The 2026 cohort of the 30 Under 30 program at the Charles F. Dolan School of Business was announced this month.
Selected through a competitive process evaluating between societal impact, academic and professional development, this year’s honorees include seniors, juniors and Master of Business Administration (MBA) candidates. Their accomplishments span finance, analytics, marketing, entrepreneurship, athletics, and community engagement.
MBA candidate Luke Maloney described the award as both humbling and energizing. “This recognition represents not only personal achievement, but also the mentors, professors, friends, and family members who have supported and challenged me along the way,” he said, noting Fairfield’s deep connection to his family’s legacy, “place deeply woven into my family’s story, with my grandfather, uncle, father, and brother all proud Stags.”
MBA candidate Katherine Roberston called the honor a “confirmation that the work I put in over time mattered,” reflecting on years of balancing academics, athletics, and internships. After serving as president of the women’s rugby team and captaining an All-Star national championship team while completing both her undergraduate degree and MBA, Roberston will attend Boston College Law to pursue a career in business law.
For junior Natalie Teahan, the recognition affirms intentional balance. “It’s the act of doing these things in itself that has granted me fulfillment,” she said, emphasizing that her leadership in Women in Business, participation in service immersion in Belize, and investment banking experience were driven by purpose rather than resume building. Teahan credits Fairfield’s Jesuit values with shaping her perspective, particularly lessons on kindness and long term impact with finance.
MBA candidate Nicholas Condos reflected on the holistic nature of the award. “This recognition feels especially special because it values the whole person, not just accomplishments, but character, leadership and impact,” he said. A Division I student-athlete on the men’s tennis team and member of the inaugural Leashership Fellows cohort, Condos has completed a master’s degree while competing and working full-time.
Robert Villaviencio, also an MBA candidate, described the recognition as deeply personal. “It is proof that your starting point does not define your ceiling,” he said, recounting his journey from vocational school and sales into analytics and graduate study. As the first in his family born in the United States and earned a master’s degree, he views success as a responsibility. “My goal is not simply to succeed, but to make success more accessible.”
Senior Jonathon Werley framed the recognition through faith, “It is an honor to receive recognition such as this, but I attribute every opportunity and all the growth I have experienced to Christ,” he said, also crediting Fairfield professors and peers for fostering both academic and spiritual growth.
Junior Madison Ryder emphasized gratitude, noting that the award reflects the support of professors, friends, and family throughout her time at Fairfield. Senior Theodore “Teddy” Butynes highlighted the importance of pursuing excellence with humility. Senior Alexandra D’Amico expressed gratitude for being included among peers whose work extends beyond the classroom. Senior Molly Ryle described the recognition as “truly meaningful,” reflecting sustained commitment to leadership and scholarship.
MBA candidate Faizah Chowdhury, a first generation student and co-founder of First-Gen Stags, described the award as “an incredibly humbling recognition of the community that built me.” Through research presentations, entrepreneurship opportunities and her work as a Leadership Fellow, she hopes to continue bridging technology and business to drive initiatives centered on human impact.
At the heart of the Dolan 30 Under 30 program is societal impact. Whether through service immersion, mentorship, nonprofit engagement, entrepreneurship or advocacy for first generation students, this year’s cohort demonstrates a shared commitment to using business as a vehicle for positive change. “When we lead with both the mind and the heart, we can create a lasting impact,” Chowdhury said. A sentiment that resonates with the entire cohort.
Honorees will be formally recognized at the annual Fairfield Dolan Awards Ceremony this April.
