Contact Admissions

Kurt Ahlm

Associate Dean of Student Recruitment and Admissions

Kurt joined the Admissions Office in the fall of 2002 as the senior associate director of operations and during his tenure has been responsible for virtually every aspect of the admissions process at one point or another. As director of admissions, Kurt played a key role in the rebranding efforts of Chicago Booth from Chicago GSB and redesigned the Booth application to include the infamous "PowerPoint Presentation."

Prior to Chicago Booth, Kurt worked as an admissions officer for Northwestern University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions and as a recruiting manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Kurt earned a bachelors degree from Northwestern University, and later received a masters degree in higher education administration from Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy. Most recently, Kurt completed his MBA from Chicago Booth with concentrations in marketing management and strategic management.

When Kurt is not working he enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and German shepherd. He currently lives in the western suburbs after spending the last 10 years a home run's distance from Wrigley Field. Kurt is a lifelong Chicagoan, sports enthusiast, and long-suffering Cubs fan.

Kelley Curtin

Associate Director of Admissions

Kelley joined the Admissions Office in June of 2010. In addition to serving as part of the Admissions Committee, she coordinates the marketing and communications efforts of the Full-Time MBA Program.

Prior to coming to Chicago Booth, Kelley was an assistant director of admissions at the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism and at the Boston University School of Law. She also worked as an account supervisor at Fleishman Hillard International Communications in Washington DC.

Originally from Virginia, Kelley received a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Virginia and an EdM in higher education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Kelley currently resides in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago where she enjoys playing soccer, running, and volunteering for Chicago Canine Rescue.

Danielle Foster

Associate Director of Admissions

Danielle joined the Admissions Office in October of 2011. She works as a member of the Admissions Committee, while also managing and spearheading relationships with Chicago Booth global alumni of the Full-Time MBA Program.

In her previous position as the Assistant Director of Recruiting for the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, Danielle led and managed the International MBA and Master of International Business programs and recruiting/retention efforts. Danielle’s experience in higher education also includes developing the marketing and recruiting department for the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina.

A native Virginian, Danielle received a BA in sociology and a BA in criminal justice from Roanoke College. Danielle is a die-hard Washington Redskins and Virginia Tech football fan, and can be found traveling the world for Chicago Booth and for leisure. As a volunteer, she is active with Delta Gamma collegians and alumnae, and Service for Sight efforts. Danielle lives in the Gold Coast with her husband, who both enjoy exploring Chicago and taking their Weimaraner to all the great dog parks the city has to offer.

Amy Hung

Assistant Director of Admissions

Amy joined the admissions team in October 2010. She manages all on-campus events, including the Daily Campus Visit Program, Booth Live, and Admit Weekend. In addition to meeting and communicating with prospective students, she also works closely with student volunteers of DSAC and Admit Weekend.

Prior to joining Booth, Amy taught middle school literature for four years at a public school in Chicago. Amy grew up in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in secondary teaching. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in public service management, with a concentration in higher education administration, from DePaul University.

Amy enjoys leisure travel, movies, concerts, and is always seeking the best sushi restaurant. She enjoys interacting with students of diverse backgrounds and values making connections with prospective Chicago Booth students.

Bryce Kirchhausen

Associate Director of Admissions

Bryce joined the Chicago Booth admissions team in April of 2010 as an associate director. In addition to serving as part of the Admissions Committee, Bryce is responsible for building lasting relationships with alumni and corporations. Prior to joining the Admissions Office, he worked in client services at a Chicago marketing agency and was a recruiter for that industry. He also volunteers at Jobs for Youth, Chicago Professionals for Youth, Chicago Cares, Career Transitions Center, Off the Streets, and PAWS.

A native of Ohio, Bryce received a bachelor's degree in marketing from Michigan State University. He has lived in Chicago since 2005 and currently resides in Lakeview. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the city, listening to all types of music, playing soccer and softball, cooking, and trying new restaurants.

Joanne Legler

Associate Director of Admissions

Joanne has been with Chicago Booth's Admissions Office since September of 2006. She is responsible for overseeing the Dean's Student Admissions Committee (DSAC) and the Campus Visit Program, working on women's initiatives and other areas of diversity, and managing the Booth Scholars Program. She most enjoys reading applications and interacting with prospective students and loves the travel she gets to do to promote Chicago Booth. 

