Countdown to Commencement with Student Speakers Inara Virani and Brian Harrington

UIC Business is pleased to announce the Spring 2022 Commencement Student Speakers. On Saturday, May 7, Inara Virani and Brian Harrington will draw on their own unique stories and shared student experiences. “Inara and Brian share a message that inspires their fellow peers and resonates with others. Commencement is a very special day, and it’s important for all graduates to know that we are celebrating their accomplishments,” said Joey Maman, Lead Academic Advisor. Get to know this year’s esteemed speakers in the sections below.

Inara Virani is a senior Marketing major with a concentration in Marketing Promotions and Communications. Her interest began in 2019 while sitting alongside a friend in their marketing class. Inara was in a health-based academic track, but she realized that her calling was being creative and seeing her work come to life.

Since then, Inara has completed internships at Energy BBDO, Mindshare, as well as worked on Abbott products and market research. She aspires to pursue a career in the advertising industry within a creative role.

When Inara is not studying, she enjoys baking sweets for her friends and creating content for her YouTube channel.

Brian Harrington is a graduate student pursuing an MBA with concentrations in Management and Business Analytics. While working as a systems administrator at a small industrial sales firm, he developed an interest in how leaders and managers use behavioral data to improve sales, marketing, and operational outcomes.

After completing his bachelor’s degree at Penn State in 2019, he decided to pursue an MBA and focus on the intersection of data and behavioral change.

Before attending UIC, Brian opened a consultancy focused on industrial distribution. While at UIC Business, he incorporated course concepts directly into his work. He built valuable relationships with fellow students that led to careers for them, having hired two full-time employees and several interns. He plans to grow his firm even more following graduation.

Brian is an avid runner, baker, and private pilot.

For complete details about the upcoming Commencement Ceremony, please visit Business Connect.