Beyond The Brown & Gold

Rowan alum Megan Hilbert talks about launching Red’s Rolling Restaurant, expanding from one truck to multiple units, and shifting to a successful fried‑food menu. She also shares how she bought Eclipse Brewing, learned business lessons on the fly, and now supports other entrepreneurs.This episode covers her college years at Rowan, the challenges of running food trucks and a brewery, staffing and logistics, and practical advice for students and alumni who want to start their own business.

Tony Cattani '98, M'02 details his remarkable journey with co-hosts Jessica Kanady and Rob Lightfoot on a new episode of Beyond the Brown & Gold. Cattani describes his path from playing football at Rowan to a career in education, becoming Lenape High School principal and the 2025 National High School Principal of the Year.
He discusses mentors who guided him, his leadership approach (recognize, acknowledge, extend), hosting the Proud Principals Podcast, and how he builds school culture while supporting students and staff.

Hosts Rob Lightfoot and Jessica Kanady chat with Rowan alum Jessica Lundrigan '08 about her path from art student to packaging designer for major toy brands, including Barbie and Disney. Jess explains the packaging design process, sustainability and production challenges, trends like blind-box collectibles, and how internships and networking launched her career.
The episode also touches on Jess's personal story—meeting her husband, leading a creative team, and her ambitious reading habit—plus practical advice for aspiring design students.

Rowan University graduate Adam Chazen '08 joins Beyond the Brown & Gold to share his path from Old Bridge, New Jersey and Rowan’s Radio, TV, & Film program to a career in visual effects. He discusses early college experiences (including booking shows for Bob Saget and Zach Galifianakis), internships at The Onion, moving to Los Angeles, working on Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland, and his current role on Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Adam reflects on mentorship, the realities of working in TV and film, building a network of Rowan alumni in the industry, and advice for students considering creative careers.

Liz Faircloth '00 joins Beyond the Brown and Gold to share her path from psychology major and student government leader to real estate investor and entrepreneur.
She discusses building a national portfolio, founding InvestHER to support women investors, lessons from the 2008 crash, practical investing tips (house-hacking, team-building, financing), and her continued ties to Rowan University.
InvestHER Con and resources for women seeking to grow wealth via real estate are highlighted.

Chanelle Rene '99 discusses her winding path from biochemistry and broadcasting studies to a career in communications, wellness, e-commerce, and finally full-time visual art. She explains how classes and internships shaped her skills (including advice she received from a Rowan professor), and led to unexpected pivots. 
She describes teaching herself painting during the pandemic, creating portraits, murals, and public installations, and designing the New Jersey Devils' 2024–25 Black History Celebration jersey. She shares lessons on resilience, entrepreneurship, and pursuing creative passions at any age. 
For more information Chanelle's journey, you read more at chanellerene.com

Brianna "Bree" Jacobs '19 joins the latest episode of Beyond the Brown & Gold. Jacobs, an accounting major and dance minor during her days at Rowan University, spends her time these days working at KPMG as an audit manager. However, she spends her down time cultivating her passion - dancing.
On the new show, Jacobs discusses how she fell in love with dancing, the process of starting her own dancing company, and how dancing can be therapeutic. 
Jacobs is the founder and director of hip-hop/contemporary company ‘Empire Dance.' Under her leadership, the company has delivered captivating performances in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and their home state of New Jersey, as well as placing in the top 10 at World of Dance.
Hear all about her journey from Rowan University to the dance floor on a new episode of Beyond the Brown & Gold.

Ed Delesky ’18, MD ’22 spent his days at Rowan University balancing biochemistry with being a track and field athlete. Years later, Delesky is now a family medicine physician with Cooper University Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine. 
The newest episode of Beyond the Brown & Gold welcomes Delesky in to discuss his time as a Rowan University student and why he decided to jump into the family medicine field. Also, he explains mental challenges of medical school and offers advice to future patients. 
Delesky, host of Your Checkup! Patient Education Podcast, shares tips for future medical students and how patients can change their thinking about medicine.