2021 Scholar Spotlight: Their Impact on Business

Welcome to the first 2021 Tillman Scholars Spotlight! Here we will be highlighting the extensive reach of fields our amazing scholars are making an impact in. From social issues like diversity and inclusion to groundbreaking medical advancements, these 60 individuals continue to serve to make for a better tomorrow.

Our first group of scholars are pursuing various careers in the private sector. With the values of Pat Tillman instilled in them, they are furthering their business knowhow to become leaders in their individual fields:

Junaid Lughmani, University of California – Berkley

“POVERTY AND TERRORISM ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED, THOUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION CAN HELP THESE SOCIETIES ACHIEVE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM.”

In 2018, after four years of military service, Junaid joined a group of entrepreneurs to form a veteran owned broker dealer. On Wall Street, Junaid recognized the role blockchain technology and cryptocurrency can play to create prosperity, and thus decided to pursue an MBA. Junaid will attend Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, after which he plans to continue his life’s work serving as a link between cultures while working to redesign the global financial system.

Maryn Taylor, University of Texas

“THROUGH RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, I STRIVE TO MAKE THE PATH TO LEADERSHIP MORE EQUITABLE FOR WOMEN.”

Maryn earned an MBA and a master of science in human resource development, along with the SPHR, PHR, SHRM-CP and SHRM Foundation’s Veterans at Work certifications. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in human resource development with a focus on the effects of gender bias on organizational development. This research-based degree gives her the space to combine her expertise as an HR practitioner and her curiosity as a scholar to create evidence-based solutions for workplace issues.

Samir Patel, Emory University 

“OUR AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE DEPENDS ON SMALL BUSINESS FOR JOBS AND IMPORTANT SERVICES. I INTEND TO SHAPE GOVERNMENT LENDING POLICIES TO MORE EFFECTIVELY SERVE OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.”

Samir has owned businesses in the hospitality, logistics, and financial sectors, and he currently works in real estate investment. Samir was the president of the veteran-focused John R. Petty Foundation, where he helped one of the largest local grant making institutions provide more funding to emerging veteran focused nonprofits. The combination of all these experiences has led Samir to understand that financing small businesses play a critical role in our economy. They are often overlooked and Samir is pursuing his MBA to help shape future policy so small businesses are better able to access financing.

Stephen Clagett, University of Virginia

“BE CURIOUS, BE BRILLIANT, BE BOLD. STRIVE TO CHALLENGE AND IMPROVE MYSELF WHILE ENRICHING THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND VALUING THE MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY, TIME.”

In 2019, Steve began his MBA at Darden. His primary interest is the intersection of sports, ESG efforts, and leadership. In early 2020, Steve transitioned to the Navy Reserves and began a position with the Baltimore Ravens player personnel department. He led a team in overhauling their process for assessing the character of NFL prospects. In the summer of 2020, Steve was selected to be a White House Fellow. The fellowship is the nation’s premier program for leadership and public service. Individuals spend a year in the non-partisan assignment.

Timothy Berry, New York University

“MY PURPOSE AND PATRIOTISM ARE ROOTED IN CONNECTING TRANSFORMATIONAL ECOSYSTEMS TO PEOPLE OFTEN FORGOTTEN BUT DESERVING OF OPPORTUNITIES, COMMUNITY, AND LOVE.”

In the private sector, Timothy has seen the impact of that compound opportunity debt that accelerates through a lack of education credentialing and has worked to spread economic opportunity through people programs and global business policy. Timothy continues to be a vocal advocate for racial justice issues. He has written or been quoted in publications such as the New York Times, U.S.A Today, National Public Radio, CBS Radio, The Root, Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Huffington Post. He is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration at NYU Stern, where he is focused on strategy.