# Professor Vasant Dhar in Conversation with Jeff Teper (BS ’86) and Joyce Phillips (MBA ’92)

Alumni

February 3, 2026 ![Professor Vasant Dhar in conversation with Joyce Phillips (MBA '92)](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/2026-02/55030787078_1967e8e167_o.jpg?itok=ikhxVxLk)Professor Vasant Dhar joined alumni in Seattle and San Francisco for cocktails and conversation to discuss key ideas from Professor Dhar's new book, *Thinking with Machines: The Brave New World of AI.* The discussion provided a forum for insight, networking, and to explore leading perspectives on AI.

In Seattle, Professor Dhar met with Jeff Teper (BS ’86), President at Microsoft 365 Collaborative Apps & Platforms, with welcome remarks given by Devna Shukla (MBA ’19), Senior Manager, Business Development, Strategy, and Ventures at Microsoft and Stern Corporate Ambassador (SCA) Representative for Microsoft.

![Professor Vasant Dhar in conversation with Jeff Teper (BS '86)](/sites/default/files/styles/large_825px_wide/public/2026-02/6.png.webp?itok=mq6WD5A5)

*Jeff Teper (BS ’86, left) and Professor Vasant Dhar (right) in conversation with alumni in Seattle*

In San Francisco, Professor Dhar met with Joyce Phillips (MBA ’92), Founder and CEO of EqualFuture Corp, a machine learning-powered financial wellness and education app. Welcome remarks given by Jonathan Geraci (MBA ’03), Senior Director of Finance at HomeLight and Stern San Francisco Bay Area regional alumni committee member.

![Professor Vasant Dhar in conversation with Joyce Phillips (MBA '92)](/sites/default/files/styles/large_825px_wide/public/2026-02/8.png.webp?itok=2RPWCPz7)

*Professor Vasant Dhar (left) and Joyce Phillips (MBA ’92, right) in conversation with alumni in San Francisco*

After the chat, alumni had the opportunity to network, mingle with Professor Dhar, and receive signed copies of his book.

![Professor Vasant Dhar signing books and mingling with alumni](/sites/default/files/styles/large_825px_wide/public/2026-02/5.png.webp?itok=6Rr4y0hW)

![Professor Vasant Dhar signing books and mingling with alumni](/sites/default/files/styles/large_825px_wide/public/2026-02/1.png.webp?itok=0vR-arWL)

See more photos:

[![01.13.2026 Cocktails and Conversation with Prof. Vasant Dhar and Jeff Teper (BS '86) in Seattle](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55052672380_6e583b9882_z.jpg)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/sternalumni/albums/72177720331564562 "01.13.2026 Cocktails and Conversation with Prof. Vasant Dhar and Jeff Teper (BS '86) in Seattle")

[![01.06.2026 Cocktails & Conversation with Professor Vasant Dhar and Joyce Phillips (MBA '92) in San Francisco](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55030939770_a4de0739aa_z.jpg)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/sternalumni/albums/72177720331341952 "01.06.2026 Cocktails & Conversation with Professor Vasant Dhar and Joyce Phillips (MBA '92) in San Francisco")

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©Power, Pratt: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau