The University of Vermont will welcome four distinguished alumni from the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE) and the Grossman School of Business (GSB) back to campus on Wednesday, November 12, for an engaging conversation on career paths in sports, marketing, and athlete development.
The event, organized by CDAE and the GSB, will be moderated by Krista Balogh ’02, G’07, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and Communications. Balogh will guide the discussion as alumni share their experiences, insights, and advice for students pursuing careers in sports, marketing, and business.
Balogh, who also directs UVM’s licensing program and teaches Event Planning for Athletics and Careers in College Athletics, brings extensive experience in collegiate athletics and marketing to the conversation. A two-time UVM graduate and former Catamount swimmer, she has been instrumental in developing the Sports Management minor and internship opportunities that give students hands-on experience in the field.
The panelists—each representing different aspects of the sports and marketing industries—will share stories of their professional journeys and reflect on how their UVM education prepared them for success.
Deng Adiang ’23, now an Analyst at Goldman Sachs, will speak about his experience transitioning from student-athlete to professional life. A former member of UVM’s men’s basketball team, Adiang emphasizes the value of teamwork, discipline, and adaptability—skills that have served him well in finance.
Jen Beardsall ’11, a former NCAA Division I swimmer for the Catamounts, currently leads Sponsorship Marketing for Santander’s U.S. brand team. With a career spanning global sports brands like Reebok and Speedo and agencies such as Jack Morton, Beardsall has built a reputation for developing partnerships that connect brands to culture and community. She encourages students to lean into curiosity and creativity as they explore their own career paths.
Erica Vessey ’07, Director of Skiing & Cycling in the Olympic & Action Sports division at Octagon, brings an elite athlete’s perspective to the conversation. A former NCAA skiing champion, Vessey now represents Olympic athletes including alpine skiers Paula Moltzan and Ryan Cochran-Siegle and cyclists Lea Davison and Savilia Blunk. She is known for her expertise in athlete representation, sports marketing, and building authentic partnerships that elevate Olympic and action sports.
Justin Walla ’20, Field Marketing Manager for Mount Snow at Vail Resorts, will discuss his career in outdoor recreation and event marketing. During his time at UVM, Walla gained hands-on experience with the Vermont Lake Monsters and Fenway Sports Management University before joining Fuse Marketing and later Vail Resorts.
Together, the panelists highlight the breadth of opportunity available to UVM graduates and the lasting impact of experiential learning, mentorship, and community within CDAE and the Grossman School of Business.
The CDAE and Grossman School of Business Alumni Panel on Sports, Marketing, and Leadership will take place on Wednesday, November 12, and is open to all UVM students, faculty, and community members interested in exploring careers in these dynamic fields.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Keller Room, Ifshin Hall
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