Meet the 2026 Outstanding Young Alumni

Maya Brown, Sociology and Africana Studies ’15, Life Member,

is an educator, political consultant and lobbyist dedicated to increasing civic engagement nationwide. The founder of MB Strategies LLC, a political and public affairs consulting firm, Brown manages multimillion-dollar communications and advocacy campaigns and advises partners across government, corporate and community organizations. Brown was named to Florida Politics’ “150 Most Influential People in Florida Politics” in 2022 and INFLUENCE Magazine’s “30 Under 30” in 2020. A former member of the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors, she serves several nonprofit agencies and mentors emerging civic and community leaders as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer.

Raechel Canipe, Psychology ’13

is the founder and CEO of Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship, which provides free educational programs, mentorship and networking for more than 5,000 women across Florida. She also serves as chief operating officer for RevStar, a digital transformation agency delivering AI solutions, and as a venture capitalist helping companies grow into industry-leading businesses. Canipe supported evacuations in Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul as an officer of Project Afghan Relief Fund. A former chair of Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay, she earned recognition as a Tampa Bay Business Journal 2024 Innovation Award winner and a Business Observer 2024 Changemaker.

Dr. Nicole Dinescu-Munoz, Biomedical Sciences ’13 and MS Medical Sciences ’15

is a physician and medical director at Tampa General Medical Group, where she leads clinical care and strategic initiatives. Double board-certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, she is passionate about improving access to care and health education, especially in communities where many residents are uninsured or have limited English proficiency. Dinescu-Munoz completed her residency at USF, presented her research on HPV vaccination hesitancy internationally and mentored multiple medical students and learners. She has received numerous awards, including Campus Leader of the Year at Des Moines University and the American Medical Association Foundation Minority Scholars Award.

Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences ’13

is a military historian; Forbes contributor covering drones, aerospace and defense; and journalist for Military Times and Defense News. She has reported on the Pentagon, U.S. Congress, the global defense industry and all branches of the U.S. military. Fletcher was the first female editor of two national magazines and voluntarily writes articles on behalf of the German War Graves Commission. An award-winning author, she has written more than 10 books and more than 100 articles on military history, earning honors from the Military Writers Society of America, the National Federation of Press Women and the Daughters of the American Revolution.  

LCDR Paul W Johannes, Business Economics ’16, Life Member,

is a submarine warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. As engineer officer aboard the USS Columbia, a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine, Johannes leads a department of 75 highly trained officers and sailors in the safe operation and maintenance of a naval nuclear propulsion plant. Known for his technical proficiency, he has led watch teams through two extended deployments to the USCENTCOM and USINDOPACOM areas of responsibility. Johannes has served as a liaison to Canada, NATO and other allied partners, training more than 500 Allied service members and strengthening the tactical readiness of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Navy.

Dr. Ahmed-Zayn Mohamed, Biomedical Sciences and Political Science ’16 and MD ’22

was the first MD/JD dual-degree candidate at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Stetson University College of Law. Valedictorian of his law school class and named Intern of Distinction during first-year surgical training at Stamford Hospital/Columbia University, he is an interventional radiology resident and intellectual property lawyer passionate about innovation in health care. Mohamed is a member of the USF Foundation Board of Directors and the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He is committed to giving back to his community and enjoys volunteering in legal and medical settings, as well as teaching and mentoring students.