The University has announced the 2025 ’CUSE50 cohort, spotlighting an extraordinary group of Syracuse alumni who are transforming industries and driving innovation across the global economy.
Now in its third year, the ’CUSE 50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award celebrates the success of Orange business leaders across the globe. The program recognizes the 50 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by Syracuse alumni.
Members of the 2024 ‘CUSE50 cohort (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)
Alumni from all of the University’s schools and colleges, executive education and the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) entrepreneurship programs were eligible and encouraged to apply.
This year’s honorees represent a wide range of businesses and nonprofit ventures around the world.
They include Javier Tirado ’95 and Enrique Soler-Armstrong ’85, cofounders of Oneighty Agency and Cientochanta Agency, a global leader in advertising; Scott Yager ’08, host of the Challenge Mania podcast; Kateri Gabriele, a graduate of IVMF’s Veteran EDGE, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) and V-WISE programs and cofounder of sim2grow, a medication administration simulation device; Michael Curtis ’12, founder of Proud., an influencer marketing management firm; and Maria Murray G’96, G’09, president and CEO of The Reading League Inc., a national nonprofit to advance evidence-aligned reading instruction.
“Our alumni entrepreneurs are changing industries and communities around the world and are proof that the Orange spirit fuels innovation, impact and excellence,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Whitman School. “The ’CUSE50 program allows students a unique opportunity to engage with alumni who began their entrepreneurial journey at Syracuse University, bridging the gap between our graduates and the entrepreneurial dreams of our current students.”
The University community is invited to attend the ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneurship Awards ceremony that will occur on campus on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building. Registration is required. The ’CUSE50 Student Summit will be held on Friday, Nov. 14, where honorees will share insights with current students as part of a series of campus engagement sessions held at the Whitman School.
“Each year ’CUSE50 brings such an impressive group of leaders of change-makers back to campus, and it showcases the true impact of our alumni community,” says Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. “These graduates are incredible role models for our students. It’s a privilege to recognize their accomplishments, and giving students the opportunity to meet with them and learn about their career paths provides a wonderful example of the Orange network in action.”
