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Conference Speakers

Lesley Wiete Headshot

Keynote Speaker

Lesley Wiete (HHS’98)

Chief of Police // Purdue University Police Department

Leading in a Life of Service

Wiete is a 23-year veteran of the Purdue University Police Department, who started her career as a patrol officer in 1999 and was appointed chief in 2022. She has been responsible for leadership of the patrol division—the largest division in the department—and managing home football games. Wiete holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Purdue and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She recently graduated from the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, an intensive leadership program for experienced law enforcement officers. 

Lesley Wiete Headshot

Keynote Speaker

Lesley Wiete (HHS’98)

Chief of Police // Purdue University Police Department

Leading in a Life of Service

Wiete is a 23-year veteran of the Purdue University Police Department, who started her career as a patrol officer in 1999 and was appointed chief in 2022. She has been responsible for leadership of the patrol division—the largest division in the department—and managing home football games. Wiete holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Purdue and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She recently graduated from the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, an intensive leadership program for experienced law enforcement officers. 

Session Speakers

Session Speakers

Session Speakers

Courtney Cassady

(M’04, MS HHS’06)

Senior Director of Outreach and Volunteerism // Purdue for Life Foundation

Connect With Volunteer Opportunities That Are Meaningful to You
Purdue Ties: Expand Your Network and Participate in Mentoring

Cassady is responsible for leading the Purdue for Life Foundation’s office of volunteerism, which enables people who love the university to stay connected and provides opportunities for them to give back with their time and talent. She has served in alumni outreach and engagement roles at Purdue for more than six years. As a Purdue student, Cassady was a walk-on member of the varsity track and field team who eventually earned a full scholarship and was named team captain.
Connect With Volunteer Opportunities That Are Meaningful to You
Purdue Ties: Expand Your Network and Participate in Mentoring

Cassady is responsible for leading the Purdue for Life Foundation’s office of volunteerism, which enables people who love the university to stay connected and provides opportunities for them to give back with their time and talent. She has served in alumni outreach and engagement roles at Purdue for more than six years. As a Purdue student, Cassady was a walk-on member of the varsity track and field team who eventually earned a full scholarship and was named team captain.

Charlie Catalano

(PhD LA’08)

Assistant Professor of Practice in Public Relations // Purdue University College of Liberal Arts

The Importance and Power of Connection

Catalano teaches courses in public relations, professional writing, and public speaking for the Brian Lamb School of Communication. He previously held communications positions with national and international companies, including Pfizer, Ethicon (a Johnson and Johnson company), and Hertz.
The Importance and Power of Connection

Catalano teaches courses in public relations, professional writing, and public speaking for the Brian Lamb School of Communication. He previously held communications positions with national and international companies, including Pfizer, Ethicon (a Johnson and Johnson company), and Hertz.

Kirti Chintalapudi

(T’15, MS T’17)

Vice President // Purdue Technology Alumni Board

Setting Effective Goals for Your Board and Achieving Them

Chintalapudi is a chief of staff at Hofincons Group, a company that specializes in enterprise asset management and maintenance and integrity management. She provides critical support to the CEO and manages high-priority projects to optimize operations and drive business growth. She is also a certified yoga instructor.
Setting Effective Goals for Your Board and Achieving Them

Chintalapudi is a chief of staff at Hofincons Group, a company that specializes in enterprise asset management and maintenance and integrity management. She provides critical support to the CEO and manages high-priority projects to optimize operations and drive business growth. She is also a certified yoga instructor.

Jimmy Cox

(LA’09)

Senior Director of Alumni Clubs and Student Engagement // Purdue for Life Foundation

Events Best Practices
Planning Your Year Ahead
Purdue Ties: Expand Your Network and Participate in Mentoring
Recruiting New Leadership

Cox oversees student, recent-graduate, and alumni-club initiatives. His team manages the Boilermaker Station Welcome Center in Stewart Center. Cox previously served as a consultant for Theta Chi Fraternity International Headquarters and worked in the student affairs office at Marian University in Indianapolis.
Events Best Practices
Planning Your Year Ahead
Purdue Ties: Expand Your Network and Participate in Mentoring
Recruiting New Leadership

Cox oversees student, recent-graduate, and alumni-club initiatives. His team manages the Boilermaker Station Welcome Center in Stewart Center. Cox previously served as a consultant for Theta Chi Fraternity International Headquarters and worked in the student affairs office at Marian University in Indianapolis.

Matt Folk

(ECE’91)

President and CEO // Purdue for Life Foundation
Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni Engagement // Purdue University

Purdue for Life Foundation Update With Matt Folk

Folk oversees all aspects of alumni-facing organizations and fundraising for Purdue University, including communications, learning, engagement, and stewardship. He was previously the president and CEO of Technology Marketing Corporation and also served as president of the Boiler Business Exchange in Indianapolis. Folk, who has been heavily involved with his alma mater ever since graduating, is a member of President’s Council, the Purdue Alumni Association, and the John Purdue Club.
Purdue for Life Foundation Update With Matt Folk

Folk oversees all aspects of alumni-facing organizations and fundraising for Purdue University, including communications, learning, engagement, and stewardship. He was previously the president and CEO of Technology Marketing Corporation and also served as president of the Boiler Business Exchange in Indianapolis. Folk, who has been heavily involved with his alma mater ever since graduating, is a member of President’s Council, the Purdue Alumni Association, and the John Purdue Club.