Only at Milken: The Power of Alumni Connections

Each year, Milken students gain hands-on experience through internships in industries ranging from business to biotech, and many of these opportunities are made possible by Milken alumni. Whether they are hosting interns at their companies or opening doors through referrals, our graduates are deeply committed to supporting the next generation.

That spirit of connection is exemplified by Jake Fleshner ’15, founder of The Nucleus Network, a network development agency that connects successful individuals and businesses through services in fundraising and startup advisory, lead generation, and strategic relationship-building. In recent years, Jake brought on both Ariel (Ari) Cohen ’21 and Aaron Bina ’25 to work at his company. It is a powerful example of how the Milken community continues to support one another long after graduation.

“Milken played a pivotal role in shaping who I am, not just academically, but in how I think about leadership, community, and service,” Jake shared. “Milken alumni and students tend to be driven, thoughtful, and willing to go the extra mile. Working with people who share that DNA just makes sense.”

Aaron ‘25 secured his internship through Milken’s Internship & Career Enhancement Program. “Working with Jake at Nucleus was a completely different energy,” Aaron said. “He is young, passionate, and always moving. It inspired me.” Aaron’s role included managing engagement on LinkedIn, participating in client meetings, and learning backend operations using ClickUp. “It taught me how to manage my time, communicate professionally, and stay focused.”

Jake was equally impressed. “Aaron brought an incredible mix of creativity and consistency. He helped us sharpen our messaging and maintain strong outreach. His maturity and attention to detail raised the bar.”

Jake also praised Ari Cohen, who graduated from Milken in 2021 and recently completed his studies at Cal Poly SLO. Ari’s journey with Nucleus started with a cold LinkedIn message to Jake. He didn’t even know there was a role open. What began as an internship soon evolved into a paid position as Head of Operations and Account Manager. Over the course of a year and a half, Ari managed everything from CRM systems and client outreach to contracts, newsletters, and web updates.

Reflecting on the experience, Ari shared, “I learned that I love being pushed to adapt to new challenges, and that I thrive working one-on-one with clients to help shape strategy and operations. The trust and responsibility Jake and his co-founder Michael gave me helped me grow more than I thought possible. It prepared me not just to contribute, but to lead.”

Now, Ari is headed to San Francisco to join Verkada, a security technology company, where he will begin his career as part of their Associate Account Executive program. As for his future, he is already thinking about how to give back. “There have been multiple once-in-a-lifetime opportunities I have received thanks to Milken alumni. I hope to return those tenfold. One of my main drivers is to bring amazing opportunities to others and give back to the community that has given so much to me.”

The connection between Jake, Ari, and Aaron is just one of many that reflect the depth and strength of Milken’s alumni network. It is more than a professional pipeline. It is a culture of giving back, paying it forward, and showing up for one another.