Meet Our Masters Admissions Team
Investment in your future is a significant decision. We're here to help you through the process.
Reach out to our team early in the application process to ensure that our support and expertise are available to you throughout your decision-making. We encourage all candidates to join us for a virtual visit, browse our list of events, and learn more about the scholarships and fellowships available.
J.R. McGrath, Executive Director of Masters Admissions
J.R. joined the Masters Admissions team in 2021. In his role as executive director, J.R. is excited to meet great candidates and help them navigate the admissions process. J.R. holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a master’s in college administration from Slippery Rock University. He brings 17 years of experience working with high-achieving college students and is excited to continue that work at the Tepper School. J.R. loves to travel and explore new places and can’t wait to find all the new, cool places Pittsburgh has to offer. He enjoys being active, playing or watching sports, cooking, and spending time with his family.
Kari Calvario, Director of Masters Admissions
Kari joined the Masters Admissions team in 2014. In her role as director, Kari leads our admissions operations and is eager to work with students throughout their application process. She also oversees admissions for our MSPM and MSBA programs and enjoys working with our MS candidates. Kari holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Waynesburg University and a Master of Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College. A self-described “almost-lifelong Pittsburgher,” she and her husband are parents to identical twin girls who keep them on their toes. She also enjoys reading (mostly kids’ books these days) and running (chasing after two, busy toddlers).
Tony Gomez, Senior Associate Director of Masters Admissions
Tony joined the Masters Admissions team in 2022. In his role as senior associate director, he is in charge of recruitment strategy and external partnership initiatives. He is also the lead for underrepresented minority candidates. In addition, he collaborates with our diversity partners and liaises with Tepper School affinity student organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Westminster College and a Master of Education degree in higher education from Pennsylvania State University. He is passionate about providing access to higher education to historically underserved populations. He enjoys traveling, playing video games, reading, attending live performances, and hanging out with his cat Pixel.
Amy LaSota, Senior Associate Director of Masters Admissions
Amy joined the Masters Admissions team in 2021. In her role as senior associate director, Amy assists with recruitment and yield activities. She is also the admissions lead for the Part Time Online Hybrid MBA. She manages major admissions events including Diversity Weekend, PT Admitted Student Weekend, and Welcome Weekend. Amy has two Scottish Deerhounds and five cats. She enjoys true-crime podcasts, international travel, and Premier League soccer.
Paige Davies, Senior Associate Director of Masters Admissions
Paige joined the Masters Admissions team in 2018. In her role as a senior associate director, she assists with admission operations activities and recruitment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Paige enjoys reading, hiking, and attending concerts with friends.
Megan Grady, Associate Director of Masters Admissions
Megan (she/her)
(she/her) joined the Masters Admissions team in 2022. In her role as associate director, she assists with student ambassadors and office fellows, and is the lead for LGBTQ+ candidates. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the College of William & Mary, a Master of Music in clarinet performance from Florida State University, and a Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Megan enjoys working with prospective students and helping them assess the best-fit path for their future goals. She enjoys kayaking, camping, tie-dying, reading literature by diverse authors, doing dog sports with her three Australian Shepherds, and riding scooters and motorcycles with her wife and neighbors.
Jackie Otto, Associate Director of Masters Admissions
Jackie joined the Masters Admissions team in 2012. In her role as associate director, she assists with recruiting activities, alumni engagement, and is the lead for US military and veteran candidates. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Science in education focused on higher education and student affairs from Indiana University. Jackie enjoys meeting candidates from around the world and connecting them with resources in the Tepper School, Carnegie Mellon, and Pittsburgh communities. In her free time, Jackie enjoys rowing with Three Rivers Rowing Association, baking Paul Hollywood handshake-worthy desserts, and supporting animal welfare organizations. Jackie is frequently found at concerts with friends, taking care of her six cats, and working on her Duolingo streak in French and Italian.
Dunya Khoury, Assistant Director of Masters Admissions
Dunya joined the Graduate Admissions Team in 2022. In her role as assistant director, she assists with admissions and recruitment efforts for the specialized master's degree programs. Dunya earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a Master of Science degree in administrative leadership with a focus on higher education administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dunya brings nearly a decade of experience to her role, previously working as a classroom instructor. She is passionate about helping students succeed in their educational journeys. In her free time, Dunya loves to bake, travel, and spend time with friends and family.
James Spelman, Assistant Director of Masters Admissions
James joined the Masters Admissions team in November 2022. In his role as assistant director, he assists with admissions operations activities and recruitment. He holds a bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. James has worked in higher education recruiting since 2020. Prior to this, he worked in the events services industry where he was fortunate to have met and heard from some of the brightest minds in various industries. Outside of the office, James enjoys cooking and trying new recipes, playing board and card games, and spending time at his parent’s lake house in New York.
Jenny Warden, Assistant Director of Masters Admissions
Jenny joined the Masters Admission Team in June of 2024. In her role as assistant director, she assists with managing internal communication systems and event creation. Jenny holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Education in Counseling. She has spent almost a decade working in undergraduate admission and high school counseling offices and finds joy in helping students plan the next steps in their professional career. Jenny is passionate about health and wellness, loves being outside, and values time spent with her family.
Diane DeNardo, Admissions Coordinator
Diane joined the Masters Admission team in January of 2022. In her role as an admissions coordinator, Diane assists with all aspects of the application process and enjoys assisting students with completing their Tepper MBA application. Diane holds a bachelor of education in Secondary Education Social Studies and a master of education in American History from Duquesne University. She is an avid urban gardener and loves to be on a tennis court or riding her bike along Pittsburgh’s riverfront trails.
Jonathan Hurst, Admissions Coordinator
Jonathan joined the Masters Admission team in October of 2023. In his role as admissions coordinator, he serves as the initial point of contact for prospective students who interact with the Admissions office through telephone, email, or campus visits. Jonathan holds a bachelor of arts in International Studies and a master of arts in Southeast Asian Studies. He loves to cook and play video games, spend time with his rescue greyhound, Margo, and find new and strange hobbies in his free time.
Paula Wilson, Admissions Coordinator
Paula joined the Masters Admission team in 2013. In her role as an admissions coordinator, Paula assists with events and admissions operations activities. Paula will be your point person to assist you with application components as you apply for your Tepper MBA. She enjoys spending time with her family and has life-long friendships that she treasures. Her hobbies are cake decorating, collecting vintage Christmas ornaments, and being a “handywoman.”