MBA Career Services for Working Professionals

2010 Conference Speaker Biographies

Ronald Burt, Hobart W. Williams Professor of Sociology and Strategy, Chicago Booth

Ronald Burt studies the social structure of competitive advantage in careers, organizations, and markets. Burt is the author of seven books, two software programs, and numerous articles and chapters in academic works. His publications include Neighbor Networks: Competitive Advantage Local and Personal published by Oxford University Press in 2010, and Brokerage and Closure: An Introduction to Social Capital published by Oxford University Press in 2005.  

Burt joined the Chicago Booth faculty in 1993. When commenting on the difference in environments at various institutions, he described Chicago as a place where "the risk of new ideas is higher than anywhere else because you are continually exposed to confrontation and contradiction and so many other places protect you from that."

Originally a pre-med major at Johns Hopkins University, Burt became curious as to why he couldn't account for people's behavior. He went into social psychology, where he was influenced by mathematical sociologist James Coleman, eventually obtaining a PhD in sociology under Coleman from the University of Chicago in 1977.   Professor Burt currently teaches “Strategic Leadership” in Chicago, London, and Singapore for Chicago’s Executive M.B.A. Program.  

Nick Corcodilos, Host of AskTheHeadhunter.com, syndicated columnist and Author of “How to Work with Headhunters” and “How Can I Change Careers?”

Nick Corcodilos is the host of AskTheHeadhunter.com and author of How to Work with Headhunters and How Can I Change Careers? His first book, Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing The Interview to Win The Job, was the #1-selling interview guide on Amazon for 26 consecutive months. Nick started headhunting in 1979 in one of America’s most competitive job markets: California’s Silicon Valley.

Using the methods described in his book and on the ATH forum, he has helped people win management and staff jobs in companies including IBM, GE, Hewlett-Packard and Merrill Lynch.  Nick has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, USA Today, The New York Times, Fast Company, Working Woman, on CNN, CNBC and MSNBC. Nick's Ask The Headhunter columns are syndicated worldwide by Universal Press Syndicate.

Mercy Eyadiel, Director of Alumni and Sloan Career Services, Stanford University Graduate School of Business

Mercy Eyadiel has 15 years experience in higher education administration with specialized experience in human resources, alumni programming, career management and leadership development.  Mercy oversees strategy and operations for alumni career services which includes career education and networking events, job board services, online tools/resources and executive coaching for 25,000 alumni worldwide. Under Mercy’s leadership, Alumni Career Services has significantly expanded the number of programs, resources, and services offered to alumni.     

Prior to joining Stanford, Mercy was the Director of Recruitment for Paul Steelman Design Group, a Las Vegas-based architectural design firm.  In addition, Mercy has 10 years experience working for Vanderbilt University in multiple roles.  She began her career with Vanderbilt as a Human Resources Administrator and then moved to the Owen Graduate School of Management as the Assistant Director for MBA Career Management and finally the Director of Alumni Relations. 

Mercy has served on the advisory board for MBA Focus.  She also serves as the speaker and panels committee co-chair for the MBACSWP Alliance.  In addition, she is an active community member and volunteers her time with the First Tee’s golf and life skill development program for youth.  Mercy received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Relations from Southern Nazarene University and a Master’s degree in Education from Oklahoma City University. 

Clyde C. Lowstuter, MCC  President & CEO, Robertson Lowstuter

Clyde Lowstuter is a seasoned peak performance business consultant, coach, and head of Robertson Lowstuter, his executive development firm he launched in 1981. He has been awarded the MCC, Master Certified Coach, from the International Coach Federation, the top certification awarded to less than 1% of coaches worldwide. He is experienced in executive coaching, leading high performance teams, facilitating strategic planning and managing organizational change. He has worked extensively throughout Europe, Australia, Asia, and North America.

Clyde is particularly skilled in organizational problem diagnosis and in creating systems and approaches that promote productivity, profitability, and effectiveness.  He is a prolific writer and professional speaker who enables individuals and teams to break through self-limiting roadblocks and achieve success. He is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC). He has an MA in Labor and Industrial Relations with an emphasis in Organizational Psychology from the University of Illinois and a BA in Psychology from Aurora University, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002.

Clyde is the author of two acclaimed McGraw-Hill books, In Search of the Perfect Job: 8 Steps to the $250,000+ Executive Job That’s Right for You, a best-selling 2007 edition, and Network Your Way to Your Next Job...Fast! as well as leading-edge audio programs, $ix Figure Networking, Power Interviewing, and Empower Your Career and Your Life

Ruth Reiner, Director of Effective Leadership, Chicago Booth

Ruth Reiner is the Director of Effective Leadership at University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In her role she leads a new, required leadership development program for part-time MBA students.  Prior to joining Chicago Booth, Ruth held a number of roles in Organization Development, Talent and Change Management at Motorola and bp.   

Ruth has over 20 years experience assisting organizations, teams, and individuals to align their business models and human resource strategies with their business goals through strategic planning; leadership and team development; change management; and organizational capability development.