Background

I attended the George Washington University as an undergraduate, where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. After working at the World Bank Group and for an electric vehicle startup, I decided to pursue a master’s degree to apply my background in data analysis to marketing.

Career Path

My career has focused mainly on sustainability, entrepreneurship and technology. My experience in these industries has provided me with a deep understanding of the importance of applying insights for growth. I am expanding upon my experience with enrichments in business analytics and management science and entrepreneurship.

Interests & Hobbies

I enjoy reading poetry, keeping up with current events through podcasts and the news, and spending time with my family. At Kenan-Flagler, I have enjoyed getting involved by serving on the board of the Latin American Business Association as the executive liaison and as a circle leader in Carolina Women in Business.

Contact for inquiries about Center for Sustainable Enterprise programs, Sustainable Enterprise Concentration, events, career management, and other student related programs.

As Associate Director, Tracy manages the Center for Sustainable Enterprise as a resource hub for faculty, students, staff and businesses interested in sustainability as a personal, business or academic pursuit. She has Co-created and implemented action-based, experiential leadership courses for Undergraduate and MBA students and advises UNC students on personal, academic, and sustainability career interests. Tracy currently serves as a faculty member of the Food for All Steering Committee, an adviser for the Social Impact Summer Grant program for full-time MBA students, and as Faculty Adviser for the MBA Net Impact Club and Undergraduate Carolina Sustainable Business Club. Tracy is also Faculty Advisor for both UNC Ultimate Club Teams, Darkside (Men’s) and Pleiades (Women’s). She is also a member of the leadership team of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business Cares Committee.

Whitney Afonso is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Government. Whitney’s research focuses on state and local public finance with an emphasis on local sales taxes. Her work has appeared in journals such as the National Tax Journal, Public Budgeting & Finance, Public Finance Review, Public Administration Review, and the Journal of Public Policy. Whitney won the Burkhead Award for best manuscript published in Public Budgeting & Finance in 2015. She also has served on the executive committee of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management since 2018.

In addition to her traditional research and teaching, her position at UNC engages her with elected officials and practitioners within the state. She is the liaison for the North Carolina Local Government Budget Association and collaborates and consults with the North Carolina General Assembly’s fiscal research staff on issues of tax policy.

Cate Goodman ’23 is a Business Administration and History double major from Pinehurst, North Carolina. Her professional interests include finance, sustainability, and operations. Her career goal is to become a CEO or run for elected office.  She decided to become a Kenan Scholar because she wants to use business to help prevent the worst effects of global warming and make a real difference in people lives.

In addition to being a Kenan Scholar, Cate served as external relations chair for the sustainable business club and is member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and is their Green Chair. Last spring, she was an undergraduate intern at the Southern Oral History Program. Her hobbies include baking, reading, crafting and running.

Kate Yarbrough ’23 is a business administration major from Greensboro, North Carolina. Her professional interests include venture capital and entrepreneurship, with a long-term goal of establishing her own startup. Kate decided to become a Kenan Scholar because she views the program as an invaluable opportunity to critically evaluate business from the perspective of the public interest and conceptualize ways in which business can provide sustainable solutions that address national and global issues.

In addition to being a Kenan Scholar, Kate is also a UNC Honors Carolina student, a coach for Girls on the Run International and lifetime membership chair for UNC’s Delta Delta Delta chapter. Her hobbies include running, hiking, tennis, baking and holistic nutrition.

Kenny Xu ’23 is a business administration and computer science double major from Gaithersburg, Maryland. His professional interests include business technology, entrepreneurship and venture capital. He decided to become a Kenan Scholar because the program aligns with his passion for serving the public good and his desire to integrate altruism into his professional career.

In addition to being a Kenan Scholar, Kenny serves as the social media chair of the Undergraduate Accounting Club, as a student leader with Summit College and volunteers with Technology Without Borders. His hobbies include watching and playing basketball, playing guitar, listening to music, skateboarding and snowboarding.

Hari Vijay ’23 is a business administration major with a computer science minor from Waxhaw, North Carolina. His professional interests include technology, entrepreneurship, operations, finance and consulting. After college, Hari hopes to work in the public sector, with a long-term goal of combating crimes against humanity. Hari decided to join the Kenan Scholars program to learn more about ways to connect the private and public sectors and leave an impact on the world around him.

In addition to being a Kenan Scholar, Hari is a Kenan-Flagler assured admit and involved with FBLA-PBL, the Business Technology Club, and the Habitat for Humanity tutoring committee. His hobbies include playing tennis, watching sports, hiking, listening to music and occasionally reading.

Srilekhya Vennamaneni ‘23 hails from Hyderabad, India and is pursuing a double major in business administration and public policy. Her professional interests include working at the intersection of government and business to take renewable energy to off-grid communities internationally. Srilekhya decided to be a part of the Kenan Scholars Program to meet a like-minded community of people who are passionate about leveraging the power of the private sector for social good.

In addition to being a Kenan Scholar, Srilekhya was accepted to the Carolina Scholars program, works as a UNC admissions ambassador, serves as a teaching assistant for the Foreign Policy Association and is a business analyst at Consult Your Community. In the past, Srilekhya worked for A Million for A Billion and connected startups and corporations to villages in India to create jobs and accelerate employment. She also led the nonprofit’s efforts to start India’s first women-run water enterprise and showcased the project at the Activate Impact Summit at the United Nations. This past summer, she worked with Heart of Waraba, a nonprofit based in Asheville, to document the stories of successful sustainable entrepreneurs from across the globe.

Ashley Teague ‘23 is a business administration and peace, war and defense double major from Asheville, North Carolina. Her professional interests include consulting, global strategy and diplomacy. After college, Ashley is interested in pursuing a joint MBA and International Relations program or a joint J.D./MBA degree.  Ashley joined the Kenan Scholars program because of her intrinsic need to create a safer world and the Kenan Institute’s commitment to creating a private sector that promotes the public good.

In addition to being a Kenan Scholar, Ashley is also a Buckley Public Service Scholar, a community governor for the UNC Residential Hall Association, a member of the Make-A-Wish Club, a former U.S. Senate page, and a logistical advisor to a nonprofit in South Sudan. Ashley‘s hobbies include cooking, swimming, traveling and reading.

Victoria Song is a business administration and environmental studies double major from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Her professional interests include economic development and sustainability. Victoria decided to become a Kenan Scholar because she values the community of like-minded peers who view business as a tool for public good, and is excited to grow as a student and leader.

In addition to being a Kenan Scholar, Victoria is also a UNC admissions ambassador, serves on the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor, works on the Environmental Affairs Committee within UNC Student Government and was the recipient of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Scholarship. Her hobbies include yoga, reading and running.