Career Development Conference

February 27, 2026

The Career Development Conference brings together Culverhouse alums and other professionals to expound on ways to maximize academic and career potential in business. There is emphasis on how to mitigate systemic challenges that prevent individuals from reaching their greatest potential, so that they can make even greater contributions to their organizations and society. This is valuable preparation for all students entering the U.S. and global business environments.
 
This event is co-presented by the Culverhouse Office of Culture and Success, the Culverhouse African American Alumni Network (CAAAN), and the Black Business Student Association. It is open to all, campus and community.  
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Conference Schedule

Click Session for Details

All Sessions in Fitzpatrick Auditorium (Hewson Hall 0002)

Content

Culverhouse Alumni
Scheduled to Participate
Andre Anderson | VP and COO, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Bryonna Burrows | Artificial Intelligence Partner, IBM
Cassandra Chandler | Commercial Real Estate Broker, The Chandler Group, LLC
Lizzie Choy | Investor Relations Manager, Birmingham Business Alliance
Tracy Croom | Director of Financial Management, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Tariq Draine | Program Director at SMASH, Morehouse College
Sierra Earle | Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategist, Earle Law Firm
Treasure Edwards | VP, Head of Regional Strategy, Morgan Stanley
Moses Feagin | EVP, CFO and Treasurer, Alabama Power Company
Ed Fields | Senior Advisor & Chief Strategist, City of Birmingham
Latrisa Pugh Griffin | Director of Financial Affairs, Culverhouse & Financial Coach, Pugh Coaching
Malcolm Griggs | Entrepreneur, Infrastructure Analyst, Southern Company
Dr. Alice Holloway | Entrepreneur and Clinical Instructor, Culverhouse College of Business
Dr. Anthony Hood | EVP and Chief DEI Officer, First Horizon Bank
James M. Kemp, Jr. | Vice President of KMS Family of Companies
Rashada LeRoy | President and CEO at LRY Media Group
Larry Lewis | CEO-BizTech, President-PROJECTXYZ  
Kathy Loveless | Vice President, Controller, Coca-Cola Company (ret.)
Leonard Spencer | Head of Supplier Engagement, Amazon
Jeff Tate | Chief Financial Officer, Dow
Thomas Walker | Entrepreneur, Enterprise-Level Account Manager, DoorDash
Rev. Thomas L. Wilder, Jr. | Author and Corporate Executive

Participating
Student Organizations

Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)
Beta Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
BFSA Ambassadors
Black Business Student Association
Black Student Union
BRIDGE
Capstone Asset Management Society
Caribbean Student Association
Career Opportunities in Real Estate (CORE)
Kappa Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Lambda Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
National Council of Negro Women
Theta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The Collegiate 100
Undergraduate African Student Organization
Women of Excellence
Zeta Psi

Meet The 2025 Honorees

Andre Anderson

B.S., Corporate Finance (1983)
VP and COO, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (ret.)

Rev. Thomas L. Wilder, Jr.

B.S., Human Resources (1980)
Author and Corporate Executive (ret.)

Conference + Lunch

General Admission  |  $100

Conference Only

General Admission  |  $50 

UA Student Conference

UA Student Admission
(ID Required)  |  $25

Donate a Ticket!

Support a student by sending them a ticket to the 2024 CAAAN Conference.

Donation Cost  |  $25

Purchase Your Tickets

Sponsorship Opportunities

Inspiration Level

$ 5,000 +
  • Option to Provide Greetings
  • Name and/or Logo on Website, and Event Materials
  • Name and/or Logo on Signage
  • Five Complimentary Tickets to Luncheon and Reserved Seating

Mentor Level

$ 2,500-4,999
  • Name and/or Logo on Website, and Event Materials
  • Name and/or Logo on Signage
  • Five Complimentary Tickets to Luncheon

Support Level

$ 1,000-2,499
  • Name and/or Logo on Website, Name on select event materials
  • Five Complimentary Tickets to Luncheon and Reserved Seating

Engagement Level

Up to $1,000
  • Name on select event materials

To discuss sponsorship, please contact Paige Miller at cpmiller1@ua.edu or 205-348-5749.

Organization Fair Tables

$ 100
  • Placed in networking area (Hewson Atrium) from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • One Conference Registration

Organization Fair tabling fee proceeds go to participating student organizations.

General proceeds go to the DEI Support Fund.

CAAAN Advisory Board

Ed Fields, Senior Advisor and Chief Strategist for the City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office

Mildred Black, Founder and CEO, People Optimum Consulting, LLC

Ryan Coleman, Senior New Logo Program Manager, Salesforce

Tracy Croom, Director of Financial Management, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Alesia Jones, Former Chief HR Officer, University of Alabama – Birmingham; Principal Consultant and Owner of AMJ HR Solutions, LLC

Kenneth Kelly, Chairman and CEO, First Independence Corporation and First Independence Bank

James Kemp, Co-founder & CEO, Frameworq and Director, Kemp Management Solutions

Larry Lewis, CEO, BizTech and President, PROJECTXYZ

Kelsi Long, Attorney, Balch & Bingham, LLP

Kelly Mehrtens, Executive Director, The Trust (Powered by the NFLPA)

Del Smith, Co-founder and CEO, Acclinate

Isaiah Young, Associate Director of Career Services, Manderson Graduate School of Business at The University of Alabama