Kelly Ahn
Associate Dean
Kelly Ahn was appointed Associate Dean of the Career Design Lab at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) in July 2021, following her tenure as Executive Director beginning in March 2020. She brings more than two decades of achievement in career services, student success, and organizational leadership.
Before joining SPS, Ahn served as Associate Dean of Graduate Student Career Development at Columbia University’s Center for Career Education (CCE), Director of the Center for Student Success at The New School, and Director of the Center for Career Development at Manhattan University, where she led the restructuring of career services and student and alumni success programs, including initiatives advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
Earlier in her career, Ahn worked as a mental health counselor supporting LGBTQ+ Asian Pacific Islander youth in New York City and co-founded the Crimson Language Institute, a higher education learning and consulting firm in Seoul, Korea.
Ahn holds an Ed.M. in Educational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Adult Learning and Leadership. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Hamilton College.
Beyond higher education, Ahn was selected by the Fulbright Administrators Program and the Institute of International Education (IIE) to participate in International Education Administrators seminars in Germany and Australia, respectively.
Diane Spizzirro
Executive Director
Diane Spizzirro is the Director of Career Education and Development and a Lecturer at Columbia University, School of Professional Studies. She is a seasoned Career Development professional with experience in higher education, corporate training and development as well as private practice. She has a strong business background having been in the Insurance and Risk Management fields and successfully transitioned her career into counseling. She holds a M.S. in Career Development and a B.A. in Business. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor, a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Executive Career Development Coach and certified in distance counselling. She is a certified trainer of the DiSC, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator MBTI and Strengthsquest. Diane formerly served as the Director of Career Development at the College of New Rochelle and taught graduate classes in counseling and career development. Diane is the pasted President of the New York Mental Health Counseling Association (NYMHCA) and an active member of the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and National Association of College and Employers (NACE). Diane was recognized for her innovative ideas and received first place for the NACE 2016 Innovation challenge. She has also presented at both the NACE and NCDA conferences in 2019. Diane is most in her element when she is facilitating a dynamic and engaging career development program, which helps participants to gain insight on how to move forward! She has developed and facilitated numerous career training programs for individuals and diverse groups.
Degree Paths
Construction AdministrationInformation and Knowledge StrategyInsurance ManagementDavid Slotnick
Director
David is an admitted “higher-ed lifer”. He began his career at New York University’s School of Professional Studies in an office responsible for public affairs, marketing, and communications. David’s very first role was in website content management before given the opportunity to shift his focus to larger issues of overall interactive communications and marketing strategy. From there, it was an easy transition into a new role in an information technology office, where he was able to manage projects and operations for the enterprise-level applications upon which the day to day and cyclical work for the administrators, faculty, and students depended.
Many years and a large degree of personal and professional growth later, David left NYU, bound for Columbia’s Center for Career Education. While at CCE, he set strategies and goals for the use of technology and data in the career services space. He managed the institutional reporting required at all levels to inform members of the Columbia community and the CCE team about constituent engagement, post-graduation outcomes, survey results, and other data points.
Now at the Career Design Lab, he gets to combine his professional studies and career services experience in the service of the students and alumni of SPS. In his new role, he stays in constant contact with all of our staff members and teams, acting consultatively to improve operations, logistics, technology, and access to data that help make us better career advising, event management, and employer relations experts.
Outside of work, David can often be found wandering around his neighborhood in the Bronx, out too late seeing live music, or somewhere upstate getting away from it all.
Nicole Arndt
Associate Director | Career Coach for: Bioethics, Technology Management, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Nicole is a Career Coach with a passion for education and empowering individuals in their careers. With a Master’s in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, she has over 10 years of experience teaching and coaching adult learners in dynamic education settings. As a former Recruiter for Platinion of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), as well as a former Recruiter for Premier Staffing, Inc., her experience working in education is supplemented with her role in the recruitment of digital, risk, and IT professionals and in creating hiring partnerships with both startups and Fortune 500 companies. In her current role as Associate Director of Industry Relations, Nicole is energized by innovative employer collaboration and strategic academic partnerships that empower the next generation of leaders with skills and opportunities to create lasting impact.
Specialties and Interests
Bioethics, Technology Management, Negotiation and Conflict ResolutionDegree Paths
BioethicsNegotiation and Conflict ResolutionTaylor Wordsman
Assistant Director | Career Coach for: Sustainability Management and Sustainability Science
Taylor Wordsman is currently serving as Assistant Director at the Career Design Lab, where she supports Sustainability Management and Sustainability Science students. She has a background in career services and international student services, and is passionate about serving students and guiding them as they navigate their careers in a global workforce. Before joining the CDL in 2021, Taylor worked for global non-profit organizations with a mission to support students and help them acquire skills necessary to thrive in a culturally diverse world. Taylor earned her B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature at SUNY Geneseo, and her Masters degree in Higher Education Administration from CUNY Baruch. Taylor lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and enjoys drinking coffee and taking long walks through Central Park in her free time.
