From Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management and the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University
May 2023 | Reposted from Marc Papaj Linkedin
Marc Papaj (Seneca) is the General Manager at Seneca Resorts & Casinos – Seneca Buffalo Creek. Mr. Papaj shared the following about his recent accomplishment:
“I am incredibly proud to share that I’ve completed my Executive MBA at Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management and the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University! In May of 2020, I lost all three of my family’s matriarchs to COVID-19. My mother Diane Kennedy, my grandmother Norma Kennedy, and my aunt Cindy Mohr were the light guiding my way and I was devastated when they were taken way too soon. Almost a year passed and I wasn’t feeling at all like I was healing.
Each were highly regarded tribal members of the Seneca Nation of Indians and I was determined to honor their lives. I set out on an incredible journey to pursue my educational dream, bring awareness to indigenous issues and grow my lifelong network to share the love and inspiration that these women instilled in me.
This goal would not be possible without the loving support of my wife, my rock, my quan–Keiko, children Ayana, Rayna & Alec, my dad Wally, Brian Mohr, Lillian Taylor, Jessica Ludwick, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, colleagues & friends.
I could not have dreamt for a more highly professional, extremely talented, sharp-witted and passionate Ithaca Boardroom team–Fawad Amjad, Indrajit (Indy) Dutta, Gia Mahmoud, Sarita Rajput, and Chris Savino.
I am truly grateful to the Higher Education program at SNI and the gracious leadership and support from Seneca Resorts & Casinos, Native Forward Scholars Fund, The Cobell Foundation, American Hotel & Lodging Association, Cornell’s AIISP American Indian & Indigenous Student Program and Assistant Director Leslie Logan, Cornell’s Diversity and Inclusion Office of Student Services – Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan, School of Hotel Administration and Director Victor B. Younger and Cornell professor, mentor and friend, Robert Odawi Porter.
Thank you to the most amazing team at Cornell and Queen’s – Verne Thalheimer, Camilla Morgan, Charles Moore, Todd McCarthy, Sue DuBrava, Laura A. Jacoby, Ana Bragg, and Patricia Hall. This may be the end of one story, but there will be more journeys ahead to celebrate and honor DiDi, Norma and Cindy.”
Congratulations, Marc! Ja:göh!
