Why did you decide to attend Drexel? 

I was a very dedicated athlete in high school, but my body started falling apart right when I was supposed to get scouted for D1 schools. My shoulder and my knee were destroyed back-to-back sophomore and junior years of high school. I was like, “Okay, this is trying to tell me something. You need to get ready for the real world, and you're not going to be an athlete your whole life. You may not be an athlete at all anymore. So, what's the best way to set yourself up for success and get a job?”  

 

Drexel was one of the only co-op schools I knew of, and I wanted to stay within a few hours of Baltimore, because my whole family was there, and family is the most important thing in my life. Drexel checked every box. Co-op sets you up for real life while you're still in school, and you can possibly get hired by one of those companies when you get out. Even if you don't, you've built yourself a resume, which really no other college kid has. 

 

You were the first Drexel student to complete a five-year BS/MS in mathematics and finance. Why did you decide to combine these areas of study?   

 

When I came to Drexel, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I've always been fascinated by technology, so I started in computer programming. I loved it, but it just wasn't my thing. I wasn't great at it. I actually switched to biology for a while. I think I was one course away from pre-med and decided I hated reading. So I went to math. Math is a good, versatile degree that you can really do anything with. When I was taking some of my electives, I fell in love with mergers and acquisitions. I decided I wanted to get more into business, but I didn't want an MBA; I wanted a focus. Finance was it for me. I've always loved money and I was already into the stock market back then.

Drexel offered five-year bachelor's/master's programs, but not in two different schools. Because of the close relationships I had built in the math department, my professors went out of their way to help me finish my bachelor's early and complete my master's in one year. I had to take five classes each term, but I love a challenge. I set my mind to go after it and do it. Luckily, it all worked out, and I was able to do everything I wanted to do. And it taught a big lesson, which is that you don't necessarily need to take no for an answer.  Figure out the way forward, and hopefully you’ve treated people right in the meantime to get them to help you out, because you can't do it alone. 

How did your experience at Drexel influence your career path?  

If you want something bad enough, you might have to fight for it. And if you've played your cards right—if you've treated people with respect, worked hard, built yourself a good reputation—people will give you a shot, and even maybe go to bat for you. That’s something that really impacted me a lot. I started as a financial analyst, which is a fine career, and I started IBM, which was amazing. To get your foot in the door at a company like that right out of college is awesome. I worked hard, but my career really took off because of the way that I listened to people and learned from people. I went from that financial analyst position to being a chief data officer at a $2 billion company because of my integrity.  

When you have to work hard for something, I think it makes you do even better. I got a 4.0 in my master's in finance because somebody trusted me and gave me a shot. I wasn't going to let them down. What I learned at Drexel was to fight for what you want. Prove yourself. And if you prove yourself, those doors will keep opening for you. 

What advice would you like to share with the class of 2026? 

One: never give up on yourself or your dreams, because a “no” might really be a “not right now”, and it shouldn't mean that you don't keep trying. Two: life isn't just about what you know; it's about who you know. You need to make sure you treat people with respect, always put your best foot forward, and make yourself memorable in the most positive light. And lastly, you might think you know what you want to do right now, but I would say don't ever pigeonhole yourself. You never know what else might be around the corner that could lead you to an even better place. So, evaluate any and every opportunity, and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.