Specialties and Interests
Sustainability Management, Sustainability ScienceDegree Paths
Sustainability ManagementSustainability ScienceKaren Acampado
Associate Director | Career Coach for: Construction Administration, Human Capital Management, Narrative Medicine, Non-Profit Management
Specialties and Interests
Construction Administration / Education / Non-Profit / TrainingCareer Paths
Construction, Engineering, & Real EstateConsultingEducation & ResearchGovernment & Public SectorHealthcare & Pre-MedicalNonprofit & Social ImpactDegree Paths
Construction AdministrationHuman Capital ManagementNarrative MedicineNonprofit ManagementJia Wei Cao
Assistant Director | Career Coach for: Applied Analytics
Jia Wei is an Assistant Director and a career coach for students within the Applied Analytics program. Prior to Columbia, Jia Wei worked in career services, particularly focusing on students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds at his alma meter, Stony Brook University. Jia Wei’s favorite part about working in career services is being able to guide students in their job search, explore different career opportunities, assist students in recognizing and developing their brand, and see it all come together. Prior to working in career services, Jia Wei worked in a number of various roles in higher education, such as academic affairs, academic advising, student orientation, and residential life.
Jia Wei was born in Shanghai, China, and is a first generation immigrant and a first generation college student. He holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stony Brook. Although he has been living on Long Island for almost a decade now, rumor has it that Jia Wei still claims to be from Brooklyn and NYC raised.
Specialties and Interests
Applied AnalyticsDegree Paths
Applied AnalyticsCaroline Kelley
Assistant Director | Career Coach for: Applied Analytics (Last names: A --> M)
Caroline serves as the Assistant Director and Career Coach for the Applied Analytics program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies. With a background in career development from her previous role at Harvard Business School’s Career and Professional Studies office, Caroline brings a wealth of experience to her role. She is dedicated to guiding SPS students towards lifelong career success and fulfillment.
In her coaching role, Caroline emphasizes the importance of aligning career paths with personal values and meaningful life goals. She collaborates with students to craft a compelling career vision and strategy, offering support in areas such as resume writing, networking, behavioral and case interview preparation, and offer negotiation. Caroline, a proud Columbia alumna with a Master’s degree in Education from Teachers College, is committed to helping students achieve their professional and personal aspirations.
Specialties and Interests
Applied AnalyticsDegree Paths
Applied AnalyticsPaul Maniaci
Assistant Director | Career Coach for: Enterprise Risk Management (Last Names: A --> Q)
Paul Maniaci has worked at four institutions of higher education across New York City in career development. He has over thirteen years of experience helping students find internships and prepare for career opportunities. Paul spent eighteen years living internationally in Mexico City, Hong Kong, and London. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Communications at Syracuse University and his Masters in Public Administration at Baruch College. He is currently a Masters student at the Columbia Journalism School. He has two young daughters.
Specialties and Interests
Enterprise Risk Management/Actuarial ScienceDegree Paths
Enterprise Risk ManagementWill Goodall
Assistant Director | Career Coach for: Enterprise Risk Management (Last Names: R --> Z)
Will Goodall serves as an Assistant Director at the CDL, supporting Columbia’s Enterprise Risk Management students. Before joining the CDL, Will was a strategy consultant with both EY and a start-up organization, supporting organizations through their operational, strategic, and human capital challenges. He also spent time on the backcountry staff at Philmont Scout Ranch, teaching team-building and conflict management skills to thru-hiking groups. Will is excited to bring all his experience to support students’ career search and professional development.
Will holds a MA (Hons) from the University of St. Andrews in International Relations and Management. He is also a subject-matter expert in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Outside of work, Will enjoys backpacking, cooking, and his guilty pleasure: reality television.
Specialties and Interests
Enterprise Risk ManagementDegree Paths
Enterprise Risk ManagementSabrina Bellina
Associate Director of Operations
Sabrina holds an M.S.Ed in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies and an Advanced Certificate in Human Resource Management and has a passion for working with college students as they embark on their journeys of professional development. She strives to be constantly surrounded by the beauty of diversity and culture in whatever project she takes on. Sabrina believes that to be successful is to be constantly surrounded by education and growth, which is what she intends to do in the Career Design Lab. She is a strong communicator both verbally and in writing, with a knack for leadership.
Sabrina has a background in both employer relations and career coaching. As a first-generation college graduate, Sabrina finds her passion in assisting fellow first-generation college students through programming and career advisement.
Robin Shi
Operations Coordinator
As the Operations Coordinator at Columbia University’s Career Design Lab, Robin is dedicated to fostering an environment for success for SPS graduate students through strategy and efficiency. In Robin’s role, she leverages her expertise in operations and strong communication to enhance the services provided by the Career Design Lab, ensuring exceptional support for both students and employers.
Growing up in Hebei, China, and immigrating to the U.S. at the age of 12, Robin embraced the diverse cultural experiences of both her hometown and her life in Queens, New York. This rich background fuels her passion to foster an inclusive and dynamic environment that embraces diversity and encourages continuous learning. Robin graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2020, followed by a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration in 2022. Through her personal experiences, academics, and professional career, Robin hopes to continue to enhance the experiences of international students in a collegiate setting.
