Chapman Staff, Alumni Receive Irvine Chamber’s 40 Under 40 Honors

A Chapman University staff member and eight alumni were honored at the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40 event.

The Nov. 16 reception at the Irvine Marriott recognized the “next generation of business leaders and advocates who are making strides in their industries and the business community in Orange County,” according to the chamber.

Rachel Morrison, Ph.D., Chapman’s assistant vice president for communications and brand strategy, said it was “an honor and a thrill to be recognized among such a distinguished group of professionals as a 40 Under 40 honoree.”

“I’m excited to continue to develop and lead creative strategies to tell the story of the inspiring students and transformative research happening at Chapman University,” she said.

Morrison has more than 15 years of experience in higher education storytelling. She started at Chapman in June 2021 as director of content strategy and was recently promoted to her current role. Before Chapman, she held positions at Claremont Graduate University, City of Hope and Scripps College. In addition to her work at Chapman, she volunteers with the Acacia Partnership and serves on the board of directors at Temple Beth Tikvah in Fullerton.

Nidhi Vogt, Chapman’s associate vice president of engagement and volunteerism, was a 40 Under 40 nominee. With 15 years of experience serving alumni, students, families, volunteers and donors in various leadership positions, Vogt has developed innovative approaches that leverage relationship-building skills and technology to execute multi-faceted engagement programs. 

These Chapman alumni were also honored at the event:

• Tiffany Ablola (JD ’11) franchisee/owner, EOS Worldwide
• Kristle Duran (MBA ’19) chief operations officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast
• Erin Gibbons ’07, vice president of marketing and advertising, Rocket Launch
• Murphy Megonigal ’10, president, KTimeHR
• Taryn Palumbo (JD ’11), executive director, Orange County Grantmakers
• Jennifer Yuen ’12, environmental, social, governance and sustainability manager, Alteryx
• Natasha Zabaneh (MBA ’11), president of homebuilding, City Ventures
• Isabella Zelinger ’11 (MSRE ’22), senior advisor, Cresa