Welcome, New UCF Alumni Board Members!

Kathleen Howley ’12 ’18MBA
Rosen College of Hospitality Management and College of Business

Kathleen Howley serves as Vice President at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, the leading provider of technology-enabled solutions and services for enrollment, student success, and fundraising in the higher education and nonprofit communities. She joined in 2022, bringing over 10 years of experience in higher education. As vice president, she provides strategic leadership for RNL partners by supporting their efforts to maximize revenue streams, with a particular focus on digital engagement and omnichannel communications strategies.

Before joining RNL, Kathleen served as an Annual Giving Leader at Loyola University Chicago and worked in prospect management, alumni engagement, and annual giving roles at the University of Central Florida Foundation.

Kathleen earned her Masters of Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in event management and marketing, both from the University of Central Florida. She lives in Tampa with her husband and two pugs who are always dressed in black and gold– Bonnie a 4-year-old black pug and Gus a 1-year-old fawn-gold pug.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• The Junior League, 2013-present
  • Served in marketing, fundraising, and recruitment roles for the Junior League of Orlando, North Brevard, Chicago, and Tampa since joining the organization in 2013.
• The Braver Collective, 2021-present
  • Annual giving and fundraising volunteer leader
• Female Strong, 2019-2022
  • Content writer

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• UCF Alumni Mentor of the Year, 2016-2017

FAVORITE UCF MEMORY:

“The difference between my first Spirit Splash (2008) and my last (2018) is my favorite thing about being connected to UCF. The incredible growth experienced by this institution, the community it’s created, and the university’s impact on the greater Orlando economy is extraordinary.

I can’t help but mention too that I attended the 2017 UCF vs USF game capping off a perfect regular season of football– the student section was electric!”

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Carey Sobel ’09
College of Business

Carey Sobel is an experienced entrepreneur whose success is built on foundations of marketing prowess, creative problem solving, and business development. He enjoys strategic planning across multiple industries in the form of ownership, investment, and consulting.

Sobel is the Chief Strategy Officer for his award-winning creative company, 321 the Agency. This data and technology powerhouse has offices in Orlando and Atlanta and works with brands like Disney, Brightline, L3Harris, Advent Health, EsteeLauder, and Tavistock.

Sobel is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and Certified Merger & Acquisition Professional (CMAP) with a Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) designation. He owns a business brokerage firm, Boss Group international, helping people buy and sell businesses in the main street and lower-to-middle markets where he completed over $75M+ in business transaction volume to date.

Sobel also serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for a private equity firm, COASTAL, specializing in syndicated real estate and venture capital investment opportunities. Responsible for elevating the company’s brand and introducing their offerings to new prospects, the company has raised over $250M+ in 18 months. Sobel is a native of Philadelphia, PA and has passions for (Philadelphia) sports, music, food, and travel. He resides in Orlando with his wife Lauren and his 3 children Marley, Sloane, and Lennon.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• UCF College of Business Alumni Board, Chair
• Greater Orlando Sports Commission
• Collaborative Digital Innovations

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Entrepreneurial Alumni Award, UCF College of Business Hall of Fame, 2018
• 40 Under 40 Recipient, Orlando Business Journals, 2018
• 30 Under 30 Recipient, University of Central Florida, 2017
• Young Alumni Award, University of Central Florida Shining Knights Alumni Awards, 2017
• Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)
• Certified Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (CM&AI)
• Certified Merger & Acquisition Professional (CMAP)

FAVORITE UCF MEMORY:

“As a student there were too many, but as an alumni, it was the entire year of 2017. After making a commitment several years back to remain engaged with UCF and the College of Business I was honored as a 30 Under 30 Recipient, and just a few months later received the inaugural Young Alumni Award ceremony from Dr. Hitt, himself then at the first ever Shining Knights, the same year, I watched my little brother graduate from UCF.”

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Candace McKnight ’93 ’95BSN
College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Nursing

Candace McKnight presently serves as senior director with Orlando Health. Candace has been in the healthcare industry for over 30 years. She currently leads workforce optimization and redesign within corporate nursing administration for Orlando Health.

She earned her bachelor’s in liberal studies focusing on health and engineering 1993 along with her Bachelor’s of Nursing degree in 1995.

Candace is married to David McKnight who received his specialty certification from UCF Cyber Defense, he is presently self-employed in information technology. Together they have two children, Walker and Laura.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• UCF College of Nursing Alumni Board, Chair

AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Certified Nurse Management and Leadership
• Certified Healthcare Safety Professional
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School Graduate
• Healthcare Research and Education Trust
• American Organization for Nursing Leadership
• Florida Society for Healthcare Risk Management and Patient Safety
• National Association of Healthcare Quality
• Parents Against Vaping State of Florida Advocacy Program

FAVORITE UCF MEMORY:

“I would have two favorite memories: hospital clinicals while in nursing school and our Fiesta Bowl win!! Go Knights! Charge On!”

