Big Red Bash 2025: A Night to Celebrate Leadership, Impact, and Community

With the Hudson River glinting through floor-to-ceiling windows and a full house buzzing with reconnections, the 2025 Big Red Bash delivered a night of energy, reflection, and celebration. The Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management brought its alumni community together at Current on Pier 59 for its biggest annual event—an evening dedicated to honoring leadership, amplifying service, and celebrating the enduring spirit of the Johnson School.

This year’s celebration, held on May 8, spotlighted four exceptional alumni whose contributions reflect the values at the heart of the school. More than a recognition ceremony, the evening reaffirmed Johnson’s mission to develop principled, impact-driven business leaders—and the powerful network that sustains them.

Recognizing a year of alumni excellence

Vishal Gaur, the Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Johnson School, opened the evening by acknowledging alumni who were recognized earlier in the academic year. Eduardo Padilla-Silva, MBA ’81, received the 2024 Cañizares Award for Distinguished Alumni in International Business and Emerging Markets, and Gil Gidron ’78, MBA ’80, was honored with the 2024 Carlos R. Quintanilla Distinguished Latino Alumni Award.

“These awards reflect the global reach and social responsibility that define Johnson School alumni,” Gaur said. “They serve as a reminder that our impact doesn’t begin or end in Ithaca. It’s ongoing and far-reaching.”

Gaur then welcomed Andrew Karolyi, the Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, who reflected on the significance of honoring alumni in the context of the College’s broader mission.

“Our college is united by a commitment to developing people-centered leaders who drive meaningful change,” Karolyi said. “These awards are about more than professional success. They recognize alumni who’ve remained deeply engaged with the community, and who continue to lead with purpose.”

Service in action: Gregory G. Gatta ’97, MBA ’12

The evening’s first award, the Robert J. Swieringa Recent Alumni Service Award, was presented to Gregory G. Gatta ’97, MBA ’12, for his sustained involvement and leadership across multiple Johnson School alumni councils and initiatives. Gatta, who leads Blue Barn Partners, shared remarks via video.

“What makes Johnson unique is our community’s willingness to say yes—to open the door, make the introduction, show up,” Gatta said. “That culture of engagement is a force multiplier for everything we do.”

Gatta spoke about his path from early volunteer work as an undergraduate as a biology major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to roles on the Johnson Advisory Council and Dean’s Leadership Committee. “It’s not just about giving back. It’s about helping shape the future of the institution,” he said.

A career of connection: Katherine P. Ward Feld, MBA ’82, JD ’83

The Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award, a lifetime honor, was awarded to Katherine P. Ward Feld, MBA ’82, JD ’83, for her four decades of dedication to Cornell and the Johnson School. Feld currently serves as a senior counselor at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and has held leadership roles with the Johnson Advisory Council, Cornell Law School Alumni Association, and the Cornell Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee.

Feld described her continued service as both a responsibility and a privilege. “Our involvement—whether it’s guest lecturing, mentoring, or simply staying connected—strengthens the Johnson brand and opens doors for students and alumni alike,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of staying curious, engaged, and generous with time and expertise. “The relationships I’ve built through Johnson have enriched my professional life and often become lasting friendships,” she said. “This award belongs to all of us who choose to stay involved.”

Honoring inclusive leadership: Shartoyea Scott Dixon, MBA ’06

The Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award was presented to Shartoyea Scott Dixon, MBA ’06, Chief Programs Officer at Management Leadership for Tomorrow. Her work has shaped national programs that expand access and opportunity for underrepresented professionals in business and education.

Dixon shared personal reflections on the significance of the award, named for Wilbur Parker ’50, MBA ’50, the Johnson School’s first Black MBA, whom she met as a student in 2004.

“He reminded us that being the ‘first’ or ‘only’ in a room comes with responsibility and the power to change the room for those who follow,” she said.

She addressed common misconceptions about inclusion, challenging the audience to see it as a long-term investment in stronger organizations and better outcomes. “In the workplace, inclusion and meritocracy are so often pitted against each other, but true meritocracy cannot exist without inclusion,” she said.

Dixon closed by crediting her mentors, family, and the Johnson community for shaping her journey and was met with an unexpected chorus of “Happy Birthday” from the audience.

Leading with purpose: Antonio M. Alvarez III, MBA ’91

The evening concluded with the L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award, presented to Antonio M. Alvarez III, MBA ’91, a founding leader of Alvarez & Marsal’s European practice and a trusted advisor in corporate restructuring and transformation across global markets.

Alvarez traced his leadership journey back to a phone call from then-dean Alan Merten offering him admission and a scholarship.

“That call was personal, direct, and unexpected. It set the tone for everything that followed,” he said. “That’s what leadership is about: showing up for someone else and making the path clearer.”

Alvarez reflected on the professors and classmates who shaped his thinking, and the soft skills he honed at the Johnson School: communication, judgment, and humility. He shared lessons from his career leading diverse teams and helping companies navigate high-stakes change. “Leadership isn’t about personal advancement,” he said. “It’s about helping others rise and building institutions that endure.”

Alvarez concluded by honoring L. Joseph “Joe” Thomas, Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean Emeritus and award namesake, who became a friend and mentor. “Joe believed in people and in service. I’m proud to carry forward those values.”

A community that leads, serves, and stays connected

As the SC Johnson College of Business prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026, both deans pointed to the evening as a reflection of what makes Johnson distinctive: a deep-rooted culture of excellence, service, and human-centered leadership.

“These stories remind us that the Johnson School experience doesn’t end at graduation,” said Gaur in closing. “Our alumni continue to lead and they continue to lift others along the way.”

All photos are by Jesse Winter.