On weekends, Robin enjoys spending her time playing board games and video games with friends, building her 12th mechanical keyboard, or enjoying a large iced latte while catching up on shows.
Mariela Torres
Associate Director | Employer & Industry Engagement
Mariela Torres has been the Associate Director at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) Career Design Lab (CDL) since May 2019. Previously in SPS, she worked with students in the Enterprise Risk Management, Insurance Management, and Wealth Management programs. She now leads the Employer and Industry Engagement Teams for Columbia SPS, serving as the liaison between students and employers seeking to hire SPS students and alumni. She collaborates with employers to create events that connect them with Columbia’s talented students.
Mariela is a highly experienced professional with close to 30 years of expertise in Career Counseling and business. She has managed Career Services Centers of various sizes, providing comprehensive career and internship services to college students and alumni. She has held Director-level positions at The College of New Rochelle, Berkeley College, and LIM College. She is also a certified Myers-Briggs (MBTI) Practitioner.
Deeply passionate about student success, Mariela has provided career coaching to students and alumni, advised student clubs, and taught undergraduate and graduate-level career preparatory courses. She has also worked for corporate organizations, including Avon Products, Perry Ellis, and Macy’s Merchandising Group, gaining valuable insight into corporate environments.
Mariela has been on the Executive Board of MNYCCPOA since 2015. MNYCCPOA is a professional organization representing career services counselors from more than 60 colleges in the New York metropolitan area. She currently serves as Past-President and has previously held the roles of President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, and Treasurer.
Mariela holds a Master of Science degree in Career Development from The College of New Rochelle and a Bachelor of Professional Studies from LIM College in Fashion Merchandising. She is married and has one son and one daughter. Her son with special needs has taught her resilience and adaptability, qualities she brings into both her personal and professional life.
People
Welcome Employers!Namra Naseer
Industry Relations Specialist
Namra Naseer is an Industry Relations Specialist at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS), where she focuses on strategic employer engagement initiatives across 18 SPS programs. Prior to joining Columbia SPS, Namra gained experience in economic development and venture strategy, working as a Summer Analyst at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). She has worked with startups on business development, market expansion, and strategy formulation, helping drive growth and innovation.
Previously, she held roles as a research associate, managing international conferences and authored policy papers on governance and economic policy. She also served as a Stimson Center Research Fellow in Washington, DC, working with global think tanks and policymakers on strategic policy issues.
Namra holds a Master’s degree in Information Strategy from Columbia University and an additional Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies, with expertise in global security, diplomacy, and conflict resolution. She is an active member of the nonprofits – Internet Society and ICANN, contributing to global discussions on Internet governance and digital policy.
She is also a VC University Fellow and has previously been a Fellow at Harvard College for International Affairs, the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (UNIGF), and the World Bank Youth Forum.
People
Welcome Employers!Hannah Salto
Associate Director | Career Coach for: Sports Management, Information and Knowledge Strategy, and Political Analytics
Hannah Salto currently serves as Associate Director for Columbia’s Career Design Lab, where she oversees career support for three distinct academic programs. She began her higher education career in 2017 as a Support Specialist for first-generation college students at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, where she launched initiatives to aid students’ transition to college and support their career development. Hannah then relocated 1,200 miles from her home state of Minnesota to New Jersey to work at Rutgers University.
Most recently, she served as the Assistant Dean of Support, Engagement, and Leadership at Rutgers Business School – Newark and New Brunswick. In this role, she launched and ran numerous programs focused on mentorship, leadership development, and gender equity in business.
Hannah holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Communication from the College of Saint Benedict and a master’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Rutgers University – New Brunswick. Her lifelong love of learning means she will likely seek opportunities to expand her academic and professional knowledge in the years to come.
Driven by a mission to help others thrive by following their passions, Hannah’s coaching philosophy centers on empathy, fostering connections, and encouraging growth through challenge.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys writing poetry, traveling, reading, and exploring NYC.
Specialties and Interests
Sports Management, Information and Knowledge Strategy, and Political AnalyticsDegree Paths
Information and Knowledge StrategyPolitical AnalyticsSports ManagementVictoria Passarella
Associate Director | Career Coach for: Strategic Communications, Actuarial Science, Insurance Management, Wealth Management
Victoria Passarella has over 15 years of professional experience as a workshop facilitator, career coach, and public speaker, with extensive experience in creating programs to provide opportunities for people to learn how to strategically take their goals to the next level.
Her career development expertise has been honed at organizations such as Barnard College and Columbia Center for Career Education.
She earned an EdM in Adult Learning and Leadership and a MS in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. In addition she attended Women’s Campaign School at Yale, is a certified trainer of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, and will be working on her Certificate in Learning Design at NYU.
Victoria also instructed college courses, managed nonprofits, and founded an LLC for her career counseling private practice.
