Worcester Business Journal

18 Worcester Business Journal | August 17, 2020 | wbjournal.com It is Becker's master's in fine arts program that houses the school's renowned video game design program, and it's Theinert who helped build the curriculum and get the new academic program running. Theinert has been actively involved, teaching more than 200 credit-hours of classes and developing 15 new courses since being hired at Becker full-time in 2012. Even once the MFA program was up and running, Theinert helped design marketing strategies, organized recruitment events, and reached out to potential students. Despite the program's small size, it earned a 10th- in-the-world ranking by the Princeton Review of the school's master of fine arts in interactive media degree for graduate game design. As a fairly rare female authority figure in gaming, Theinert has used her role to encourage younger students to find interest in the so-called STEAM subjects: science, technology, engineering, arts and math. This would seem more than enough to keep anyone busy, but then there's her side hustle. Last year, she began selling handmade art and home decor made from crystals and natural materials. - Profile written by Grant Welker What four people would you choose to travel for a year with? Leslie Knope, Carrie Fisher, Cleopatra, Margo Hanson; powerful, self-assured women who I could learn from and have a good time with. What is your favorite activity since the pandemic began? Spending more time with my cats! What is your immediate next goal in life? Growing my nonprofit organization and opening a holistic wellness center. I always listen to my intuition, and this is where my path leads. Amanda Theinert, 32 Director of the master's in fine arts program Becker College, in Worcester Residence: Norfolk Birthplace: Long Island, N.Y. College: Becker College, School of Visual Arts El-Nemr began his career at Nouria in 2010 as an intern and has steadily risen to EVP for the company, which owns 137 convenience stores, 53 car washes and supplies fuel to more than 150 independent gas stations. He modernized operations with his Millennial and analytical perspective. His helped to rebrand the business and its culture under its four pillars: educate, empower, inspire, incentivize. Under El-Nemr, Nouria's wholesale and real estate development departments have become a leading brand, competing with top national companies. During the COVID-19 crisis, El-Nemr helped implement initiatives supporting the Central Mass. community, including increasing employee wages and donating bags of food and beverages to charitable organizations, first responders and medical facilities. His ability to lead his team sets him apart, and he prides himself on earning the trust of those who work with and under him. He's increased profits and efficiency and aims to maintain a level of profitability Nouria has never seen before. - Profile written by Monica Busch Favorite Central Mass. restaurant? El-Basha. I love this restaurant because I am Lebanese, and growing up, my favorite homemade meals were when visiting my grandparents' house and they would cook authentic Lebanese food for me. After months of pandemic life, have you realized you want to work from home more? Personally, I hate working from home. I find myself much more efficient working in the office due to less distractions. Fouad El-Nemr, 28 Executive vice president Nouria Energy Corp., in Worcester Residence: Boston Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Assumption University, Suffolk University 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y

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