Fourth year

440 Stokely Management Center

Becca Arwine’s research investigates entrepreneurial experiences through psychological lenses, specifically looking at identity, cognition, and well-being, and how these are managed intrapsychically by entrepreneurs as well as through interpersonal interactions. Further, her research spans levels of analysis, from individual founder experiences to those of communities of entrepreneurs. She leverages both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore how psychological phenomena influence and are influenced by entrepreneurial behaviors. Becca earned her Bachelor of Science in business from Miami University. Prior to entering the doctoral program, she worked as an assistant director in the Institute for Entrepreneurship at Miami University, and as a data analytics consultant for the Nielsen Company.

Email: rarwine@vols.utk.edu

First year

440 Stokely Management Center

Janelle Bremer earned her Bachelor of Science in accountancy from Case Western Reserve University and her MBA from the University of Hawaii. Prior to entering the doctoral program, she founded several companies, mentored startup founders and taught entrepreneurship and strategic management. Her research focuses on the psychology of entrepreneurs, well-being and exit.

Email: jbremer@vols.utk.edu

Second year

440 Stokely Management Center

Eduardo Cuervo holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from UPAEP University in Puebla, Mexico, and an MBA and a master's degree in quantitative finance from Oklahoma State University. Before pursuing a career in academia, he worked in Mexico as an investment analyst and financial advisor in the banking industry. His research aims to understand the role of narratives in the entrepreneurship industry, as well as the benefits of reducing misleading and ambiguous information for current and potential entrepreneurs.

Email: fcuervog@vols.utk.edu

First year

440 Stokely Management Center

Rehab Elkhayat’s research interests center around strategic decision making, venture growth, entrepreneurs and stakeholders. Specifically, she studies the monitoring and advisory role of venture capitalists in creating or demolishing value for their backed firms at times of crisis and its impact on VCs’ reputations. Rehab completed her MBA in finance from Lehigh University. She received her undergraduate degree from Egypt in accounting, and she is a certified management accountant (CMA). Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., Rehab worked directly with founders, venture capitalists and PEs through her job as a finance manager and later as a financial advisor with companies across M.E.A., the U.S. and Europe.

Email: relkhaya@vols.utk.edu

First year

440 Stokely Management Center

Ava Haddox earned her Bachelor of Science in international business and a minor in entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining the program, she worked in various roles as a Spanish-to-English translator, as well as working as a teaching and research assistant in the Spears School of Business. Her research interests center around ethical and DEI topics in cross-cultural contexts. She is curious about how these issues impact minorities, particularly women and immigrants, who are integrating into the American workforce or engaging in entrepreneurship.

Email: ahaddox@vols.utk.edu

Fourth year

440 Stokely Management Center

Tan Kim’s research lies at the crossroads of organizational theory and strategic management. He is interested in understanding the dynamics of social evaluations and their cascading effects on firm behavior. He delves into the antecedents of social evaluations, exploring how optimal distinctiveness and organizational actors’ political orientation influence audience evaluations. Beyond this, Tan is passionate about uncovering strategies that organizations employ to nurture and leverage their intangible assets — including reputation, status and celebrity — to gain a competitive advantage. Tan earned his M.S. in business administration at Seoul National University and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in political science at Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. Before joining academia, Tan worked as an administrative officer in the Korean Academy of Management, a human resource specialist with GS Global Corporation and an intelligence officer (first lieutenant) in the Republic of Korea Air Force.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tankim0224
Personal Website: tankim.net

Email: tkim34@vols.utk.edu

Second year

440 Stokely Management Center

Minji Kim’s research interests broadly center on investigating the psychological dynamics of individuals in the context of corporate governance. Particularly, her research examines how status hierarchy influences the decision making and behavior of CEOs, top management teams and boards of directors. She is also interested in antecedents and consequences of fault lines in boards and top management teams. Prior to joining the program, she earned her B.A. in psychology and sociology and her M.A. in social psychology from Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea.

Email: mkim68@vols.utk.edu

Fourth year

440 Stokely Management Center

Gavin Williamson received a B.A. in business administration with a minor in entrepreneurship from Lycoming College. Prior to joining the SEO program, he worked in various roles in nonprofits and as a GMAT tutor. His research focuses on the people side of entrepreneurship, especially entrepreneurial careers and startup workforce management.

Email: gwilli50@vols.utk.edu

Third year

440 Stokely Management Center

Nataliia Yakushko received her MBA from Valdosta State University and her Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Ivan Franko National University in Lviv, Ukraine. Prior to joining the Ph.D. program, Nataliia was managing a family entertainment center in Valdosta, GA. Her research interests center on entrepreneurial well-being, resilience to adversity, resourcefulness and community-embedded venture emergence.

Email: nyakushk@vols.utk.edu