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Management Department 

Sebastian Fourne

Sebastian joins us from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo (ON), Canada. He has previously studied at Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus University) in the Netherlands, worked in corporate strategy for the diamond mining firm De Beers in London (England), and he was Assistant Professor at the WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management. Sebastian has been a visiting scholar at several reputable Universities including Singapore Management University, the University of Cologne, and Rotterdam School of Management.
Sebastian’s scholarly endeavors started with a focus on strategic and innovation management in terms of managing the tensions between exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation in ambidextrous organizations. Now he focuses more on the exploration of new technologies, decision-making under uncertainty, resource allocation to early-stage scientific inventions, and on the role of middle managers in implementing technological innovation and change initiatives in larger organizations. Sebastian’s second research stream focuses on fast growing entrepreneurial firms and family firms’ resource allocation and their internationalization. Family firms' non-economic goals lead to the accumulation of unique resources (such as social capital, family firms' reputation, strong identification with the firm, patient capital) that on the one hand enable the pursuit non-traditional opportunities or countercyclical investments, but on the other hand raise expectations of external stakeholders and may lead to risk averse choices. 

Teaching: 

Entrepreneurship, Corporate Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels.

Why I wanted to work at Coggin? 

My main goal will be to strengthen entrepreneurship research and programs at the Coggin College of Business.
In a growing local economy, there will be the opportunities to redesign and offer new attractive graduate programs (with entrepreneurship focus) for the local community.

• Growth prospects of the college of business in areas to which I can hopefully contribute based on my prior experience and network.
• Looking for a supportive, collegial atmosphere.
• The area around ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ is an attractive place for my family to live in - winter was too long and cold in Canada.

Accounting and Finance Department 

Yan (Vicky) Ma

Yan (Vicky) Ma is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Coggin College of Business. Prior to joining Coggin, she earned a PhD in Accounting from the University of Calgary, Canada, and a Master of Finance from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Her research primarily focuses on governance and management decision-making in uncertain circumstances. Vicky is passionate about teaching and has extensive experience working with diverse student populations.

Teaching

This fall, Vicky will be teaching ACG 2071: Principles of Managerial Accounting and ACG 6936: Accounting & Analytics.

Why I wanted join Coggin?

I was drawn to Coggin because of the warm and welcoming vibe I experienced during my campus visit. Everyone I met was genuinely welcoming, and their willingness to help really stood out to me. Plus, I loved their great sense of humor! It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was exactly the kind of place I wanted to be a part of. I’m grateful to have joined such a wonderful team!

Alona Bilokha 

Alona Bilokha is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance. Before her doctoral studies, she worked in investment banking (UBS), credit analytics (Société Générale), and corporate strategy (Kenneth Cole) and consulted for various boutique finance and technology firms. She also has industry experience in data science (Meta, Microsoft) and policy analysis (New York City Department of Education, Center for Health Economics & Policy Studies). Her research has been featured at the American Finance Association, American Economic Association, Financial Management Association, and other national and international conferences.

Teaching

Foundations of FinTech course at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Why I wanted to work at Coggin?

I am excited to join the Coggin College of Business and contribute to the success of the FinTech programs and initiatives. With the focus on the intersection of financial expertise with cutting-edge technology, the FinTech program is at the forefront of exploring how artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data analytics are transforming traditional finance.

Blake Rayfield

Blake Rayfield is an incoming Assistant Professor of Finance at the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ. He has published over ten peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, including works in the Journal of Financial Research and the Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance. His research interests focus on Financial Technology, Corporate Finance, and Investments, where he is dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice. Passionate about mentorship, Blake has mentored Ph.D. researchers from Morocco, France, and Kosovo, and has served as a visiting professor at the University of Strasbourg in France and as a guest lecturer for FGV. Blake holds a B.S. in Finance from Florida International University, as well as a master’s and Ph.D. in Financial Economics from the University of New Orleans.

Teaching

This fall, Blake teaches Financial Modeling (Undergraduate) and Investments (Graduate).
In the future, he will teach FinTech.

Why I wanted to work at Coggin?

I was drawn to Coggin College because of its upward trajectory and the opportunity to teach FinTech. Having experience in teaching and consulting in FinTech outside of academia, I wanted to bring that experience into the classroom. Moving to Coggin allows me to do just that.
It is evident that this College is dedicated to driving the success of its Students and Faculty. Since I arrived, I have felt a "relentless welcome." It's clear Coggin means business.