The UAB Collat School of Business recently launched a new tradition of excellence by recognizing graduates and supporters whose achievements reflect the school’s mission of innovation, leadership, and service. 

Collat’s Alumni Awards were created to highlight alumni who exemplify the spirit and values of the school—through professional achievement, mentorship, community engagement, and support of future business leaders. The awards include four categories: Honorary Alumnus/Alumna, Alumnus/Alumna of the Year, G.O.L.D. Award (Graduates of the Last Decade), and the Spirit of Collat Award. The school recently honored four individuals whose personal and professional journeys have made a lasting impact.

“These recipients represent the very best of our community,” said Chris Shook, Ph.D., dean of the Collat School of Business. “They lead with integrity, invest in others, and embody the Collat commitment to lifelong learning and meaningful impact.”

Meet the 2024 Alumni Award Honorees:

Honorary Alumna:  Nancy Collat Goedecke

Nancy Collat Goedecke is a passionate donor, volunteer, and mentor whose unwavering support has helped shape the UAB Collat School of Business and the broader Birmingham community. As a leader in numerous organizations—including the United Way, the American Heart Association, and Smile-A-Mile—she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to service. At Collat, Nancy has gone above and beyond by mentoring students, sharing her professional experiences, and leveraging her network to open doors for the next generation of leaders. Her family’s transformational philanthropy established the first named school at UAB and launched the impactful Collat Scholars Initiative, benefiting hundreds of students. Despite not being a UAB graduate, Nancy embodies the spirit of the university and remains a tireless advocate, earning accolades such as the 2023 United Way Tocqueville Award and the 2016 Momentum Woman of Leadership honor.

Alumnus of the Year:  Olu Ogunbi ’13 (Marketing)

Olu Ogunbi is a visionary entrepreneur and civic leader, best known as the co-founder of Chapman Beverages, LLC, where he introduced culturally inspired products like Las Gidi. Recognized in CentrAL, Inc. 40 Under 40 and a graduate of Leadership Montgomery’s Torchbearers Class 16, Olu has demonstrated a deep commitment to innovation, mentorship, and community service. He supports students at UAB’s Collat School of Business by sharing entrepreneurial insights and creating real-world learning opportunities. In addition to his business ventures, Olu serves as Marketing and Promotions Liaison for Alabama State Parks, where he leads impactful branding efforts. His dedication to servant leadership, mentorship, and civic engagement exemplifies the values of the UAB Alumnus of the Year Award.

G.O.L.D. Award – Gorda Godoladze ’19 (MBA)

Since earning an MBA from the UAB Collat School of Business and completing a certificate in Business Analytics from Harvard, Gorda Godoladze has built a career rooted in strategic finance, leadership, and mentorship. As a Finance Manager at Amazon, Gorda leads financial strategy for Amazon Music’s Prime and Free tiers, driving global business decisions through data-driven insights. Previously, Gorda worked as a Financial Analyst at Jack’s Family Restaurants, where he supported growth through financial modeling and customer-focused analytics. He’s been honored as a Forbes Georgia 30 Under 30 recipient and remains committed to giving back through mentorship, guest speaking, and community service. Gorda continues to support the Collat School of Business by mentoring students, speaking in finance classes, and helping bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice—all while using financial storytelling to create real-world impact.

Spirt of Collat Award – Brett Sheedy ’11 (MBA)

Brett Sheedy exemplifies ethical leadership and community engagement through his work as Founder and CEO of Strategic Tax & Accounting LLC, where he has grown the firm from $414,000 in revenue to over $2.6 million by 2024. A dedicated mentor and advocate for education, Brett has hired and trained UAB interns since 2018, helping launch successful careers in tax and accounting. His deep ties to UAB include financial contributions to key programs and consistent involvement in student development, both academically and athletically. Beyond business, Brett’s civic leadership shines through board roles with organizations like Special Equestrians and My Sister’s Place, underscoring his commitment to social impact. With a strong foundation in integrity and professional excellence, Brett has received multiple honors from UAB, Auburn University, and the Birmingham Business Journal, cementing his reputation as a principled and impactful leader.