Fall 2025
As Purdue business school alumni move from early to mid-career, they turn milestones into momentum. These alums show that success isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s built from creativity, resilience, and a drive to make a difference.
Read about three key indicators guiding them, two pivots defining their careers, and how they are paying it forward. From career curveballs to community connections, their stories show what it means to lead with purpose.
Click through to see how these trailblazers are carving out their own paths and inspiring others to do the same.
#1: Positioning for long-term success
I evaluate how my decisions strengthen the company, support strategic initiatives and position my team for the future.
#2: Seeking personal fulfillment
Beyond quantitative metrics and outcomes, I ask if the work I’m doing challenges me, aligns with my values, instills confidence and motivates me.
#3: Growing together
To me, success is helping my colleagues expand their skills, develop their strengths and encourage greater responsibility.
My first pivot is learning to evaluate career decisions not only through the lens of advancement, but also how it fits into my life outside of work. The goal is to find roles and environments that allow me to thrive both at and outside of work.
My second pivot has been building cross-functional relationships by understanding how numbers create impact across a variety of areas – operations, commercial and leadership teams. All help deliver results uniquely and importantly.
I find value in supporting emerging professionals, through formal programs in my office, through Purdue, and through having informational conversations with those who reach out to me. I love the opportunity to share career lessons and encouragement to help them navigate their own paths with confidence.
#1: Solidifying my career timeline
Knowing what comes next in my career path allows me to determine what I need to do now to prepare myself for the next step and the next role. If my employer fails to provide that clarity, it’s difficult to trust that they are providing me the resources I need to be successful.
#2: Recognizing transaction type and volume
I enjoy working on large, complex transactions for institutional clients, so I prioritize knowing what type of transactions and deals I’ll work on, along with the dollar amounts involved.
#3: Considering firm size
Large firms have more attorneys, creating specialized areas of knowledge. In turn, this helps me learn from some of the most experienced attorneys in the real estate industry.
One of the most beautiful pivots has been my wife and I welcoming our first child last November, eight days after I started a new job. That eight-day period — and the last year — was the biggest change I’ve ever experienced in my adult life. Understanding that things may be tough before they get better helped me succeed through the transition, and I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.
Next, seeing AI trickling its way into the legal industry has encouraged us to adapt to a new client preference: utilizing AI when performing work for them. It’s our job to know how to use it right — both efficiently and securely.
If I had to pick one, it would be mentoring students who are in similar positions to the positions I was in when I was a student. I can’t begin to recall how many people helped me during my time at Purdue, and I think it’s our duty as Boilermakers to help each other as much as we can.
#1: Checking for challenge
Promotions come quickly in this industry, and I hit the top after only a couple of years. As a result, I set new goals for myself that allow me to challenge myself. Asking myself questions like “Is there something I have not yet experienced?” or “What can I get better at?” helps me grow.
#2: Seeking satisfaction
I originally aimed for satisfaction in my work. However, distractions, tiredness and feelings of being overwhelmed catch up quickly. At the end of a contract, I always reflect and ask: “Am I okay with how I did?”
#3: Looking ahead at the larger vision
At Purdue, I set a guiding principle — to improve working conditions, encourage quality and improve quality of life. I want every position I take to support that principle in some way, and it helps me operate with my vision in mind.
A memorable pivot I made was operating to cater to the needs of the environment I was in. I’ve learned to become adept at reading an environment and adjusting appropriately. Some colleagues might benefit from extra support, while others just need to know where to find me when they run into an issue. Every group and environment is different, and I always want to fit in seamlessly rather than cause friction.
Another pivot was transitioning to law school. About two and a half years ago, I acted on what was at the back of my mind and made a form of career evolution. Taking the knowledge and experience I’ve cultivated over the past years and bringing it to a career in law taught me that life is never set and you should always be ready to pivot.
I am a mentor to first-year law students in our evening division, advising them on how to balance work, school and life. And I make sure that any time a new person comes into my orbit, they feel welcome and that they belong. I want to be the person I did not always have, and hopefully that encourages others to do the same.
#1: Connecting with your future self
Get clear on where you ultimately want to be, then shape your career to point in that direction. Don’t settle for roles that pull you off course. Even if it means trading off pay, commute or comfort, those deliberate choices keep you aligned with your long-term goal.
#2: Building my future self’s network
Once you know the path, seek out people already walking it. Study their journeys, ask for 30 minutes of their time, and learn how they got there. Some may become mentors. Others may show that the role isn't what you imagined, which is just as valuable.
#3: Finding the right balance
Sustainability comes from balance. If you’re growing but not having fun, passion fades. If you’re having fun but not growing, boredom sets in. The sweet spot is doing both. The moment you feel one slipping, pause and reassess before momentum is lost.
One of my biggest pivots so far has been vibe coding with AI. AI is lowering the barrier to software creation. Even non-developers can now build web apps that automate work and generate sales enablement material. Learning it early and leaning into it early has been transformational.
