On October 25, IE's senior design class engaged with alumni at the Senior Design Executive Panel. ISyE 4106 Senior Design, a requirement for BSIE graduates, involves intense, team-based projects addressing real-world challenges.  

This year's panelists were Rita Breen (PSY ‘90, MS IE ‘92), R. Scott Herren (IE ‘84), Jocelyn Stargel (IE 82, MS IE 86), and Saeed Siddiqi (IE ‘16). 

Breen is the Charitable Giving Executive Director at Georgia Power. With over $40M annual investments in philanthropy, Rita leads strategic programs and foundation operations. Her extensive career spans financial services, change management consulting, and various leadership roles at Georgia Power. 

Herren currently serves as Executive Vice President & CFO at Cisco. With a focus on financial strategy and a recurring revenue model, he played a pivotal role in Autodesk's business transformation.  

He also contributes to boards such as Rubrik and the Technology Association of Georgia, showcasing his commitment to shaping the industry. 

Stargel is the Managing Partner at Stargel Consulting, specializing in IT and Risk Management. With a wealth of experience at Southern Company Services, she managed the Business Assurance program and held various leadership roles.  

Her active involvement at Georgia Tech includes chairing the College of Engineering Advisory Board and serving as a Trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation. 

Siddiqi is a ddirector in the Coca-Cola Company's North American Operating Unit's E2E planning team. Leading the optimization capability at Coca-Cola, Siddiqi is responsible for supply chain modeling and transition planning. His career journey includes roles as a management consultant at AT Kearney and FTI Consulting. 

During the panel discussion, the alumni shared insights, answered student questions, and emphasized the importance of finding mentors in their careers. The diverse journeys of these accomplished alumni not only offered invaluable insights into the professional landscape but also ignited a sense of determination and purpose. 

Author: Nat. M. Esparza