From rocket competitions to a student investment fund and a community kitchen! Lally students are making their mark. They lead student organizations, mentor their peers, compete on varsity teams, and explore new possibilities through research and entrepreneurship. This year, 12 students from the Lally School of Management earned RPI’s 2026 Founders Awards of Excellence, recognizing the creativity, leadership, and commitment they bring to the RPI community.
Established in 1994, the awards recognize Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students who demonstrate creativity, discovery, leadership, pride, and responsibility. Recipients were honored at Honors Convocation on Saturday, October 24.
For Lally’s recipients, the recognition reflects both what they have accomplished and the people who have helped them grow. Their stories reveal the many ways students contribute to the school while finding their own paths as leaders.
Jade Moynihan ’25, MBA ’27
Business and Management; Master of Business Administration
Creating opportunities for others has been a consistent theme in Jade Moynihan’s RPI experience. As President of Epsilon Delta Sigma, she helped develop alumni speaker events, student workshops, volunteer opportunities, and a community kitchen supporting student wellness in Lally. She also served as Professional Events Coordinator and President of Women in Business and was inducted into Phalanx.
Outside RPI, her experiences include working for the New York State Office of the Attorney General and taking on operations management and professional DJ responsibilities with Complete Weddings + Events.
“One thing I have valued most about my time at RPI is that I have never felt like I had to define myself by just one thing,” Moynihan said. “I have been able to be a business student, a leader, a creative, a musician, and someone who genuinely enjoys bringing people together.”
Heman Kolla ’26, M.S. ’27
Information Technology
As the founder of HKQuantum, Heman Kolla is exploring the possibilities of quantum optimization while learning what it takes to build in an emerging field. His campus involvement includes serving as a coordinator for the Rensselaer Center for Open Source, an organizer for the Flying Pig Society, and a member of Phalanx Honor Society.
“As the founder of HKQuantum, I’ve learned that building in emerging technologies like quantum optimization takes creativity, persistence, and a willingness to move forward without a roadmap,” Kolla said. “I'm honored that RPI sees those values in me, and I'm proud to carry them forward.”
Andrew Diaz ’27
Information Technology and Web Science
Andrew Diaz has found a community and a place to challenge himself through the Rensselaer Rocketry Society. Beginning as a software lead on a competition team, he went on to serve as IREC Payload Lead, Chief Engineer, Safety Officer, and now IREC Team Lead, collaborating with students across disciplines to build high-powered rockets and experimental payloads.
His experiences include winning the Battle of the Rockets Mars Lander competition and helping RPI place fourth in the 10K SRAD category at the International Rocket Engineering Competition.
“Receiving the Founders Award is incredibly meaningful to me because so much of my experience at RPI has been shaped by the people, teams, and opportunities I have found here,” Diaz shared.
Ryleigh Falvey ’27
Finance, Markets, and Emerging Technologies
For Ryleigh Falvey, growth at RPI has taken place in the classroom, on the softball field, and through opportunities to support fellow students. A member of RPI’s Division III softball team, she has also served as a Student-Athlete Mentor and a finance intern in RPI’s Division of Finance.
Her involvement includes Epsilon Delta Sigma, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society.
“RPI has provided me with invaluable opportunities that helped me achieve growth and success personally, professionally, and academically,” Falvey said. “I’d like to thank all the faculty and staff who have supported me throughout these past 4 years at RPI.”
Eric Gutierrez ’27
Information Technology and Web Science and Economics
Eric Gutierrez’s RPI experience has brought together student leadership, professional development, and international learning. He has served as President, Vice President, and Freshman Representative of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, along with Recruitment Chair and Professional Development Chair for Tau Kappa Epsilon.
A member of Phalanx Honor Society and a student leader for an overnight Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond trip, Gutierrez has also completed two internships at Microsoft and an internship at Panasonic. This fall, he is studying abroad at Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid.
“Throughout my experience here, I’ve learned a lot both inside and outside the classroom, taken on challenges I never expected when I first arrived, and grown tremendously as a student and leader,” Gutierrez said.
Sofia Jean-François ’27
Business and Management and Communication, Media, and Design
Sofia Jean-François joins this year’s Founders Award recipients while pursuing a dual major in Business and Management and Communication, Media, and Design. Lally celebrates her recognition alongside her fellow honorees.