Another shift has been learning to sell – even if I’m not in sales. It is a skill that shows up everywhere. I started with books and online courses to help me master the basics and learn a universal language for influence.
One way of paying it forward that I highly value is mentoring first-time entrepreneurs at the University of Washington’s entrepreneurship program.
#1: Performance evaluation
Evaluations and feedback from leaders, peers and team members enable me to assess my performance. It also opens up plenty of mentorship and mentee opportunities that can prove to be pivotal to growth.
#2: Technical KPIs
Looking at key performance indicators provides a technical and comprehensive overview of progress.
#3: Regular assessment
Taking time to reflect on good days and bad days while finding balance in both helps me strive to be better.
I have made multiple career pivots, and that’s probably my favorite type of shift to make. From the Army, to Nestle Waters North America to Allison. I have consistently focused on relationships, learning quickly and systems thinking, enabling me to quickly make a positive and sustainable impact through my leadership.
Another pivot that has been instrumental is acting as an entrepreneur within established companies by always seeking opportunities for continuous improvement and not being content with the status quo. Working through different teams and systems and learning how to establish and achieve goals across a variety of them is powerful.
Outside of work, I support the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation Called to Care, which advocates for the Women’s Hospital and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, which saved my life and brought my son safely into the world.
#1: Finding autonomy
I value establishing what ownership and influence I have over my career, time and financial independence. It helps me take charge of where I’m headed.
#2: Evaluating impact
Reflecting on the impact I’m able to make is a huge part of measuring success. The utilization of my skills, knowledge and resources helps me gauge my level of service to others in a meaningful capacity.
#3: Community support
Looking beyond my role and seeking opportunities to support and engage with Catholic and other non-profit organizations contributes to my personal performance.
A beautiful, life-changing pivot was becoming a new(ish) dad. Having a child while in investment banking has been an experience, let’s just say. My wife and I both had to find new ways to approach our days mentally and physically. Focusing more than ever on communication, respect and acknowledging when the other is going through a tough time has been critical to the first year of parenthood.
Another pivot has been decoding how LLM models improve in the coming years. AI has the ability to increase individual and team efficiency as we are routinely faced with esoteric tasks that require deep research and a quick understanding of the subject matter. Learning how to use AI tools thoughtfully and intentionally is a game-changer.
I never say no to mentoring opportunities! Whether it is for undergraduate students at Purdue, firm interns or first-year analysts, using my experiences to provide feedback to others is a gift. This was instrumental in my own growth, and I want to give folks the same opportunities to learn that others gave me as I navigated the early stages of my career.
#1: 1:1 time with leadership
The amount of time I get with my manager to gain clarity on priorities, seek feedback on my performance, and ask questions to learn more about the overall business is important to me. It’s one of the first things I look for when evaluating roles.
#2: New responsibilities
I want to be in roles that stretch me, so I seek opportunities that allow me to grow and take on tasks that will push me outside of my comfort zone.
#3: Influence of work
I look for teams where the work at hand and the conversations we have are not limited to horizontal results or the impact of past decisions. Instead, I like focusing on decision-making for the future.
After a two-year rotational program and natural changes in the workplace, I am currently working with my eighth manager in the first five years of my career. Being intentional about how I communicate with my leadership has helped me build strong relationships with them and encouraged me to stay focused on my goals.
I shifted from being a doer to a receiver, so being able to anchor to key data points that enable me to check my work without feeling the need to redo all of it is helping me save time and meet goals.
Volunteering in my community is a key part of how I pay it forward. It is one of the ways I have been able to build my community and make where I live now my home, be it through volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters or my church.
#1: Am I consistently learning, growing, and being challenged in new ways?
#2: Am I contributing to a collaborative, inclusive environment where I feel a sense of belonging and psychological safety?
#3: Am I making progress toward my personal financial goals and building long-term stability?
I’ve pursued two rotation opportunities at KPMG, six to nine-month placements that allowed me to explore new functions of the firm. While adjusting to new teams and subject areas in a short time can be daunting, these experiences have expanded my understanding of the firm, strengthened my business acumen and helped me shape the next steps in my career path.
Another pivot has been shifting my focus to building 1–2 deeper, authentic relationships at work, instead of spreading myself across surface-level connections. This approach has allowed me to develop stronger trust, collaboration, and impact within my teams.
As the co-lead of the KPMG Minneapolis African Ancestry Business Resource Group, I help plan and host events that strengthen connections across the firm and within our local community. I’m passionate about creating spaces where people can show up authentically, find support and build the relationships needed to navigate both personal and professional challenges.
#1 As I reflect back on the year, what have I learned?
Continuous learning and growth matter, even when working on similar projects year after year. Building new skills and developing professionally benefits you regardless of your role.
If you notice that your job feels less challenging and your development has slowed, it could be a good moment to explore new possibilities — within your current company or beyond — to stay motivated and engaged in your learning journey.
