Meet Our Career Directors
Ron Carlson
MBA Career Director
Finance
Ron Carlson joined Simon in January 2011 as director of corporate relations in the Benet Center, having spent the previous 10 years in executive recruiting and sales roles developing a passion for helping talented people find their careers.
Ron Carlson joined Simon in January 2011 as director of corporate relations in the Benet Center, having spent the previous 10 years in executive recruiting and sales roles developing a passion for helping talented people find their careers. He served as the director of Simon’s Center for Pricing beginning in 2016 before returning to the Benet Center as MBA director of finance in March of 2019. He has guided students of finance, marketing, consulting, and pricing in their career searches, and enjoys watching students and employers realize a match. Ron received his MBA in finance and operations from Simon Business School in 2001. His undergraduate degree is from SUNY Geneseo. He enjoys woodworking, hiking with his dog Max, trail running, and following the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres hockey teams. Ron works on campus in Rochester.
Debbie Coffey
MBA Career Director
Marketing
Debbie Coffey (she/her) joined the Benet Career Management Center during the summer of 2023 in the role of MBA director for marketing. Meeting the new class as they began their MBA journey, she considers it both a privilege and a genuine opportunity to connect with the students.
As the primary point of contact for Simon MBA marketing students and alumni and recruiting partners, Debbie brings years of experience and a wealth of skills in team growth, creative problem-solving, and guiding the next generation of talent. Her background spans time as a chief marketing officer, in agency leadership, and as a marketing and media consultant where she led B2B and B2C teams for Fortune 500 companies and SMBs.
A University of South Carolina alum with a BA in journalism and mass communications, Debbie holds certifications in Google Analytics and HubSpot Content Marketing. With a commitment to innovation and teamwork, she spearheaded strategies for multiple Addy Award-winning campaigns. She was tapped to create and teach classes in Web and Social Media Analytics and Social Media Management at St. John Fisher University. The experience inspired a greater passion for coaching and mentoring students beyond the classroom toward career success.
At Simon, Debbie is grateful for the opportunity to work with the amazing Benet Center team to create a positive and inclusive environment. She is dedicated to listening to individual needs and experiences, viewing it as essential to guide students toward successful futures. In addition, Debbie serves as advisor to the Simon Marketing Association and Simon Product Management Club. Outside of work, she enjoys quality time with family and friends and can be found hiking, traveling, reading, painting, repurposing furniture, exploring NYC with her two daughters and often sharing their love for theater (especially Broadway).
Justin Lewis
MBA Career Director
Consulting
Justin Lewis is a seasoned business and people strategist with a proven track record in driving organizational success. As a proud alumnus of Simon Business School, Class of 2019, he is dedicated to mentoring and empowering the next generation of leaders. Leveraging extensive industry experience and a strong foundation in business and human capital, Justin delivers impact across the board. With 10+ years of professional experience (PwC, Gartner, U.S. Navy and more) and six years of experience coaching and mentoring MBAs at Simon and other well-known universities, he has successfully helped numerous MBAs secure interviews and roles at MBB, Big 4, niche firms and internal consulting practices at multinational companies.
His blend of Navy leadership, the prestige of a Simon MBA, and deep industry knowledge enables him to equip candidates with comprehensive career guidance and the tools to navigate rigorous recruiting processes and thrive in fast-paced consulting environments. As a member of the Simon Alumni Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Board, the National Black MBA Association, a Consortium (CGSM) Mentor, Justin is passionate about fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the business world. He has an extensive network, is skilled in navigating complex business challenges, managing difficult conversations, building high-performing teams, and driving organizational change. Justin translates strategic vision into actionable insights, plans, and key activities that deliver decisive and measurable career outcomes for those who endeavor to make their mark on the world post-graduation.