Background
I am from Decatur, Illinois and was a double major in Accounting and Finance at Eastern Illinois University. I worked for the U.S. Treasury Department, where I supervised commercial banks and their loan portfolios. My work focused on evaluating banks’ risk profiles, assessing borrower repayment capacity, collateral strength, and overall portfolio risk. This experience built my foundation in credit analysis, underwriting discipline, and financial risk assessment.
Why the Wisconsin MBA?
I pursued an MBA to transition from evaluating credit risk in a regulatory capacity to making investment and capital allocation decisions. I wanted to deepen my financial modeling, valuation, and strategic decision-making skills so I could participate directly in deploying capital and supporting business growth. The MBA provides the technical training, industry exposure, and network needed to make that shift.
Wisconsin stood out to me because students can specialize early and continue developing that focus across both years of the program. That continuity allows for deeper skill development and stronger alignment between coursework, experiential learning, and career goals.
The program has exceeded my expectations in both rigor and access. The coursework has strengthened my modeling, valuation, and investment analysis skills, but what has been most impactful is the level of engagement from alumni and industry practitioners. Conversations with professionals across credit and investing roles have helped me refine how I want to apply my prior experience in a new career context, and the combination of technical training and relationship-building has been particularly valuable.
The most impactful part of my MBA experience has been participating in academic and career-focused trips to major financial centers such as New York, London, and Brussels. Meeting with industry professionals and firms in these markets provided a global perspective on how capital flows, how institutions operate across jurisdictions, and how investment decisions are shaped by both market forces and regulation. These experiences helped connect classroom concepts to real-world financial ecosystems and reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in capital allocation and investing.
MBA Experience
One of my favorite projects so far has been working on a consulting engagement focused on helping a professional sports organization address a strategic business challenge aimed at improving enterprise value. The project has been rewarding because it combines financial analysis, strategy, and real client interaction, allowing me to apply classroom concepts to a live business problem while collaborating closely with a team.
One of the most memorable parts of my MBA experience has been participating in the bi-weekly Consortium student dinners. These gatherings have created space for meaningful conversations with classmates outside the classroom, and they have strengthened the sense of community within the program. They’ve also been valuable opportunities to hear different perspectives, share experiences, and build relationships that extend beyond coursework.
Take advantage of the relationships available here. The Wisconsin MBA provides strong technical preparation, but the real differentiator is the willingness of alumni and faculty to invest in students’ development. Engaging early and consistently with that network can significantly shape both your learning experience and your career trajectory.
Rapid Fire
Favorite Spot in Madison: West Towne Mall area
Productivity Hack: Starting each day by tackling the one task that will make the biggest difference if completed.
One Word to Describe MBA Experience: Clarifying
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