Our People

René Heavlow AC ’08

Ann Kaplan 1967 Director

René has over two decades of experience in higher education, guiding innovative, mission-driven programs that foster entrepreneurial thinking and financial confidence. In her current role, she leads vision-setting for the Center, cultivates cross-campus partnerships, and advances signature initiatives that empower students to turn ideas into impact. René serves as co-director of the Global Finance Concentration and chairs the planning committee for the Co-Innovate for Change Challenge. René earned her master’s in sociology from the University of Arizona and holds a bachelor’s degree in Afro-American studies and ethics from Smith College, where she’s been a valuable member of the staff since 2000.

Jennifer Kennedy

Senior Operations Coordinator

Jennifer (she/her) is the senior operations coordinator at the Conway Center and the Design Thinking Initiative. She is the primary contact for Smith students and external offices. Jennifer has worked at Smith College since August 2018 and has previously been a member of the Administrative Assistant Leadership Team (AALT) and Staff Council. She has a master’s in education in athletic administration from Springfield College and a bachelor’s degree in communication and English from Cedar Crest College.

Sara Kragness AC ’21

Communications Coordinator

Sara is a social impact-driven entrepreneur, community organizer, and creative. Hailing originally from the Midwest, Sara relocated to the Valley in 2018 to attend Smith College as an Ada Comstock Scholar and has called the region home ever since. After graduation, Sara launched Crip Consulting to help small businesses align their marketing and branding to their values and a podcast to address social media’s growing influencer culture. Outside of work, Sara enjoys crafting, gardening, and spending time on the porch with her partner and dog.

Sabrina Antoine Correia ’11

Financial Literacy Empowerment Fellow

Sabrina is a first-generation professional and the founder of STC Coaching, a life skills training company designed to empower those navigating new paths without a roadmap. With a background in financial services, workforce development, and corporate social responsibility, Sabrina blends lived experience with strategic insight to help first-gen individuals affirm their identity, build financial power, and confidently shape their futures.

Susannah Howe

Co-Innovate for Change

Susannah Howe coordinates and teaches the capstone engineering design course. Since joining the Smith faculty in 2003, she has coached numerous student design teams across a wide range of engineering disciplines and collaborated with multiple sponsoring organizations from both industry and government. Her favorite part of the job is working with students during their senior year and being part of their transition into life after Smith. She stays in contact with many engineering alumnae and hosts many of them back on campus as guest speakers in the capstone course.

Jessi Kirley, M.B.A.

Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Jessi is the founder of JKirley Collective, a consulting practice that specializes in developing emotionally intelligent leadership and dignity-centered workplace cultures. With 20+ years in healthcare, education, and business advising, she coaches leaders and teams to lead with clarity, candor, and impact. As an Authorized Everything DiSC® Partner and Positive Intelligence coach, Jessi delivers high-impact organizational development and is known for her strategic, human-centered approach to culture change.

Kristin Leutz

Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Kristin is an ecosystem builder and founder of Petra Impact Partners, which is focused on equitable prosperity through entrepreneurship and social impact. With 25+ years in organizational psychology, philanthropy, and strategy, she’s led in sectors from community foundations to startups. She was CEO of Valley Venture Mentors, Executive Director of Startup Champions Network, and co-led the Ecosystem Builder Leadership Project. Kristin founded two consulting collaboratives and holds a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation.

Mahnaz Mahdavi

Global Finance Concentration

Mahnaz Mahdavi is professor of economics and the faculty director of the Global Financial Institutions Concentration. She received her doctorate in economics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has been teaching courses on topics related to finance and international finance. She was the 2008 Distinguished Professor of the Year and one of the inaugural recipients of the Sherrerd Teaching Award in 2004. She was a teaching fellow at the University of Michigan and a faculty contributor to the Women’s Executive Education program at Smith College.

Chloe McKenzie

Generational Wealth Initiative

Chloe is a celebrated wealth justice activist and principal research investigator at 10Seven. She experienced financial trauma firsthand growing up, but did not have the language to understand or explain what happened to her. As an adult, the economic violence she witnessed at the hands of the financial system as a trader on Wall Street and as a financial counselor to Black women eventually made her question everything. Committed to doing better for herself and the most marginalized groups, she founded BlackFem in 2015, followed by 10Seven in 2021.

Ronald Molina-Brantley

Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Ron is an entrepreneur and capital strategist focused on equity for minority, women, and LGBTQ+ business owners. He leads E&BC, Seeding Ventures, and Seeding Ventures Capital, building inclusive ecosystems and managing a multi-million-dollar equity fund. With past leadership at Valley Venture Mentors and Head of Multicultural Banking at Berkshire Bank. Ron brings deep experience in access to capital, community finance, and ecosystem design. He specializes in advancing social ventures through sustainable growth, financial innovation, and systemic impact.

Daniel Schultheis

Demystifying Money

Daniel is a lifelong educator who previously taught at Smith and now works at an education technology startup. He enjoys discussing financial topics and helping people build their comfort level with personal finance. In his spare time, Daniel loves woodworking, hiking with his kids, and reading every sci-fi book he can find.