Joanne previously worked as assistant director of admission at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and in Residence Life at Towson University in Maryland. Joanne received a bachelor's degree in American studies from Hamilton College in 1997 and a M.Ed in student affairs from the University of Delaware in 2001. She lives in Lincoln Park and, a native New Yorker, is a loyal fan of the New York Yankees. Joanne also volunteers her time with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Carrie Lydon

Associate Director of Admissions

Carrie joined the Chicago Booth admissions team in August of 2008. Along with recruiting and assessing applicants as part of the Admissions Committee, Carrie focuses on the evaluation process, as well as LGBT recruitment. She most enjoys traveling on behalf of Chicago Booth and meeting prospective students from around the world.

Prior to joining the Admissions Office, she served as the development director for Girls in the Game, where she led the organization's resource development and strategic planning. Her professional experience also includes nonprofit development and management with the Center for Economic Progress. Carrie received her bachelor's degree from Ball State University in 2001.

A Chicagoland native, she currently resides on the south side, between Chinatown and US Cellular Field. In her free time, she enjoys performing throughout Chicago, volunteering, and spending time with her partner and dog.

Eddie Pulliam

Senior Associate Director of Admissions

Eddie joined the Admissions Office in 1987 and held several positions before becoming Senior Associate Director. Along with recruiting, reading applications, and interviewing candidates for Chicago Booth, his primary responsibility is spearheading recruitment initiatives for underrepresented minorities including African American, Hispanic American, Native American, women, and gays and lesbians. He also works on marketing initiatives. Eddie has served as a co-chair for the annual Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conference and is Chicago Booth's representative for the Ten School Diversity Alliance (TSDA).

Prior to coming to the Admissions Office, he worked for the University of Chicago Hospitals, Development and Comptroller Offices. Eddie received his bachelor's degree from Chicago State University in 1979.

An avid trivia and movie buff (appearing as an extra in several major movie productions), he volunteers for the Blind Services Association and enjoys running. Eddie has lived on the south side of the city in the Chatham neighborhood all of his life and enjoys all of the hidden treasures that visitors to Chicago rarely see.

Emily Salans

Assistant Director of Admissions

Emily joined the Admissions team in October of 2011. Along with the recruitment and evaluation of applicants as part of the Admissions Committee, Emily oversees the planning and execution of off-campus events, including admissions receptions, admitted student receptions, and student-hosted events.

Prior to Booth, Emily worked at GroupOn as the Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Sales. She also worked as a Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist for Astrazeneca in Los Angeles before moving out to the Midwest for graduate school. A California Bay Area native, Emily attended The University of Southern California for undergraduate studies, double majoring in Chemistry and Psychology. She left sunny southern California to pursue graduate work at The University of Michigan and graduated in December of 2010 with a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry.

Currently living in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, Emily dances professionally with the Chicago Adrenaline Rush Dancers, dance team for the Chicago Rush arena football team. When she is not cheering on the Rush or her USC Trojans, Emily enjoys exploring the city of Chicago, cooking, volunteering, and spending time with her friends and puppy.

Donna Swinford

Director of Operations and Evaluation

Donna joined the Office of Admissions in 2005. Donna is responsible for handling all issues related to technology, application systems, and operations. Prior to moving to Admissions, she held the positions of project manager for the computing services office and information services manager in Career Services at Chicago Booth. Donna was integral in the development and implementation of our online application system. Donna has been at Chicago Booth since 1997.

Donna and her husband live in Chicago along with their three children. 

Joanna Zisis

Senior Associate Director of Admissions

Joanna joined the Chicago Booth Admissions Office in August 2007 as an associate director. In addition to serving as part of the Admissions Committee, Joanna leads alumni volunteer efforts and outreach. She is also responsible for corporate relationships and events, global recruiting planning, and Admissions global initiatives.

Previously, she was the senior manager of admissions at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Joanna's experience in higher education also includes her positions as student advisor, program coordinator, and ESL instructor at Scuola Lorenzo DeMedici, an international university in Florence, Italy. She has also served as an account executive for marketing agencies in New York and Chicago.

Originally from Ohio, Joanna received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Joanna, her husband, and her son live in downtown Chicago. She loves traveling the globe for Chicago Booth and meeting prospective students from all over the world.