The annual Outstanding Young Alumni awards program was established in 2006 to recognize alumni under the age of 40 whose achievements positively reflect The Gator Nation. 40 Under 40 will continue the tradition of honoring Gators who are reflecting leadership and innovation in their communities and professions. The awards were announced prior to the Orange & Blue football game on April 13.
Criteria for the competitive award include making a significant impact on the candidate’s industry and having civic or professional accomplishments at the state, national or international level.
Sarvenaz Myslicki (B.S. computer science ’13) was hired as Engineering Director at American Express in September 2018. Her job was to lead the digital transformation of a team of 60 engineers and modernize the company’s technology applications to enable higher quality and data intelligence. Within 90 days, she delivered the first phase of a re-platforming strategy that is bringing significant incremental revenue to the company annually.
Myslicki remembers UF as an incubator for her leadership and innovation skills: “Collectively, my experiences within engineering student organizations were the most memorable and impactful for me. My time as president of the Society of Women Engineers and Benton Engineering Council were fundamental in shaping me into the leader I am today. Even when I look back to my first committee chair position as a freshman in 2009, it is clear that UF Engineering helped me discover, ignite, and foster my passion for leadership.”
“The University of Florida provided me with so much more than a degree. It taught me how to tackle complex problems, collaborate on cross-functional teams, lead without authority, and so much more. On top of a strong computer science foundation, it presented me with countless opportunities to gain the skills that are essential, yet often overlooked in the workforce. UF Engineering prepared me for success in more ways than I ever could have imagined, and truly helped me jump-start my career,” Myslicki added.
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering