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Anujin “Anu” Bayarjargal
Anujin Bayarjargal was born and raised in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and came to Anchorage to pursue higher education as an international student. She is currently majoring in accounting and MIS at UAA and graduating in the Spring of 2023. After graduation, she hopes to start her career at a local accounting firm and become a CPA. She believes the Tom Case Fellowship Program is a great opportunity to build meaningful relationships with her peers as well as mentor and be more involved in the community. She enjoys reading, hiking, and doing yoga.
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Vlad Finko
Vladislav (Vlad) Finko was born and raised in Magadan, Russia, and immigrated to Anchorage, Alaska at the age of twelve. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2020 with a dual major in Finance and Marketing and a minor in Economics. Currently, Vlad is working on obtaining his Master of Business Administration with an emphasis on Leadership. He plans to use his newfound knowledge to provide meaningful contributions to his current business ventures.
In the upcoming years, Vlad has the goal of endeavoring in the entrepreneurial realm and opening his own business to make a positive and meaningful impact in the community.
Community involvement plays a big part in Vlad’s life. He is the Secretary of Anchorage’s Young Professionals Board, President of Alaska USA’s Toastmasters, and an active participant in community service projects. Vlad has made meaningful contributions to organizations such as AWAIC, Bean’s Café, American Cancer Society, United Way, and Alaska Geographic, among others.
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Melody Murdock
Melody Murdock was born and raised in Michigan and relocated to Anchorage, Alaska in 2014. After completing undergraduate studies in Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising she entered the retail landscape as a visual merchandiser and leader of dynamic apparel teams. Melody is a retail professional with over 10 years of big box retail management experience. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The Tom Case Leadership Fellows Program offers an unprecedented opportunity to connect to her local community and foster lasting personal leadership growth.
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Andy Palomares
Andy is a husband, father of five, Air Force Veteran, full time student and newer real estate investor. After spending eight years in the Air Force and being medically discharged in 2021, Andy and his family had to make a pivot. He and his family, originally from Los Angeles, CA, decided to set roots down in Alaska, at least while he pursues his degree in Management with a concentration in Property Management and Real Estate. Andy enjoys any type of professional development, good movies and TV shows, and traveling (mostly to try new restaurants). His goals in life are to build businesses and a real estate portfolio that creates financial freedom and generational wealth for his family. He attributes all his successes, determination, and desire to help others to Christ who centers him and his family.
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Ross Spencer
Ross is a UAA junior pursuing a business degree through the College of Business and Public Policy (CBPP) with an emphasis in Property Management. He is the current Vice President for the Weidner Property Management and Real Estate Club (WPM+RE). He chose business management to “equip me with the skills necessary to manage my own company, Blue Collar Design LLC and to launch our first product the APEX LadderBox (designed to provide good working space and universally mount to A-frame fiberglass step-ladders)”. Ross is excited to have been selected as a Tom Case Leadership Fellow for this academic year, as he believes it will be a great hands-on opportunity to learn via the student/mentor relationship and grow his community connections. “My five years in the Marine Corps has laid the foundation of professionalism in my life, my faith in God has fueled my passion for business, and I believe these next couple of semesters will provide the tools necessary to be poised for success!”