Program Co-Directors
Casey Love, Ph.D.
Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Casey Kane Love arrived at Tulane in 1993 and has been here ever since. She received her B.A. from Tulane in Latin American Studies and Political Science in 1997, her M.A. in Latin American Studies in 2000, and her doctorate in Political Science in 2005. She was hired as a Visiting Assistant Professor upon graduation and became the Political Science Department’s first Professor of Practice in 2007 and was promoted to Senior P.O.P. in 2013. Her scholarly and teaching interests include Mexican politics, U.S.-Latin American relations, immigration, and democracy in the developing world. As a Professor of Practice, she integrates public service into many of her courses, and she oversees the Political Science Department’s public service internship program and senior capstone experience. She was awarded the Barbara E. Moely Service Learning Teaching Award in 2013. She has extensive experience working, conducting research, and teaching abroad. She worked at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, completed her doctoral research on contemporary interpretations of Mexican revolutionary nationalism in Mexico, and served as the Professor-in-Charge of Tulane’s Summer in Guadalajara program for two years. In addition to her academic pursuits, Casey teaches Iyengar yoga, is a founding member of a female Mardi Gras performance troupe, and is the mother of two young boys.
Myke Yest, Ph.D., CFA
Myke Yest, a Professor of Practice in Finance at the A.B. Freeman School of Business, teaches both graduate and undergraduate classes in such areas as Risk Management, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Cases in Finance. Outside the classroom, Myke acts as program director for Tulane’s Partnership Program with CFA Institute and faculty adviser to DECA, a business competition organization. Myke also consults for a local investment advisor firm that helps high-net worth individuals prepare for retirement. He holds a BBA in Business Management from Stetson University, an MBA from the University of South Florida, and a PhD in Finance from Tulane University, in which he focused his research on mutual fund management structures.
Having spent over 20 years in the finance industry allows Myke to integrate both practice and theory into his finance courses. His dynamic approach toward teaching has earned him numerous awards, including twice-winning the Howard J. Wisner “Professor of the Year” award at the Freeman School of Business. He has also been recognized by four graduating Executive MBA classes for excellence in teaching.
Staff
Natalia Porto
Natalia Porto joined the Altman Program team in April 2012 having previously worked in such institutions of Tulane as Stone Center for Latin American Studies, Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute and Center for Inter-American Policy and Research. As the Program Manager of the Altman Program she administers the logistical aspects of the program and provides assistance to students, including advising.
Natalia is originally from Russia. In the last twenty years she has lived and worked in Europe, Brazil, Ecuador and the US and has been in New Orleans since 2004. She earned her Masters in Pacific and International Affairs with a regional specialization on Latin America form the University of California, San Diego.
Aran Donovan
Aran Donovan joined the Altman Program in 2016 after previously working in education and non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity and Friends of New Orleans Public Library. As Administrative Program Coordinator, she assists with the recruitment process, as well as events coordination and website maintenance. Aran grew up in Tennessee and has lived and worked in Longwy, France and Bologna, Italy. She has an MA in Italian from Middlebury College and an MFA in Poetry and Translation from the University of Arkansas.
