Charles J. Busta III Business Forum

Busta Forum 2025: The Business of Doing Good

When: Thursday, November 6, 2025, 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Where: Doyle Formal in Doyle Hall, NDMU Campus

• Complimentary lunch will be served.
• Livestream is available.

Event Description: A distinguished panel of women leaders will discuss their professional journeys in careers in philanthropy and community engagement, celebrating their successes and highlighting challenges they overcame.

RSVP FOR LUNCH OR LIVESTREAM

Panelists & Student Moderator

Valencia Hike, Community Engagement Director, Baltimore Orioles
Valencia Hike is the Director of Community Engagement for the Baltimore Orioles, where she leads impactful initiatives that benefit communities across Baltimore. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Hike moved to Baltimore with her young children to pursue higher education, showing the resilience and determination that continue to shape her professional path. She earned a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications from the University of Baltimore and continued her graduate studies in contemporary communications at the College of Notre Dame. Her career includes roles such as Director of Operations and Interim Executive Director at ShareBaby, as well as Community Education Program Manager at Park Heights Renaissance. These positions have enhanced her skills in nonprofit leadership, community partnerships, and strategic program implementation. Hike remains deeply involved in volunteer service, holding leadership roles with the Baltimore Road Runners Club, Black Girls Run Baltimore, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Metropolitan Baltimore. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Marian House and the Teach for America board. In her professional role, Hike leads the Community Engagement Department at the Baltimore Orioles, overseeing a broad range of initiatives that promote youth development, literacy, and health and wellness throughout the region.

Diana Liz-Cabrera '18, M'20, Development Manager, Ronald McDonald House Maryland
Diana Liz-Cabrera is a dedicated fundraiser currently serving as the Development Manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maryland. At RMH, Diana is deeply committed to the organization’s mission of providing a "home away from home" for families with critically ill children, offering them a supportive and nurturing environment so they can focus on what matters most – being together and supporting their child's healing journey. She began her fundraising career at her alma mater, Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she earned both her undergraduate degree in business with minors in economics and French, as well as a master’s degree in leadership and management. During her time at NDMU, Diana was actively involved as a student ambassador and Bonner Leader, while also serving as a graduate assistant for the Office of Campus Ministry and Service. Outside of her impactful work at RMH, Diana enjoys spending time with her loved ones, traveling, and learning new languages, all while remaining deeply committed to her career, family, and friends. In her personal and professional life, Diana embodies the spirit of NDMU, carrying with her the values of leadership, service, and compassion in all she does.

Natalia Mistichelli '94, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Catholic Charities of Baltimore
Natalia Mistichelli received her B.A. in International Studies from NDMU in 1994 and worked for Notre Dame in Admissions for several years after graduation. Since 2007 she has been a member of the Development team for Catholic Charities of Baltimore where she began as the Director of Special Events and currently is the Director of Strategic Partnerships. In addition to overseeing all major events, over her 17 years at Catholic Charities, she has also managed the Stewardship Program and Corporate, Individual and Planned Giving. She was a member of the Greater Promise Capital Campaign Committee that successfully raised $112 million for the Agency in 2022. Among her recent honors, she was awarded the NDMU Service to Society Award in 2022. She is currently a board member of the Baltimore Dragon Boat Club, and her past volunteer roles include board member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Maryland and Board of Trustees member for The Catholic High School of Baltimore.

Nisttha "Khushi" Ray '26, Student Moderator, Biology Major, Pre-med Track
Nisttha Ray is a senior biology major on the pre-medicine track, with a minor in chemistry. At NDMU, she serves as a Resident Advisor, Peer Advocates for Change & Transformation (PACT) Educator, Board of Trustees Institutional Advancement Committee Representative, Senior Class President, Tri-Beta Honor Society Publicity Chair, Featured NDMU Student on Amazon Prime’s The College Tour, NDMU-100 Teacher's Assistant, Biological Research Assistant, and Trailblazer Scholar. She also serves as an intern at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital and a Youth Group Leader at ISKCON of Baltimore, as well as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant at Happy Family Care and Clinic. She is an inductee in the Delta Epsilon Sigma honors society for students attending Catholic colleges or universities.

About the Forum

The Charles J. Busta III Business Forum was created in memory of Charles J. “CB” Busta, a Notre Dame trustee and marketing executive who died in 1999. All individuals invited to speak are accomplished in their chosen fields. We seek inspirational professionals of integrity who have made a real difference, overcome significant obstacles, or delivered dramatic success. We primarily seek women professionals with these credentials to present strong role models who can set a standard of achievement for Notre Dame students.

Our invited speakers are chosen based on a strong set of credentials, including:

• Leadership
• Creativity
• Innovation
• Humor
• Competitive spirit balancing business, personal and spiritual life