Nolan Lawler ’27
Business and Management
Nolan Lawler has built his RPI experience around teamwork and initiative. Alongside competing on the men’s lacrosse team, he founded the RPI Real Estate Club and serves as its president, creating a space for students to explore a shared professional interest. He is also a member of Epsilon Delta Sigma Business Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
For Lawler, the award reflects the connections among his academic, athletic, and leadership experiences.
“It represents the growth I have experienced as a student, teammate, and leader, as well as the positive impact I have worked to make within the RPI community,” he said.
Siddiq Mohaideen ’27
Information Technology and Web Science, Senior
Siddiq Mohaideen has used his technology interests to help organizations solve practical problems. As Head of Technology for the Rensselaer Consulting Club, he helped revive the organization and complete a previously committed consulting project. He is now leading a project with SolomonEdwards.
His undergraduate research has ranged from helping improve Lally’s website to attending a public safety conference and preparing a report on real-time situational awareness and data fusion.
“I want to use what I learn to make the world a better place, and my experiences at RPI have given me opportunities to put that ambition into practice,” Mohaideen said. “This recognition encourages me to keep taking initiative and contributing to the communities I’m part of.”
Emilia Rojik ’27
Business and Management and Psychological Science
Emilia Rojik’s contributions span athletics, mentorship, and service. A varsity women’s basketball player, she also serves as an RPI Athletic Lead Mentor, a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative, and Secretary of Epsilon Delta Sigma Business Honor Society. Volunteering with local elementary schools has provided another opportunity to support others beyond campus.
Rojik plans to begin RPI’s MBA program with a concentration in Life Science Entrepreneurship in spring 2027, with an anticipated completion in spring 2028.
“Receiving the Founders Award of Excellence is an incredible honor and a meaningful recognition of the effort I have put into my academics, leadership, and involvement at RPI,” Rojik said. “It motivates me to continue supporting others, challenging myself, and making a positive contribution to the RPI community.”
Claire Lewis ’28
Information Technology and Web Science and Computer Science
Claire Lewis contributes to several communities across campus. She serves as President of ITWS Student Leadership and Secretary of Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society, while supporting other students as a computer science and ITWS mentor.
Her involvement also includes undergraduate research, the Rusty Pipes a cappella group, and Alpha Phi Sorority, bringing together academic interests, creative expression, and student connection.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities I've had to grow both personally and academically through ITWS and Lally, and this award motivates me to continue trying to make a positive impact during my time at RPI,” Lewis shared.
Lillian Peng ’28
Business and Management and Economics
When Lillian Peng arrived at RPI, she wondered how she would find her place as a business student at a university known for science and engineering. Through Lally, she found people who encouraged her to explore new opportunities and advocate for herself and others.
Peng serves as President of Women in Business and Co-President of Epsilon Delta Sigma. She has also participated in undergraduate research on AI and public safety with Kevin Fletcher and AI and hiring biases with Tanya Singh, while serving as an RPI Admissions Ambassador.
“Lally taught me how to advocate for myself and others, and to me, the Founders Award is a culmination of that passion and support, and a reminder to step out of my comfort zone and continue to represent our community,” Peng said.
Victoria Sarabosing ’28
Finance, Markets, and Emerging Technologies
Victoria Sarabosing is helping fellow students gain experience in finance while pursuing her own goals on and off the tennis court. As Chief Investment Officer of the RPI James Investment Fund, she oversees more than 60 student analysts and approximately $250,000 in assets under management. She also serves as President of the Rensselaer Finance Club.
A member of RPI’s women’s tennis team, Sarabosing was a 2026 Liberty League champion, Tournament Most Outstanding Performer, and NCAA Tournament competitor.
“It means a lot to be recognized for the work I’ve put into RPI,” Sarabosing said. “I’m excited to keep growing Lally and creating more opportunities for students here to pursue competitive careers in finance.”
Celebrating Their Impact on the Lally Community
Together, these recipients show how many forms student leadership can take. Whether building an organization, supporting a teammate, pursuing a research question, or helping a classmate find their place, they are contributing to the community that has helped shape them. Lally congratulates all 12 honorees on this recognition and the work behind it.
Written By: Emilee Saunders