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Amanda Williamson ’12

Amanda Williamson is the Owner and Lead Planner of Save A. Date Events, founded in 2018. She is a certified wedding planner and has worked in the hospitality industry for over 18 years. She has experience in a variety of positions including banquet serving, bartending, restaurant event sales, venue sales and marketing, hotel sales, event technology sales, and now business owner.

Amanda earned her Bachelor’s degree in Event Management in 2012 from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Amanda is married to UCF alumnus Matthew Williamson, a commercial insurance advisor for LRA Insurance. They consider themselves foodies and enjoy spending their free time trying new restaurants, traveling, going on walks, and spending quality time with friends and family. They have a rescue cat named Pablo who turns dog- only people into cat lovers.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• Rosen College of Hospitality Management Alumni Board, 2013 – present
  • Events Committee, 2013 – present
  • Events Committee Chair, 2015 – 2018
  • Chair-elect, 2017 – 2018
  • Chair, 2018-2019
• National Association of Catering & Events (NACE) Orlando Chapter, 2021 – present
  • Vice President of Programs, 2023 – present
  • Director of Programs, 2022 – 2023

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Awards, 2023

FAVORITE UCF MEMORY:

“My favorite UCF memory is graduation day. I vividly remember what I wore, how I felt, and the excitement that filled the arena. It was a special memory that I will forever be proud of.”

Committee Advisors
July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

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Cynthia Chamberlain ’95 ’98MBA
College of Business

Cynthia Chamberlin worked in the pharmaceutical and medical device sales industry for over 27 years. She won numerous national sales awards and served on the Marketing Advisory Board at Connetics Pharmaceuticals.

She currently invests in and manages real estate properties. Cynthia earned her bachelor’s in business administration in 1995 and her MBA in 1998 both from the University of Central Florida.

Cynthia is married to UCF alumnus John Chamberlin, a safety specialist with Siemens Gamesa Wind Energy. He earned his MBA from UCF in 1991.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• Women’s Club at UCF Board, 2022-present
  • Chair, Meetings and Planning Committee
  • Co-Chair, Armchair Travelers
• Town and Gown, 2023-present
  • Sergeant at Arms
• Kids Beating Cancer
  • Gala planning committee
• Orlando Museum of Art
  • Council of 101
• Junior League of Greater Orlando
• American Mensa

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Multiple national sales awards
• Walked solo 434 miles along the Camino from Portugal to Santiago, Spain, 2023
• First in her family to go to college and to earn an advanced degree

FAVORITE UCF MEMORY:

My favorite UCF memory is the day of my BS graduation. My husband walked me to the reflecting pool and surprised me by saying that if I wanted to continue my education and get my master’s degree he would help me make my dream a reality. Yes, I did!

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Charles DiNunzio ’12, JD
College of Business

Charles DiNunzio serves as an Associate Litigation Attorney at Jackson Lewis P.C. in Orlando, Florida, where his practice focuses on management- side employment litigation in federal and state courts. He belongs to the firm’s Class Actions and Complex Litigation group, as well as its Trials and Appeals group. Prior to returning to Orlando, Charles lived in Washington, D.C., where he was Senior Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Mary J. Schoelen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Charles earned undergraduate degrees in finance and real estate from the University of Central Florida (2012), his Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs (2015) with a certificate in National Security Studies, and his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law (2015), where he was Executive Editor of the Syracuse Law Review and President of the Student Bar Association.

Charles recently married his wife Jordan, a Nurse Practitioner in the Critical Care Intensive Care Unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center. They currently reside in Lake Nona.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• Alumni Advisory Board, Beta Theta Pi, George Washington University, Financial Advisor, 2018-2021
• S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association Executive Board, Treasurer, 2018-2020
• S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association Board of Governors, Member, 2017-2018

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Outstanding Service Award, S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association, 2020

FAVORITE UCF MEMORY:

I was lucky enough to serve in the Office of Student Involvement as the Executive Director for UCF Homecoming in 2011, overseeing an incredible team of individuals who helped plan and execute a full calendar of Homecoming programming. To this day, I count the whole experience as my favorite UCF memory.

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Michael  Kryger ’07
College of Undergraduate Studies

Michael Kryger has extensive experience across the vast insurance industry. As President and Owner of Pegasus Insurance Agency, Michael oversees all aspects of Personal and Commercial Lines of Independent Property and Casualty Insurance for Pegasus clients.

