Meet the Team

Hi I’m John and I’m the Director of the Office of Business Career Management at FIU Business. I’m blessed to lead a high-performing team dedicated to preparing close to 10,000 students for successful careers and meaningful lives after graduation. I also serve as liaison between the College of Business and employers at the local, national, and international levels, championing the talents of FIU’s business students and alumni.

I fell into the world of recruiting rather unexpectedly during college, when a chance opportunity at a startup led me to the world of technical recruiting. Since then, I’ve built a career spanning more than two decades where I’ve remained passionate about connecting people with opportunities and helping organizations grow through talent.

Outside of work, I’m usually experimenting in the kitchen, dreaming about France, or attempting to finish at least one of the 25 books currently open on my Kindle.

I’m a proud alum of FIU Business and a lifelong advocate for the power of education and career readiness.

Naomi is the Senior Coordinator Administrative Services in the Office of Business Career Management overseeing the financial operations for the department. This involves managing budgets, monitoring expenses, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and supporting sound fiscal decision-making to keep the department operating efficiently and in alignment with organizational goals. Naomi is also an Adjunct Professor for the Division of Student Affairs and the College of Business where she teaches undergraduate students at Florida International University. She brings a unique student-centered perspective during interactions, with a background that bridges clinical insight, healthcare systems, business strategy, and career exploratory approaches.

Additionally, she provides advising support for the Graduate Career Counseling team. Naomi serves students in the Healthcare MBA program and Master’s in Health Informatics program at Florida International University. In this role, Naomi helps future healthcare leaders navigate their specialized paths with clarity and confidence, by helping students identify and integrate both their professional goals and personal values. Naomi is especially passionate about working with students to navigate life transitions, industry development, and purpose-driven leadership.

Naomi began her professional journey with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan, followed by a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis and has a strong foundation in patient care. Over the years, Naomi has developed a deep interest in the broader systems that shape health and wellness, particularly where clinical care, professional career development, and emotional well-being intersect.

Elise is the Associate Director in the Office of Business Career Management overseeing the undergraduate career counseling team.   Having over 30 years of experience in education, Elise works with the Business Career Management (BCM) Assistant Directors in providing programming and career advising services to undergraduate students and alumni.  She primarily counsels undergraduate Finance and Real Estate students/alumni and assists them in their career development while working with employers who seek to recruit these majors. Additionally, she provides advising support for Master of Accounting students and alumni. She is an adjunct instructor for the First Year Experience program and also teaches the Career Management course to undergraduate business students at FIU.  Elise earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration (Major in Management) and Master of Science in Educational Leadership (Human Resource Development Track) degrees from Florida International University. She is very proud to be a Double Panther!

Top 5 Strengths

Communication / Achiever /  Empathy /   Developer  /  Positivity

Francis B. Merino is an Assistant Director of Business Career Management, with over 5 years of professional experience supporting students to achieve their career goals. She earned a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, and in her current role advises undergraduate students majoring in International Business and Logistics & Supply Chain Management.

Additionally, Francis serves as an adjunct instructor for GEB 3003, Business Career Management, and leads career development workshops for BizPanthers.

Sammi serves as Assistant Director and Certified Etiquette Consultant in the COB Office of Business Career Management, bringing over 15 years of corporate experience in Human Resources Leadership and Sales. She primarily oversees career development for students and alumni majoring in Business Analytics, Information Systems, Human Resources, and Management, along with employer relations for organizations seeking to hire in those areas. She manages event and program planning for College of Business students, including several business dining etiquette seminars each semester.

Outside of her administrative role, she has served as an adjunct instructor for courses including SLS1501 – First Year Experience, MAR4354 – Marketing Yourself in the Global Marketplace, and GEB3003 – Business Career Management. Sammi earned a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Spanish from Minnesota State University-Moorhead and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from FIU. She holds certifications including Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM-SCP, MBTI Certified Practitioner, and International Etiquette and Protocol Expert from the Protocol School of Washington.

Angie Oliveros is a proud FIU alumna with a degree in Public Administration and more than 23 years of service at FIU’s College of Business. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to supporting students in their academic, personal, and professional development.

For the past six years, Angie has been a member of the Office of Business Career Management, where she works closely with both students and alumni as they navigate career exploration, job search strategies, and post-graduation transitions. She finds great fulfillment in helping individuals build confidence, identify opportunities, and take intentional steps toward achieving their professional goals.

Angie is proud to be part of a team that values lifelong career support and is dedicated to empowering the FIU business community at every stage of their career journey.