Honoring the Next Generation of Lally Leaders
The 2026 Graduation Celebration brought together students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to honor the achievements
of the newest graduates of the Lally School of Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Held in the Heffner Alumni House on RPI Campus, the celebration reflected the spirit that defines Lally: innovation, collaboration, leadership, and a commitment to applying technology and business to real-world impact.
Dean Liad Wagman opened the celebration by recognizing not only the accomplishments of the graduates, but also the community that supported them throughout their journeys.
“You arrived at RPI with talent and ambition,” Wagman shared. “You leave with knowledge, resilience, and friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Thinking Bigger: Undergraduate Reflection by Heman Kolla
Throughout the ceremony, student speakers reflected on the experiences, challenges, and discoveries that shaped their time at RPI and Lally.
For undergraduate speaker Heman Kolla, a dual major in Information Technology and Web Science and Computer Science, the path to graduation evolved far beyond his original plans. Drawn toward entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, Kolla immersed himself in quantum computing research and innovation, eventually founding HKQuantum, a startup focused on optimization software powered by quantum-inspired algorithms.
“What’s the version of this that actually changes something?” Kolla asked during his reflection, recounting a question that challenged him early in his entrepreneurial journey and ultimately shaped his approach to innovation.
Kolla’s accomplishments have already earned statewide recognition, including the Vida and Art Goldstein ’57 Prize in Quantum Innovation and a first-place finish in the Software and Services Track at the New York Business Plan Competition. This fall, he will continue his studies at RPI through the Master of Science in Information Technology program, focusing on financial engineering.
Leadership, Ethics, and Impact: Graduate Reflection by Ella Graff
Graduate student speaker Ella Graff reflected on the intersection of engineering, business, and ethical leadership. Graff graduates with both a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the Lally School while also serving as a standout student-athlete on RPI’s women’s lacrosse team.
In her remarks, Graff explored how her engineering education and business studies together shaped her perspective on leadership, responsibility, and the role organizations play in society.
“We now have the freedom to build lives that are not only successful, but meaningful,” Graff said. “To create companies, products, and decisions that improve the lives of others while still striving for excellence.”
Her reflection highlighted the importance of balancing innovation, ethics, and long-term impact in a rapidly changing global economy.
A Message on Lifelong Learning from Edgar Ancona ’74
The celebration also welcomed Edgar Ancona ’74, Chair of the Lally Leadership Advisory Council, as keynote speaker. Ancona shared lessons from a distinguished global career in finance and leadership spanning more than four decades, encouraging graduates to remain curious, adaptable, and committed to lifelong learning.
A graduate of the Lally School of Management, Ancona went on to earn his MBA from the University of Chicago before building a career across some of the world’s leading financial institutions, including Citibank, Household International, and HSBC. Throughout his remarks, he reflected not only on the technical and strategic aspects of leadership, but also on the importance of resilience, teamwork, and remaining open to growth throughout one’s career.
Ancona emphasized the value of the interdisciplinary education students receive at RPI and Lally, noting that the ability to approach unfamiliar problems with confidence and break down complexity into manageable pieces became foundational throughout his professional journey.
He also reminded graduates that uncertainty is often an important part of growth, encouraging students to stay open to unexpected opportunities and to continue learning long after graduation.
Today, Ancona continues to support the future of the Lally School through his leadership as Chair of the Lally Leadership Advisory Council, helping strengthen connections between students, alumni, and industry leaders around the world.
Recognizing Excellence Across the Lally Community
In addition to student reflections and keynote remarks, the Lally School recognized faculty and students for excellence in teaching, leadership, scholarship, innovation, and service.
2026 Faculty Award Recipients
This year marked the return of the Lally Excellence in Teaching Awards, presented to faculty members nominated by students for their outstanding impact inside and outside the classroom. The 2026 recipients were:
- Dr. Lydia Manikonda — Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award
- Dr. Brian Clark — Graduate Teaching Excellence Award
2026 Student Award Recipients
The Lally School also recognized students for outstanding achievement across academics, leadership, innovation, and community engagement.
- Delmar W. Karger Award in Management — Abigail Peterson
- Del and Edith Karger Dissertation Prize in Management — Omar Alrubaiaan
- International Center for Financial Research Award — Grace Peckham and Rohan Vidaya
- W. Franklin Spafford Prize — Vitor Ferreira
- Chief Innovation Officer of the Future Award — Scott Dochat
- Excellence in Finance Award — Chris Kelly and Sarah Pike
- Epsilon Delta Sigma Award — Jade Moynihan and Sophia Mazzariello
- Gamma Nu Eta Award — Joshua Javillo
- Lally Service Awards — Sanya Joseph, Lenna Wang, Sean Morrison, Grace Peckham, Noah Gecht, Emmanuelle Simchowitz, Shanelle Kan, Alison Gorelik, Alexa Shaw, Elizabeth Rice, and Zach Toland
- Leadership Excellence Award in Information Technology and Web Science — Juniper Huang, Heman Kolla, Morgan Myers, Ishita Pandey, Henry Robb, and Micah Schueller
Looking Ahead: The Future of Lally
The Class of 2026 graduates at a moment of continued momentum for the Lally School of Management. Over the past year, the School expanded experiential learning opportunities and launched new initiatives including the Lally AI Academy, the Lally Behavioral Lab, the Lally Bloomberg Lab, and the Lally Video Podcasting Studio — further strengthening Lally’s position at the intersection of business and technology.
As graduates prepare to begin careers, launch ventures, continue their education, and lead organizations around the world, they now join a global network of Lally alumni shaping industries and communities across disciplines.
Congratulations to the Lally School of Management Class of 2026! 🎓
Author: Emilee Saunders, saunde2@rpi.edu
