Rambling around Los Angeles
Quinlan students saw the best of Los Angeles business while building valuable connections with Loyola alumni.
A group of Quinlan School of Business undergraduate students spent their spring break learning from industry experts in the California sun during the 2026 Quinlan Ramble. In a jam-packed week in Los Angeles, students visited entertainment and finance institutions and built connections with influential Quinlan alumni, all while experiencing the city’s culture.
Getting down to business
The Quinlan Ramble is an alternate spring break that gives student the opportunity to connect with alumni and experts while exploring a U.S. city. This year, studio lights and LA heat set the scene, highlighted by visits to entertainment industry giants Sony Pictures Entertainment and Universal Music Group and their Interscope and Capitol Records.
At the Sony studios, Quinlan students got a behind-the-scenes look at how Hollywood productions come to life. After touring the studios, students were shown how sounds are re-created for broadcasting such as doors closing, footsteps, and other common behaviors.
“It was fascinating to see how much work goes into the details that audiences often don’t even realize,” said senior Lauren Ashley (BBA ’26).
While at Sony, students met with Sony Pictures Entertainment Senior Vice President and Divisional CFO George Semaan (BBA ’08), as well as Tania Missad, executive vice president of insights, strategy and analytics, who shared valuable insights into working in Hollywood. They stressed the importance of relationship management, strengthening emotional intelligence, and staying curious throughout careers.
“George was so personable and genuinely cared about the future of Quinlan students,” said sophomore Sonali Shah (BBA ’28).
Students continued their entertainment industry visits at Interscope and Capitol Records before switching industries to finance and visiting D.A. Davidson and Loyola alumna Mary Clare Doolin (BA ’16), assistant vice president and marketing specialist at D.A. Davidson.
Building West Coast connections
Throughout their travels, students connected with Loyola alumni at receptions and lunches. Among the alumni they met:
- Hector Cuellar (BBA ’78), President and Managing Partner for Gasso Capital Markets
- John Dohm (BS ’89), Chief Operating Officer at EticaAG
- Wayne Kimball Jr. (MBA ’14), Global Head of Growth Strategy & Market Acceleration, Data Cloud at Google and Quinlan Dean’s Board of Advisors member
- Jagger Kroener (BBA ’17), real estate agent honored as a Los Angeles Magazine Real Estate All-Star and two-time NCAA champion with Loyola’s men’s volleyball team
- Owen McAndrews (BBA ’16), Head of Commercial Solutions Engineering at Sprout Social
Rambling around LA
In between their visits to alumni and their companies, students still had time to enjoy the city. Students visited the Griffith Observatory, hiked to the Hollywood sign, tried famous hamburger chain In-N-Out, and more.
“I’m definitely going to miss the gorgeous weather, the sun, and just the trip,” said senior Vibha Srinivasan (BBA ’26). “It was such a wonderful spring break, especially as a senior spring break, and I will remember it forever.”