensive experience in audit and accounting, and has accepted a full-time position with Deloitte in New York City.
A dedicated campus leader, Gabrielle has served as Vice President of the Accounting Society, Treasurer of the Asian Student Union, and a member of the Setters Leadership Program, while also mentoring fellow students and contributing to numerous campus initiatives.
For her outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to excellence in the Combined Degree Program, we proudly recognize Gabrielle Rambharose.
Jose A. Giron Pinto
Public Accounting Award
Jose A. Giron Pinto is an exceptional accounting student whose academic excellence and professional accomplishments set him apart. Graduating with an outstanding GPA and earning consistent academic honors, Jose has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in the Public Accounting program.
His achievements extend beyond the classroom. Jose has gained extensive hands-on experience through roles at firms such as KPMG, R. L. Depanfilis & Company, and Koblick & Weinstein CPAs, where he has prepared tax returns, supported client engagements, and developed a strong foundation in accounting practice.
In addition, Jose has already passed a section of the CPA exam and will be joining KPMG full-time as a Tax Associate, reflecting both his dedication and readiness to excel in the profession.
For his outstanding academic achievement and commitment to the field of accounting, we proudly recognize Jose A. Giron Pinto as the recipient of the Public Accounting Award.
Starla Tejada
American Marketing Association Award
Starla Tejada is a dynamic and driven marketing student whose creativity, leadership, and passion for the field truly set her apart. Throughout her time at Pace, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to marketing through both her academic work and extensive hands-on experience.
Starla has applied her skills across multiple roles, including as a Marketing Intern and Senior Marketing Manager, where she has led campaigns, developed digital content, and strengthened brand engagement. Her ability to combine creativity with strategy has made a meaningful impact across the organizations she has supported.
A natural leader, Starla founded and served as President of the Sports Marketing Association Club, building a community for students interested in the industry and creating opportunities for professional growth and connection. She has also mentored first-year students as a Peer Leader and contributed to campus initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to supporting others.
For her outstanding leadership, creativity, and contributions to the field of marketing, we proudly recognize Starla Tejada as the recipient of the American Marketing Association Award.
Max Zavian
Professional Auditing Award
Max Zavian has distinguished himself through strong academic achievement and a clear commitment to the field of auditing. Graduating from the combined BBA/MBA program with an outstanding academic record, Max has consistently demonstrated dedication, discipline, and a drive for excellence.
His interest in auditing is further reflected through his experience as an External Audit Intern at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he supported audit teams, worked with client data, and developed a strong understanding of the audit process in a professional setting. This experience has prepared him well for his future role as an External Audit Associate at PwC.
Max’s work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous growth make him well deserving of this recognition.