Belk College of Business celebrates Charlotte connections, economic impact
The Belk College of Business marked its essential role as an economic driving force for Charlotte region earlier this month, as it welcomed new faculty members and unveiled a new video, “Top-Tier Research, Real-World Results — The Belk College Difference.”
“As an alum of the Belk College, I’m beaming with pride with what I see here, with the growth that is happening within the Belk College and with knowing that the talent that is coming out of this school is really leading what is happening in the Charlotte business community,” said Belk College Board of Advisors Chair Kimberly Moore-Wright ’95, chief teammate officer with Truist, one of the college’s and University’s key corporate partners.
Dean Richard Buttimer encouraged board members and faculty in attendance at the gathering at CO-LAB at UNC Charlotte Center City to continue to explore ways to partner with each other.
“I hope you’ll use this opportunity as faculty to leverage the corporate and industry partnerships that we’ve developed through our board members,” Buttimer said. “Board members, I hope you will get to know some of our faculty and use their expertise in your businesses because they are here to be part of the economic driving forces of the city of Charlotte.”
New faculty bring additional expertise
New faculty have expanded the college’s real-world expertise as it addresses critical needs in the region. As the fall semester at Charlotte hits its stride, they are settling into their roles, connecting with students, research colleagues and Charlotte business leaders.
Don Finucane joined the Belk College as an adjunct faculty member in 2024 and became a full-time lecturer in August 2025. With more than 30 years of executive experience and as a current scholar in the Doctorate in Business Administration program, he integrates real-world insights with theoretical frameworks to prepare students for leadership roles in business and innovation.
He has led global functions including product management and strategy for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies across diverse industries, including fintech and agribusiness. His doctoral research explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, family business and human resources.
Victoria Gonzalez is a Fulbright Scholar and doctoral candidate in Management Science and Systems at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She also holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in management control and information systems from the University of Chile. Her research focuses on trust in artificial intelligence, explainable AI, and the application of machine learning methods for financial fraud detection.
Her teaching interests include management information systems, database management, IT project management and financial accounting. She integrates her industry experience into the classroom, including a previous role as a legal entity control associate at J.P. Morgan.
Yu (Eric) Kou is an assistant professor in the Department of Marketing. His research explores influencer video marketing and social media, using machine learning, deep learning and causal inference to model practitioner and consumer behavior.
He teaches digital marketing at the undergraduate and MBA levels, bringing industry experience from leading companies, including Alibaba. He earned a doctorate from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.
Lijia Ma is an assistant professor in the department of Business Information Systems and Operations Management. Her research focuses on human-AI collaboration and the business implications of generative AI.
Ma employs structural models, analytical modeling and field experiments to study how users interact with AI systems and how these interactions create value for organizations. She earned a doctorate in information systems from the University of Washington.
Mila Markevych is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics. Her research focuses on structural change, income inequality, gender pay gaps and labor market dynamics in the context of technological advancement. Her work considers dynamics within the context of task composition of work, workplace hierarchies and technical change.
Markevych joined the Belk College this fall after earning a doctoral degree in economics from the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Saskatchewan.
Seojung Oh joined the Department of Economics in August 2025. Oh’s research explores the design and effectiveness of means-tested welfare programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
Her recent work examines how the rules and administrative structures of government cash and in-kind transfer programs shape access, efficiency and equity. She uses large administrative and survey datasets and applies econometric techniques to address policy-relevant questions with causal evidence. She earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California, Davis.
Wells Osteen is a lecturer in the Turner School of Accountancy who joined the Belk College faculty in summer 2023 as a part-time lecturer and was elevated to a full-time role in fall 2025. She is a certified public accountant with experience as part of Deloitte’s Audit and Assurance Department.
She worked with a variety of clients, including in the power/utilities and renewable energy industries. She led engagement teams and built strong client relationships across industries such as manufacturing, packaging and crypto. Her interest in teaching began at Deloitte, where she certified in facilitation and trained new employees at Deloitte University in Dallas.
LaShana Wiggs ’22 DBA is a lecturer in the Department of Management. Wiggs brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, through leadership positions at major institutions including Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank. She’s an expert in anti-money laundering compliance, fraud prevention and other important areas.
Wiggs began her tenure with the Belk College as an adjunct professor in fall 2022 and joined the Department of Management full-time this fall. She is also an entrepreneur, a principal consultant for her own firm and a graduate of the Belk College Doctorate program.