Prior to heading up Pegasus Insurance Agency, Michael worked as an All- Lines Field Adjuster for an auto insurance carrier investigating auto accidents. This involved settling property damage and bodily injury claims as well as being trained to write damage appraisals on automobiles. Kryger also worked for a large local law firm as a Case Manager working with clients who sustained injuries and managed their claims from the plaintiff’s side of the fence. The role included pre-litigation negotiations and settlements with insurance adjusters/carriers.

Michael earned his BA in liberal studies with a minor in sociology from UCF. Michael is also proud father to Class of 2018 UCF Alumni, Kelsey, as well as his son Mick who is a senior at Seminole State College of Florida and works at Pegasus Insurance Agency as a customer service representative.

Michael is passionate about elevating his UCF alma mater and his community, serving on UCF Alumni Chapter Board and in leadership roles for several professional and charitable agencies.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• UCF Greater Orlando Alumni Chapter, 2019-present
  • Board of Directors – Director At Large, 2019-2020
• Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, 2017-present
  • Executive Committee Director At Large, 2020-2021
  • Board of Directors, 2019-2023
  • Chair – Altamonte Council, 2019-2020
• Leadership Seminole Executive Council, 2020–present
• Alzheimer’s Association: The Longest Day – Executive Leadership Committee, 2023-present
• Easterseals Northeast Central Florida – Volunteer and Supporter, 2018-present

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• City of Longwood Business Person of the Month presented by the Longwood City Commission, August 2022
• Seminole Business Awards Nominee for Business of the Year for business category of 1-10 employees, 2019-2022

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Scott Murray ’91, PhD
College of Sciences

Scott Murray graduated from UCF in 1991 with a BA in political science and international relations. After working on capitol hill and in the military, Scott transitioned to the private sector in 1993 where he began a career in the pharmaceutical/biotech space.

Scott currently resides in metro Atlanta and remains very active with UCF through charitable giving, athletic support, and involvement with potential students and local alumni from the Georgia chapter.

Scott is a strong advocate for UCF and its plans for meaningful growth, focused education with emphasis on practical and real-world experience, and commitment to academic and social excellence that UCF embraces.

Academically, Scott has earned his doctoral degree since leaving UCF, from Georgia State University in 2022, where his dissertation focused on artificial intelligence in drug discovery. Beyond academics, Scott’s professional focus is making prescription medications more affordable and accessible to patients.

Scott is married to Andrea, and they have a house filled with rescue animals, love, and laughter. Andrea is a Colorado buffalo who also works in the life science industry and Scott is committed to not holding her lack of a UCF education against her.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• Gift of Adoption, Atlanta Chapter
• American College of Healthcare Executives
• Wounded Warriors
• Carry the Load Foundation

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Georgia State University, Graduate of Distinction, DBA, 2022
• Doctoral dissertation cited more than 300 times in research
• MBA Graduate with Honors, Finance Emphasis
• Accomplished public speaker and industry expert (life sciences)

FAVORITE UCF MEMORY:

There are too many to list! Several of my closest friends came from my years at UCF and I have such immense appreciation for the warmth and camaraderie that I get from every alumnus I meet. I have very fond memories of having dinner with Dr. Bledsoe and state department officials he brought in to discuss real-world political events. I also have great memories of driving to the football stadium for UCF games, which was of course downtown in those days. Overall, I have just been so thrilled to witness and help with the tremendous growth academically, in athletics, and in recognition that UCF is starting to realize!

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Rafael Padrón ’09
College of Business and Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Rafael “Rafa” Padrón is the founder of Charis Stewardship Partners, a consulting firm dedicated to guiding business owners in effective financial and operational management. With a background as a CPA, Rafa brings a wealth of expertise acquired through diverse experiences, including roles in government accounting, forensic accounting, and most recently as the CFO of Orchid Medical, a prominent workers’ compensation ancillary service provider based locally.

Rafa earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in hospitality management from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 2009. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Accounting degree from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in 2016.

During his time at UCF, Rafa was actively engaged in campus life, serving in Student Government’s Senate, and leading as president of the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity chapter. Currently residing in Winter Park with his two Goldendoodles, Rafa finds joy in supporting UCF student athletes at various sporting events and remains deeply connected to his alma mater.

Through his work at Charis Stewardship Partners and his commitment to community engagement, Rafa exemplifies a dedication to excellence, integrity, and service.

BOARD AFFILIATIONS:

• Family Promise of Greater Orlando, 2020 – 2022

FAVORITE UCF MEMORY:

In 2017, I organized an impromptu gathering at a local Atlanta restaurant, uniting approximately 25 close friends and fellow UCF alumni to support the UCF Football team as they competed in the Peach Bowl, ultimately claiming the title of “National Champions.” This spontaneous event not only ignited our collective spirit but also reminded us of the incredible journey we’ve shared as alumni and fans. It underscored the growth and solidarity of our alumni community, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts.