Turn Your Passion Into a Career Path

One third of your life is spent at work. Although money is a necessity, how you earn it can bring meaning to your life or absolute misery. Learn how two Binghamton University alumni from very different backgrounds (management and public administration; English) became unlikely entrepreneurs who started a company and a nonprofit together 100% remotely. Our speakers will share their career journeys and provide a blueprint for how to turn your passion into a career path. 

Christie Zwahlen, MA '09, is a writer, entrepreneur and civic engagement specialist. She brings more than a decade of experience developing strategic partnerships and spearheading change across academia, the public and private sectors. From 2010-15, Zwahlen worked at Binghamton University’s Center for Civic Engagement, where she developed and expanded high-impact opportunities for students, faculty and staff to contribute to the public good. She is a co-founder and the "voice" and activist-in-residence at JukeStrat, a purpose-driven consulting group that helps build healthy organizations, and co-founder and executive vice president of Social Impact at Petal, a Texas-based startup reimagining waste disposal as it eliminates barriers to composting, reduces household water consumption, and creates healthy relationships for all. Zwahlen received an MA in English and a graduate certificate in Asian and Asian American Studies from Binghamton University in 2009.

Antonio Naglieri '06, MPA '11, is a co-founder and the chief of staff at JukeStrat. Versatility and building high-trust relationships are the name of his game. He draws upon more than 20 years of public relations and communications, people ops, and public diplomacy experience at a diverse set of organizations including everything from a U.S. military academy and professional sports franchises to some of the nation’s largest nonprofits. In addition to his role at JukeStrat, Naglieri also serves as chief of staff and head of communications at Petal. He has a successful track record of securing earned media coverage for colleagues and clients alike in leading consumer and business publications, including Bloomberg, Fast Company, Insider, Fast Company, The Hustle, BBC World Service, The Atlantic, The Hill, and The Washington Post. He is a board member of the Baltimore Public Relations Council. Naglieri received his BS in business management in 2006 and MPA from Binghamton University in 2011.