#2 Is what I am putting in relatively proportional compared to what I am getting out?
We have all had a few bad days at work and felt burned out. Trust me, I’ve been there! But if you take a step back and evaluate both the rewarding and not-so-rewarding moments your career has offered, as long as things are overall in balance, or even slightly out of proportion, perhaps it’s not as bad as you think. Even though, at times, it may feel overwhelming.
#3 Do I still have the same sense of purpose that I once had when I first started?
What motivates you day-to-day to show up where you need to be? As a client-serving professional working in team settings, I am constantly reminded of how fortunate I am to be in a position where I can advise and guide my clients, who are leaders in their industry, through complex environments, all while working with an amazing team of professionals. It keeps my career rejuvenated with a strong sense of purpose.
Stay curious and be open-minded: let curiosity lead the way. Embracing a curious mindset helps you uncover new opportunities and solutions that may not be immediately obvious. Curiosity encourages you to ask thoughtful questions, seek out new experiences, and continuously learn, all of which contribute to personal and professional growth. Being open-minded also allows you to adapt more easily to change, making it easier to navigate challenges and seize unexpected possibilities that arise in your career journey.
Always say yes and worry about it later. Imposter syndrome is real, and when opportunities arise, you may feel like you’re not ready just yet, even though you could be! Taking that leap, even when you feel uncertain, often leads to unexpected growth and valuable learning experiences. By pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, you build confidence and discover capabilities you might not have realized you possessed. Remember, many people feel doubt when facing something new, but embracing these moments can be the key to personal and professional development when facing changes.
Be kind! It’s a tough world out there with everything feeling increasingly divided. However, if we are kind to one another and practice empathy, we might discover that we share more similarities than we realize. Small acts of kindness can create positive ripples in our communities and foster stronger connections. By making an effort to understand and support those around us, we help build a more inclusive and compassionate environment for everyone.
#1: Growth & Learning
A key way I evaluate my career decisions is by asking myself whether I am still stretching. Am I learning new skills, deepening my expertise, or broadening my perspective? The best roles are the ones that push me outside my comfort zone, where I may not know all the answers at the start but have the opportunity to figure them out along the way.
Whenever I’ve found myself in a role where the learning curve has flattened, I’ve used that as a signal to seek out new challenges, even if that means taking a risk. Staying in environments that encourage curiosity, experimentation, and continuous development keeps my career trajectory moving forward.
#2: Impact Through Relationships
I measure my career decisions not just by the outcomes I deliver, but also by the relationships I build along the way. Success to me is about creating meaningful, lasting impact that goes beyond metrics and is about contributing to environments where teams thrive and people feel supported. The relationships I’ve built — with mentors, peers, and colleagues — have not only opened doors but also provided perspective and resilience in moments of uncertainty. When my work leaves both the business and the people I’ve worked with better off, I know I’m moving in the right direction.
#3: Fulfillment & Alignment
The third measure is more personal: alignment with my values and my sense of fulfillment. Even if a role is challenging and high-performing, I reflect on whether it energizes me or drains me. I also look at whether the work aligns with my long-term goals and personal values. I consider if I am able to bring my whole self to work, and whether I’m able to see a connection between what I’m doing today and where I want to be in the future. I’ve learned that career success without personal alignment is not sustainable; it may look impressive on paper, but it doesn’t feel right internally. When I feel both proud of the work and energized by the culture, I know I’m where I need to be, and that feeling of alignment has become one of my most reliable guides in making career decisions.
My first pivot has been learning to prioritize work-life integration. Early on, I thought of “work” and “life” as separate categories to balance, often giving more time to “work.” As responsibilities grew, I reframed this perspective, realizing I needed boundaries while also recognizing professional and personal goals can complement each other. This shift became real when I lost two grandparents within eight weeks, forcing me to reflect on what truly matters. I saw that a fulfilling career must create space for life’s unexpected seasons and that true integration means ensuring my career supports my life, not the other way around.
Another major pivot has been leading without authority. I once assumed leadership meant formal roles, but I found the greatest growth came from influencing outcomes without that power. Managing complex projects and collaborating with more experienced peers required me to build trust, inspire collaboration, and practice empathy and clear communication. I also learned to be proactive, solving problems even when it wasn’t “my job.” This redefined leadership for me as a practice, not a position, where real influence comes from credibility, consistency, and connection.
One of the most meaningful ways I invest in others is through mentoring and creating opportunities for people just beginning their professional journeys. I’ve found sincere joy being involved with Purdue organizations such as serving as a chair on the Purdue Women’s Network Washington D.C. chapter, speaking annually at the Doster Leadership Conference, being a mentor in MGMT 295 career conversations, and so many other great opportunities to give back. Beyond mentoring, I try to open doors whenever possible such as making introductions and sharing resources. For me, paying it forward isn’t only about advice, it’s about building confidence, offering encouragement, and helping others recognize their potential.
